A/N: First off I wanna thank Waterfall for answering the poem question. Ironically, I ended up doing that poem in class two days later. Thanx for including it too. Now, everyone has an easy resource.

Special thanx also goes out to MizzMarvel whom is always ready to correct me and knows way too much for her own good. Ha ha. But then where would spontaneously ditzy authors like myself get such excellent backup huh? Answer me that.

BAZ, look it's only been two months!

WritingMoose, I know he's not officially a part of the institute. (But, then again, neither is Forge) But, if you know anything at all about me, you'd know that Warren happens to be one of my faves. And I happen to be more than a lil miffed by the way he never gets enough screen time every time Marvel decides to animate X-men. Thus, I put him in wherever I can. ^.^

Materian, Ray is Berzerker.

THE MASKED DEFEND-GER, you're crazy, but I appreciate it. Thanx. (Like the picket idea, it's cute)

And lastly, batE, on the note of Forge/Rogue fluffiness, all I can say is maybe. Ehehe......






Forge looked around his lab taking in the mess. He sighed. This would take forever to clean up. Rogue was gently sifting through the debris. Forge wondered whether Hank was having the same problem.


"Ow, ow, ow," Pietro cried, as Hank wrapped a bandage tightly about his head. "I'm sorry Pietro, but the pain can't be helped. I have to bind this tightly." Pietro closed his eyes to keep the tears from escaping. "Last time I support him," he mumbled, with a snort.


Kitty sat beside an unconscious Lance, feeling extremely guilty. She'd hurt everyone she loved over something stupid. She'd just been so angry when she'd found out, she didn't even bother to sit down and listen. He'd tried to explain, but she hadn't listened. Tears began to spill from her eyes, raining down on her lap. "How could I be so stupid?" she wailed, "I'm sorry Lance, I'm so sorry." She collapsed on his bedside with a sob.


Rogue finally found it. It'd taken her half an hour, but she'd finally found it. Lifting it up, she began to survey it. It didn't look damaged. Then again, she was no engineer. "Forge?" "Hmm?" came the reply. When Rogue didn't respond, Forge rolled out from under one of the consoles. Rogue slowly turned as she heard him move. "Is it broken?" she asked, holding out the small machine. Forge's brow furrowed. "I don't know," he replied, getting up and walking over to her. He took the delicate machine from her and began to look it over. Rogue stood beside him, eyes fixed on the machine, softly bouncing on her feet. "Hmm," Forge said, walking over to a metal table. He put the machine down on it. Rogue followed behind him nervously. Leaning over the machine, Forge began to give it a thorough rundown. "Oh," he said finally, in a disappointed voice. "It's broken isn't it?" Rogue said, turning away sadly. "No," he replied, turning to face her. As Rogue whipped back around Forge slipped his arms around her waist, bringing her against him and kissing her passionately.

At first she was in shock. This couldn't possibly be happening. But as Forge continued to kiss her, holding her tightly against him, she realized it was. Her heart jumped in her chest in sheer joy. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she moaned into his mouth and began to kiss back tentatively. Forge smiled against her lips before kissing her again. Rogue's kisses became hungry as Forge leaned back against the table. Preoccupied, neither noticed the flash of gold light shine across the dome.




Phoenix & Muse: *laughing evilly*