A/N: 

To cat:  umm…I'm sorta confused, because 1. my site is working, and 2. when I look at my story online, there's nothing wrong with the format.  Could you be more specific?  Thanks.

To Hoodoo:  Feel sorry for both of them.  Trust me.  Feel very sorry. ;-)

Disclaimer:

Moira: "Peter Wisdom! What are you doing with my swimming cap? Is nothing sacred

anymore?"

Kitty: "Pete, you told me you stole it from Kurt's room…"

Kurt: "WHAT?!"

Pete: "I thought I did. That explains the pink frilly dressing gowns. I'd wondered

about those…"

~Excalibur #93

            Emma Frost raised an eyebrow at the glitter-covered Leslie, but said nothing.  Years with teenagers had taught her when to not ask questions; when students were covered in glitter was number seven, right after when they've been quiet all day and right before when an animal suddenly disappears.  "Miss Corring, please, have a seat."

            Leslie sat, scowling.  "Was there something you wanted, Ms Frost?"

            Emma sat back in her seat, folding her arms.  She studied Leslie for a moment before smiling.  "First, congratulations on the number you did on the Omega Gang.  I must say, I was impressed."

            Leslie smiled slightly.  "I don't know what you're talking about."

            "Right," Emma said dryly, "and they just decided to turn themselves in on their own?"

            Leslie didn't reply.

            "Oh, I'm not criticizing.  I would have done the same thing in your place, although I would have been a bit more…vicious, shall we say?  After all, you probably saved some poor human's life."

            Leslie was now truly nervous.  "Umm…thank you?"

            Emma smiled, like the cat that caught the canary.  "That's part of why I called you here.  I'm afraid Mrs. Summers and Prof. Xavier don't see things quite the same way I do.  Their 'scruples' about using powers on others, you know.  But you don't have that problem, do you, Leslie?"

            Leslie was quite sure she'd been insulted.  She felt Kurt sending a question to her, wondering why her emotions were all over the place  She gritted her teeth, told him not to worry, and dampened the link best she could. "What exactly are you saying?"

            "That there is something in you that doesn't fit into Jean's or Xavier's ideals.  I can tell, more or less, what you're feeling, separate from the emotions of others.  Tell me, honestly, that you didn't enjoy turning those heathens into jelly."

            Leslie looked away.  "I…can't say that."

            "Look at me," Emma commanded.  Leslie did so, and was surprised to see the sympathy in her eyes.  "Don't ever be ashamed of enjoying your power.  It's like being ashamed to see because there are blind people in the world.  You have a talent for your power, Leslie, a natural skill for using it.  I want to help you develop it."

            "But…"

            Emma dismissed her protests, not needing telepathy to know what Leslie thought.  "Oh, Xavier and Jean talk a good talk, dear, but they get the same secret thrill.  They just don't admit it."  She leaned across the desk, eyes serious.  "You have drive, Leslie.  You're incredibly intelligent, despite the lack of interest you've shown in class.  You'll go far, powers or no powers—but using them just makes it easier.  And more enjoyable." 

            Leslie scanned her, searching for her true intentions, and was shocked to realize that there was no deceit in her.  She considered Emma's words.  "Jean couldn't help me block the feelings out.  I…I can tell, mostly, which are mine and which aren't, but I still feel them all.  Could you help me, do you think?"

            "I have no idea.  But I'll certainly try.  Despite what you think of me, I truly wish to help you."

            "…Alright, then, Ms Frost."

            "Good."  Emma stood up, still smiling, and moved to open the door.  She paused, hand on the knob.  "Oh, and Leslie?  You won't mention anything to Mrs. Summers about Mr. Summers and me, will you?"

            Leslie grinned, realizing that, while sincere in her desire to help, this was what Emma had really wanted to talk to her about.  "I don't see that it's my business one way or another, Ms Frost.  But I wouldn't recommend that you two keep…working together.  I can only ignore things for so long, you know, before I might…slip up and mention it to the wrong person."

            Emma's smile changed from slightly condescending to respectful.  The two women stood there together, getting a feel of each other.  "I'll keep that in mind, Leslie."

            Still smiling, Leslie left, shedding glitter as she did so.

            Ugh.  I feel positively dirty after talking with that woman.  I'll need to shower all day before I feel clean again.

            I don't understand her at all.  She's all ice inside, but I get the feeling that once there was warmth, too.  And I know she's not in love with Scott…hell, she knows she's not in love with him…so why is she "sleeping" with him?  And what the hell does he think he's doing?

            Argh, you think about this stuff for too long, your brain goes to mush.  Like I told Emma, it's not my business…

            But, as Bobby said, when has that ever stopped me before?

            Leslie opened her door, determined to initiate Stage Two of Make Logan Pay.  Unfortunately, that plan was shot to Hell by the presence of one furry blue mutant—and we ain't talking Beast, people.

            Kurt Wagner was lying on her bed, smirking.  "Nice look, liebling.  The glitter's really you."

            She scowled, crossing her arms over her chest.  "I'm afraid to ask, but what are you doing here?"

            In response, Kurt reached under her bed, pulling out her supplies. 

            "How did you know?!"

            "You vere gloating over the link.  After hearing about your adventure vith Angel, it didn't take much to figure it out."

            Rolling her eyes, Leslie sat down next to him, taking the box.  "Alright, you know.  So?"

            Kurt smiled slightly.  "So?  I really hope you're careful vith who you play a prank on, liebchen."

            She stared at him.  "That's it?  No lecture, no confiscating anything?"

            "Vell, if you vant me to I can…"

            "No, no, it's alright.  Really," Leslie said earnestly, causing Kurt to chuckle again.  She expected him to leave and was surprised when he didn't.  "Kurt?" she asked softly, sending ~concern~ as she did so.  "What is it?"

            He was silent for over a minute, during which Leslie was seriously considering doing a deeper scan, before he spoke.  "I left the priesthood today."

            "WHAT?!  Why on earth did you do that?"

            Slightly amused at her outburst, Kurt shrugged.  "I've…changed since I vas ordained.  I can no longer live the life of a priest.  I must serve God a different vay."

            "But why now?" Leslie was confused and drowning in guilt.  Didn't tell him about the Pontiff, did you, girl?  What if you had, what if he was back to what he'd been?  You just screwed up his whole life!

            Kurt frowned slightly, sensing her distress through the link.  He gently scanned and laughed when he realized that Leslie was afraid it was because of something she'd done, something she'd made him do.  "Nein, meine liebe, nein.  I vas going to leave anyvay.  Your being here just made me realize it sooner."

            Leslie caught her breath.  Oh-so-softly, terrified of the response, she asked, "What did I have to do with it?"

            Kurt didn't reply.  He just looked at her before gently removing her sunglasses.  "Vhat do you think, liebling?"

            Her breathing seemed to be as loud as an expressway at rush hour.  She tried to bury herself in the simpler emotions of her classmates, but for once she was totally aware of just herself and Kurt.  Her hand shaking, she cupped it against the side of his face. 

            Black eyes met yellow. 

            Slowly, he leaned in and kissed her.  His touch was nervous, trying to remember what to do—he'd thought he'd never kiss a woman like this again, and it felt odd to do so.  He was reminded of his first kiss.  The same awkwardness, doubts, confusion, all were here as well as there.

            Leslie stiffened at his touch, terror running through her.  Then it was gone, before Kurt even felt it, and there was only him and her and his lips…

            Leslie sat bolt upright in bed, breathing heavily.  A dream…just a dream…

            But it wasn't hers.

            Shaking slightly, she rubbed her eyes, trying to clear her mind.

            After talking to Emma, Kurt had been in her room.  And they had talked, briefly.  But he hadn't mentioned leaving the priesthood, and they certainly hadn't kissed.

            Yes, then he left, and I set things up for Angel…

            Evening Mass had followed, dinner in Salem Center with Tray and Julia.  Homework.  Bed.  The Darkness…going into—

            Oh.  Dear.  Lord.

            Going into Kurt's dream!!

            Leslie didn't fall back to sleep that night.

A/N: Aren't I evil?  Coming up—what did Leslie do to Angel?  Dealing with Kurt!  And—why it is bad to taunt Wolverines.