))) oh, man, I'm such a slacker! I'll try to start updating more often now, especially now that I know pretty much how this is going to go until the end. Yes, my story is nearing a close, but there is still plenty more to come, so stick around! (((

Quick recap (for less confusion): Drakken is kicked out of Brotherhood boarding house by Mystique and Shego and Professor X welcomes him to the mansion.

Drakken looked at all the students, awaiting their reaction.

"Daddy?" Kurt asked, thoroughly confused. Kitty gave him a strange look, but everyone else ignored him.

"Professor," Kim protested. "This is my enemy! He's the reason why Ron, Naddie, and I hare here in the first place!"

"I understand, Kim, but he had agreed to work with Forge to build a machine to get you all back home again," the professor explained. Kim still didn't like the idea, but she held her tongue.

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"I still just don't like the idea of living under the same roof as my archenemy," Kim said doubtfully to Ron and Naddie as they walked towards their rooms later that evening.

"It's creepy!" Naddie said. Ron agreed.

"Did you see him zap that fly during dinner with that little laser thing?" Ron asked. He shuddered at the thought. "The poor bug disintegrated!"

"You know what that means, Ron?" Kim asked.

"The blue guy's creepy and insane?" Ron said.

"Besides that," Kim said impatiently.

"What?"

"He has access to a lab!"

"Huh?"

"He didn't bring anything with him. And you can't just go out and buy a laser like that! He had to have built it this afternoon while we were training in the Danger Room."

"That's true, but, wait, how did you know Drakken didn't bring anything with him? Holy cow, Naddie! Kim is Mystique!"

"Relax, Ron, it's me," Kim said exasperated.

"Then how'd you know?" Ron asked. Kim mumbled something inaudible.

"What's that, MYSTIQUE?" Ron asked, putting up his fists. Naddie couldn't tell if he was serious or not.

"I talked to Lance," Kim mumbled.

"Again? Kim, he is part of the Brotherhood. You know, the people who attacked us the other day!" Naddie said.

"I know," Kim sighed. "He's just so different when he's not around those other guys. Almost. . . sweet." Kim looked dreamy. Ron and Naddie stared at her.

'Lance Alvers, sweet?' Naddie thought. 'Ick!'

"It doesn't matter," Kim said after a moment. "Back to what I was saying- Drakken isn't the brightest villain around, but he is very sneaky. What if this is all a plot to get us. He could easily sneak into our rooms and wipe us out while we're sleeping!"

"I don't like the idea of Drakken in my room while I'm sleeping at all, whether or not he has a weapon," Ron said.

"I see why you're concerned," Naddie said. "But I'm sure there's no reason to be worried. Drakken is here, yes, but so are two telepaths. I'm sure the professor and Jean are both keeping an eye on Drakken. We've told them about him. The professor wouldn't just let him stay in the mansion if he didn't know what he was doing." This seemed to make Kim feel a bit better.

"You're probably right," she said finally.

"'Course I am!" Naddie said with a grin. "Besides, there are better things to worry about, like what we're wearing to that party tomorrow!"

"Oh my gosh, is that tomorrow? Time flies!" Kim said. "I don't think we'd have time to go shopping. I'm sure Jean and Kitty will let us borrow some things to wear. Let's go talk to them." They ran off down the hall, quickly saying goodnight to Ron as they passed.

'Girls and their clothes!' Ron thought. 'Poor Kim is probably going through Club Banana withdrawal.' Then his thoughts turned to his own party experience. 'I'm going with Rogue! Still can't believe that. I wonder if she's going to dance with me. That would be kind of awkward, considering. I bet Rogue doesn't worry what she's going to wear to the party. Glad I don't have to worry either. Makes me glad to be a man!'

BAMF

Kurt ported right in front of Ron, who was still walking down the hallway to his room.

"Ba!" Ron yelled in surprise.

"Oh, sorry, Ron," Kurt said. "I wanted to find you. I need your help."

"Sure, Kurt, what's the problem?"

"I don't know what to wear to the party!"

))) short, I know. I do better next time! Scrawler, see? I used your idea there at the beginning. Just a fun little bit of Kurt silliness. Very out of character, but that's ok. Hehe

roguehobbit, you're right- poor Toad has no chance with Shego! And that's why it is going to be so funny, kind of like the whole Todd/Wanda thing later on.

crystalgreen, cliffhanger? Lol. I do like to end my chapters in at least a pseudo-cliffhanger fashion, something that makes everyone want to read the next chapter. I've found it works quite well, and it keeps the chapter from just ending abruptly, which can get annoying.

Everyone else, thanks for continuing to read and (hopefully) enjoy my story. More soon! (((