BACK AT THE MANSION...

Jubilee burst into Kitty's room, as usual, without knocking. The other girl was sitting cross-legged on the bed clutching the box that Pietro had delivered to her chest and wearing a dreamy expression.

"Well?! What did he get you?! Spill! We were gawked at by Quicksilver so you could get that!"

The dreamy expression never left her face. "That will teach you to lock your doors," she replied serenely.

Jubilee tried to grab the package out of Kitty's arms, failing as her hands went right through her. She swiped at the intangible girl, frustrated at her inability to do anything other than make idiotic clawing motions at her. "Argh!!!"

Kitty just held the box even tighter. "You know, this really isn't any of your business."

"Of course it is!"

Kitty gave her an unimpressed looked. "Explain," she said flatly.

"Umm, look over there!" She pointed behind Kitty. She didn't move. "Agh, c'mon! I'm dying to know what's in there!"

Kitty shrugged uncaringly. "Oh, well. Just leave. I'll let you know what it is when I open it, alright?!" Her voice rose with each word.

Jubilee backed up slowly. "Okay." She sat down on the floor.

"What are you doing?"

"Waiting."

Kitty let out a huge sigh, of aggravation and phased through her bed into the next floor down. Now she would be alone. Jubilee hmphed and picked herself off the floor. "Probably wasn't that cute anyway."

The freshman now was in the dining room, all alone. Hank had been leaving as she dropped in, and she didn't expect him back anytime soon. She pulled off the box, tried of thinking of what it could possibly be. Wrapped in golden tissue paper, with a note attached, was small photo album complete with disposable camera. Kitty was thoroughly intrigued by this so she opened the note.

"Hey, Kitty," it read. "I figured I'd get you this since you don't get to see your parents as much as you would like. Now you can take pictures of all your happy memories and keep them with you all the time." Kitty smiled at his words. Sure, the handwriting was slightly sloppy, but it touched her heart that he'd gone through the trouble to give her that. She read on: "Also... You'll find something else in this box. Look at it before reading on." She obeyed the letter, despite the urge to peek at the folded part.

There was a white tissue wrapped bundle beneath the album. Kitty eyed it curiously before pulling the paper off. Inside was a white satin baby doll nightgown, the lacy hem coming to only mid-thigh and the v-shaped neckline barely decent. Kitty blushed a deep red and was torn between being angry and being flattered. She unfolded the note and began to read the last part.

"If you REALLY want to thank me you can send me a picture of you wearing this... but I won't hold my breath."

Her mouth dropped open for a moment in disgust and shock at his audacity, but then it curled into a mischievous smirk. "I imagine he went through a lot of trouble getting this..."

"Getting what?" Bobby said as he peeked into the dining room.

"Oh no, not you! OUT!" She yelled. Bobby's face went lurid at the booming sound of her normally cheery voice and he left as quickly as he looked in. Kitty's face returned to its dreamy state as she went up to her room.



Rogue kept herself snuggled into Remy's chest, enjoying his warmth from all parts of his body. He had since fallen asleep, his hangover promising to fade after his nap. Rogue couldn't think of any other more perfect moment than right then...

Except for the knocks on the door.

"Oh Gawd," she mumbled. She glanced over her shoulder to Remy and frowned. He had his arm draped over her protectively and it didn't look like it was ready to give her up without a fight. But she wasn't about to call halfway across the room for the person to come in. That would just wake Remy up.

Sighing, she lifted his arm with ease, which would have been dead weight to someone of normal strength, and quickly ducked out from underneath of him. Placing her pillow for him to hold in the meanwhile, she fought back a chill from being taken away from her heat source and plodded to the door. Whoever was on the other side better have had a good reason for pulling her out of bed.

She opened the door, ready to holler at the person, but looked up into the serene eyes of the resident Beast. Instantly her anger melted and a smile found its way on her face. He was probably one of the few people at the institute she could tolerate on a constant basis.

"Can Ah help ya, Mr. McCoy?"

He smiled pleasantly in return. "I just wanted to let you know that the others are departing shortly. Do you wish to say goodbye to them?"

She nodded. "Ah guess. Ah really don't wanna wake Remy though..." She glanced over her shoulder, where Hank followed her gaze as well. Remy was peacefully sleeping, cuddling with the strategically placed pillow. "He's cute, ain't he?" Rogue grinned up at Beast.

Her teacher raised an eyebrow at her. "Hmm... Quite," he responded with no enthusiasm whatsoever.

Rogue made her way down the stairs, Hank following along behind her, and found a "hug fest" in progress. The girls, despite their hangovers, were embracing and wishing each other a good vacation. The guys were just standing around and trying to look macho. That lasted until the girls decided it was their turn for hugs. The guys of the group were immediately set upon but overly enthusiastic mutant girls who would not rest until they had said their farewells.

Of course, hugging girls was permitted in the Code and a guy was allowed to indulge in such activities. Hugging another guy (save for very rare occasions) was not permitted. In fact it was highly frowned upon and the perpetrator would be meet with disapproving looks and verbal mocking from other members of his gender. The Code was very strict and without it there would be chaos. However, since girls did not live under the Code and therefore could not be expected to understand it they were given special leeway and were known as the exception to nearly every rule. Little did they know the girls had the Rules which were every bit as stringent.

Rogue herself unconsciously followed the Code in certain instances though it had a lot less to do with male posturing than for the safety of others. And she just didn't really like the whole touchy-feely thing, unless it was from Remy. So she just stood by and watched as the other girls tackled the boys. Jamie especially was wincing from all the cheek pinching and hair ruffling he was getting. Rogue felt that had to change.

She walked over to him and knelt down in front of him so he could look down on her. "Ah'll miss ya li'l guy," she admitted. "No hard feelin's about last night, raht?"

He grinned, headache gone. "None at all, Miss Roguey." He pulled her into a hug, which she stiffened at, but then relaxed. The kid was too cute to push away.

Watching from over Bobby's shoulder, whom she was currently hugging, Jubilee got an idea. She pulled away from Bobby, and whispered over to Amara. "You thinking what I'm thinking?"

Amara rolled her eyes. "You just can't get enough of the joking around, huh?"

"You know me too well, girl. C'mon, tell Rahne and Kit. I think as long as Jean doesn't jump her she'll be good-hearted about it."

Amara sighed in defeat. "Fine." She walked away from Roberto and over to Rahne and Sam. She avoided Kitty and Kurt since they seemed to be arguing about something.

"How many times have I told you not to, like, 'port in my room uninvited?!" She heard Kitty shrieking.

"I should ask you vhat you vere vearing!" Kurt shouted in response. Amara just shook her head and whispered the plan of attack to Rahne. The wolfgirl was up for the idea, and wordlessly volunteered to tell Kitty.

"If ye don't mind me fer buttin' in... I have t' steal Kitty from ye, Kurt," she smiled that innocent smile that worked on all the guys and pulled Kitty away. She had a redness to her cheeks, though Rahne couldn't tell if it was from anger or embarrassment.

Rogue glanced up the stairs wondering if it was how safe to leave Remy alone in her room for much longer. Sure he'd LOOKED asleep, but normally, even sleeping, he noticed if she left him. So that made her wonder if he'd merely been waiting for a chance to do God alone knew what in her room while she was absent. That thought gave birth to a host of other paranoid theories and consequently Rogue was paying less attention to her surroundings than she should have been.

She was unprepared for roar that rivaled the warriors in "Braveheart" and the sight of all the Institute girls (with the exception of Jean who was still happily making out with Scott) rushing toward her. "GROUP HUG!!!!!!!"

"Ack!! Get OFF!" She told the mass of constricting arms.

"But Roguey we LOOOOOOVE yoooooou!!!!!" Jubilee replied, clinging to her.

Rogue was very, very disturbed by that point. A highly social person she was not and that coupled with her instincts against ANYONE (except perhaps Remy) getting that up close and personal her set off certain defense mechanisms.

She rose about half a dozen feet into the air.

The girls had not let go.

Rogue wasn't above clawing and thrashing to get them off, but she didn't want anyone to have to go home with bruises and arms in slings and they would if she did what she had in mind. Instead, she wiggled a bit but the girls were still successfully clutching onto her. "Are you guys done yet?" Breathing hard and watching everything move around her, including the snickers of the other guys, she noticed Ray coming down the steps. He caught sight of what was happening to Miss No-Touchy and burst out laughing. He doubled over and almost fell down the steps. Rogue glared in his direction and her mind sparked with an idea.

She lowered to the ground, the girls still not letting up on their hold of her. They just held her tight, making little cooing noises. "Hey, gals... Ray hasn't gotten a hug goodbye yet... Ah think he's feelin' left out." Jubilee was the first to let go and saw him freeze at the sound of his name.

He shook his head, his eyes wide like a deer caught in headlights. "Ohhh, no. You're not gettin' me!" He dropped his bag and dashed back up the steps, tripping slightly.

The girls were reluctant to chase after him since he wouldn't be as fun to hug as Rogue... but it would embarrass the hell out of him. "Onward, girls!" Jubilee shouted and ran after him. He let out a yelp and scrambled up the steps some more. Rahne shape shifted to cut him off at the top of the steps while the other girls caught up.

A loud thump was heard to those who didn't get a nice glimpse of the girls tackling poor Ray to the ground. Bobby winced and looked away. "Ouch, man..."

Evan shuddered. "Glad it's not me..."

"Well, he DID laugh at Rogue. We all know you NEVER laugh at Rogue if you value your life and/or sanity," Kurt pointed out. Everyone turned to look at Bobby.

"What?! I know better!"

"Ya do NOW," Sam muttered rolling his eyes.

Then... "NO! NO!!! NOT THAT!! PLEASE!!! NOOOO!!!" There were desperate pleas mixed discordantly with the sounds of uncontrollable laughter.

"He showed weakness," Roberto said sadly shaking his head.

"Baaaaad idea," they intoned in unison.

"OH, GOD STOP!!! NO!!! NOT THE STOMACH!!! MERCY!!!"

Wild giggling came from the top of the steps, including that of Ray. He finally succumbed to the wiggling fingers of the girls and stopped fighting their hands away. He nearly had tears in his eyes from laughing so hard. Amara had ripped off his shoe, reluctantly mind you, and was flicking at his toes, while Kitty and Jubilee claimed his stomach. Rahne tickled around his neck and ears. He was flailing wildly, and he would no doubt be sore after whipping his body back and forth from trying to escape.

"You give up yet, Ray?" Jubilee laughed, her fingers prodding his side.

He only nodded, biting his lip to the point of bleeding to keep from laughing anymore. Rahne brushed a fur tipped finger by his face again. "Aww, but we figured ye were havin' so much fun..."

Below, Rogue was ascending up the stairs, dipping down to pick up Ray's bag. She made it to the top and hovered over the girls, where they instantly stopped, as if waiting for a command. She had a sinister grin to her features. "Thank you, girls. Now Ray," she looked pointedly at him. "What did we learn taday that you'll tell yoah friends when ya get home?" Her grin faded and she looked at him almost innocently. Almost.

"Don't mess with the Rogue?" He squeaked. He had heard stories, oh yes.

"Good boy." She tossed him his bag. "See ya when ya get back." She winked and flew over him back toward her room. As a second thought, she paused at the top, floating. "Bye ya'll. Have fun!"

Ray watched her swoop away from his position on the floor. Sighing, he stood up and dusted himself off, a fine aura of electricity crackling over him in self-defense that was a little late. The girls still sat on the floor, watching him get ready to go downstairs and giving him identical sad faces. Rahne had shifted back to complete human form, the better to pout with. "Aww, c'mere," he said, the blue-white energy fading. They got up with glee and ran over to him for another hug. "Gently!" They nodded and shared another hug with him, sincere this time.

Everyone finished their goodbyes and were herded into taxis by a very serene Ororo.



ELSEWHERE...

Logan was not nearly as serene. In fact it wasn't really a stretch to call him downright cranky. He was in a nearby town busy frightening the shop owner and buying out of anything over 100 proof.

"Yeah, I'll take a case of that... and that... and that..."

"Um... Sir, are you sure you want all of those?" It was as close as he was willing to come to saying "I don't think you have the money pay for everything" to the rather dangerous looking man invading his store.

"Do I look like some kind of head case to you?" he snarled.

The shop owner realized that while saying "yes" would be truthful it was not exactly a wise idea.

Logan counted over his various bottles: Bicardi 151, Johnny Walker Red, Moonshine, a brand new bottle of Everclear he would hide with extra care, and some good ol' fashioned gin and Canadian whiskey. He had a couple six-packs of Jager for the lighter days too. He figured that would hold him over for a while until he found a good place to hide it and could come back for the more exotic stuff.

A feral grin spread on his face as he pulled out his charge card set aside specifically for the store. The owner took it and his eyes widened with fear. "Ah, yes, Mr. Logan. I can't believe I didn't recognize you..."

"Just ring the stuff up," Logan grunted.

The shop owner's hand shook as he handed back the card. There had been rumors about the man standing in front of him. None of them were very clear except in two respects: 1) whatever you do DON'T piss him off, and 2) when he buys alcohol he buys it by the truckload so just shut up and you'll make some money. No one knew what happened when you violated the rules and that was the most ominous of all.

Not knowing how to bag the various bottles up, since there was just too much to put into the shop's regular paper bags. The owner reached under the counter and presented a large cardboard box to Logan, who nodded in approval. Quickly but carefully, the owner piled the bottles into the box. When he was through, he gently pushed the box towards Logan's side of the counter and wished him a good day. Logan grunted his thanks and propped the box under his arm. As soon as he was out the door, an excited grin took over his face. "Merry Christmas to me."



AT THE AIRPORT...

The hungover young mutants were standing in a line looking rather forlorn as their baggage was checked and rechecked and they were searched. The security detail was even making people take off their shoes. Though the aspirin that Rogue had given them alleviated the worst of their misery none of them were particularly happy and tempers were shot.

Ray growled as another security guard all but ripped open his carry on and emptied its contents, including gifts for his parents and kid sister. Now, Ray wasn't seen as a sentimental guy on the team, but he did have a special soft spot for family. Amara put a hand on his shoulder. "It's okay," she whispered. "Don't spaz out at them, it'll only cause more trouble than it's worth." Amara herself, however, was containing her anger as well. She kept her hands balled at her side, because she knew if given the opportunity, she would have rubbed them together and blown the damn security guards away with a nicely sized ball of flame.

Feeling responsible still for the younger students, Scott spoke up. "Is it really this necessary? I mean," he motioned towards Ray's dismantled bag. "He just has Christmas gifts for his family."

The security guard looked at Scott, his cold dark brown eyes seeing right through Cyke's sunglasses. "Don't question us, kid. This is the law."

Ray had had enough. He walked up to one of the other guards and poked him in the chest "Look, I'm fighting a very painful headache right now, and if my sister's porcelain bunny cracked in any possible way, I will make sure to come directly back to this gate when I return and I will personally fry your ass. Got it?!" Smoke sizzled from where his finger connected with the guard's blue uniform.

"Ray..." The professor warned from the back. Ray ignored him, continuing his staring contest with the other man.

The guard stepped back, looking oddly at Ray, his confidence waning slightly... but only slightly. His first and immediate thought what the majority of sane people think when confronted with something they can't explain: 'I must have imagined it.'

His brief moment of uncertainty gone he grabbed Ray by the front of the shirt. "Look, you little punk, I've been dealing with your kind for longer than you've been alive. And I've had it up to here-"

Ray looked about ready to blow. The professor sighed and both the hotheaded mutant and the guard stepped back from each other, their expressions blanking.

"I'm sorry, sir."

"Quite alright, son." Then they both seemed to come back to themselves looking vaguely confused.

The other guards frowned in suspicion. The professor just sighed and shook his head. The lead guard waved them through. "Go on, now. You're okay."

Rahne bent down and picked up the jewelry box that had fallen out of Ray's bag. "Here ye go." She smiled wolfishly at him, bringing him back to normal. He went to snatch it from her, but Rahne meant no harm, so he just let her drop it into his hand.

"Thanks," he looked away from her dejectedly and picked up the rest of his bag. The others followed suit. Once each mutant had his or her carry-on, it was time to go to their separate gates.

"Farewell, my students, and try not to get into too much trouble." They all called out their agreement and waved their goodbyes. Xavier turned back to Ororo. "Have a nice trip, Ororo. The limo should have arrived by now. I'll return home and see what kind of damage has been done in my absence." He sighed heavily.

"Logan WAS supposed to be watching them."

"Theoretically," he added with a wry smile. "If he actually stayed there."

"How much trouble can they really get into, Charles? Hank is there, even if Logan did leave. I am sure he was able to keep some semblance of order."

"Hmm... Perhaps."

TBC...