AN:  I just realized something.  News van's don't travel at lightspeed, no matter how much it seems like it.  Therefore, let's say that the vans got an anonymous tip... (Magneto, anyone)

Chapter 23: Night on the Town, What she Does to Me.

It was a week after the Acolytes attack at school, and Magneto's announcement, which had been broadcast across the country by news crews.  Principal Kelly had eased off the X-Men since then, and the attitudes of the majority of the school changed.  Half of the school generally ignored their existence, while the rest of the school beheld them with a mix of awe, fear, and respect.

During the week, the X-Men had been stressed, and Xavier decided that they needed a break.  Therefore, he gave each of the mutants a $500 dollar allowance, knowing that several girls would go shopping, and told them to have a night on the town.

As the teenagers mobbed towards the carport, Bobby caught Jubilee by the arm.

"Hey Jubes, Ya know that new Sean Connrey movie that you wanted to see?"

Jubilee turned to look at Bobby, "Yeah?"

"Well, would you like to, ahm... well, what I mean is."

Kyle smirked as he walked by his embarrassed friend, "Come on, Bobby, it's an eight word sentence, not thirty."

Bobby turned to glare at his friend for a second, then said to Jubilee, "wouldyouliketoseeitwithme"

Jubilee laughed, "Whoa, slow down Pietro."

Bobby took a deep breath, "Would you like to see it with me."

Jubilee smiled, "Sure."

Kyle chuckled from the door to the carport. "That wasn't so tough, was it?"

Bobby turned to glare at his friend, who chuckled, then ducked through the doorway before Bobby could freeze him solid.

The teenagers piled into various motorized vehicles, and headed off to town.  Amara, Kyle, Kitty, and Lance were all in one car, debating over what they were going to do.  Kitty and Amara, much to the two boys shock, didn't want to go shopping.  Rather, Kitty suggested that they go to the new club in town.  This was the subject of the debate, whether or not they would be thrown out immediately.  However, when they drove by the club, and saw the sign, MUTANTS WELCOME, that clinched it.

The four mutants walked through the door, and saw that the club was fairly quiet, with about four-dozen people inside.  The four of them paid the entrance fee, about five bucks, then sat at one of the tables, wondering who was the owner of the club that he would allow mutants into his club.  That question was answered when Warren Worthington III walked out of the Manger's office.  Seeing Kitty, he smiled, and walked over to the four.

"Kitty, it is good to see you again." Said Warren as he reached their table.  "I don't believe I know the three of you."

Kitty smiled at the man known as Angel, and spoke, "That's Lance Alvers, my boyfriend, Amara Aquilla, and Kyle Trevais."

He smiled at the four young people, a kind, gentle smile, and said. "Well, I hope you have a good time at my club."

Lance watched as he walked away. "Guy's got to be losing money on this."

Kitty looked over at her boyfriend, "He can afford to, he's the owner of Worthington Enterprises."

Kyle smiled, as he heard Kitty's hand closing on cloth, the sound of her grabing Lance's arm and dragged him out to the dance floor; the opening beats to one of her favorite songs beginning.

You must understand

That the touch of your hand

Amara looked at Kyle across the table, where he leaned back, sipping at a Coke he had gotten when they entered.

Makes my pulse react

That it's only the thrill

What is it with me?  Why do my thoughts keep coming back to our kiss?  It wasn't that big a deal

Of boy meeting girl

Opposites attract

While he leaned back, sipping his Coke, Kyle was thinking upon the girl across from him.

It's physical,

Only logical

What are these feelings I keep getting whenever I'm around her?  It's like, my head is screaming something at me, but I don't know how to hear it.

Oh, what's love got to do, got to do with it?

What's love, but a second hand emotion?

What's love got to do, got to do with it?

Who need's a heart

When a heart can be broken

And why does my heart feel like it's trying to jump out of my chest when she's just standing next to me?

It may seem to you,

That I'm acting confused

Amara's gaze traveled around the room, searching for something besides Kyle to look at.

When you're close to me

If I tend to look dazed

Wow, isn't that a nice tree? Nice and green and hard, like Kyle's muscles... No, stop thinking about Kyle.  Think about the tree, the nice tree that's just past Kyle's shoulder... No, stop that!

I've read it someplace,

I've got cause to be

Kyle smiled into the his glass of Coke as he remembered their kiss during the party.  The feel of her body pressed to his, the smell of her hair, it's silky feel, the softness of her lips on his.

There's a name for it,

There's a phrase that fits.

Why on earth does it have to be that the girl I've fallen for has to be a princess?  Wait, did I just say... er... think I've fallen for her?

But whatever the reason,

You do it for me

Kitty looked over Lance's shoulder, "It's not working."

The earthmoving mutant looked down at his girlfriend.  "What?"

"I said..."

"I know what you said.  What are they doing, then?"

"Staring at anything but each other."

Lance thought for a minute.  Getting these two together might be tougher than Kitty thought.  "Maybe we should talk to them latter, then we can think up another plan?"

"Good idea, now I remember why I'm dating you."

Lance's eyebrow raised, "My good looks?"

Kitty giggled, "Besides that. Your smart, when you want to be."

Oh, what's love got to do, got to do with it?

What's love, but a second hand emotion?

What's love got to do, got to do with it?

Who need's a heart

When a heart can be broken?

Amara's eyes finally locked onto Kyle's face again.

I've been thinking of a new direction,

But I have to say

Okay, time to be honest; I think... No, I KNOW, I like him.

I've been thinking about my own protection

It scares me to feel that way

Kyle's thoughts brought up the two images the professor had given him of Amara, one the original, the one her inducer projected.  The second was her new form, her natural look, now that her powers had evolved.

What's love got to do, got to do with it?

What's love, but a second hand emotion?

What's love got to do, got to do with it?

Who need's a heart

When a heart can be broken

Truth be told, I don't care that she's a princess, or about her looks. I like her for her personality, and because she's a kind person, when she isn't in princess mode.

What's love got to do with it?

What's love, but a sweet old fashioned notion?

What's love got to do, got to do with it?

Who need's a heart, when a heart can be bro-oken?

Several hours latter, Lance felt like his feet were going to fall off from dancing so much, but Kitty was happy, and that was all he cared about.  The four mutants returned to the mansion, and Lance decided that he was absolutely sure of his decision this time.  He walked to the door of the Professor's office after the two younger mutants had headed off to do their own thing, and promising Kitty he would catch up.

"Come in, Lance," the Professor called before he could knock.

Opening the door, Lance stood in front of Professor Xavier, who was behind his desk.

"Yes, Mr. Alver's, do you have something you wish to tell me?"

Lance took a deep, steadying breath, and spoke.

"I've made my decision on what I would like to do, now that Mystique is gone."

Professor Xavier tilted his head to the side, motioning for Lance to continue.

"I'm not sure about the other Brotherhood members, but I think I'd like to give the X-Men another shot.  Last time I was here, things happened... But I'm willing to put the past behind me, as long as Scott is willing to let the past lie behind us."

Professor Xavier nodded, and said, "Very well then, I believe we can find you a uniform that may suit your taste, since you seem less than fond of the standard model."

Lance smiled, "No offense professor, but it lacks style."

The Professor chuckled, then simply motioned for Lance to go, as he returned to his work.

Meanwhile, at Magneto's base of operations, a certain Cajun card-thrower was contemplating on everyone's favorite goth.

Tha' chere, Remy non know how she do it, but le belle, she caught Remy attention. Remy wish tha' me and 'er did non have ta fight, but she be an X-Man, I be an Acolyte.  But I wish it were' dat way.