Storm sauntered lazily down the hall.
Something wasn't quite right and she knew it - but refused to care.
Jared was, literally, electrifying. No question about it.
He was obviously older than the students at the mansion, much closer to her own age, or so she imagined.
Somewhere in the back of her mind, a song was playing. It was vaguely familiar, slow and seductive, yet captivating. It made her want to dance down the hall, taking mad and smooth steps through the long empty corridor.
She fought the urge but not the intoxicating feeling.
Perhaps, She thought. I shall dance in the garden tonight.
And the thought excited her no end.
Not the dancing itself, or even the setting – her garden at night, but the idea of such an enchanting partner.
Even Xavier seemed to notice the chemistry between them. She seemed to recall his commenting on it more than once. But the memory seemed soft, like a dream, or something forgotten over time or alcohol.
Because you were preoccupied. She told herself. Because it's been two eternities since anyone has shown such an interest in you.
She smiled at her own exaggeration.
Wasn't there something she was supposed to do?
And then she remembered. Scott.
They were supposed to compare notes.
Did Scott know … She suddenly felt paranoid. How could Scott know how she was going to feel? It was an absurd thought.
Storm turned and doubled back through the mansion. Scott wasn't where she had left him.
How long was I in there? She wondered.
Then she spied Jean at the end of the second floor hallway.
"Jean." She said softly, catching her attention.
Jean halted her forward motion and leaned back to get a better view of the hall.
"Oh, hi." She seemed surprised to see her.
"Have you seen Scott?" Storm asked. "He wanted to talk to me about something."
Jean crossed her arms over her chest. "Probably about the professor's new mutant." She commented. "Scott seemed real impressed with him."
"He did indeed." Storm agreed.
"Do you know what this guy's power is?" Jean asked. "Scott didn't say."
Storm stopped short, mentally. Did that even come up in conversation? She wondered.
"No, I don't know." She had to admit at last.
Jean shook her head slightly.
"I just put Scott to bed." Jean told her. "I found him reading downstairs and we went for a walk around the lake. He just didn't seem to feel very well on the way back."
"Oh." Storm felt a pang of concern but it passed quickly. "Well," She decided. "It will keep."
Storm smiled patiently at Jean. "Let me know if there's any way I can help."
Jean studied her for a moment. "Did you meet the Professor's friend?"
"I did." Storm nodded. "Just now."
Jean seemed to soak this in slowly.
"What did you think of him?" Jean asked at last.
Storm felt the smile playing about the corners of her mouth.
"I asked him out." She said plainly. "We have a date tonight."
"Oh." Jean seemed stunned. "So I guess he's not …"
"Not what?" Storm prompted.
"Sick. Actually." Jean shook her head. "I thought maybe Scott caught something from him."
Storm was shaking her head slowly, side to side. "Not that I saw. If anything, I think he looked rather … healthy." She said the last word so as to imply more than it meant.
Jean shot her a knowing glance. "I see." She smiled. "Then by all means, have fun tonight."
Storm leaning in closer, as though they were sharing a very subtle joke. "I intend to."
And she swept around, regally departing the way she had come, leaving Jean standing there in the hall feeling, ever so slightly, jealous.
