There was a ring of riders watching the bruised X-Men, but nobody said anything. How were you supposed to explain that you were a mutant to people who had no idea what a mutant was? Usually after a show like the one they had just given, there would be no explanations needed, just a whole bunch of mutie freak remarks and projectiles to duck from.
Not finding a good place to start? Noah finally said, sounding surprisingly sympathetic.
We're mutants, Logan said harshly, leaning back in the chair. The next step in evolution, genetically enhanced humans, yada yada yada.
Logan, they have no idea what you're talking about, Jean pointed out. I don't know if Darwin has even presented his theories yet. And 'yada yada yada' definitely doesn't exist as a term yet.
Charles Darwin? Teaspoon asked, suddenly interested. 'The Origin of the Species by Means of Natural Selection'?
Jimmy groaned. That ape fellow?
That's him, Jean said with a smile, grateful that this part could be explained at last. He spoke of the origin of the species. We're the next step.
The next step as in... Buck asked.
From the future. About one hundred and fifty years from now.
Obviously there was a forceful reaction to that. Lou burst into a hysterical laughter, and those of the residents who hadn't been at the fighting scene looked very disbelieving.
I swear I saw that in a book Cody was reading, Rachel said, biting her lower lip so she wouldn't start giggling.
The ones who had seen what the X-Men could do found no reason to laugh. Kid threw a glance at the serious face of Noah, who was sitting beside him. You don't believe them, do you?
Noah shrugged. If it was true as they said, that they were people from the future, that was a whole lot less scary than if they had been witches or demons, the only other options he could find. So he wanted it to be true. But he could understand why the others were disbelieving.
You might have to show them, he said to Ororo.
Not in here.
The X-Men looked at each other, trying to figure out whose powers were appropriate for indoors use and not too intimidating. Finally, Jean nodded. Do you want a cup of coffee? she asked Teaspoon.
Yes, Miss Grey, that would be lovely, he replied automatically.
A coffeepot wasn't much of a challenge to Jean. She gave a mental command that lifted it slowly, then tilted it to pour the coffee. The riders stared at the pot like it was hypnotizing them.
Jean asked softly, trying to keep up a normal tone of conversation. Teaspoon nodded silently. Without changing her calm behaviour, she lifted a lump of sugar into the cup, put in a spoon, stirred and let the cup float away to Teaspoon. He caught it and looked up at Jean, dumbfounded. She smiled reassuringly at him.
Noah had to grin when he saw the looks on his fellow riders' faces. Didn't seem like such a joke when you'd seen them in action, did it? He still didn't understand much of what was going on, but seeing Jean pour the coffee was quite comforting after that hellraising fight. At least this wasn't dangerous. They were more than just warriors.
Jimmy muttered, and Noah shot him a dirty look. It was one thing to think it, but you shouldn't say things like that about people, especially not in their presence. He glanced at Ororo to see how she reacted, and was shocked to find that she didn't seem to have reacted much at all. Her eyes got a little sadder, perhaps, but showed no surprised. Looking up at the others only confirmed the strange suspicion. They had expected comments like that. They may even have heard it before. That both enraged him and comforted him. Whatever she was, she was a whole lot more like him than he would have wanted her to be.
I never heard of witches groing knives from their hands, Buck said in a low voice, his dark eyes focusing on Logan. Noah scowled, thinking this looked far too much like a trial.
Oh, so you noticed that, Logan muttered, looking down at his knuckles. Since everybody seemed to be expecting it from him, he let the claws pop out. The people around jumped back instinctively.
You've got metal growing from your body? Lou asked breathlessly.
Not growing as such, Logan replied shortly, letting his claws slide back in. They're artificial.
Why would anyone want to have knives in their body? Kid asked, disapproval evident in his voice. Logan shot him a disgusted look. Jesus, and he thought Scott was self-righteous, this one was much worse.
It's not like they asked me first.
There was an awkward moment of silence as the riders realized they were entering dangerous territory. Finally Ike signed a question and Buck translated it for him: What else can you guys do? It had, after all, been hard to tell who was doing what in the fight.
You did something to the lightning, didn't you? Noah asked Ororo. To make it hit that man.
That's right, she replied. I control the weather. They call me Storm, she added, smiling a little.
Downside to this is we get rain every time she's moody, Bobby pointed out in a cheeky fashion.
Well, it's better than having an ice rink in the hall, she cut back at him. Bobby makes ice, she explained to the confused riders.
Weather and ice, Buck repeated, shaking his head. That is god-like.
We're not gods, Ororo said. I was worshipped as one, once, in Tanzania, but we're really just people. Different, but people.
Teaspoon noticed the choice of words: So, not even in the future everyone is like you?
Only about one out of every ten thousand.
This made him raise an eyebrow, but he didn't say anything further.
What about you? Jimmy asked Logan. Apart from the knives.
Logan looked straight ahead, uncomfortable with the situation, and replied in an almost soldier-like fashion. I heal very fast. And I also have these enhanced senses. Scent mostly, but sight and hearing too.
As strong as an animal's? Buck asked, interested at this. Logan looked at him thoroughly, and came to a favourable opinion.
Like a wolverine's. That's what they call me, anyway.
He can track like no one else at the mansion! Bobby said enthusiastically. He notices things none of us even realize existed.
Logan shrugged, amused at the idolization but not about to deny something that was obviusly true. Cut some slack to One-Eye, though, kid. His hearing isn't half bad.
Scott raised an eyebrow at the unexpected compliment. He noticed the anticipation in everyone's faces and realized they expected him to go next. I have energy blasts coming from my eyes. His voice was calm, and his hand automatically flew up to touch the frame of his glasses.
The riders who had been at the fighting scene looked thoughtful, trying to remember any blasts. There had been none.
You didn't use those blasts in the fight? Buck said in a questioning tone.
I need a visor or my glasses to control them, Scott said, calm although he hated admitting weakness. Otherwise I just destroy everything in sight.
There was no way to say that without shocking the riders. While the previous examples of mutation could be passed off as primarily interesting, this was dangerous more than anything else. Ororo chose to be cynical about it. At least it was better to start with Scott than with Rogue, whose power was even more of a curse to her. Scott had ten years of experience, he could take the attitude problems better than Rogue could. In the half-dim light of the bunk house, the weak red light from his eyes behind the glasses actually created a glow around his face. Normally you didn't even notice it until he blinked and the lenses darkened.
I don't see what that has to do with hearing, Kid finally said.
It's not a mutant power. Just a lot of practice. Scott glanced across the room towards Rogue, who seemed to shrink in her chair. Without drawing any attention to the gesture, Logan put his hand on her arm. The metal inside made it weigh her down heavily, but she didn't mind. The weight only meant strength, protection, and a reminder that when it came to killing, she may be the most unfortunate, but they were all in the same boat. That didn't prevent her from looking down at the floor when she replied to the unspoken request:
When people touch my skin, I take their life away. Powers too, if they're mutants.
As in... you kill them? Lou asked, wanting to make sure she had heard correctly.
Rogue blushed. If I don't let go right away, she mumbled.
Poor thing, Rachel said, handing her a cup of coffee. It was impossible to get scared of this sad girl, in spite of what she had just said. Rachel saw Logan's hand on Rogue's arm, unconsciously compared it to what she had just heard, and rendered it safe to pat the girl's hand a little.
Noah looked over at where Ororo sat, and he wished his mind could have been more benevolent. This wasn't a game. Although they had done their best to ease the effect revealing their powers had to the riders, it was still pretty clear that every single one of these people could kill you in a heartbeat if they wanted to. And it was also clear that it wasn't a possibility of which they were unaware. He had no doubt the girl's sadness was genuine, but he was pretty sure that even if she hadn't willingly used her eerie power on anyone yet, it was only a matter of time before she did. They weren't just some fortunate freaks from a future time, they were warriors. The main interest was, warriors for what side, in what war? And those adversaries out there, who were they?
So who are the guys out there? Jimmy asked. Noah could hear that this wasn't the only thought they had in common. It didn't surprise him. Jimmy wasn't the kind to just start trusting people, not ever. Normally, he was the same way.
Jean looked up at Jimmy. She knew what he and some of the others were thinking, and she wasn't the least bit surprised. On the contrary, she was grateful for the half chance they had been given. It was more than their usual share. Their names are Erik Magnus Lensherr and Raven Darkholme -- Magneto and Mystique to anyone not in their immediate range of friends. And their immediate range of friends isn't big.
And that don't include you, does it? Teaspoon assumed with half a smile.
Jean blinked, but replied: Not really, no. She wondered how much she was supposed to tell them, and silently asked Scott. While his exterior remained unreadable, his mind was aiding her in finding the right words. Nothing about the attempted genocide. If the riders ever found out about that, it would be incomprehensible for them why Magneto wasn't just strung up a tree, no questions asked, no need to worry about his immense powers later. This was that kind of time. They're criminals.
And you're what? Marshals?
Not as such. This was hard. Scott helped her choose information and she voiced it. Always the speaker. Our goals just weren't the same as his were, and we have the ability to stop him. Not many others do. She tied the half-worded commands from Scott into sentences. Also, this particular case is personal. Magneto kidnapped a friend of ours. He also came here using a device invented by another friend, but Scott strongly advised Jean not to mention that.
Realization hit Noah. No wonder Ororo had been so interested in hearing Cody's wild tales. When Cody came back from his ride, he'd be pleased to know he had been right all the time. Cody's blue beast.
Jean said. That's Hank.
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...
That's quite alright. Beast is his code name.
But he's human? Jimmy asked.
Would you call me human, bub? Logan snarled, and the rider watched him thoughtfully, actually considering the question. Jimmy certainly had a thing for playing with death.

Well, then.
The riders looked at each other, contemplating the information they had gotten. They were smart enough to realize it was far from the whole truth, but it was quite a lot to take in anyway. And the strangest of it all was that it was true. Buck was the first to look up, eyes wandering from Ororo's hair via Scott's glasses to Rogue's long gloves before they finally stopped to ask Ike a question. Although nothing seemed to pass between them, Ike's mouth soon twisted a little and he raised his eyebrows at Noah, who didn't know what to do next. He supposed, with everything that had been going on with him and Ororo, it was his decision, and he really wanted to trust her. Still, trust based on attraction had gotten them all in trouble too many times, and so he turned to Jimmy, question yet unspoken.
Jimmy looked back, shrugged, and smiled lopsidedly. Yeah, sure. We'll help you out.

**********

Noah said, leaning his chin on his hands.
Ororo agreed.
You lied to me. But I would have lied too, that's not what I meant. I... This wasn't fair, he thought to himself. All he had wanted was to have a nice little flirt with a young girl, maybe moving on from that to something more serious. But now she wasn't just some young girl, she was a superhuman girl from the future, and he didn't know how to deal with that. He didn't even have time to figure out how to deal with that, since they would be heading back to where they came from as soon as they had found their blue furry friend. Why had she even bothered to get this started? She knew all this from the start, he didn't.
I'm sorry. I liked you, I guess I just... wanted to forget about the rest for a while.
He looked sharply at her, surprised by her tone of voice. Are you ashamed of yourself or something?
No! Of course not. It's just that with the way we have to live, I'm not used to being around normals. Not to mention normals from another time.
A grin spread over his face. I think I know how you feel.
Her lips twisted. Yeah. I'd like to say 'Let's take it slow', but I don't think that's an option.
I guess not. He wanted to say something else, but didn't have time to find the words before Scott came up to them.
Sorry to disturb you, he said, although the apology seemed half-hearted. I'm going to talk to Magneto, do you want to join me?
She nodded and stood up, feeling in her pockets. Nothing metal there, and the clothes had been chosen to be metal-free to begin with.
Noah rose as well. You're not going in there alone, are you? he asked, suddenly feeling the desire to protect her. That was insane. She could kill him in ten seconds if she wanted to.
No, I'm going in with Scott, she explained in a reasonable tone, as if he was a little kid.
Scott looked at Noah, at least he supposed that. It was hard to tell what was going on behind those glasses. Get rid of anything metal, bring the whip, and let us do the talking, he said.
You got it. Noah quickly checked his appearance, replacing his belt with a piece of string, and then followed the mutants into the sweat lodge.
Cyclops, Storm, the old man greeted them, ignoring Noah completely. He was tied up and lay on a mattress on the ground, but still managed to remain dignified. What is it you want from me?
Where's Hank? Scott asked. His voice was very low.
I haven't got the slightest idea, I'm afraid.
Only a dance of the eyebrows showed the surprise at that answer. The surveillance cameras at the supermarket saw you with him. Logan scented him in the woods. And you're telling us you don't have him?
Not anymore. He was taken from me by some normals.
That did surprise them. Ororo actually laughed. Do you really expect us to believe that? The master of magnetism overpowered by some normals?
The contempting tone in her voice troubled Noah, and Magneto saw it right away, smirking a little, before returning his attention to her. Why would that surprise you? You are the ones using them for backup, aren't you? Trying to convince them that there's no real difference, convince yourself, perhaps, even. You're a beautiful woman, Storm, I think you know that. But when you look in the mirror, what do you *really* see? Is it that beauty? Or is it what they make of you? You were never anything but a thing to any of them. They may have worshipped your powers at times, but they never worshipped *you*. They just took advantage of you, just like they took advantage of your hands to pick pockets or you body for lust...
Storm just looked at him as if he was reciting the phone book, and Scott sighed impatiently. This isn't really going anywhere. All we want is Hank back, then we can all go home. Including you.
Home to what? Magneto asked mildly. Dear Scott, don't you realize that once the persecution comes, you'll be first in line to death row? Noboy ever cared if you lived or died even before they found out you were a lethal mutant without control. The Diamond needed you for crimes, but to the rest of them you were just a duty. If it wasn't for Charles you'd be locked in a cellar someplace -- if you were lucky.
And if it wasn't for Hank I'd still be blind, Scott replied, keeping the conversation at Magneto's calm level. That's what this is about, Erik. Not the normals and what they did or didn't do to us. Hank. Where is he?
I told you, I don't know.
And I told you, I don't believe you.
Well, that's unfortunate, because it is the truth. I brought Beast with me because I needed his help, but he was taken away from me.
I guess we're at an impasse, then.
A simple shrug was the only reply.
Scott turned around and made a motion with his head towards Ororo. Come on.
They left the sweat lodge, Noah following them without saying anything. He wasn't really expected too. And yet he had a feeling they had wanted him to hear this.
He could be telling the truth, Ororo said quietly. He doesn't usually lie to us.
Can you picture Magneto being taken down by normals?
No. But I can picture Mystique being taken down by normals. He's the leader, Scott. If anything goes wrong, it's his fault.
A tiny smile. You're telling me.

**********

It was supposed to be quiet in the bunkhouse, since the ones who were to keep watch later needed their sleep. Who were they kidding? The riders had gotten so far as to lie down in their bunks, but they had never actually turned off the light.
It was real, Cody kept repeating, finding that hard to believe himself after all that time of scorn.
Yes, Cody, Lou said patiently. We've heard all that 'I told you so' stuff already. Now, can you just forgive us our errors and shut up. She smacked him lightly in the back of his head.
He was completely unrepentant, staring right ahead with a childish Christmas morning smile on his face, oblivious to the fact that the others didn't share his enthusiasm. Superhumans from the future... Suddenly a thought occured to him. And Ororo is one, too?
Unless changing the weather suddenly turned into everyday activity, Lou said.
But she and Noah... I mean, could they... Cody waved his hands indefinitely.
I don't think they'll have the time to figure that out, Cody, Buck said patiently.
She seems human enough. It's harder to think of her and the blue beast being the same kind than her and Noah. But then, even a lapdog is a kind of wolf, right?
I'm not sure they even should get together, Kid mumbled.
You wouldn't.
Kid reacted instantly on Buck's matter-of-fact comment. What was that supposed to mean?
I'm not going to hold your upbringing against you, Buck stated calmly, but let's face it, you're not really into the races mixing.
Kid shook his head, not believing that he actually heard this. Have I ever turned against you or Noah? There's more to this than attitudes or bad blood. We don't even know what they think of us. They're superhuman, right? More than human. Maybe they look at us the way we look at the apes, and they're just too polite to tell.
Jimmy reluctantly admitted. They haven't really said much about their own time.
Ike shook his head violently. They don't think of us like that.
They could, Lou said. I mean, they seem nice enough, but what if they're not?
They don't act like royalty or anything though, Cody said thoughtfully. Well, apart from that old guy in the sweat lodge.
You were in the sweat lodge!?

Cody spread his hands to show his innocence. I de-metaled myself first, I promise! And you got to admit, to him we're some sort of lowlives.
Well, we did tie him up and lock him in a tent, Jimmy commented.
Ike was still shaking his head. We're not lowlives to the others.
Well, we like to think that, but how do we really know? Lou asked.
He gestured towards his eyes. I know when I'm seen that way.
The others silenced, incapable of denying that argument. Ike's shyness sometimes verged on paranoia, and he was more likely to emphasize any sign of arrogance than the opposite.
Before the conversation had gotten started again, Teaspoon returned from his watching duties.
What are you all doing up? he asked, rubbing his face to get the chill out. Ike, you're supposed to keep Miss Grey company soon, you should get some sleep.
Ike just shrugged.
And where's Noah? Shouldn't he have been replaced already?
He's staying with Ororo, Lou said smugly, and there was a weak chuckle from the others. They were still unsure about the X-Men, but they never missed a chance to make fun of a friend.
They're probably waiting for Scott to replace Ororo, Buck said, trying to hide a yawn.
Go to sleep, Teaspoon said, reaching for the lamp.
Teaspoon, what do you think they live like in their own time? Lou asked.
Instead of blowing on the lamp, Teaspoon exhaled softly. I don't know, Louise, but I can take a guess. People are never too kind on those who are different, especially not if they seem dangerous. Now, with the power these people have, they could certainly defend themselves, but if they're really as few as they say they are, it could be ugly. Real ugly.
Do you think they're being persecuted? Lou's voice was weak.
I've been sitting in the stable for the past few hours next to a girl who could have killed me with a simple touch, and yet she seemed afraid of me. She doesn't even tell people her real name, just some code name she has chosen for herself. Then there are those claws that someone put in Mr. Logan's body against his will. I don't like the look of this.
What about Jean? Buck suggested. She seems confident enough.
Yes, that's true. She and young Bobby are also the only ones that don't seem to have code names... and that have no physical differences from the rest of us. I don't know if that's a coincidence. Teaspoon thought through what he had said, frowning, and then his expression lightened and he gave Ike a look. Speaking of Miss Grey, Ike...
Ike nodded and left his bunk to get dressed. Grabbing his hat and coat, he heard Teaspoon's gruff goodnight to the riders: Now, shut your mouths and go to sleep, you'll need the strength.
Inside the stable, Jean sat on a pile of hay, reading one of Cody's novels that he'd left there at some point. When Ike came, she put it down and smiled at him.
Hello. Darkest hours for us, huh?
He nodded and leaned restlessly against the wall. Jean patted the pile beside her.
She hasn't been any trouble so far, there's no reason to think we won't be spending all of our hours here. Come on, sit down!
Hesitating, he came closer and sat down on the pile, awkward to be so close to a pretty young woman. Was he to think of her as a fighter or as a girl? The others would have known. Cody or Jimmy would probably have made some stupid joke about how she tried to make a pass at them.
I'm not trying to make a pass at you or anything, she said with a grin, and his eyes widened at the way her words mirrored his thoughts exactly. It made him more comfortable. She wouldn't have made joke like that if she had been looking down on him.
You know, she said after a short silence, just because we're superhuman it doesn't mean we're... superior, or anything. Now, why did she choose that exact word, she wondered to herself. The label Homo Superior was constantly used about their kind by Magneto, and she had never appreciated it. Sure, it was better than , but it wasn't that much closer to the truth. She was the only one of the X-Men to have a good relationship with her parents, and although she, as all children, had often felt superior to them, it had nothing to do with her powers. As for this shy young man sitting next to her, he projected his thoughts so clearly into her head that she was finding it hard even to separate her own identity from his. The idea of feeling superior to him was laughable. His wish of acceptance was as great as hers, and he displayed no hatred, only curiosity. After all, it was highly unusual to get prisoners who couldn't be restrained by heavy bars.
I suppose Magneto and Mystique aren't your most average type of prisoners, she said.
His surprise at this comment almost made her feel ashamed of herself for playing games with him. She couldn't afford picking up some of his thoughts, they were projected too strongly, but she did keep her mind a little bit more open than she should. He was so eager to communicate, closing up felt like fighting off a toddler's hand. But if she wasn't to leave him alone, she should at least admit what she was doing.
I haven't been completely honest with you, she said. You see, I'm a telepath. He didn't know the meaning of the word, so she explained it further: I can read minds.
His reaction was unusual, but not entirely unexpeced. First the natural surprise, then an overwhelming joy. *Why didn't you say so earlier!?* he laughed inside his mind.
People don't always react very well. I don't read minds without permission, but... She picked up his thought. Well, I don't normally. You were projecting.
He brushed that away as unimportant, still pleased at the discovery, and his thoughts started to swirl at her with such strength and speed that she winced. He immediately drew back, confused and wounded.
You were a little too loud, that's all, she explained. It felt strange to be speaking out loud when Ike was chattering in her mind, and so she silenced, returning the thoughts without words. She liked the way his thoughts were constructed, almost clear enough to *see*, yet more associative than plainly logical.
He tried slowing down his thoughts, and got an appreciative smile from Jean, showing that it was working. It almost made him sad that she was engaged, and she thanked him for the compliment, amused. The thoughts proceeded more slowly, showing images from his life at the express station and indirectly asking for comparison with her own life. The bunkhouse shifted to the mansion, and Ike was both amused and annoyed at the realization that Jean did not know the names of all the horses in Xavier's stable, while she knew the positioning and use of everything in the Blackbird. Although fascinating, it was just a machine. Yes, but her boyfriend was the devoted pilot, how could she not know it? She even knew how uncomfortable it was in a tender moment -- that last thought passed through before she could stop it, and he laughed silently. Some things didn't change much.
Enjoying the game they proceeded the comparison, the fighting techniques as well as the everyday living, until Jean unwillingly sent an FoH demonstration and the screams of mutie freak that filled it. Stunned by her revelation, he sent back the exact same words, used in other circumstances. Revulsion and despise, sometimes out in the open, sometimes hidden behind fancy talking. Yes, like the chief of hospital who explained far too smoothly why her promised scholarship was no longer available. People speaking like they would to a very small child, assuming that his silence meant he didn't understand. Lies, all those lies, always pretending to be something you're not. The dreaded moment when mute couldn't simply be mistaken for taciturn. Scott's back growing stiff at every comment directed at his shielded eyes, every person hurrying their steps. Buck's chin held high, proudly declaring that the muttered prayers and curses didn't matter. An outcast, themselves and the ones they loved.
Some things didn't change much, indeed.

**********

Ororo sat with her head leaning on Noah's chest. She had a feeling there was a distinct reason they had only been provided with one blanket. If that was true, she didn't really mind. All she had to do was sit still and hope to forget that she would have to leave him and that they were guarding a dangerous criminal, as well as the nagging speciesism even in her own mind that insisted of telling her all the problems of dating a normal.
This is nice, he said quietly, stroking her hair.
she replied.
He shifted his position, and she shifted with him, laying his hands in her lap.
You know, he said, I've told you about my life...
And I told you a pack of lies, she filled in.
I don't blame you.
I know. She thought about what he had told her on their first date and the time after that. He had been born free in a liberal home, which did explain how he could work so easily with the other riders. But the world around him wasn't as liberal. His characteristic cynicism must have come from when his father was murdered. When you realize you're born to hang, suspicion is a way of survival. He was a reserved sort, and she still had heaps to find out, but then, they had only had one date. And he was right, she did owe him.
My parents died when I was little during a war in Egypt, she started. I was raised by a pack of thieves there. Then I traveled around for a bit, was worshipped as a goddess, she smiled a little, trying to sound flippant, and finally ended up as an X-Woman.
Ever been in love? Noah's voice was low.
She turned to look at him, and then turned back. Talking about Forge wasn't easy. I used to go out with the guy who made the time machine. Forge. I had it pretty deep for him.
What happened?
A lot of things. I guess what it finally came down to was that the life of an X-Man wasn't much of a Friday night entertainment.
Is anyone's? Noah's muscles tensed when he asked the next question: Ever been with a non-mutant man?
Quite a few, actually, she replied.
He swallowed. Because you wanted to?
Usually not. She didn't know how to explain the rest, how people had seen it as a work benefit whether they were protecting her or worshipping her. I don't know how Magneto knew. Does it bother you?
he answered simply, while at the same time wrapping his arms tighter around here. She smiled.
I've never been in love with anyone like you, mutant or not.
Same here. His voice was sarcastic, but the words were honest. I can't accept that we may not even have a second date.
Not to mention a third.
What's so special about a third date? he asked, puzzled.
He really didn't know, and she wasn't about to tell him. Never mind. We've got this, at least. It could be our second date.
Yeah? Are we to have dinner then?
We could have a movie, she suggested.

Uhm... moving pictures. Like a theatre play, but on photographs.
He chuckled. Okay, do you know any good ones?
She thought for a while, and then decided on a fitting movie story. In a period of great war, there was a bar owner called Rick...

**********

That morning, the riders gathered to practice their shooting and other skills. Although they didn't admit it, it might have been an attempt to prove themselves to the X-Men, who seemed more amused than anything else.
You want to try? Jimmy casually asked Logan after a round at some tin cans.
Logan grimaced slightly. He could take care of a handgun, it wasn't that. He just liked close combat a lot better. Sure, why not? The old thing was heavier than it looked, and clumsy compared to 21st century weapons, but it wasn't that hard to fire. The shots entered more or less where they should.
Not bad, Jimmy said, but he didn't seem all that impressed.
Logan growled a little. Not quite my sport.
Try shooting him, Jean suggested, and Logan stared at her.
Funny, Red.
No, but seriously! Jean mentally lifted the gun Logan had laid to the side, and cocked it.
He got her meaning and let his claws slip out.
The trigger was pulled and bullets fired in his direction. Logan put up his claws and blocked the first few bullets, then he changed position of his hand and sliced the last one. Unfortunately, although this slowed the speed of the fragments, one of them still grazed is arm.
Ow! Shit.
Jean lowered the gun. You okay?
Yeah, sure. It stung a little, but the wound soon healed.
This did make Jimmy impressed. He stared at the healing wound open-mouthed. Some of the other riders had gathered around as well.
I guess... guns aren't really your thing.
Logan grinned. Ask One-Eye. He's the marksman.
Usually not with a gun though, Scott commented dryly.
Those blasts you spoke of? Buck asked, rather curious. We never got to see them.
Scott shrugged and turned to Jean. Did you get my visor from the hotel?
Sure, hang on. She went inside Rachel's house to dig through the bags she had brought, and soon came back with the visor. Scott closed his eyes and changed eyewear.
So that's why they call you One-Eye? Jimmy asked.
No, that's why they call me *Cyclops*, Scott replied coldly, although his slight smile contradicted the scowl on his face. He adjusted the settings by his ear and blasted the tins one by one, varying the strength of the blasts betwen the shots. The riders tried to look blasé, but it didn't work very well.
Noah and Ororo was sitting by the side of the field, not participating in the game.
You don't care to show your powers? Noah asked, grinning at the show the others excelled in.
Hitting a poor can with a bolt of lightning might be considered overkill, she replied.
They know what I can do. He caught a lock of her hair and pulled it slightly. Do you?
She looked at him and for a second tried to keep her expression of serene divinity, before she had to give up and laugh helplessly.
Some of their friends gave them a glance of interest. Rogue turned her eyes back to the gun she was trying to master, and smiled slightly. They sure enjoy each other's company.
Hm. Won't be easy on them when we have to go. Jean turned her attention back to the cans she was spinning for the Kid. Come on now, let's see how you are with a moving target.

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