Author's note: Thank you to StarlitStar, NotMarge, NicoleR85, partygirl98, babydops, SilverShadowWolf46, and awsomeness126 for the reviews! Wow! So much love, thank you all so much!

Awkward Introductions

The next day I was a nervous ball of energy, wondering if Zoey would want to see my lab while she was at the Institute. It was my refuge, my favorite place by far. I wanted to share it with her at some point.

Um... maybe I should clean up a little? What's the protocol for having a girl visit your laboratory? Is there a protocol?

It was a lost cause from the start. My work space was by no means messy- there were no food wrappers or anything like that. But it definitely wasn't neat.

The counter space not taken up by my equipment was covered with notes and paperwork from my experiments. It seemed like I was the only one who could find anything in the disorder, but maybe I liked it that way.

One time, when we were working on renovations for the mansion to turn it into a school, Moira came in and looked for a blueprint of the building for half an hour while I was doing something else. I found it for her in under a minute and shrugged apologetically at her exasperated glare.

There wasn't much I could do, I decided. Hopefully Zoey wouldn't mind that my lab was a mess.

I wandered into the kitchen Friday afternoon feeling like if I stayed in my laboratory anymore I'd lose my mind. I pulled a Twinkie from my secret stash and stood there zoning out, savoring the creamy deliciousness and trying not to think about Zoey's visit.

Alex walked in. He grinned when he saw me- which meant either he needed me for something, or was itching for someone to make fun of. Personally, I hoped it was the former.

"Hey, Beast. You mind lifting the Camaro for me?" Alex asked.

"Forget how to work a jack?"

"One of the kids in my class bent the rod. It'd be great if you could fix that while you're down there...?" he said leadingly.

I frowned. "Depending on how bad it is, you may have to re-solder it. The integrity of the metal might be compromised."

"Quit the nerd speak and come help me," Alex griped.

With a heavy sigh, I followed him downstairs to the garage. I stuffed the other Twinkie I planned on eating in my pocket.

The Camaro was Alex's pride and joy. He'd done a lot of after-market pick ups to it that added about twenty-five miles per hour to its top speed, and completely redone the interior.

I wasn't much of a car person myself, but Zoey had surprisingly expressed an interest in such things. Her father had bought her a 1966 Aston Martin for her first car. It was one of her most prized possessions.

There was no point in unbending the rod for the jack, I decided upon examination. It had been folded to almost a right angle, and the tubing had come apart.

"Who did this, anyway?"

"Piotr. He didn't fit into the jack mount right and, well, you know how strong he is," Alex replied.

Definitely. Even when Piotr Rasputin was not in his organic-metal form, the young man was very strong. He was only thirteen but already over six feet tall.

"Indeed," I replied, unwrapping my Twinkie and getting in front of the car. I positioned one hand underneath the bumper. "Let me know when you're ready."

Alex laid out on a dolly with his toolbox in hand. "Go ahead."

Lifting the front end of the car was fairly easy. I stood there slowly munching on my snack, held in one hand, while the other held the car up. Alex slid under it to work.

"Nervous about today?" he asked.

Yes, about you and Sean embarrassing me.

"A little."

"It'll be fine, Beast. You need to stop worrying so much. She obviously likes you, for some reason," Alex said sarcastically.

Even when you're trying to be comforting, you just can't help yourself, can you?

"You say stuff like that and then wonder why I get nervous," I muttered aloud.

"Aw, come on! I was just kidding."

"Uh huh."

At that moment a black convertible with the top down came up the drive, with a certain red-haired beauty behind the wheel. She looked like a movie star with her ruby red lipstick and cat-eye sunglasses, visible to me even from this distance. Olivia was in the passenger seat, looking ecstatic.

"Zoey's here, Alex," I said.

Subtext: I'd like it if you hurried, please.

I shoved the rest of my Twinkie in my mouth and hurriedly swallowed.

"'K. Give me three more minutes."

Zoey parked along the roundabout in front of the school and hopped out of the car. She waved at me, her white teeth flashing in the June sunlight, as she went around to help Olivia. I waved back with the hand not holding onto the Camaro, an unbidden grin crossing my face.

"Hello," Zoey greeted me brightly, taking in the scene with a smile as she and Olivia stepped into the garage, hand in hand.

She looked very pretty today, wearing a white eyelet dress and little sunflower barrettes in her curls. Her nails were painted yellow to match.

"Hi."

Look, I can lift the front end of a car with one hand! Please tell me you think that's attractive?

"Livie, say hello to Mr. Hank," Zoey said, looking down at her niece.

"Hi, Mr. Hank. Are you Auntie Zoey's boyfriend now? She thinks you're dreamy. Especially for being able to lift a car up like that," Olivia announced.

I suppose that answers my question, then.

Zoey's face turned green- that was the only way to describe it. The color was quickly followed by a fierce blush. Her eyes got wide and she snatched her hand away from her niece, who clapped both hands over her own mouth like she just realized what came out of it.

"Sorry, Auntie!"

Zoey merely rubbed her forehead and looked at her toes, clearly mortified over what Olivia just said.

Alex's laughter was audible from underneath the car.

I hope you hit your head on the undercarriage.

I floundered for something to say to alleviate the embarrassment.

"Hello, Olivia. Your aunt is very nice for- um, thinking those things about me," I said. "And... I'd love to be your Auntie Zoey's boyfriend, if she'll have me."

Zoey looked up to meet my gaze, still a little red. A fresh blush came to her cheeks as she smiled at me.

I think that was a "yes?"

"You're going to make me barf, Beast," Alex grouched, as he rolled himself out from underneath the Camaro. "You're so-"

"Say anything further and I'll destroy the shocks on your car when I drop it," I warned quickly.

"Yeah, yeah."

I set the car down carefully while Alex sat up and wiped off his hands. He tossed me the rag to do the same when he was done.

"This is Alex Summers. He teaches shop class here at the Institute," I explained. "Alex, this is Zoey Dubois and her niece Olivia Grey. Olivia is going to hopefully start school here soon."

Alex looked at them briefly, though his eyes lingered on Zoey a second too long for my liking.

"Hi," he said apathetically. Then his gaze shifted to the car they'd arrived in, and his tune changed drastically. "Is that an Aston Martin?"

"Yes. It's a 1966 Short Chassis Volante," Zoey replied.

"Damn. Do you know how rare those are?"

Zoey's eyebrows raised. "Yes. Do you?"

"Yeah, less than forty were made" Alex retorted.

"Thirty-seven, to be exact," she replied in a tight voice.

He looked mildly impressed as he turned towards me. "James Bond drove that car," Alex explained.

Like I care?

"A skirt shouldn't be driving it."

Oh, no. You really shouldn't have said that.

"Actually, James Bond drove just a regular DB5. Short Chassis have DB6 bumpers and TR4 lights," Zoey argued flatly, glaring daggers at the blonde man. "And a 'skirt' can drive it if she wants to."

She told you, didn't she? Don't tell Zoey she can't do something because she's a woman.

"Your girl's a little touchy," Alex muttered, after a moment of stunned silence.

"Maybe she doesn't like to be called a 'skirt,'" I suggested firmly. Then I turned to Zoey and Olivia. "Let me show you inside."

Aunt and niece joined hands once more and followed me inside. I planned on bringing them to Charles, who was a much better tour guide than I.

"I'm sorry for that," I murmured to Zoey apologetically as I walked by her side.

"Don't be. Your friend embarrassed you, my niece embarrassed me. We're even," Zoey whispered back, her eyes sparkling.

I let out a sigh of relief.

"What do you think so far, Olivia?" I asked the little girl on Zoey's other side.

"It looks like a castle," Olivia replied in a hushed tone. "Will I get to live here?"

I glanced at Zoey, who gave a slight nod. "If you want to, yes."

"Will you be one of my teachers?" Olivia asked.

"No, I don't teach. I just research," I told her. "But I live here too. So maybe when Auntie Zoey comes to visit you she'll stop by to see me, too."

"Maybe. If I feel like sharing her," the little girl replied loftily.

Olivia appeared to be completely serious, but Zoey and I shared an amused glance. Her cheeks were a little red.

We reached Charles' study at that point. I knocked and opened the door when he gave me permission.

"Our visitors are here," I announced.

"Splendid. Hello, Ms. Dubois. Hello, Olivia. Ready for your grand tour?" Charles asked cheerfully.

Olivia nodded eagerly. Charles navigated his chair out from behind his desk, and passed by all of us out the door. The child immediately gravitated towards him, walking next to his wheelchair with her hand on top of his. I imagined them carrying on a lively conversation that we were completely ignorant of.

Telepaths, I tell you.

"Mind if I tag along too?" I asked Zoey, who stepped out to follow them.

"Please do."