Storm went back to the cockpit to check on the beeping. It turned out to be the tracking system.

"The smartest thing your boys did was put a tracker on Mesmero." Logan growled.

Pyro stood up and bowed like he'd recieved a reward.

"Thank you, thank you. I'd like to -"

"Sit down!"

He sat down feeling very smug.

"We underestimated is abilities." Magneto tried to explain for the hundreth time.

"And you wouldn't listen to me wen I told you to _stop_." The professor felt he had to add.

Magneto rolled his eyes and thought, 'Shove it, Charles!'

"I heard that!"

Gambit had been struggling for a comeback. The only things he could think of would be childish. And saying 'Yo Mamma' would be redundant.

"It's bad when you have to resort to physical violence to get your point across."

Rogue tried to think of something mature to say, but instead ended up with, "Shove it, butthead," and put her feet on the back of his chair and added pressure.

"You both lost points on _that_ exchange, mates," Pyro informed them. "Come on, we have bets going, make us proud!"

"Okay, how about 'Shove it, asshole'?"

"Much better."

"Homme, I thought you were on my side," Gambit said.

"I," Pyro announced airily, "am an immpartial scorekeeper."

"Children," Storm called back. "Buckle up, we're landing."

"We'll continue this on the ground, chere."

The plane touched down, and everyone unloaded, amid pushing and shoving. And several heads being wacked with whatever was closest, often other people.

Rogue waited until everyone was off to get up. She strethced, adn made her way over to the exit. Colossus was waiting for her outside. The Russian stopped her from joining the main crowd.

"Rogue, I haf put fife dollars on your vistory. No pressure, but I hate to lose, and may kill Gambit if he vins."

"So Ah should have a problem with this?" Colossus looked puzzled, as f traznslating in is head. Then he smiled and laughed.

"I suppose eiter way you vin, yes?"

"Pretty much, but Ah hate ta loose a competition too."

They smiled at each oter and rejoined the main group.

Once back, they were serious, and no meniton of their 'chat' was made.

At least by them.

"So, you're into artsy men. Or is it the muscles. What makes you tick?"

"Good batteries. If that was a comeback or a restart, it sucked."

"Mebe y' give me private arguement lessons wen we check into de hotel."

Rogue fumed, but restrained herself from concussing Gambit. "Well, you'd be a vegetable aftaward. Oh wait, too late."

Storm stood in between the warring teenagers.

'Where does the locator say to go?" Scott asked, trying to bring everyone's mind back to the fate of the world.

Storm looked at the device in her hands. "Into that temple."

They followed the beeping across the snowy ground toward the temple. It was a longer walk than they'd originally thought, and _none_ of the X-men were dressed for the weather. They didn't own a winter uniform. Teeth were chattering all around - but somehow Jean made it look elegant - and only Gambit had a little bit of relief in his trenchcoat. Magneto had his cape, as well, and was almost chilled enough to huddle in it, were that not a totally undignified thing to do.

There were also scrub trees between the temple and the group of frosty superheros. Every once in a while someone would stumble. About three quarters of the way there Kitty took a tumble in the snow. Colossus - being the closest to her - reached a hand down to help her up. He misjudged and pulled a little more than nessisary, causing Kitty to bump into his chest before landing directly in front of him.

They both looked at each other at the same instant. Color was added to already stinging cheeks.

"Sorry," Colossus apologized quietly.

"Like, don't worry about it."

After a few more seconds they moved away from each other.

"The Kitty syndrom is apparently a chronic disease," Bobby said from somewhere behind her. "And the girl it was named for is having a relaps."

Kitty blushed harder. Bobby saw this as a direct hit and readied himself for anoter attack. He'd just opened his mouth when Rogue shoved him from behind.

"Back off Bobby."

He walked sulkily away.

"Thanks-" Kitty started to say.

"He's raght, ya' know?" Rogue said. "We're here to stop the release of some ubermutant, not flirt with a guy who is still our enemy."

"Like, _you're_ telling _me_ not to flirt?" Kitty said incredulously. "That's, like, rich. Besides," she said with a girlish grin, leaning in a little closer, "with _that_ view, who could, like, resist a little flirting?"

Rogue looked up and judged the view for herself. SHe had to agree boy had a _tight_ rear end.

"Not bad."

"What's not bad?" Tabitha asked coming up between the two girls and trowing her arms around their soulders. It was so cold neiter minded the extra body heat.

"We were admirin' Colossus' derriere," Rogue informed her.

"Yeah," Tabitha grinned. "I saw the little show you two had earlier. The old hop-and-bump, nice choice. I wonder," she said with that mischeivious little look on her face, "if _all_ of him lives up to his name. . ."

Kitty gasped! Rogue was so surprised she laughed out loud. It felt like years since she did that.

"With all the noise you girls are making we're making a _real_ stealthy entrance," Logan said in is most Wolverine-ish voice.

The girls looked up and found themselves at the stairs of the temple.