Later that night, as the time for her date drew near, Storm found herself tracing the halls of the mansion, looking for Jared.

She could hear Scott speaking before she ever rounded the corner.

"Sure Kurt." He said. "I thought Jean and I could check it out tonight – and if the place is cool – You and Kitty could come with us tomorrow night. You know, we could double."

"I vish we could, but Kitty does not dig the fuzzy dude." Kurt said sadly.

"So we won't explain it." Scott said flippantly. "And who knows, maybe she'll come around."

Storm rounded the corner and surprised them both. "Quite the little match-maker tonight, aren't we Scott?" She smiled knowingly.

Scott shrugged, unashamed. "Maybe I'm taking my cues from you these days." He smirked.

Kurt looked abashed and desperately wished to be somewhere else.

Storm smiled demurely. "Then I wish us all the best of luck." She replied quietly and patted Kurt's arm as she passed.

Kurt smiled appreciatively yet sheepishly.

Storm rounded the corner, out of sight.

"But … a Goth club?" Kurt asked. "I don't know …"

Scott laughed. "Maybe you could go without your image enhancer."

Storm smirked as she was passing out of earshot.

"Duuuu-uuuude!" Kurt complained. – And Scott laughed at him.

The conversation continued but in low and muffled tones that Storm couldn't distinguish.

A moment later she came upon Jean, sitting quietly, near the front door.

"Jean." Storm nodded. "Hitting that new Gothic Club tonight?"

"If Scott ever gets his butt in gear." Jean complained. "He's been stalling all evening."

"Maybe he just wants to get you out under the stars." Storm smiled. "It's going to be a clear night. It ought to be beautiful."

Jean smiled. "Oh, sure, make it sound all romantic." She faked a pout. "I was trying to be angry!"

Storm waved a hand absently. "Why bother?" She asked before another thought occurred to her.

"How's Scott doing. I thought you said he was sick earlier. He looked alright just now." Storm cast a glance over her shoulder, back the way she came.

"Yeah, that was kind of funny." Jean agreed. "I thought we weren't going tonight. He even missed dinner. But when he got up from his nap he said he felt fine."

Scott rounded the corner and stopped short. "Ahh, Jean, you ready to go?" He asked.

Jean shot him a glance that said she was ready an hour ago.

Then Jean and Storm exchanged an amused glance.

"Scott." Storm said softly. "Jean tells me you've missed dinner."

Scott shot her a toothy smile. "I promise I'll grab a bite while we're out tonight."

"Good." Storm smiled.

"Mom." Scott grinned and ushered Jean out the door as the last rays of the setting sun disappeared behind the horizon.

Storm stopped short. Scott was being absolutely cheeky. She thought. I hope he is okay.

The word floated through her mind. "Mom."

In many ways she felt like the mother of the team. Most of what she did was unsung and went unnoticed. While at the same time, she was one of the most influential people at the mansion and the powerful backbone of the team when conflicts arose.

But no one had ever said it to her before.

She let the mocking pretence of the delivery fall away and took the comment as a compliment, albeit – perhaps – an unconscious one.

And, while lost in thought, she turned and walked right in to Professor Xavier.

"Charles!" She breathed. "Forgive me!" She shook her head in disbelief. "But … You're walking!"

The Professor smiled slowly. "Yes." He agreed. "Thanks to Jared."

Storm stood stunned and looked him up and down.

"It's a form of gene therapy that I never would have tried. It was handed down as folklore in his country. But, apparently …" He spread his arms to the side and spun once in place.

He shrugged. "It will require a special diet." He smiled slightly. "And the maintenance schedule will take some getting used to … But in the end, this should be a permanent solution."

Storm shook her head in disbelief and then threw her arms around Xavier's neck. "Charles. Congratulations!" She breathed. "It could not happen to a more deserving man."

He hugged her back, briefly, and beamed at her.

"I am optimistic." He agreed. "Yet cautious."

"Of course." She looked him up and down again, still amazed.

"Speaking of optimistic …" Xavier began. "Don't you have a date tonight?" He asked slyly.

"I do indeed. I was just looking for Jared when I … bumped in to you."

Xavier curled his lips in to a smile. "Yes, we were just finishing up another project. I had to send Rogue and Logan on a reckon mission. I'm sorry if I kept him from you."

She waved away his concerns and gestured towards his standing form. "For this, Charles, I would have waited an eternity."

He laughed at her choice of words. "Thank you Storm, but – fortunately – that isn't necessary. If you care to wait in my study, I'm sure that Jared will be in shortly."

Storm nodded twice and wandered in to the room where Xavier had indicated.

"By the way." Xavier paused. "You look great." And with a sly smile, before she could respond, he closed the door.

Kitty was sitting quietly in one corner of the study, wearing headphones and writing in a journal. When she saw Storm, she stopped.

"Am I interrupting?" Storm inquired.

"Nah." Kitty smiled. "I was just writing about the Professor." She held up her journal. "Have you seen him?"

"I did indeed." Storm sat down in a chair near Kitty. "I'm still shocked!"

Kitty smiled. "You know, when this guy, Jared, showed up today with all that luggage …"

Kitty could tell that Storm hadn't noticed.

"Luggage?" Storm asked.

Kitty nodded several times. "Yeah. He had a few suitcases and three big trunks – one was big as a person. And that assistant of his …" Kitty shook her head.

"Assistant?" Storm felt confused.

"Manservant, whatever." Kitty finished. "Talk about creepy. But I guess waiting on someone else – hand and foot – well, it might make anyone a little squirrelly." She shrugged. "I guess I'm just too Americanized. Maybe Europeans throw me is all." She shook her head. "Anyone who can help out the Professor deserves a little leeway."

Kitty looked away slightly. "Or maybe he just did it to impress his date." She said at last, a grin betraying her interest.

"Well, everyone certainly is speaking their mind tonight." Storm smiled wide. "And yes, I do have a date. But just for a walk in the garden." Storm assured her.

"Staying close to home?" Kitty asked.

"Yes." Storm agreed.

"Oh, it's that kind of date." Kitty laughed.

"What kind?" Storm asked, feigning ignorance.

"The kind that needs to stay near your bedroom?" Kitty asked quickly, feeling like she was on thin ice.

Storm gasped slightly at the insinuation – and perhaps at the truthfulness.

Kitty giggled. "Sorry." She stood up, gathering her things. "I couldn't resist." She smiled affectionately down at Storm. "But it's nice to have the chance to tease you about it." She said plainly. "I personally think it's about time someone wised up and asked you out."

Storm was embarrassed, but had to smile. "Me too." She agreed quietly, and they shared an understanding glance.