Awoken

by lupastrum

It's a new school year for the X-men as they have an Empath that joins their ranks in the face of an enemy stronger than any they have faced before. Slight inkling of some pairings. Read and Review! ON HIATUS

3. School Haze

Here's the beginning of Chapter 3 - disclaimers apply.  Enjoy. :)

Sorry, but I had a bit of trouble getting this one out, and compared to Chapters One and Two, it's a doozy – it just didn't want to end, bugger it…

~Klutz~

Part the Third: The One Where School Starts


{Xavier Institute - 2:37 AM aka bumblefuck}

Kurt glared at the rec room's window, through which lightning, rain, and wind-tossed trees could be seen. Curled in a ball that only a contortionist could achieve and would probably make Scott wince if he saw, he watched the storm through eyes that refused to focus due to sleep deprivation, huddled in the blanket he liberated clean from the laundry, shivering in the A/C despite his fur and the blanket.

Why, oh why are people destined for nightmares the Sunday night before school starts? Oh wait...that's just *me*... Now glowering internally at himself, he didn't notice that he was rubbing his ankles and feet subconsciously, where there were faint burn scars underneath his cerulean fur. In his head he could still hear the screaming, feel the heat from the flames, cough as his lungs filled with acrid smoke...

A gloved hand clapped onto his shoulder. "Insomnia?"

He yipped and whirled around to face his sister, uncharacteristically bare-faced and grinning, and as a result, he stared at her, agog and stupefied.

Rogue snickered. "You oughta see the look on your face."

He glowered. "Charming, I'm sure." His head tilted. "Why are you up?"

A raised eyebrow. "Why are you?"

He exhaled, sitting back in the couch again. "Point." He felt the furniture move as she plopped down next to him, leaning on the opposite arm. They sat in companionable silence until...

"Kitty was talking in her sleep. Weird shit, too - about Lance with a jack-o-lantern on his head and dancing, cabbages and armadillos. I don't think she's ever actually *seen* an armadillo." She could tell he shook silently in laughter, because the couch moved with him. "It's not that funny - she's loud. And obnoxious. Downright chatty. Asleep, awake - it's all the same." Smiling in spite of her lack of sleep, she hit his foot with her sock-clad one. "Spill it, bro - why y'up?"

By the weight of the air, she could tell he instantly sobered. "Nightmares," he whispered, and it was so low that she barely heard him.

"Ah," she said, and that was the end of it. Both siblings sat on the couch, watching the storm rage outside until a noise in the kitchen both put them on their guard.

Rogue indicated silence then motioned for him to follow her. He nodded, shedding the blanket, and followed her out into the hallway, both of them creeping toward the large kitchen. After a muted crash and what sounded like someone hopping on one foot, there was muffled cursing in a mix of German and Japanese.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Rogue turned the corner. "Eryn! *What* are you doin' at bumblefuck in the morning?"

The empath, clad in sweatpants and a t-shirt Kurt dimly recognized as Bobby's because the slogan was "When Hell freezes over!" with snowflakes, grinned sheepishly as she picked up the mug that had smashed her foot when she dropped it. "Made hot chocolate - want any?"

Kurt nodded enthusiastically as Rogue shrugged. "Sure, why not. As long as it's with syrup and milk - that powder crap sinks to the bottom and gets gritty."

Eryn snorted, grabbing three mugs and a bag of marshmallows, tossing the candy on the table, as well as a plastic spice jar of ground cinnamon. Filling them, she set them on the table, popping a marshmallow in hers.

"Cheers."

"So," Kurt said when he had swallowed. "Why are you up?"

She sighed, staring into her beverage, before answering, seemingly measuring her words.  "Sometimes my walls come down when I sleep deeply enough, so my empathy is open. When people have nightmares or sleep fitfully, it can wake me up if the emotional signature is strong enough." She shrugged, a bit embarrassed.

Kurt froze. "Do you ever...um...*see* what people dream?" He scratched the back of his head, projecting nonchalance.

Her grey eyes narrowed in speculation over the rim of her mug. "It depends on if the nightmare is strong enough." She set the cup down, eyes sympathetic. "Usually what I see is so fractured that I don't understand it."

He grunted in his throat in acquiescence, staring at the tabletop. "I've always wondered why Jean never wakes up."

Rogue shrugged. "Maybe her shields can't drop."

Eryn nodded. "She probably made them that way for when she sleeps or needs to block everything - she's had more practice than I. Then again, she's a telepath, so she's working to block thoughts and dreams and such. A person can hide what they think, but rarely can they hide what they feel."

"That sounded textbook." Rogue smirked in humor.

She shrugged. "Probably was." Taking a gulp of her cocoa, she choked when Kitty phased through the wall, yawning.

"Hey, like - any of that left?"

"Stove." Eryn managed to gasp, coughing when Kurt whacked her between the shoulder blades.

Kitty yawned again, shaking her head as she filled herself a mug. "I had some weird dream, where Lance was like, doing the tango with a jack-o-lantern on his head, while throwing cabbages and yelling about armadillos. I've never *seen* an armadillo!"

Kurt choked and Rogue snorted, nearly shooting cocoa out of her nose. Returning the favor, Eryn whacked the Teutonic on his back.

Told you, Rogue mouthed to her brother, who shook, concealing laughter.

Eryn ignored the siblings, choosing to look levelly at Kitty instead. "Interesting." She pushed the marshmallows over to the younger mutant. "More sugar!"

Kitty grinned. "You need all you can get - I overheard Logan telling the Professor that he's making you run a sim..." she looked at the clock, "this morning before school to 'test your meddle' apparently."

Eryn groaned, head sinking to the tabletop. "I am *so* dead..."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~

{5 AM - aka *still* bumblefuck}

Logan grinned evilly to himself as he threw open the door to the Empath's bedroom, thereby disturbing everyone else who was rooming in the same corridor. It was the first day of school, they needed to get up early, it was pissing down rain outside - *lovely* weather for a run - *and* he got a chance to be utterly sadistic, making the newest Xman, Lightwing, run his latest sim in the Danger Room.

"Rise and shine everybody! *Rise* and *shine*!"

Eryn grimaced, cracking one eye open. She had finally gotten to sleep an hour before, despite the visions of fire dancing in her head...

"Die." The comment lost its effect, as her pillow decided to take up residency in front of her mouth.

Sam and Rhane appeared at her doorway with Jamie in tow. She could vaguely hear Nell ask Evan what was going on.

"Whassit?" Sam managed past a yawn.  Seeing him do so set off a chain reaction in the others, all of them yawning as well.

"Why are we all up at 5 in the fucking morning?" Ray grouched crossly, scratching his side through the dirty t-shirt he was wearing.

Kurt groaned, seeing the sadistic and maniacal look on Wolverine's face. Oh Gott, not *again*...

"Lissenup, kids - we're going on a run this morning, *outside*" he said, smirking at their looks of disbelief as thunder roared in said place, "and then the Pixie here is goin' to run my new sim while the rest of ya do yoga with Storm. Capiche?" Seeing them all stock still, staring, and agog, his smirk widened. "Good. Meet me on the foyer in five minutes." At Amara's muffled indignation, he simply held up a hand. "Three for you, Princess - seems you need a head start."

As the teenagers filed to their rooms, grumbling about the injustice of it all, Eryn was finally coherent enough to comment.

"*Pixie?* I'm PIXIE? What the hell..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wringing rainwater out of his clothes, Scott shivered. Looking around, he saw his teammates do the same, while alternately sneezing, shivering, or coughing. Storm had taken one look at them all and cancelled the yoga session out of pity, telling them to shower and get ready for breakfast.

"I *hope* it includes coffee," muttered Jubilee, as she trudged down the hall, making squelching noises on the floor. "Wolf-man must die," she swore, glaring at her battered high-tops.

"The injustice of the stupid peasant - making *me* run before all of *you*. I am a - "

"Ja, ja - Princess of Nova Roma. We know." Kurt forced a shiver on his skin to force water out of his fur. Amara shrieked as she felt the water come off of him.

"Stupid *peasant*!"

"Can it," Scott muttered. About to enter his room, he frowned when he saw Kurt, Rogue, Kitty, and a few others head in another direction. "Where are you guys going?"

Rogue looked at him, propping a fist on her hip, the glowering effect ruined by the fact that water was dripping off of her nose. "Are ya kiddin' Slim?"

"Danger Room - no way are we missing this," Bobby said, an evil smirk crossing his face.

"Totally."

"Ja."

"Absolutely, dude."

Scott waved them on as Jean looked at the others in chargrin. "Fine, fine - just be in time for breakfast."

"Aye aye, mein fearless leader." The fuzzy mutant snapped off a salute.

"Shut up, Kurt."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


"Powers or no powers?" Eryn asked nonchalantly, internally glaring at the metal insides of the Danger Room.  From the stories she had heard about the training facility, she didn't exactly know what to expect, just that it was nothing enjoyable.  Still slightly uncomfortable in her new uniform, she rolled on the balls of her feet nervously.

In the observation room, Wolverine smirked. "Use all ya got, Pixie. This is a defensive sim - the point is to last as long as possible without 'dying'."

"Joy." She crossed her arms. "Are we gonna start this thing or what?"

In reply, a low hum started, causing the hair on her neck to stand on end.

"Guess that's a yes."

Suddenly the room sprung to life, attacking her with a ferocity she only saw in movies where the point was characters blowing shit up. Snapping to focus, she reached for a spark of her power, using it to give her body more drive, her eyes turning a lighter shade of grey as a result.

A dark thought trickled into her brain. This is going to be *so* much fun...ha. right...

As throwing stars and other projectiles were spit out by the walls, it was all she could do to flip, roll, and dodge without getting hit. Other things came out of the walls - guns, cannons, lasers, and pits in the floor. She managed to evade them all, nearly killing herself too many times to count. Her shoulder stung, getting its first good workout since she had healed, and sweat trickled down her back and into her face. Her muscles already screamed at her from the run earlier that morning, and as she ducked, dodged, and rolled, she swore she was going to do something particularly nasty to Wolverine's breakfast.

~*~

"Whoa," Jamie said, watching the spectacle below.

"Ditto, man. Hey - you guys sure she's never trained before?"

Without turning, Wolverine answered Jubilee. "Her aunt told me how much she has been trained - it's quite a bit. Not as much as some of you have been, but enough to at least last twenty minutes in this sim."

Kitty gasped as Eryn bent backwards, avoiding knives that flew at her face.

"So what's her codename?" Rhane asked curiously.

"Lightwing."

"At least know the silver wing-looking things on her uniform make sense." Bobby said, studying the silver design that reached from the sternum to the shoulder.

They winced as she stumbled and fell, a laser having targeted her knee. Grimacing, she rolled to her feet.

"Ouch. That looked like it hurt."

"No shit, Sherlock."

Wolverine glared at Ray. "Watch the language, Sparky."

Running at the wall with a rather large throwing star chasing her, she vaulted off of the wall, flipping around to land on her feet before it ricochet, making her duck. Losing her concentration, she yipped when a laser shot her in the chest, making her skin feel all tingly, and she fell flat on her back, not getting up.

The sim died down, everything – including the projectiles in midair – fading into the monotonousness of the steel room again.

"Time!" Kurt yelled.

"Twenty three and fifty seven," Rogue replied.

"Awright kid - you're done," Wolverine said over the comm. As Eryn gave thumbs up, still not moving and spread-eagled on the floor of the Danger Room, he turned to the others.

"Don't you have school to get ready for?"

"Yeah, like, going now!"

"Yep."

"Ta, Logan…"

"We were just leaving..."

"Ja, Herr Logan, just passing through..."

With a lot of nervous laughter as Wolverine glowered at them all, they managed to escape without having to run the sim themselves.

All in all, a successful morning.

~*~

It used to be, in dreams past, that the water he was standing on was murky and muddy. Now it just seemed grey, but clear at the same time, like a sheet of glass lying on top of stone. It rippled as the rain fell and the wind tossed his soaking hair across his face, where it stuck in clumps to his forehead and he shivered as the water soaked through his duster and pajamas, making the clothing stick to his skin. Out of curiosity, he reached down and touched the water, feeling his fingers sink through to hit concrete.

A giant clap of thunder made him look up in startlement, and his eyes widened. Whenever he dreamed, the street had always been abandoned and empty, almost lonesome as the rain fell down and soaked everything. Now, there were people standing at one end of the street, in a line, as if waiting for something. But that isn't what startled him.

They were all there, in a line, some standing, some leaning on others, some completely laid out on the ground. Most were bleeding. They all wore some kind of black spandex suit, like a military uniform. Some carried weapons, others were unarmed. They all stared straight ahead in horror, and it took him a moment to realize they weren't staring at him, but beyond him.

Whirling around he saw...nothing. Well, some pretty heavy fog, that was shooting huge lightning bolts and seemed to be eating the asphalt like acid, but he saw no one. That is, until some guy walked *out* of the fog. He looked like a vampire, skin pale as death with hair and eyes black as ink. His eyes were, in fact, opaque black, with no pupil or white. He wore all black, his cloak billowing around him like a villain from some medieval tale, carrying in his hand an enormous broadsword that looked like it could cleave marble in two without a scratch. [1]

The man's gaze froze him in place, as if he had the power to paralyze with his eyes alone. Without looking, he felt other people stand next to him, as if they were the last rank in an infantry already destroyed that was simply waiting for that last attack that would kill them all. Looking to one side, he saw a girl with black hair and grey eyes, a man with steel claws coming out of his hands, a roguish male holding a glowing card, another holding a fireball, a man made completely of steel, and a blue-skinned woman with red hair that vaguely looked like old Principal Darkholme. Looking to the other side, what he saw surprised him most, almost shocking him into wakefulness. Jean Grey, Pietro Maximoff, Rogue, Kitty Pryde, a demon that vaguely looked like Kurt Wagner, and another sullen-faced girl with short black hair that held a strong resemblance to Pietro. He knew without looking that there were others behind him.

He only knew most of them from school - in fact, Jean had been in his American History class the year previous, and despite his apparent attitude, she had treated him like any other of her friends. Looking at his dream-self, she smiled, green eyes serious. Feeling someone grasp his hand, he turned and saw the grey-eyed girl. She didn't look at him, choosing instead to face their opponent, every inch of her form radiating resolution and grim determination.

He wasn't an idiot. He knew the Institute kids were mutants. He had seen the battles and the powers. Strangely enough, it seems everyone else didn't, and whoever seemed to be getting close enough to make the connection simply forgot like it was nothing, returning to normal. But hey, their secret was their secret and was no business of his.

He couldn't exactly say anything after all - his own brother was a mutant. But he'd be damned if his little brother was going to get pulled into some Institute vs. Brotherhood shit that was pointless and absolutely futile. Besides, the Institute kids and the Brotherhood were just like any other teenagers - who was he to deny them normalcy?

Shaken back to the present moment by Jean grasping his other hand, he looked forward at their foe. The man, looking up, pinned him with a look that was the equivalent of shooting an arrow.

From an English longbow. [2]

Gasping and stumbling backwards, he fell.




And hit the floor.

With the sunlight across his eyes and the floorboards cool on his back, he exhaled quickly, sheets tangled around his legs. Way to go, klutzoid. Falling in your dream and *out* of your bed. How cliche is that?

"Matt!" Anwen Reynolds ran into her oldest son's room, concerned. "Matthew! Are you alright?"

Groaning, Matt untangled himself with slight disgust at his notorious lack of coordination, blue-grey eyes bloodshot and gritty. "Fine, fine...just *peachy*."

"Don't mouth off with me, boy!" Her brows snapped together, then she gentled, giggling slightly at his ruffled appearance, sitting on his floor, bedsheets around him like a cloud. "You'd better hurry - I don't want you tardy for your first day and you need to drop Adam off before you go to school."

"Yeah yeah - I know." Getting up, he looked out the window in startlement. "Did it rain last night?"

She looked at him curiously. "Yes it did - a rather large storm if I do say so myself. The power went out for about forty-five minutes last night."

"Huh." Already his dream was slipping, and his mind was grasping at any and all details it could. All he was left with was rain, shadows, falling, and a pair of determined grey eyes. Or were they blue? Or green?

Damn. He'd forgotten again.

Cursing his memory, he padded to the shower, unenthusiastically preparing for the first day of his senior year.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Welcome to Bayville High for everyone new, and welcome back returning students. I trust you all had a good summer and are now ready to work hard this year." Several deadpan "Wahoo's" were heard.

Eryn snorted. "Enthusiastic, isn't he?" Next to her, Evan snickered.

Principal Kelly, standing at the podium looked like he would much rather be somewhere else, and was in fact stating his speech like he was trying to kill them from boredom.

"I hope we can all work together, and at least *attempt* to follow the rules. No pranks, correct dress code, no fights, no...."

Having tuned him out, Bobby turned to look at his upperclassmen housemates, ignoring Roberto and Ray's cheerful banter. "Is he always like this?"

"He has it in for us Institute kids - *and* the Brotherhood." Kurt whispered back. "Not that I'm complaining about the last one, but..."

They all glanced over at where Kitty was sitting and talking to Lance, while trying to ignore Todd and Pietro. Blob was sitting somewhere on the floor, having been too heavy for the bleachers, and Tabitha was off flirting with some random jock.

"So *that's* the Brotherhood?" Eryn grimaced. "They don't look so tough to me."

It was Scott's turn to grimace. "They're trouble enough when they need to be."

Spying Rogue, she nudged Jean and motioned. "Who's that with Rogue?"

"Risty," the redhead whispered back, a discernable emotion in her eyes, one Eryn recognized as distrust.

"You don't trust her?"

Jean jumped, startled, before answering. "There's just...something about her that - well, to use Rhane's phraseology - rubs my fur the wrong way."

"Ah."

Kelly droned on. "...no sharing lockers, no alcohol, and certainly no drugs, as well as..."

Rhane turned to Jubilee and Sam. "He's a bit daft, isn't he?"

"Better believe it - Kelly's crazy," Evan said, glaring in Pietro's direction.

And that means no using powers or mentioning our mutant status in public.

Yes, Jean The new freshmen [3] chorused in stereo, their sarcasm littering the tone of their mind-voices.

"...and I hope we can all cooperate and have an excellent year. Now, everyone report to their homerooms to receive your schedules. The first bell has been delayed for this and will ring in half and hour." At that, he stepped down and a cheer rose in the gym.

"Dankeshoen Gott," Kurt muttered under his breath.

"Ditto." Eryn bent to tie her shoelace, cursing her lack of courage to not care about her scars and wear something cooler. The long sleeves of her shirt were starting to stifle her in the late summer heat.

"C'mon," Kurt said, standing next to Rogue. "We'll show you to your homeroom so you don't get lost."

"Thanks." She looked around, brow wrinkled in criticism. With a sigh, she started to follow. Hello Bayville High...

Making sure her walls were locked tight, she followed the siblings through the crowd of teenagers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"What have you got?"

Eryn switched schedules with Scott, staring at the senior's roster. "No Short Day [4] for you?"

He shook his head, still studying her schedule while Kurt teased Kitty behind them and Rogue and Evan compared schedules themselves.

"World History?" Scott looked at her, one russet eyebrow raised over his shades.

She shrugged. "I took American History last year - my old guidance counselor took liberties with my schedule."

"Let me see!" Kurt snatched the piece of paper from Scott. "Yes! You've got Biology II and free fifth period with me."  He grinned.  "This will be fun, I think."

Grinning into his holographic face, she propped a hand on her hip. "So what exactly do you New Yorkers do on free period here? And why just fifth and sixth periods?"

Evan snorted. "Study hall is popular - a lot of us, like K-man, go to the gym, because we're allowed to use it."

Kitty nodded. "Some also go to the band and chorus rooms to practice." She grinned at her schedule. "Calculus! Yes!"

Rogue's nose wrinkled. "Have at the math, Kit. I'll stick to Drama, thanks all the same."

Ignoring them, Scott answered the second half of her question. "If it was seventh, you could just go home. And too many "Academic" classes take place in the morning."

Eryn grimaced. "That's stupid."

Kurt opened his mouth to respond with a crack, but was interrupted by a crash in the hallway that made everyone pause.

"Watch where the hell you're going, Reynolds!"

"You ran into me Alvers! Get the fuck out of my face!"

Rogue winced. "Matt sounds *pissed*."

Evan grimaced. "I can't believe you actually talk to that guy, Rogue. He's a total jerk."

"How do you know? Have you actually talked to him?"

Spyke's expression grew sheepish. "No…"

"Then shut it."

Eryn glanced down the hall, spying the two boys who were arguing. One was Kitty's boyfriend, Lance, one of the Brotherhood. The other was a boy of about eighteen, nearly six feet tall, with short cropped light brown hair, a slightly angular face, and a lean frame that was emphasized by the monochrome of his wardrobe, including the knee-length black duster he wore.

Tilting her head to the side, she studied him curiously. He seemed familiar, but she couldn't place where she had seen him.

"Matt's alright - he's friends with Jean." Scott said. "He just tends to stay to himself."

Eryn smirked. "A loner?"

"Of sorts."

The argument was escalating to fist-fight proportions, both boys pushing each other and cocking fists back, and since no one seemed inclined to stop it, Eryn huffed before storming toward the boys, shrugging off Kurt's sudden grasp on her arm and Scott's hiss to stop, what was she thinking?

Just as she stepped between them and moved to push them apart, she had just the sucky timing to catch Lance's fist in her solar plexus. Her breath left her in a whoosh, and she dropped to one knee, windpipe threatening to close.

I *cannot* believe I wasn't prepared for that! Aunt Erde...no strike that...*Wolverine* is going to kill me.

Seeing Lance jump backwards in shock before stuttering an apology did nothing to improve her mood.

Someone grasped her shoulders and made her sit down on the floor, before forcing her to straighten her spine.

"Stretch your hands over your head and breathe deeply. Are you alright?" The voice was between Kurt's deep tenor and Scott's baritone, and slightly musical, at least to her ear. She did as she was instructed, turning to look, and finding herself caught in volatile blue grey eyes. Shocked out of her stupor, she nodded.

"I'm alright." She sighed as the anger around her started to fade, replaced with concern, a bit of disappointment from the students, and slight guilt from Lance. She glowered, recognizing the thought behind *that* emotion. He hadn't meant to hit a *girl*. She struggled to her feet, glaring hot liquid death at the Brotherhood leader before dusting herself off.

"Good." Matt turned with a glare at Lance, before stalking off without nary a backward glance. As all of them turned to look at Lance, they missed when he stumbled over his own feet with a curse at the end of the hallway.

As Lance left with Kitty in tow, undoubtedly towards their first classes, Evan nudged the Empath, smirking at her shell-shocked expression. "At least we know now that you can take a hit."

Ignoring the jibe, she smirked. "So *that* was Matt Reynolds? He didn't seem like a jerk to me."

"Shaddup. I already admitted I didn't know him."

All conversation was halted as the bell rang with enough resonance to make Kurt wince with his sensitive hearing. Grabbing Eryn's wrist, he started to drag her down the hallway. "C'mon, or we'll be late for Biology, and Herr Roberts is strict with the tardy rules."

She rolled her eyes as the Elf dragged her to their first class, stomach still aching.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If the morning was bad, lunch was even worse.   Spying all of her housemates across the cafeteria, Eryn walked up and slammed her books on the table, startling Scott, Evan, Rhane, and Roberto, before looking straight at Evan, a nearly pissed off expression on her face.

"No, Spyke – you were right.  Matt Reynolds *is* a jerk."

With that, she sat with a huff and extracted her lunch from her bag, in no way even thinking that morning of trusting cafeteria food, her grey eyes thunderous and snapping.

Sam, carrying both his and Rhane's lunches, sat next to the lupine girl before whispering, "What has her panties in a wad?"[5] He passed Rhane her lunchtray.

"They are in a wad *because*," Eryn snapped, popping the tab on her Dr. Pepper viciously before making her voice syrupy sweet, "widdle Mattie Reynolds is a *Stupid.* *Freaking.* *Asshole.*"

She banged her fist on the table several times.  I didn't do anything, but at least it made her feel better.

Evan leaned in to whisper conspiratorially to Scott.  "I think someone's hitting the gym to work out some aggression when we get home."

Scott snorted into his milk.

"Hey guys," Kitty said as she, Kurt, and Rogue sat down with Ray, Jubilee and the other freshman mutants.

Kurt smirked at the Empath while devouring his lunch.  Swallowing, he turned to her.

"Nicht ein Wort. Nicht ein *freaking* Wort…," [6]she mumbled, glaring at her sandwich.

With a grin, he shrugged nonchalantly before turning back to his food.  "Ich bin sicher Sie passende Rache schließlich werden finden…"[7].

She smirked evilly.  "*Ja.*"

The new mutants had watched the German conversation like people watch tennis…eyes snapping from one to the other, confusion evident on all faces.  The older mutants ignored it with the ease of long practice.

Everyone was quiet, eating, and Eryn began to fidget.  Then tap the floor with her foot.  Finally, she couldn't stand it anymore.

"He just said a comment in Biology and it got under my skin, 's all."

Guzzling milk like there was no tomorrow, Evan looked inquisitively at her.  "And that was…?"

She mumbled under her breath and everyone leaned closer.

"What was that, sugar?"  Rogue asked, smirk tugging at her dark lips.

Crossing her arms in irritation, Eryn glared at the tabletop.  "He said, 'I'm surprised you actually *took* that hit, seeing as how you're a *girl* and all…'"

All of the boys, except Kurt (who had been there), winced.

Rogue, taking a sip of her soda, raised an eyebrow.  "Did ya hit him?"

"Almost.  He's lucky I didn't make him cry like a five-year old girl.  I have to pretend *not* to be a mutant, right?"

Scott smirked.  "Affirmative."

Everyone groaned and the X-men leader was shoved with many a "Stuff it, Mr. Military!"

They had no idea they were being watched.  Not malevolently, but curiously.

Matt Reynolds, across the cafeteria and over his book at the table he claimed by himself in the corner, looked at the group of mutants. 

Why do I feel as if I *know* them?  Not like a peer, but more like a comrade?  Fuck, my head hurts…

Lost in thought, he jumped when Jean Grey slammed her lunch tray down on the table. The redhead's green eyes were sparking in anger.

He held his hands up defensively. "Okay. So I *did* have to have a sarcastic comment at her expense. I'm sorry."

Jean's brow furrowed, confused. "What?"

Realizing she apparently didn't know why her new housemate was out for his blood, he shrugged, expression all innocence. "Uh...nothing. What's up?"

Surprisingly, she growled in total annoyance. "Nothing - can I eat lunch with you today?" Honestly, Duncan had pissed her off, she was getting a headache, and Matt's mind was locked up tighter than the Pentagon, so there was no stray projection, which made him the quietest person to be around at this moment in time.

He grinned wryly, still looking at his novel. "Well, seeing as how I have so many people fighting to sit with me..."

Looking at the empty table in amusement, Jean chuckled. "Right. Must be your animal magnetism."

He shrugged, turning a page. "Yes, yes - I am Bayville High's chick magnet."

Surprisingly, Jean glowered. "No - that's Duncan." With that, she sat down in a huff.

"Whatsa matter, Jeannie? Jock got you down?"

"Smart ass." Suddenly grinning, Duncan's cheerleader flirting escapades forgotten for the moment, she smirked as she opened her milk carton. "I see you've endeared yourself to my newest housemate."

He groaning internally, he opted to just shrug nonchalantly. "Well, you know me - I open my mouth and some things just jump out - I can't control it."

"Uh huh."

"Hey Reynolds..."

Matt looked up and glared as if he was annoyed that they had interrupted his reading, but nodded to each in turn. "Alvers. Maximoff. Tolensky."

"I've got a bone to pick with you," Lance growled, glower on his face. The entire cafeteria went silent, watching the exchange.

"Just a bone?"

"Look, I'm fed up with your shit. Today it went too far. I hit a girl because of you, after you had the balls to run into me and not apologize."

Matt held his hands up defensively. "Hey, not my fault you have bad aim *and* that I'm the only one of us *with* balls." A low 'Ohh..' was heard from the other students. "Besides, it's her fault if she decides to be a Good Samaritan and gets hit for the effort."

Jean mentally slapped her forehead as she felt Eryn's glare.

"That's it, asshole. You and me, after school."

"But you haven't met my mom yet..." Despite himself, Pietro snorted, trying not to laugh.

Lance's face turned red from trying to keep his volatile temper in check. "I'm serious, Reynolds. We finish this today."

"Okay, chap - I'll met ya behind the OK corral by that there oak tree and we'll have a grand 'ol shoot out..."

"I'm gonna kick your ass," Lance snarled before spinning on his heel and walking away, Pietro and Todd in his wake.

Matt sighed. "Well, it's a job, but someone has to do it." Picking up his book, he glanced up when he felt Jean's gaze. "What?"

"You're incorrigible."

A smirk. "I try."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Do you have a five of spades?"

Nell, taking another spoonful of chocolate ice cream, considered her cards before shaking her head at Jamie. "Nope - go fish." Her first day of school had been fun, but when she wasn't in classes, she had stuck to the only person she knew - Jamie - like a small blonde burr. Now at home, they were eating ice cream and playing card games, waiting for the older mutants to get home.

Jamie was just glad he wasn't the youngest anymore, as Nell was two years younger at the age of eleven. He was also extremely grateful that he had learned the art of dodging people. It wouldn't do to accidentally dupe himself in public, after all.

"King of hearts?"

He grinned, shaking his head. "Go fish."

She glowered - having nearly twice as many cards as he - and drew. "Do you have-"

"I can't believe this!"

Both of the younger mutants looked up as Kitty stormed through the foyer and past the rec room to the kitchen. Color was high in her cheeks and her eyes looked positively dangerous.

Putting down his cards, Jamie walked into the kitchen, Nell behind him. They looked at the others as they all trudged in, expressions ranging from annoyance to amusement to downright laughter.

"What's going on?"

Jubilee, grinning, slung an arm over Jamie's shoulders. "Not much Jimbo - just that Kitty's boyfriend has detention. *A lot* of it."

His eyebrows rose. "Avalanche has detention?" His tone indicated that someone point out why this was bad, as he had never met Lance, and from what the others told him, he really wouldn't want to.

Kitty exhaled sharply, obviously trying to calm down. "I'm not saying that Matt's a jerk - "

"*I* am," Eryn muttered darkly, tossing her bookbag down with a huff.

"- after all it is *both* of their faults that, like, they have detention from now until, like, October..."

"Guess they *did* have a 'grand 'ol shoot out'," Rogue said with a smirk.  A couple of the others snickered.

Groaning, Jean held her head. "Matt has a black eye and Lance's nose is broken. Why must men always prove themselves with their fists?"

Kurt let the chance for a sarcastic comment pass as Scott rolled his eyes. "I'm going to the Danger Room. Anyone up for a sim?"

Several went with the X-men leader, while others went to either sleep or do homework, or simply just enjoy their free time.

"Well, I'm going to the yoga room to zen if anyone needs me." Eryn said before stalking off.

"She's *still* mad?" Kurt said in disbelief, watching her go.

"Obviously," Rogue said, picking up her books. "I'm going to the library."

Nell and Jamie both looked at the Elf and Jean. "What's Eryn mad about?"

Kurt cleared his throat nervously looking at Jean. "Well...ah..."

Jean shrugged eloquently. "Boys will be boys and all that," she said, turning with a wry smile. "Especially when they think certain girls are attractive."

The elf looked at her with wide eyes, dark because of his holo. "Was? What are you talking about? Matt made a jibe this morning, he didn't *flirt* with her!"

Jean started to walk off in the direction Scott and some of the others had taken, still smiling. "If you say so."

Looking at Nell and Kurt, Jamie grimaced. "Are girls always that hard to figure out?"

Nell giggled as Kurt grimaced. "Ja, and they always will be, I'm afraid."

"Great. Just perfect. I think I finally understand *why* I'm glad I'm only thirteen." Jamie turned to Nell. "Challenge you to a game of Crazy Eights?"

She grinned. "Sure!"

Kurt watched them walk back to the rec room with a resigned sigh. "I don't think I'll *ever* understand women."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

End of Part the Third.

Next time - Part the Fourth - The One With All the Candy (And bats, and vampires, and demons, and werewolves...). It's the week of Halloween, and fun abounds in Bayville, including the Halloween dance and enough costumes to drive everyone crazy – besides, we finally get to see some actual plot!  YAY!

Up next - I'm working on Upload Two for "Rebirth" and the next part of my entry to Scrib's JTWYA challenge "Angels". Hopefully, have something up soon. ^.^

Later! :D

~~~~~~~******~~~~~~~~

Woo – lotsa footnotes!  Sorry 'bout that *sweatdrop*.  But, here they are:

[1] Clash of the Titans reference.

[2] English longbows have enough tension that a bowman could release an arrow and it would pierce *through* armor to the skin underneath. It was one of the reasons the English were doing so well in the Hundred Year's war before the French got Joan of Arc, thus becoming more patriotic, thus actually fighting for something they believe and winning. long note...sorry..

[3] Freshmen - in the American school system, that is ninth grade, the first year of high school.

[4] Some schools allow Seniors to take Short Day, where they basically just take whatever classes they have left to graduate, leaving early. Most schools require that seniors schedule at least four or five classes.

[5] Phrase in the South (I think…)  Means the same thing as "Knickers in a twist."

[6]  "Not one word.  Not one *freaking* word…."

[7]  And in reply:  "I'm sure you'll find suitable revenge eventually…"