Once again, thank you reviewers. I however will not update until I have at least twenty reviews. JUST TWO MORE NEEDED FOLKS!!!!! I put in this chapter, because as it shows in the comics, Marrow is NOT always tough: she can be sentimental, just like everyone else!!!

Yup. I'm sure it comes as a HUGE shock to everyone that I DO NOT own x-men, in any shape or form. (Well, maybe mentally…)

Chapter 6

The incident in the danger room had given everyone a respect for the small mutant with the bad attitude. She had brains: did not depend on her powers to get her out of tough situations, like today. Both Logan and professor Xavier were well pleased with her use of tactics, and the way she put brain over brawn. Of course, the fact that she had won Xavier's favor so early in her stay at the mansion only aroused jealous feelings in her direction.

Now, Sarah when arriving at the mansion came with the clothes she had been wearing ONLY. Thus far, she had continued to wear her uniform, it being the only thing she owned that wasn't midway to the trash compactor. This wouldn't so; not with school starting up again within the week. Jean, Kitty and Rogue had been appointed to take her to the mall, while Kurt and Bobby were going along to finish Christmas shopping.
"Jean, you are permitted to spend two hundred dollars on clothing for the girl. Please make sure that it is spent ON THE GIRL."
Jean looked insulted, and with a fake looking pout replied:
"Professor, we all have MORE than enough clothes, and we would *never* spend ANY money on ourselves when we are being sent out on an assignment!"
Rogue snorted in half concealed laughter before adding in an undertone to Sarah,
"Out of all the people here that would shop for herself the DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS, ah think that Jean's the only one who would."
It was Sarah's turn to laugh now. She looked up at the Rogue, who was quite a bit taller than her, as Sarah had always been quite small for her age. Rogue's eyes were fixed on the professor who was talking. Sarah could tell that behind the hard, sarcastic personality that she seemed to have, behind it, there was just a normal girl. Or an abnormal girl hiding behind the mask of humanity. Oh God, is that what I do? Hide, just like I accused Kurt of doing?
She arose from her bubble of thought when she felt a gloved hand tugging at her arm.
"C'mon already. Ah've been waiting for like, a minute already."
Wordlessly, Sarah allowed herself to be tugged out to the car, which left the carport in a screech of tires. (Jean was driving) All the way to the mall, Sarah was engrossed in a rapt contemplation: 'had she judged these people too harshly?' 'Why would they even WANT to look after me after what I was like when they first saw me?'
While she was thinking these thoughts, the car drew up into the parking lot of the Bayville mall. Marrow skipped opening the door, as Scott's car was a convertible. Kitty and Jean looked at her in disdain, while Rogue, on the other hand burst into the first real smile that Marrow had seen out of her. Primly straightening her reindeer antlers, Kitty opened the door, and shut it rather loudly, as if to say, "this is how REAL girls behave." Once inside the mall, Rogue and Marrow walked behind the other two, looking enviously at Kurt and Bobby who had split off and disappeared into a cd store. Squeals kept erupting from Kitty and Jean as they ran from rack to rack of 'bargain, holiday sales.' "Oh Sarah, this skirt is SOOO, like, you!"
Rogue made a semi-gagging noise as she saw the brilliant green miniskirt that Kitty had held up in front of marrow.
"Um…I don't wear skirts."
Now the bitterness flowed. There was an almost visible line between Kitty and Jean, Marrow and Rogue.
"Ah'll take her shopping fer clothes. 'S not like ah'm doin' anythin' anyway."
Sarah looked up at Rogue, gratitude flowing from her eyes, while Kitty and Jean looked daggers.
"Um…Rogue, you don't exactly have…a FLAMBOYANT taste in clothes…"
"I don't mean to offend you guys, but I think Rogue's dress style is closer to mine than yours. Sorry."
Any interest that the two fashion addicts had in Sarah was erased at this. Eradicated.
"Yeah…I suppose…meet us back here in three hours, OK. Kitty and I will be around. Here's the money that the professor gave you Sarah, but it's ONLY to be spent on clothes. Bye."
Jean walked off, Kitty in tow, here last words intensified with false brightness. Rogue grinned at Marrow.
"Ah think we're gonna get along just fine."
Together, Rogue and Marrow made their way through the sales racks as quickly as possible, picking out the clothes that would get the MOST coverage, and still be easy to move around in. Reaching the checkout in a record hour, Marrow's new wardrobe consisted of two pairs of tight, green leggings and one pair of black ones, three green turtlenecks, four pairs of trousers from the gap, (boy, THAT burned up their credit!) two black T-shirts, a beret, and a pair of steel toed construction boots.
"Um, Sarah…what about…you know."
Sarah turned the brightest shade of red that had ever been seen in recent times on humans and mutants alike. She grabbed a package of underwear and three sports bras off the shelf.
"OK, lets go," she said in mock brightness, trying to hide the latest additions among the turtlenecks. Rogue didn't press any further, and within minutes the whole merry lot was bagged and bought.
Stepping out of the stores, Rogue groaned.
"Ah, darn! Kitty and Jean are impossible to find in malls, and we've still got two hours. "Let's finish Christmas shopping." "Aint got no money." "Ah…you've got a point there…"
So the two walked around, and around, and around the mall, not seeing Kitty or Jean anywhere. A few kids were cueing up in front of 'Santa.'
"Oh, when I was little Irene used to take me to see these phonies. I loved it!" Putting on a little kids voice, Rogue mimicked, 'pwease, Mr. Santa, sir…I want a widdle bwack kitten for Chwistmas…'
Sarah smiled.
"I lived with the Morlocks in the sewers and subway tunnels. I didn't ever know about Santa Claus until I was old enough to leave the underground. 'Course, that was the same Christmas I learnt about over commercialization!"
Rogue laughed lightly. This girl seemed to bring out the best in her.
"Oh…look Rogue! You want money, right? Look…"
Marrow jabbed a finger towards a poster up on the tent which housed Santa.
'Elves wanted. A hundred dollars an hour! Apply within."
Rogue looked up with her arms folded, and her jaw set.
Marrow looked up with a wicked grin on her face.
"Imagine Kitty and Jean saw us. The looks on their faces…and they thought we don't have any fashion style!"
Rogue did think. The smirks…how everyone made fun of the way she dressed…how she could show them! But, she didn't give a damn about how she appeared in front of others…EXACTLY! Why shouldn't she do it. A HUNDRED BUCKS…
"Sure, whatever."
Marrow grinned back, looking almost like a real elf. @@@~~~@@@~~~@@@~~~@@@~~~@@@~~~@@@~~~@@@~~~@@@
Minutes later, Rogue and Marrow stood in Elf costumes. They had pointy ears glued on over their normal ones, a short, green, sleeveless dress was intercepted by bright red tights. Rogue wore a pair of green gloves to match. Grinning widely, they set about their task, lifting toddlers on and off of Santa's lap. Rogue's mouth was beginning to feel as though it was about to crack. Turning briefly to stretch it, she saw the worst thing possible. Kurt and Bobby had exited the cd shop, and were now gaping at the sight which met their eyes. Elbowing Sarah hard in the side, she wordlessly pointed to Kurt and Bobby, who's position had yet to change. Grinning even wider, she waved to them, and yelled "Marry Christmas" across the mall. People stopped to stare at the two boys, and they both now being a bright shade of scarlet rushed off, probably to find Jean and Kitty.
"That was EVIL," Rogue muttered in an undertone to Marrow.
"I know."
Smiles now just a little wider, and slightly more genuine, they lifted little Robert onto Santa's lap.
"What would YOU like for Christmas little boy…"
The gang left the mall in silence, Rogue and Marrow carting bags, and throwing each other glances, and then biting their own lips to forestall giggling. The car revved up, and drove back to the mansion.
That evening…
All presents had been wrapped gaily and deposited under the tree. Everyone sat in the common room, putting last minute touches on their gifts to others, and whispered what had been bought amongst themselves. Kitty, though Jewish enjoyed Christmas as much as any of them, and joined into the caroling wholeheartedly. Rogue, Marrow and Gambit all stood in a corner, sharing a songbook, while Hank banged out "O Little Town Of Bethlehem" on the piano.
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie.
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by.
Yet in the dark streets shineth the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.
As the students left the common room, the crackling of the fire was the only sound to be heard. A shadow tree danced on the walls, and then dwindled as the clock struck the hour. Not a mutant was stirring, in the silent house.
Merry Christmas, and have a WONDERFUL Christmas Eve, Everybody. As a Christmas present to me, please review!!!