A/N: Ugh, horrible time with this chapter.  It was a lot longer, but I didn't like the way it was working so I'm rewriting that part.  Just a few chapters more, then the sequel.  Enjoy.

Disclaimer:

Wolverine: Nice save Rogue. But it shouldn't have been

necessary.

Rogue: You'd rather ah let her die, Wolverine?

Wolverine: Would'a taught the girl a lesson.

Rogue: Cute, boss

            Leslie bit her lip as she shifted into a sitting position in her hospital bed.  This was it.  She took a deep breath, concentrating, then began.

            "Hank?" she asked, willing him to want to do anything she said.  "I was wondering if you could do me a few favors…"

            Stacy smiled as she stepped out of Warren's room.  That was the last thing she'd needed to do, and she was outta there!  Finally, she could get back to work…

            "Going somewhere?"

            She spun, her bag swinging, then relaxed when she saw the girl, Leslie she thought her name was, standing there…with two bags of her own?  "I could ask you the same thing," she replied, smirking.

            "You could.  As for me, I'm going with you," Leslie answered, adjusting her sunglasses.

            Stacy stared.  "You're joking."

            "Nope," she replied.  "I gotta get out of here.  Away from this.  I need to think about…stuff."

            Stacy began walking down the hall.  "First of all, you're not coming.  Second, how'd you know I was leaving?"

            "Felt you when Paige was with Warren in the infirmary.  Didn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out, and the timing's too good for me to pass up."

            She shook her head, trying to hide her hurt at Warren's name.  "They'll just find ya and bring ya back."

            "Nope," Leslie said, grinning.  "They'll be looking for Leslie Corring, not Anna Jacobs.  Did you know the computers in there make great fake I.D.s?"

            Stacy searched for a reason to say no.  "How're ya goin to survive?  Ya need money, kid." A grin crossed her face.  "I could train ya…"

            "No," Leslie cut in firmly, "thank you.  I'll get a job waiting tables or something.  For now, I'm set.  Prof's got a bank account for each of us students.  I got someone to help me empty mine."

            Stacy looked at her.  "You're serious, ain'tcha?"

            "Yes."

            Leslie followed her out the door and into the night.  "So?"

            Stacy shrugged.  "Yeah, why not?  But I ain't got a particular place in mind, you know," she warned.  "Could be a long way."

            Leslie smiled bitterly.  "The longer the better.  So where to first?"

            The two began walking towards Salem Center and the bus station.


            Hank awoke the next morning with a migraine from hell and no memory of the previous night.  "Oh, my stars and garters," he groaned as he made his way to the staff kitchen for coffee.

            He was greeted by an irate Kurt Wagner.  "Vhere is she?!"

            Hank replied with a very eloquent, "Huh?"

            "Leslie!  She's gone, and Stacy vith her!"  A piece of paper was shoved into his face, and Hank tried to focus his eyes enough to read it.

            Kurt-

            I've gotta get away from here.  I told you I loved you…and I don't know if I do.  I don't know which feelings are mine and which are yours.  I just need some space.

            Don't give my room away.  I'll be back.

            ~Leslie

            Hank blinked.  "Oh dear.  It would seem the avian life form has flown the proverbial coop."

            Kurt punched him and bamfed away.

            Hank groaned again, resting his aching head against the refrigerator.  It was going to be a long day/