103 REVIEWS!!!!!!!!!!!

I feel so loved.

At every hundred reviews, I'll put up a special chapter. This is number one... This should put the zanyness of the Christmas party to shame.

Chapter 39:  Of Hearts, Pranks, Snow, Music, and Flour.

After their encounter with the Acolytes in D.C., things around the institute had been fairly quiet.  So quiet, that the X-Men had begun to get nervous.  Their battles with the Acolytes had been so consistent recently that the New Mutants had become almost expectant of it.

Professor Xavier watched, more and more concerned, as his younger students started to literally jump at shadows.  He made a decision, one, he realized belatedly, that he should have made a long time ago.

The X-Men needed some time off.

As he told them this, Jonothan, Paige, Alex and Lorna cheered. This would mean a break from their sessions with Logan.

"Not you four." Said Wolverine.

Sensei spoke up. "Wolverine, you have worked the four of them every other day since they arrived.  They need a break. Remember, despite their abilities, and the responsibilities they shoulder, they are still teenagers. They are physically more capable than most of the armed forces of the world.  They deserve a break..."

As the four of them cheered, Sensei continued.

"You will still work on controlling your powers, however.  That training cannot be stopped."

The former members of the Brotherhood watched the proceedings.  They had been living at the institute for a few months now, but they weren't quite sure whether they would be staying around.

Fred watched the X-Men, the gears in his head turning.  He wasn't the smartest Brotherhood Member, but he wasn't an idiot. He saw his friend Rogue sitting and laughing it up with the X-Men like she hadn't a care in the world.  He saw his other friend, Tabby, giggling as she gossiped with Amanda, who had come by that day.  He saw Jamie; all seven of him, running away from Roberto, who's face looked suspiciously like a clown's.  He turned, and saw Amara leaning back against Kyle.  The blind mutant and him had something in common.  They both had something that set them apart, even among mutants, something they couldn't control.  Blob would never be physically able to lose an ounce of his body weight, and Kyle would never see.

"I'm staying." Said Freddy suddenly, his massive torso serving to give his voice impressive reach.

The X-Men, and New Mutants turned to Freddy.  "Wha' was that, Freddy?" asked Rogue.

"I said, I'm staying."  Said Freddy, his face determined.

Professor Xavier nodded, and said, "Very well then, Mr. Dukes.  Welcome to the Xavier institute, and, hopefully one day, to the rank of full X-Man."

Freddy smiled, as he, for once in his life, felt that he had made the right choice.

Several days later, Xavier decided that, with the help of the faculty, the students would have their day off.  He asked Logan to go out and purchase a few things, and, grunting, the man named Wolverine complied.

Grabbing his helmet, he placed it on his head, only to have it coat his head in whipped cream.

"Icicle." Was all he said, as he went out to wreak vengeance on the young mutant.

Kurt woke up, several hours later, and, remembering Ororo's threat of painful lightning strikes if he teleported directly out of bed again, sat up.  Big mistake.

Glurk.

A bucket of caramel, suspended over Kurt's head on the roof, attached to a string around his wrist, dumped all over the Nightcrawler, covering him in sticky, sugary goodness.  A note flittered down.

"Dear Kurt.  You have been pranked. Have a nice day.

Bobby."

Kurt stood up from his bed, and, growling, bamfed out of his room.

Tabby stepped out of the bathroom as she finished putting her hair up.  As she walked down the hall, she came across Kyle and Amara, as they walked down the hall. Amara took one look at Tabby, and burst out laughing.

"What?" asked both Tabby and Kyle.

Amara, who was too busy laughing to answer, simply motioned towards Tabby's hair. Looking in a mirror in the hall, Tabby saw that her hair was dyed hot pink.

"I'm going to murder Iceman." She said, as she walked away.

Bobby was found, hours later, cowering in a corner of the rec room, muttering something about rubber chickens, sparklers, and tacos.

The next day, the X-Men woke up to a pleasant surprise. It was snowing.  They ran outside, hoping to enjoy the snow.

Amara stood at the window, watching as the X-Men played.  Paige walked up behind her.

"Wha's wrong?" asked the younger Guthrie.

"I can't go outside in this weather, bad for my health."

"What do ya mean, bad fo ya health?"

"My mutation, it makes me vulnerable to cold and water."

"Oh."

"Actually" came Dr. McCoy's voice, "I may have a solution for that."

Amara turned, to see Dr. McCoy holding up a snow jacket.

"A jacket?"

"One with special fibers. They'll take your own body heat, and bounce it back to you at double the heat. You'll be nice and toasty."

Amara shouted gleefully as she ran forward, slipping the jacket on.  Paige smiled at the young princess.  "Wanna go give Jono and Kyle some snow to the pants?"

Amara grinned, as she and Paige ran outside, and did just that.

Jonothan turned to look at the younger Guthrie, as he attempted to ignore the snow down his pants.  He picked up a handful of snow in each of his hands, and prepared to lob one at each of the girls.

"If you lob snow at Amara, I will personally clock you." Said Kyle, his face deadly serious.

Jono simply dropped one handful, as he let the second fly into Paige.  Soon the two had engaged in a ferocious snowball fight.

Lorna walked across the snow-covered grounds.  She had been to many different foster homes in her lifetime, so she had lived in lots of climates. But of all the weather she had seen, she liked snow the best.

She came across Alex, who was furiously rubbing his hands together, trying to warm them up.

"Cold?" She asked.

"Yeah.  We don't usually get this kind of weather in Hawaii."  Said Alex.

Lorna giggled, and then, to Alex's surprise, wrapped an arm around him.

"Best way to keep warm, share body heat."

Alex smiled, and, with that, the two proceeded to 'share body heat' as they wandered the same part of the grounds where Amara, Kyle, Bobby, Jubilee, Rahne, and Sam had had their faithful encounters.

The next day, the snow had melted.  Kurt, while searching for something to do, was struck by a brainstorm, and quickly went to execute his plan.

As the various institute students milled about outside, enjoying the peaceful day, Kurt interrupted it with a barrage of flour filled balloons. The other X-Men let out outraged cries, as they rushed towards Kurt. The Nightcrawler teleported, leaving behind a stockpile of balloons in his wake. After several more rounds of this, there were dozens of stockpiles around the yard, and the first every flour balloon fight began.

Rahne laughed as she rolled, letting a balloon of flour sail past her. Throwing the balloon in her hand, she pegged Jubilee in the back, sending a cloud of white flour up around the Asian mutant.

Jubilee shrieked, then unloaded a balloon at the animorphic mutant before she could dodge again. Rahne found herself coated in white flour, and, shaking herself, grinned, and ran off, grabbing two balloons from a pile as she passed.

Bobby walked up behind Kyle, intent on giving him a balloon to the back.  As he raised his arm, Kyle whirled, and let rip with two balloons. Bobby was caught in the chest by the balloons, covering him in flour.  Kyle laughed, and then slipped away, picking up two balloons along the way.

Bobby sputtered for a second, then, shaking it off, heard a cracking branch. Spinning, he threw the balloon.

Blat! SNIKT

Bobby's eyes went wide.

SNIKT. Pick up, FWOOSH. BLAT-BLAT!

Bobby's eyes went wider, as Logan walked away, taking two balloons with him.

Tabby laughed as she, Scott, Jean, Kitty, Kurt, Amara, and Sam engaged in a massive flour balloon fight.  She then shrieked when Logan hit her with one of the balloons.  The X-Men stared at their instructor for a second.

"What?" Was all he said.  The X-men shrugged, and then went back to their throwing.

Lorna, Alex, Jono, and Paige were watching the main group, not quite sure if they should get involved.

"Penny for the thoughts." Came Kyle's voice.

They turned to look at him.

"You don't get anywhere by just standing here." With that, Kyle unloaded his two balloons, and ran like hell.

Lorna and Paige shrieked as they were hit, as Alex and Jono were covered by the backwash.

"Ah suggest we go faind the bohy, an' then flour 'im." Said Paige.

"I agree." Lorna said, with mock seriousness.

"Why not?" Said Jono.

"Time for a little Havok." Said Alex.

The four rushed off after the blind mutant.

Jamie laughed, as he watched Bobby's entire episode with Logan.  Finally, when the Iceman shook it off, he turned, and, grabbing a balloon, pegged Jamie.

Big Mistake.

The seven Jamie's that resulted looked at each other, and then, picking up two balloons apiece, began to wage a private war.

Toad watched the resulting mayhem from the melee Jamie created, and sighed.  He had never been in a place like this before. Sure, they may work hard, but the results showed, as Toad well knew.  And, on top of that, they looked to be having a blast.  He thought back to his first day in the institute, and shuddered. Looking down at the X-Men before him, he made a decision.

He hopped into the institute and, tracking down Xavier, told him his decision. Smiling, the Toad jumped out of the window and, grabbing two balloons, unloaded them into the side of the mammoth known as Freddy Dukes.

"What was that about, Charles?" Asked Ororo from the door.

"Ororo, would you mind preparing a room for Todd."

Ororo smiled warmly, knowing what had just transpired.

Eventually, the balloon fight petered out, and the X-Men entered the institute.  Toad hopped along next to Jamie.  Suddenly, a thought came to him.

"Hey, Jamie, was it?"

Jamie turned, "Yeah?"

"Want to have some fun?"

Jamie watched him wearily, "Like what?"

"Like this." Leaning in, he told Jamie the plan.  The youngest mutant laughed a bit, then, nodding, the two ran off to gather their equipment.

As Bobby walked back into his room, much later that day, Toad and Jamie's plan played out. As he opened the door, the first thing he saw was a bowl of jam that fell on his head.  Next came a pillows worth of feathers, blown onto him by a fan.  Then, as we was trying to fend off the feathers, he backed into a trip wire, which set off ten balloons worth of pudding flying into Bobby.

A note was pinned to the back of his door.

"You've been pranked, have a nice day.

Jamie, Todd, and Kurt."

Bobby looked down at himself, and then walked off, intending painful demise on his pranksters. Or at least payback.

Several days later, the X-Men's time off was soon to end.  However, they didn't really care.

Mainly because it was Feb. 14.

(AN:  All of these scenes take place simultaneously)

Tabby sat in one of the institute's massive windows, looking out over the grounds.

She saw Kyle and Amara, walking side by side.

Rahne and Sam, playfully wrestling.

Bobby and Jubilee, talking quietly, every now and then sharing a kiss.

She sighed, wishing, not for the first time, to have the same kind of luck her younger teammates had.

Piotr watched the girl from the doorway.  She'd had a hard life, he reflected.  Watching her, he took up his sketchpad, and, not for the first time in the recent past, began to draw her.

However, unlike the many times before, Tabby turned her head, and saw Piotr, drawing on his notepad.  Standing up, she padded over to the former Acolyte.

"Hey Russkie. Whatcha drawing?"

Piotr jumped slightly, and, looking up, his face turned red. Tabby grinned, and grabbed the pad.  She saw a picture of herself, sitting just as she had before.  Flipping through the pad, she saw...

"Why's every page got pictures of me?" She asked the Russian mutant.

And I never thought I'd feel this way
And as far as I'm concerned

Colossus watched the mutant kleptomaniac, the girl who had been forced to steel so much by her father, yet had stolen one thing without even realizing it.  His heart.  He made a decision, he would tell her.

I'm glad I got the chance to say
That I do believe I love you

"Because, you have stolen one more thing, little one.  My heart."

And if I should ever go away
Well, then close your eyes and try

Tabby watched the Russian for a few seconds, tears building in her eyes.  She looked back through her memories, and, to her surprise, found that, she too, had been robbed.  Her own heart now belonged to the giant mutant in front of her.

To feel the way we do today,
And then if you can remember,

"Me too, you metal-y hunk, me too."

Keep smiling, keep shining,
Knowing you can always count on me
For sure
That's what friends are for
For good times and bad times
I'll be on your side forever more.
That's what friends are for

Tabby's eyes began to leak tears as the Russian artist wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.  She cried into his hard muscled chest, and realized, that she was content to stay there forever.

I never thought I'd feel this way
Well you came and opened me

Piotr watched Tabby, and smiled. His entire life, he had been watching out for his little sister, Illyanna.  He had always been taking care of her, since their parents died.  Now that she was in the institute, as safe as was possible, he had found someone else to watch over, but for entirely different reasons.

And now there's so much more I see
And so, by the way, I thank you.

Tabby's flow of tears slowed, and, as she sniffled, a little voice came from behind Piotr.

And then for the times when we're apart
Well, then close your eyes and know

"Take care of her, big brother.  She's the one who needs you now."

These words are coming from my heart
And then if you can remember

Tabby and Piotr looked through the doorway, to see Illyanna standing before them, a smile on her face.  She then waved, and walked away.  Tabby watched, amazed, as one of Ororo's plants seemed to slip a flower into her hair as she walked by it.

Keep smiling, keep shining
Knowing you can always count on me
For sure
That's what friends are for
In good times and bad times
I'll be on your side forevermore
That's what friends are for

Out on the grounds, Kyle and Amara walked side by side.

Amara looked over at the boy next to her, and wondered what her father would think of him, what he would think of her, who she had become.

I didn't know there was a plan
Somewhere a perfect man

She smiled; in her eyes, he was perfect.  His lack of sight just meant that he saw all that much clearer.

I don't believe in the stars
You smiled at my pretence

Slipping her arm around his waist, she sighed, and leaned into him.  Kyle wrapped an arm around his girlfriend's shoulders, and chuckled.

As you broke down my defenses
Just want to be where you are

Kyle chuckled at the thought of what the school's reaction would be to them as a couple.

Probably will say it's about time.

Love ain't like fashion
The look remains the same

Kyle and Amara's wandering brought them to the spot where they had had their first of many near-kisses, not more than a few months ago.

I'll wear your heart forever
'Cause some things never change

As they reached the spot, the tickling sensation that had been teasing at Kyle's mind for ages sent to him a suffusing feeling of warmth and happiness.

Like rain, tax
After lightening the thunder cracks
Sooner or later t had to come through
Like rain, tax
Weeds grow up through the pavement cracks
You see what I want
What I want is you

"This is where we nearly kissed, the first time."

Thought that life was logical
Love was a miracle

Kyle laughed, and, to Amara's surprise, with a quick move, planted them in the same

position they had landed in so long ago.

That happened to someone else, not me
Baby I musta said a little prayer

"Well then, let's finish where we left off."

Suddenly I looked up, you were there
And the rest is history

As they kissed, Amara remembered when they had first met, when he stood up to that mob, it seemed so long ago.

I don't want to be an island anymore
Just resign yourself
'Cause there's one thing for sure

Kyle remembered the first thought that had when the Professor showed him, in his mind's eye, what each of his teammates looked like, the image of Amara.  The thought was, 'she's beautiful.'

Like rain, tax
After lightening the thunder cracks
Sooner or later t had to come through
Like rain, tax
Weeds grow up through the pavement cracks
You see what I want
What I want is you

Kyle chuckled mentally, as he recalled the months long game of cat and mouse they had played, becoming very quickly the new Scott and Jean with their constant flirting, even when they didn't realize that they were flirting.

It had to be you,it had to be you
Say you'll be here forever

Amara drew back from him, and recalled her first thoughts when she finally accepted what her heart was telling her, when she finally accepted that she loved him.  It hadn't been whether her father would approve, or of their social status, those thoughts came later. Rather it had been the hope that he would return her feelings.

You and me here together
When will you see what I want
What I what is you

As Amara and Kyle kissed again, she had time for one last thought, before all forward lobe function shut down.

Like rain, tax
After lightening the thunder cracks
Sooner or later t had to come through
Like rain, tax
Weeds grow up through the pavement cracks
You see what I want
What I want is you

If my father doesn't like it, he can go to Tartarus and stay there.

(AN: This song is not very good as a description for either Rahne or Lorna, but the last line of each verse is more what I'm thinking of.)

Rahne and Sam sat on the grass, watching the clouds.  The younger Guthrie's played in the distance, as Lorna and Alex watched them.

She can kill with a smile
She can wound with her eyes

Sam looked over at Rahne, watching her contented face as she watched the clouds lazily move past.

She can ruin your faith with her casual lies
And she only reveals what she wants you to see

He smiled as she sighed, and scooted over towards him, nestling her head on his shoulder.

She hides like a child
But she's always a woman to me

He remembered the Professor's tale of her life before the institute, of how the man who she thought of as a father tried to kill her.  How her 'father', the local reverend, had tried to burn 'the spawn of Satan' at the stake.

She can lead you to love
She can take you or leave you

His eyes darkened at this memory.  He did not know what he would do to the good Reverend Craig if he ever met the man, much less what the other members of X-Men Blue would do.

She can ask for the truth
But she'll never believe you

Their little group was like a family.  Tabby, the delinquent and the big sister all rolled into one.  Bobby, the prankster, but also the leader when he needed to be.  Amara, the naive child, Jamie, the little brother they all watched out for.  Jubilee, the family mall rat, Roberto, the big, strong brother.  Kyle, the brother who everyone underestimated habitually.  Paige was quickly working her way into being the group sweetheart, and Jonothan was quickly filling the roll of 'family goth.'

She'll take what you give her as long as it's free
Yeah, she steals like a thief but she's always a woman to me

Rahne was their little mad-cap family's 'go get 'em' sibling. The one who's always right there, ready to go. The one who's always willing to help, and not afraid to fight if she needed to.  As Sam reflected on that, he suddenly burst out laughing, as Rahne, who thought he was being to quiet, tickled him.

Oh, she takes care of herself
She can wait if she wants

Rahne rolled on top of her boyfriend, and smirked. "Ye' been' ta quiet, boyo.  Time ta 'ave some fun."

She's ahead of her time
Oh, and she never gives out

With that, the Scottish beauty began to lightly run her fingertips up and down Sam's sides, tickling him mercilessly.

And she never gives in
She just changes her mind

Sam managed to roll her off of him, and smiled.

She will promise you more
Than the Garden of Eden

"Ah do believe ya'll did launch a sneak attack."

"And iffen I did, lad?"

"Then Ah'd just have ta..."  At this point he paused for a second, and then, tickled her ribs.

Then she'll carelessly cut you
And laugh while you're bleedin'

"Launch a countah attack."

But she'll bring out the best
And the worst you can be

Lorna and Alex watched as the eldest Guthrie and his girlfriend's tickle war scaled up to a kissing war.  Lorna sighed, as Alex turned his head to stare at the green and black haired mutant.

Blame it all on yourself
Cause she's always a woman to me

He smiled slightly, as he saw the locks of green hair brush her eyebrows, the black splotches adding effect. He realized that no one actually knew what color her hair was.

She is frequently kind
And she's suddenly cruel

"Lorn, I've got a question for you."

The quiet young girl turned her head to look at him, "Shoot."

"What color is your hair? Naturally."

She can do as she pleases
She's nobody's fool

She giggled, as she heard Alex's question.  She liked the younger Summers brother, he was kind, caring and kind of cool.  Not much like his elder brother, who was so strict all the time.  True, he could be rash at times, and he was cocky on occasion, but he was still a nice guy.

But she can't be convicted
She's earned her degree

"Naturally?  Green."

Alex laughed, "Really?"

"Really!"  Responded Lorna, as she too began to laugh.

And the most she will do
Is throw shadows at you

Sam and Rahne broke apart, and their eyes locked, looks of pure love trading between the two.

Lorna and Alex stopped laughing, locked eyes for a moment, then turned away blushing.

But she's always a woman to me

Jubilee and Bobby sat on the side of the fountain, talking quietly.

Today is gonna be the day that they're gonna throw it back to you
By now you shoulda somehow realized what you gotta do
I don't believe that anybody feels the way I do about you now

Bobby's eyes traveled over his girlfriend as they talked.  True, while she had a nice body, that wasn't why they were together, that was just a fringe benefit of all their training.  Rather, it was her personality that he liked the most. That is, when she wasn't busy trying to kill him because of a prank.

Back beat, the word is on the street that the fire in your heart is out
I'm sure you've heard it all before but you never really had a doubt
I don't believe that anybody feels the way I do about you now

Jubilee laughed at some comment Bobby made, even as her eyes took in her boyfriend.  True, he was handsome, and in good shape, but all the X-boys were. It was his funny, carefree personality that made him so attractive to her. 

And all the roads we have to walk are winding
And all the lights that lead us there are blinding
There are many things that I would like to say to you
But I don't know how

The two kissed, and Bobby reflected on the life of an X-Man.  It was, if nothing else, complicated.

Because maybe
You're gonna be the one that saves me
And after all
You're my wonderwall

The two broke their kiss, and stood, walking towards the door to the institute.

Today was gonna be the day but they'll never throw it back to you
By now you shoulda somehow realized what you're not to do
I don't believe that anybody feels the way I do about you now

Bobby chuckled, as he pulled out a card and box from its hiding place.

And all the roads that lead you there were winding
And all the lights that light the way are blinding
There are many things that I would like to say to you
But I don't know how

Handing the box and card to Jubilee, he stepped back, and smiled.

I said maybe
You're gonna be the one that saves me
And after all
You're my wonderwall

Jubilee read the card, and felt some tears build up in her eyes.

I said maybe
You're gonna be the one that saves me
And after all
You're my wonderwall

The front of the card had a heart on it, with a large crack down the middle. Below it was the phrase, 'Before You'.

Inside, the same heart, without the crack, and lots of lines to represent light, and a few fireworks. 'After you.'

Jubilee began to cry, even as she tackle/hugged her boyfriend.

I said maybe
You're gonna be the one that saves me
You're gonna be the one that saves me
You're gonna be the one that saves me

The card fluttered to the ground, and, inside, Bobby's handwriting could be seen.

'Jubes, you complete me.'