Chapter 35
At the Institute...
Charles was in his office, reading his morning mail, and assessing the last few days. The arrival of Paige was surely going to be only the first of many new arrivals as soon as they could agree on the criteria on how to choose. There were so many now, with so many varying powers, Cerebro was detecting. It was not easy to make such decisions.
There was also who Cerebro couldn't find. Magneto for starters. Storm and Hank's report from California was that, they concluded, Magneto had been there and a woman and her daughter were now missing. Did Magneto abduct them or did they go willingly?
The fact Storm, Hank, Clark, Sam and Paige found that personal belongings were gone might seem to indicate they went willingly. Yet they had found blood stains in the house which says the opposite. The locals hadn't been too eager to explain that and the police were barely paying it lip service as if they would rather almost forget the people who lived there.
It left lots of questions and few answers.
There was also Volcana. Both Logan and Martha had asked and Charles had tried to find her. In fact since she is a meteor mutant it should have been easier. Their brainwaves are different from x-gene mutants and there are only a few hundred of them at most but there was no trace of Claire. Charles liked to believe Volcana hadn't joined Magneto but if she hadn't then where was she where he couldn't detect her.
Again lots of questions, few answers.
On the plus side Paige was settling in well. She and Jamie had hit it off, most likely because they were the same age and most likely because Paige could order him around as she had been doing.
Paige's powers were fascinating.
Transitional Omni-morph Husking. That was the technical term he and Hank had come up with to describe it.
'Husking' being what Paige does when she removes the outer layer of her epidermis. It sounds better than saying she is ripping her skin off. When she removes one layer, the layer underneath can imitate varying substances. That's the morphing part and when she imitates them she inherits their particular properties as far as the testing so far can determine. For example, that means, when she turns into steel she is literally as strong and durable as steel. It was still an open question about the limit of what Paige could imitate, inevitably, at this early juncture and how long she could maintain the transformation. In time they would get answers to these questions.
Charles continues to sort through his mail. He throws the 3rd piece of mutant hate mail so far today into the bin. He's sadly almost got use to that in the last few months.
One letter catches his attention. The envelope is headed 'Stark Industries'. While Charles has bought most of the mansion defences from Stark Industries he does that through a front company so as not to raise suspicion. Therefore he is extremely intrigued about this particular piece of mail. He opens the envelope and pulls out the letter and reads it. It was an invitation for this weekend to a function at Stark Tower. An invitation for Charles to speak and an invite for his X-Men to attend the dinner and after speech party.
Well Tony Stark does have this Halloween dinner every year where prominent people talk. Charles is just surprised to get an invite. He taps his chin with his finger as he thinks. The political situation with mutants was still delicate and it had been awhile since Charles' last public speech. With the chaos the Brotherhood caused while under Isobel's control and Nitro's literally explosive appearance truth is mutants needed some good PR and one thing Tony Stark guarantees is media exposure.
Also a party is a party and it might be nice for the students.
He'll summon everyone together and they can discuss it.
Elsewhere in the mansion Kurt is wandering around in a daze. "Oh man, oh man, oh man," he keeps muttering to himself.
"Yo Kurt. You alright man?" Evan asks, as he spots his friend. Evan had his skateboard under his arm. They were just about to leave for school shortly.
"Nein," he replies with a shake of his head and continues walking past Evan.
"Anything I can do?"
"Only if you can change how I look, sound, speak and everyzhing else about me."
"Huh?" Evan asks, completely lost as Kurt vanishes in his usual puff of blue smoke.
Kurt teleports next to the bed and sits down.
"Kurt is there a reason you're in my room?"
Kurt raises his head and spots Clark. He then looks around and sees he is in Clark's room. "Sorry. I meant to teleport to mein room," he mumbles an apology.
Clark looks a little bemused. "You do look a little distracted," he remarks.
"I'm dead Clark," Kurt says with a haunted expression.
"Why? You steal Mr McCoy's twinkies again?"
"Zhat vas not me. Zhat vas Bobby. I vas framed," Kurt protests his innocence despite the 'evidence' left behind that pointed to Kurt as the culprit. Bobby was good. Kurt would give him that.
"I believe you but that was a scary few hours," Clark expresses his view.
Kurt nods in agreement. "Ja. A twinkie deprived Mr McCoy is not a pretty sight."
"So what's bothering you Kurt?" Clark asks, worried for his friend.
Kurt sighs and decides he needs to tell someone. "I-I'm meeting Amanda's parents this Saturday," he stammers.
"Oookay. That's a big step. I can see why you're nervous."
Kurt chuckles nervously. "It's not just meeting zhem Clark. Amanda wants zhem to see me...zhe real me."
"Oh," Clark finally understands.
"I've been putting it off but Amanda finally got me to agree to go to dinner vith zhem."
"Well it might not be so bad," Clark suggests.
"Are you kidding?" Kurt exclaims. "Zhey'll hate me."
"No they won't. You're a great guy."
"Clark I look like..."
"It doesn't matter. If they're even half decent parents what they'll care about is what makes Amanda happy...or at least that's what I would care about if I was them and aren't you and Amanda happy?"
"I like to zhink so."
"There you go then." Clark sits down next to Kurt on the bed. "Besides you think you have problems. My girlfriend's father is Logan."
Kurt starts to grin a little. "Zhat must be terrible."
"Well I did get the you hurt her, I'll cut off certain parts of your anatomy speech awhile back," Clark says with a grimace.
Kurt chuckles lightly at that image. "How is zhat going between Rogue and Logan? Rogue doesn't really talk about it but zhey act around each ozher like zhey have always done."
"It's not like him and her have exactly bonded. I don't need to tell you what Rogue and Logan are like when it comes to allowing people in. Acting like nothing has changed is their coping mechanism. One day, I guess, they'll have to actually sit down and accept that things have changed but unlike what I did with Rogue and Wanda I don't believe there is any need to push it. Logan and Rogue aren't at each other's throats...well not more than usual anyway."
Kurt found himself agreeing with Clark's argument. "Speaking of Vanda have you spoken to her?"
"Yeah. The other day on the phone. She seems settled in at Dr Strange's. She's learning about Wiccan and seemed quite excited about that."
"Ja. I noticed zhat too," Kurt agrees after his last conversation with Wanda.
"She even wanted to speak to Rogue for awhile," Clark mentions.
"Miracles never cease," Kurt jokes although, of course, he is pleased that Rogue and Wanda seem to be getting along a little bit better now.
"Actually I think they were talking about their plan to get back at me for locking them in the room," Clark says with total trepidation at what awaits him.
"You poor, poor man," Kurt sympathises and pats Clark on the back.
"Will you say something nice at my funeral?" Clark asks in jest.
"Of course," Kurt promises.
It is then Kurt hears the Professor's telepathic summons and Clark hears him call out his name. They look at each other and realise they both heard that. Kurt places a hand on Clark's arm and teleports them in a puff of blue smoke.
A short time later the X-Men and the adults are gathered in the Professor's office. There are a lot of confused expressions that shows how no-one was certain what was going on.
"If I can have your attention," Charles calls the impromptu meeting to order. "I wish to run something by you." He places the invitation on his desk where everyone can see it.
Logan snorts with derision when he sees who it is from. "Stark? That egotistical joke. Ya must be kiddin' Chuck?"
"Now Logan, since Tony Stark's abduction in Afghanistan you know he has publicly announced he is no longer building weapons. He has also done much good as Iron Man," Charles puts up a defence of Tony Stark. He liked to believe people could change for the better and it seemed like Stark was trying.
"He's an irresponsible showboat," Logan argues with no respect for the man.
"He's an absolute genius. God I would love to meet him!" Kitty gushes.
"Should Peter beh jealous there Kitty?" Rogue asks with a smirk.
"No," Kitty says hastily. "Besides I know Peter would like totally love to meet him too. Ooh, ooh, do you think I could invite Peter along Professor?"
"One thing at a time Kitty," Charles tries to reign in Kitty's enthusiasm. "We have to decide whether to go or not."
"Why are we getting invited to this?" Scott asks the rational question here.
"Perhaps it is part of Mr Stark's attempt to change his image," Hank muses. "He wants an event that brings all facets of humanity together and we are probably the most public face of mutantkind...if we're not including Magneto."
"Oh yeah can you imagine Magneto there?" Evan asks. "That would be a laugh," he says sarcastically.
"That's one reason I wish us to go. Despite our best efforts mutants still don't get the most favourable press. I hope seeing us interacting with the most influential people will show how we are just like everyone else," Charles says.
"And talking to those influential people who control the media and government and forging positive links with them probably won't hurt," Ororo points out.
"We need all the allies we can get, true," Charles concedes.
"This does sound a good opportunity to try and improve our standing," Jean agrees, having thought on it.
Kurt raises his hand. "Um, I can't go. I'm going over to Amanda's parents zhat night," he reminds them and as much as he wants to avoid it out of fear he can't let Amanda down. He won't.
"Oh yes," Charles remembers Kurt mentioning that and asking permission to be out. "Well that's fine Kurt. You can still go. Not every X-Man has to go to this function."
"In that case I'll stay and look after the kids," Logan volunteers, "if you're going," he amends because they hadn't decided yet.
Charles nods his agreement. Two adults would have to stay behind to look after the New Mutants. That's one down. He looks to Martha and Jonathan who had been quiet so far. "I request that Martha, Jonathan and Clark come as well."
Jonathan looks shocked. He was about to volunteer to stay. "Us?"
"Yes. It's a bit cynical sounding, I know, but I want the whole world to see mutants and humans arriving together, living and working side by side. It's an image and message we must keep reinforcing in any way we can."
"I don't know," Jonathan says cautiously. He could see what Charles was attempting but that might not be a good idea. He hated people like the kind he knows will be there. They reminded him of Martha's father.
Martha was thinking it over. She had been to this kind of party before. Her father held them all the time. She use to love them when she was young. Now she sees them for what they are. Cynical people trying to advance themselves up the social ladder but to help out the students she might be willing to tread the scene again. She looks to Clark. "What do you think Clark?" she asks him first before she makes her mind up.
Clark shrugs. "It's not like Superman would show up. He's not an X-Man. I would like to help out anyway I can. Also I could get some reporter practice in. If it's going to be my career choice one day I'll need to learn how to act around people like this so I suppose that means yes I'll go if we're going."
"Um, this is goin' ta beh a big thing isn't it. None of us have been ta anything lahke this," Rogue strikes a voice of caution, nervous about having to be in a room full of people like this. This was nothing like a school dance.
"It won't be easy for many of you," Charles concedes. "I know it is not something you're use to but all you need to be is yourselves and I am certain you will be fine," he tries to boost their confidence and self-belief.
They talk some more and discuss a few details. Hank wonders if he should go or stay and help Logan look after the children. He's torn in two directions for the same reason. His appearance. Part of him really doesn't want to be seen at such a public function, yet if the public is ever to accept mutants they have to see all types of mutants, including ones like him with obvious physical mutations. It is also for Hank about accepting himself. A year since he was transformed and he is still trying to come to terms with what he is now. Maybe for that reason he should go. Yes he will go, Hank decides.
"So will we go, yes or no?" Charles asks.
There is a majority who say yes. The rest stay silent. No-one, not even Jonathan, says no. "I thank you," he says appreciatively. "Now there is the issue of who will assist Logan look after..."
"I will," Ororo speaks up interrupting Charles.
"Ororo, you are sure?" Charles asks, with a little surprise she would ask to remain behind.
Ororo looks at Logan. They had been avoiding each other for 2 weeks since the night of the party where they slept together. It was time to put an end to it. Logan had been doing far too good a job of avoiding any situation he and she were alone but if they were looking after the students he couldn't avoid it. "I'm certain. Besides I think Domino will explode if she doesn't get to 'hobnob' with the rich and famous," she quips with a smirk.
"YES!" Domino squeals like an over excited 5 year old on Christmas morning and punches the air.
Everyone can't help a chuckle at her reaction except Logan who looks like a man about to dig his own grave at being stuck with Storm all night.
"Very well then," Charles accepts Storm's choice.
"Is this a fancy dress thing or a formal thing?" Evan raises.
"Formal. It's a formal dinner with speeches," the Professor clarifies.
"Oh my gosh!" Kitty suddenly exclaims. "I have like nothing to wear. All my good dresses were destroyed when the mansion blew up!" she says in what, to her, is a major crisis.
"Everyone's good things were destroyed when tha mansion blew up Kitty," Rogue says with her usual sarcastic flare and roll of her eyes.
Everyone was more concerned with buying everyday wear and not replacing their formal wear after it was all lost.
Charles could see that a good presentation was important. "Well then we will have to invest in some fashionable clothing for everyone. Since this is a formal affair at my request I will pay for it," he offers.
Kitty's eyes light up in excitement at the prospect of new clothes. "Ooh we can go shopping together!" she proposes.
"Must we?" Rogue queries with a sigh. Kitty and shopping were not exactly high on her list as a description of a good time.
"Come on Rogue. It'll be fun!" Kitty insists. She looks to Jean. "Right Jean?"
"It could be fun," Jean considers. She's not a shopaholic like Kitty but she enjoys buying nice things and with the Professor paying she could go for a dress she would never normally consider because it was usually way above her budget.
"Oh I have to go and like phone Peter!" Kitty squeals in excitement as she runs out the room, phasing through the door. This is her first chance to show Peter off since they started dating.
"She's going to be late for school," Scott points out because he knows Kitty. Any phone call where she is talking to Peter will be a long one.
"Ah'll just drain her and throw her ovah mah shoulder," Rogue proposes with a shrug.
The scary thing about that is no-one can tell if Rogue is joking or not.
Paige Guthrie, dressed in grey sweat pants and a white t-shirt with her blond hair tied back in a pony tail, was out having a morning jog around the grounds. She was use to waking up early and working on the farm. She needed to find another way to burn off her excess energy now she was here at the Institute. Jogging seemed like a good way. Besides she figures she needs to be fit to survive these Danger Room training sessions she has heard about.
She hadn't had one yet. The Professor wanted to give her a few days to settle in and get a more basic grasp of her powers first. Paige couldn't wait for her first session though. It sounded awesome to her.
She had also got to meet Sam's girlfriend Tabby and Paige liked her. Tabby was different from anyone else Paige had ever met but she thought Tabby would be good for her brother.
Paige gazes at the mansion still in utter disbelief she was here. She was also in disbelief how meal times here were crazier than at home with her brothers and sisters.
Due to the suddenness of her arrival Professor Xavier hadn't had time beforehand to enrol her into the local school but he told her he was working on it and that she would attend as soon as the paperwork went through. Therefore she was spending her days here for the minute which could be a little lonely while the others were at school.
Clark's parents though did their best to keep her company. They were really nice people, not unlike her own parents in many ways, because they were farmers too. In fact she had seen the small 'farm' Mr Kent had created. She had helped out because, while she may not love farm life, it gave her something to do to fill in the time. Apparently at some point everyone helps out anyway. It was one of the punishments if rules were broken Paige had learned.
Paige continues her jogging and spots the other starting to leave for school. Ooh she better step up the pace if she wants to say bye to her brother. "Come on Jamie!" she encourages her jogging partner for this morning.
Jamie, cheeks red, breathing hard, tries desperately to keep up with her. Now remember Jamie trains like everyone else and he can't keep up with her which really says something about Paige.
Paige was really something Jamie had come to realise almost instantly upon meeting her. She wasn't like anyone else he had ever met and he hoped they would become good friends...especially since there is no-one else his age currently at the mansion.
Paige reaches the mansion doors as Clark and Rogue exit arguing about something with Jamie several steps behind her.
"Ah don't know why ah agreed ta go," Rogue moans about the Stark function. This is not her type of thing at all. In fact it as far away from her type of thing as it is possible to get.
"So you can show up all the supermodels," Clark says, with this dorky expression of total belief on his face.
"Ah keep tellin' ya Space Boy; not funny," she waggles her finger at him giving her usual chastisement for his terrible sense of humour.
"I'm being perfectly serious," he assures her. Rogue's self-esteem issues. Old problem. Clark is use to it. He spots Paige. "Hiya Paige. How y'all doin'?" he asks in a southern accent or his attempt at one.
Rogue rolls her eyes and slaps him on the arm. "Ah told ya not ta try that. Y'all can't do a southern accent."
Clark pouts and looks hurt.
Rogue rolls her eyes again albeit with a small smile at how adorable he looks.
Paige lightly chuckles at how playful Clark and Rogue are around each other. She still can't believe Clark is an alien. She means he just looks so human although she thinks it amazing he goes out and plays superhero.
"Y'all alright there Jamie?" Rogue asks, trying to stop herself smirking at the boy who is bent over double, gasping for breath.
Paige pats Jamie on the back. "He's fahne," she speaks for him. "Right Jamie?"
Jamie coughs and nods.
"He also has about 5 minutes ta get ready for school," Rogue points out.
Jamie's eyes widen. 'Oh crap,' he thinks to himself. He didn't realise he and Paige were out that long!
He finds new energy and runs into the mansion. He trips over the step and a whole gaggle of Jamies appear who all pick themselves up and run.
Paige can't help but laugh. That boy is funny but she likes him anyway.
Over the course of the next few days there is a whole lot of shopping and preparation for the party for those going. For Kurt there is working himself up to a panic attack as the night draws closer he has to spend with Amanda's parents.
Finally the evening arrives.
Jonathan is his room just trying to knot his tie properly. It has been ages since he has worn a suit.
"Here," Martha says as she spins him round and fixes his tie.
Jonathan's eyes light up as he gazes upon Martha in a formal dress. It was red to go with her hair. "You've never looked lovelier," he says softly in hushed, awed tones.
Martha smiles at the compliment. It had actually been a long time since she last dressed like this. She had spent the last couple of days reacquainting herself with how to walk around in heels. She fixes Jonathan's shirt collar. "You're sure you're ok with doing this?" she asks him.
"No," he admits honestly. "But for those kids I'll do it." He'll do anything he can to make their lives easier. If this will help then, however uncomfortable he may be, he'll do it.
Martha smiles and kisses him. That was the man she married and she has never regretted it. No matter what her father says. She catches him rubbing his chest and she instantly worries. "Your heart?"
"It's fine," he assures her. "It's just stress."
"I'm meant to worry Jonathan. I'm your wife."
"And I truly appreciate that every morning I wake up with you by my side," he tells her as he wraps his arms around her waist. "Martha we both know my heart can't get better but really it's fine," he repeats his assurances.
Martha kisses him gently once more.
"Oh come on! I don't need to see this!"
Martha and Jonathan turn and give their not funny son a severe look. "Clark Joseph Kent!"
Clark smirks as he cleans his glasses and puts them on his face. He's half-joking about the kiss.
Martha looks at him in his new suit and rolls her eyes. She walks over and has to start fixing his tie. Like father, like son.
Elsewhere Kitty was just making the last moment adjustments to her dress. It was pink with straps and exposed part of her back. It went down to her knees. When she laid eyes upon it she just knew she had to have it. It was so cute!
She looks in the mirror and pushes her hair back. She had decided to leave it loose and the ends curled. She hoped Peter would like it. He was attending...not as her date exactly though. He was there working. Taking pictures for the Bugle but he promised her as much of his time as he could. Peter was so sweet and thoughtful like that.
Kitty turns her head as Jean enters in a red dress, different shade of red to what Mrs Kent was wearing, and it also had black trim which Mrs Kent's didn't. It was strapless which Jean could get away with and Kitty couldn't.
Compared to Jean Kitty was a bit...'flat'. Kitty tried not to let it bother her. Looks weren't everything but when you have to stand next to Jean and others who were more gifted in that area it was hard not to notice it.
Jean's hair too was left loose. She also decided to wear that pendant with the image of the Phoenix on it around her neck. It was always her favourite accessory especially since it was a gift from Scott.
"Looking good Kitty," Jean compliments the younger girl.
"Thanks," Kitty says. "You too. I think you might like kill Scott before we leave," she jokes.
Jean smiles. Part of her sort of hoped so actually. She likes it when she can make Scott's eyes pop out. It was part of the consideration she made when buying the dress. "Want to see if Rogue's ready?" Jean asks.
Kitty agrees and the two girls walk down the hallway to Rogue's room. They can hear muttering from inside. They knock and enter to find Rogue in that eternal struggle of trying to zip up the back of her green and black dress.
"Dang stupid thing!" she insults her own dress. "Why did ah agree ta this?"
Jean and Kitty smirk before Jean offers to help.
"Thanks," Rogue says as Jean zips up the dress.
Kitty picks up Rogue's arm length gloves and hands them to her. Rogue sighs as she slips them on. As always having to cover herself up as much as possible. It gets wearisome after awhile. She grabs a thin purple scarf and wraps it around her neck.
Rogue looks at herself in the mirror. She had reduced her Goth make-up as much as she was comfortable with and had allowed her hair to resume a little of it's natural curliness. She thought that looked better. She smooths her dress out. It was tight but she would manage.
Kitty was making a small face at the fact even in a dress that covered a lot of her up Rogue managed to look way curvier than she did.
Rogue shifts a little bit on her feet. She hated heels. She was use to wearing boots or training shoes. Her feet were already a little sore and the night hadn't even started yet. This was going to be torture.
"Think the others are ready?" Kitty asks.
"The boys probably are," Jean reckons.
"Yeah. By the way Rogue what dress did Domino get?" Kitty wonders.
Rogue rolls her eyes. "Don't ask. She wants it ta beh a 'surprise'," she says in air-quotes.
"Oh boy," Jean murmurs in concern. Domino's surprises were not always to everyone's taste.
The 3 girl make their way down the stairs to the lobby where the boys are and boy as ever they look good scrubbed up. Kitty can't wait to see what Peter looks like. Even if he is working he'll have to wear something nice.
The boys in return all practically drool at the sight of the girls dressed up. Clark steps up to Rogue and gently glides his hand over her shoulder making her skin raise goosebumps. "You're so beautiful," he says in reverence.
Rogue blushes slightly but tries to hide it at the way Clark is looking at her.
Clark finds it adorable and cute when Rogue did that.
Scott says practically the same thing to Jean, as Clark did to Rogue, as she fixes his tie. Honestly what is it with the boys around here that they can never tie these things properly.
Hank, the Professor and the Kents were all gathered there too by now. Hank had managed to find a suit to fit. Not perfectly as they didn't have time to make major alterations but it was sufficient. This was a big step forward for him in a sense. No hiding behind a holowatch tonight.
"Wow y'all look so pretty," Paige says from the sidelines, her eyes glazed over at what she sees. She had never seen anyone dressed up as fancy as this.
"I know," Amara says in agreement. Honestly she was slightly jealous. It had been ages since she last dressed up and went out but the invite was for X-Men only.
"Alright! Here I come!" Domino's voice echoes around.
"Oh this should beh good," Rogue mutters.
Domino strides into view, in a long, strapless, sheer black dress, split up the side to the waist. Her hair was really too short to do much with but she had it groomed as best she could manage. She stops at the top of the stairs and assumes a pose, clasping her hands together in the shape of a gun. "The name's Ino. Dom-ino,"she says with a smirk in a James Bond impression.
A few chuckle. A few of the boys are trying to pick up their tongues off the floor. It wasn't hard to see that Domino had an amazing body but the dress highlighted it to it's maximum.
As Domino walks down the stairs Martha is seeing to Kurt who would be teleporting over to Amanda's shortly. Martha was adjusting his suit. He had got a new one too, wanting to make a good impression on Amanda's parents.
Kurt and Amanda had planned the evening out. He would start with his holowatch on, let Amanda's parents get to know him a little and then drop the revelation of his appearance upon them.
Kurt mentally face palms himself. He's dead.
"It'll be fine Kurt," Martha assures him, able to tell he is nervous.
"Zhank you Mrs Kent. By zhe vay you look lovely," he compliments her.
Martha pats his cheek affectionately. "See. With charm like that you'll be sweeping Amanda's parents off their feet."
Kurt smiles.
"So are we getting this party started or what?" Evan asks.
"Remember to be on your best behaviour Evan," Ororo tells him as she fixes his suit into something near neat.
"Sure Auntie O," he promises her.
Ororo gives him her sternest look to make sure she gets across that she means it.
Charles checks his watch. "Yes. It is time we got going," he agreed. It was an hour's drive at least.
"Have fun!" Tabby cheers. "Kitty, don't droll over Stark too much or you might short out his heart," she adds mischievously.
"I like won't be drooling over him!" Kitty protests. "I just want to meet him and ask him about that repulsor technology of his. I mean that sort of energy to force ratio shouldn't be possible. Why doesn't it overheat? How does he compensate for the thrust it generates?"
"Whoa, whoa," Scott says stopping her. "Save it for later Kitty," he requests before she goes into full on geek babble mode or they'll never leave.
Logan steps up to Domino.
"Aw Logan. You saying goodbye. You're such a sweetie," Dom teases.
Logan growls quietly and holds his hand out flat. "Hand it over Jinx," he orders.
"Hand what over?"
"Domino," he says sternly, leaving no room for her to argue.
Domino sighs almost sounding like she is in pain. "Fine," she spits out. She reaches down between her legs and pulls off the holster strapped to her thigh with gun in place. She hands it over to Logan.
"And the other one," he says.
"Oh come on. They'll never find them," she insists.
"Domino," Charles says sternly, now adding his voice to insisting she gives up her weapons. They would not be needing them at this, surely, and he is pretty certain she wouldn't get them past the door, despite her protests to the contrary.
Domino reaches back down and pulls the other one off her other thigh and hands it over. All this gives everyone a good view of her legs which Domino doesn't really mind. She's proud of her legs.
"Now we may depart," Charles announces.
They all start to head outside to the limo Charles has ready for the evening. He had replied to the invitation and made all the necessary preparations.
Everyone left behind waves them off from the entrance as they enter the limo and depart.
"How did you know?" Ororo asks Logan.
"Jinx?" he queries what she is referring to.
Ororo nods.
Logan shrugs. "It's what I would have done."
Ororo smiles lightly. "I guess you are related after all," she teases him.
Logan snorts at that.
Ororo can see he is uncomfortable in her presence. Well after tonight, hopefully, they will have sorted that out. She has thought on what Martha said about either resuming their friendship or making a go of a relationship and had come to a decision.
All Ororo can hope is that it is the right one.
This is the point Kurt has to make his leave. He first grabs a bunch of flowers he got for Amanda's mother, hoping to make a good impression.
Bamf!
Kurt vanishes in his usual puff of blue smoke and reappears at Amanda's door. He double checks his holowatch is on and working first. His heart is thudding against his ribcage as he rings the doorbell. He is fiddling with his tie when the door is opened by Amanda. He smiles instantly upon seeing her in a purple blouse and black skirt. She looks beautiful.
Amanda smiles at seeing Kurt. She was really nervous about this but determined it had to be done. "Kurt," she says warmly. "You're, uh, a little early actually."
"Ok. I'll leave," he says and turns round to do so.
Amanda giggles at his silliness. She grabs his arm to stop him. "Come on you goof. It's fine. Really. Come in and meet my folks."
Kurt's expression is almost a pained one as Amanda leads him into her lounge. Because Kurt is early her parents are sitting in there. Her father is reading a paper while her mother is watching the tv.
Kurt had never really seen them before up close. Her father was an African-American man with a beard and glasses. Her mother had brown hair and her skin was lighter coloured. In fact it reminded Kurt a little bit of Wanda's complexion.
"Mom, Dad, this is Kurt Wagner," Amanda introduces him, with pride above her nervousness.
Kurt raises his right hand and waves.
Mr and Mrs Sefton both take a moment to look at him. When Amanda told them she was dating a mutant at that Institute they obviously had concerns. Especially since it got blown up and Amanda snuck off to Washington to testify to Congress without telling them.
Amanda got such a grounding for that but she was adamant in not apologising for her actions. Saying it needed to be done. She also made it quite clear and forcefully that she would be continuing to date this Kurt so Mr and Mrs Sefton relented a little in allowing Amanda to date this boy.
However the first sign that Amanda was in any danger they were putting an end to this, no debate.
Lately Amanda had been hinting at wanting them to meet Kurt. They guessed that meant she was serious about him. Mr Sefton's hope that it was a short infatuation was shot to pieces. He and his wife had talked and decided to give Kurt a chance but he was starting from a negative position.
Amanda's parents rise to their feet. George Sefton walks up to the two teens. "Kurt," he says eyeing him carefully.
Kurt gulps. "Mr Sefton," he says in a high squeaky voice due to his nervousness.
George offers his hand.
Kurt hands him the flowers. "These are for you..." He then realises what he did and grabs them back. "I mean your mozher...I mean Amanda's mozher."
Amanda laughs a little. It is kinda funny.
Margali Sefton laughs a little too at seeing how nervous the boy was. She had been a little more open minded that her husband on the issue of their daughter dating a mutant. Seeing the normal reaction of any boy meeting his girlfriend's parents made him seem more...human. She takes the flowers from him. "Thank you Kurt. I'll put them in some water," she says with a noticeable accent.
As Margali leaves for the kitchen George decides he should be the nice host. The way Amanda was clinging to Kurt showed he should make an effort. "Amanda why don't you show him around and I'll get us some cold drinks," he says before he follows his wife through the swing doors into the kitchen.
Kurt waves stupidly. His head drops. "Oh zhey hate me," he says with a feeling of complete failure.
Amanda looks at him lovingly. "Kurt. Will you relax a little? Everything's going fine," she assures him. Her parents hadn't immediately thrown him out so that was good.
"Really? Zhen vhy are you tapping your foot nervously?"
Amanda looks down to see her foot jiggering in a nervous twitch. She leans into Kurt and wraps her arms around his waist. This always makes her feel stronger to be near him. "We'll be fine," she says as much to reassure herself.
Kurt places his arm across Amanda's shoulder. "Of course. Ve just have to break it to zhem gently about vhat I look like right?"
"Right," Amanda agrees.
There is a strange sizzling sound and Kurt's image starts to flicker and fail.
"Oh no! My image inducer!" he says in a panic as he taps on it. "No, no, no. Not tonight," he pleads. Not tonight of all nights for it to act up. Seeing him now isn't breaking it to them gently.
"Here we are!" George shouts as he returns. "Cold drinks for everyone!"
Kurt intakes breath sharply as the swing doors start to open. Luckily Amanda's father walks into the room backwards and doesn't see him immediately. It gives him a second to...panic even more.
Amanda's father starts to turn round and Kurt teleports.
"Kurt?" George queries looking at his daughter.
Amanda tries desperately not to look as panicked as she is. "Um...uh...err...bathroom. He went to the bathroom. He's really nervous," Amanda makes up on the fly and since she heard Kurt reappear up the stairs that should hold.
George looks at his daughter who smiles back and plays with her hair a little. It looks suspicious to him. "This doesn't have anything to do with his powers does it?"
"What? No? He agreed not to use them like you asked." 'And has just broken that promise,' Amanda cringes to herself but that's probably better than the shock of seeing Kurt unprepared. 'Stick to the plan,' she tells herself. Kurt's warm personality will win her parents over and then they'll drop the bombshell.
George did ask that Kurt not use his powers. He saw them fighting that robot in New York and fighting those other mutants downtown. He doesn't want his house destroyed.
"Besides his powers aren't dangerous," Amanda defends Kurt. "They're really cool," she enthuses. She loves his powers and teleporting around with him.
George looks at his daughter sceptically. "We'll discuss that later," he promises.
Amanda forces a smile.
Margali returns from the kitchen as Kurt walks back in having gotten his holowatch to work again. He just hopes it holds up now.
"Well dinner will be ready shortly," Margali announces. "Why don't we sit and Kurt can tell us about himself while we wait."
"Um sure," Kurt agrees as they all sit down in the lounge. "So, uh, vhere do you vant to start?"
"Tell them about your parents and growing up," Amanda suggests because that is a nice safe area and Kurt always speaks about his parents in glowing terms...well his adopted parents anyway. As for that Mystique woman Amanda would love to give the shapeshifter a piece of her mind for the way she has treated Kurt.
"Yes," Margali agrees. "You come from Germany? That correct?"
"Ja," Kurt says and starts to tell about Amanda's parents about growing up.
Stark Tower, New York...
Huge crowds had gathered at the entrance to Stark Tower as people tried to get a glimpse of their celebrity hero or idol. The press were there too. Flashbulbs going off, people trying to get that money shot. It was always the same whenever Tony Stark held any sort of function. He is just the type of man who attracts attention.
The next limo in line pulls up to the red carpet. Inside, unseen, are the X-Men and company. Rogue was next to Clark, her head on his shoulder as he held her and reassured her about tonight. She was nervous as hell about what they were away to face.
Jean was leaning into Scott in the same way. This...this was big. Both Scott and Jean knew that. The Professor had had his speaking tour but this was different. This was all of them trying to put out a good image for mutantkind. They really couldn't afford to mess it up.
"It's time," the Professor says, having given them a minute to look out through the blacked out windows and prepare for what was about to hit them.
Domino volunteers to go first. The door is opened and she kicks her leg out in a way that deliberately pushes her dress aside so everyone gets a long look at the shapely appendage that happens to be bluish-white in colour.
All the crowds and press stop for one moment as Domino emerges. She strikes a pose and grins widely. This night was going to be awesome in her opinion.
The others follow. Scott helps Jean out. Hank emerges and there is a few intakes of breaths at seeing the blue furred mutant. He aids Kitty to exit the limo. Clark helps Rogue while his father helps his mother. Evan pops his head out, actually grinning a little at all this because this...this was really something.
It takes a minute to get the Professor's wheelchair out and him back in it. All the time cameras are going off and reporters can be heard referring to this major moment that the X-Men have arrived.
"Everyone, best behaviour," Scott reminds them. He's a nervous wreck. Only Jean's reassuring mental presence is keeping his nerves even remotely steady.
With that they start to walk down the red carpet. Questions get thrown at them. The Professor deals with them since he has the most expertise with this.
They reach the main door where they are greeted by a woman with red hair, dressed professionally in a business suit. It is Tony Stark's personal assistant; Virginia 'Pepper' Potts.
"Professor Xavier," Pepper greets him with a well practised welcoming smile.
"Ms Potts. So glad to meet you in person," Charles greets her back. When he confirmed that they would attend it was her he spoke to.
"Likewise. I'm sure what you will have to say will be a highlight."
"Thank you," Charles appreciates her compliment. He hadn't had a lot of time to work on his speech but he was satisfied with what he had come up with.
"Is Mr Stark here?" Kitty has to ask, noticeably excited and nervous.
Pepper frowns a little. Not at the question but at, as usual, Tony's unreliability. "Mr Stark...likes to be fashionably late," she covers for him...again as usual. "This gentleman will show you to the hall," Pepper tells them turning to one of the ushers for the evening she had hired. Pepper always had to handle the details. Tony wasn't a details type of person. She so should get a raise.
The X-Men follow the usher, unaware of what sort of night is in store for them.
Author's Note: This party is going to be so much fun as you'll see. Thanks to everyone who wrote reviews. Next up; Kitty meets Peter's friends, Clark and Rogue meet a couple of famous superheroes, Scott comes face to face with the girl who gave him his 1st kiss(much to Jean's annoyance) and Martha meets a ghost from her past.