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Feeding the Fires chapter three: Chores and Free Time The Four Minds
"Come on, girls, do we have to go in every store?" Shadow protested.
"If you didn't want to come, you didn't have to." Saber stated patiently.
"Yes I did. It was this or a training session with Logan, and he's still ticked at me for the perfume thing. Can't he take a joke?" She added.
"Shadow, he still smells like roses." Nature commented. "Besides, we have to get out dresses for the party." she added as an after thought.
"We've been to five stores, tried on everyone in that store." she said pointing across the mall. "Can't you just pick one?" Shadow asked.
"Morgana and I have tried on dresses yes, but you haven't even looked at them." Saber corrected.
"Ya, ya, Sab, I know." she answered as she walked into yet another shop and sat down in a chair by the changing rooms, while the girls looked around at the dresses. Shadow looked around from where she was sitting. Some of the dresses where not so bad; but she was not about to prance around in a dress for Nature and Saber. They, however, were having a wonderful time.
By the end of it, Saber had picked a long sleeve, red dress that only needed a few moderations for her tail. Even Shadow had to admit it was a nice choice. Nature picked a earthy green dress that hugged her curves and made her dark skin glow. It looked wonderful on her.
By the time they got back to the mansion, they had shopped for three hours straight. Shadow was about to go out of her mind. Nature and Saber went up stairs to put their dresses away while she went and laid on the couch in the waiting room.
"All that and you came back empty handed, pet?" Dodger questioned sitting down in a chair next to her head.
"I said I was going to go to look at dresses, not buy one." she replied rolling over to look him in the face.
"All the same. I'd've just like to have seen you in a dress is all." He felt awkward after he said this. Quickly, before she could say anything, he changed the subject. "Tomorrow's the big day, pet. You should get some rest." He patted her head, them started to get up.
She caught hold of his arm, and began to protest. "But I'm restless. I'll never get to sleep."
"That don't seem fitting. You look plum tuckered out, pet."
"I don't feel it." She looked around with a cruel grin. "How about a quick game of Black Jack, only with a twist."
Dodger, already concerned by her grin, showed more concern when he asked, "And what's the twist, dare I ask."
"Same rules, only this. When someone loses a round they strip."
"Strip Black Jack? Pet, it's too late for that. Maybe another time. Right now," he said checking his cards on the table, "let's keep it PG and play one round and call it a night?"
"Fine." she hated giving in, but she was slowly starting to feel the effects of the day wear on her. "But I'm taking you up on that 'later' offer some time."
"Fine, pet. Now...let's play."
The two were content and played for half an hour. Dodger, Shadow noticed, was becoming significantly better at the game since they had first used this as a way to pass time. Shadow was slowly allowing herself to feel comfortable around Dodger. She even considered letting part of her guard down when it was just the two of them. But that rarely happened in a large house, let alone a mansion full of teenagers running all over the place. They did have a few times alone on the rooftop where no one knew them there to mess with. It was late, and after losing another hand to Dodger, Shadow held up her end of the bargain and , after him escorting her, went to bed.
The next morning Shadow woke up and looked at her clock. "5:30 ugh." she thought to herself. She knew she could get up, other people were, but she just decided to lay there and think. Her mind wandered mainly on yesterday's events. The shopping for three hours, coming home and playing Black Jack with Dodger. 'It's a good thing we didn't play Strip Black Jack. I was losing horribly.' she told herself. Something he had said she just couldn't get out of her mind. 'I'd've just liked to see you in a dress.' Those words kept churning in her mind, over and over again. Then, see started to wonder what he would think if he did see her in a dress. That idea appealed to her. Any time she could astound him she would. She dragged herself out of bed, got dressed, grabbed some money, then left her room.
Not too many people were up, the ones that were she snuck around so they wouldn't notice her. 'I need a ride, but if I take Logan's bike again he'll slice me into little pieces. Ah,...I'll take Dodger's bike. I'll be back long before he's awake.' With Dodger's keys in hand, she left the mansion. Being sure to walk the bike far enough away so as to make as little noise as possible.
Shadow looked at all the shops they went to the day before. None of them were open except for the last one they had been to. She had a pretty good idea of which dress she liked. As she walked in, a lady came up and asked her, "May I help you?"
A half hour later, she was thanked for her purchase and left. 'Wait 'til he sees me in this.' she thought grinning evilly. "Now, how am I going to fit this on the bike?" After a stressful five minutes, she finally adjusted herself and the package then drove home.
She stopped the bike below the mansion, making sure not to wake anyone. As she was walking to put Dodger's bike away, she noticed Scott and Jean walk out the front door. 'Shot, there's more people up. And they're probably all in the front living room or the foyer. How can I get back in without getting caught? Ah-ha, I've got it.' She placed the bike in its spot then ran around the side of the mansion. 'Ah...the right window.' she thought viscously. Quickly, with the talent that possessed her, she scaled the drain pipe next to her second floor window. She landed on the balcony and opened the pavilion doors.
After shutting them behind her, she started to take off the package she had strapped to her back before her accent when she heard a knock on her door.
"Wakey, wakey. Eggs and bacy. It's time to get up, pet." he started to open the door.
She slammed herself against it, screaming, "Hold on, I'm not dressed yet."
"I'll wait." She heard him call. Quickly she stashed her package in her under wear drawer. 'Ha...no one will look there.' she laughed, tiding herself down a little. After making sure it looked like she had just gotten up, she joined Dodger outside.
He was leaning against the wall near her door. Softly he whispered, "You didn't care about 'that' last night." He immediately he received an elbow to the ribs.
"Shut up you." He laughed, starting to walk down the hallway. "I wasn't all there last night. All the pink and lace made my head swirl." Her hands were swaying every which way trying to show the confusion.
"When are you ever there, pet?" he teased again, then took off down the hall. About the middle of the hall, he turned invisible.
Shadow noticed this, and quickly caught the fact that instead of the tight jumpsuit he always wore when using his powers, he was now wearing a tight (unseen) shirt and loose blue jeans. She called out his name and pretended to not see him, stopping right behind his back. She knew he knew she was there, but what she knew he didn't know was that she could see him. She stood there another moment playing to fool, then, leaning over, whispered, "Not tight enough, pet," then slapped his rear. She continued on down to the first floor leaving him stunned. He joined her, now fully visible, with an embarrassed grin. "Shall we have breakfast then?"
They joined the others in the kitchen for breakfast. They filled their bowls with cereal and milk and sat down at the extra long table. They listened to the conversations that were going on.
"Alright, we know that today's the day." Scott said taking up the role leader. "We've all worked had to prepare the mansion, to get the gardens and everything ready. Now all we have to do is wait, get dressed and wait some more."
"So, what time she comin' in, bub?" Logan directed to Hunter.
"Her flight comes in at six-fifteen. She should be here about seven."
"Fine." the professor said from the head of the table. "Now it's eight- fifteen. That gives us over ten hours. I guess everyone can do what they want until that time." With that he left the room.
The others sat there, looking around at each other. "Well, what now?" Shadow asked impatiently. They just sat there.
"I'm going to go make sure I have everything for tonight." Jean said, Storm and several other women going with her. All the women in fact except for the girls of the Pack and Rogue.
"What you wanna do, chere?" Gambit asked Rogue, his red on black eyes shining.
"Ah think Ah wanna go horseback ridin'."
"Chere, you know Gambit no like ridin' horses. Gambit like horse power."
"Fine, sug, but Ah'm still going. Any one wanna come with?" The young southern woman looked around.
"I have not been riding since I left home. I'm in." Morgana said, a longing look in her eyes.
"Well, I've got nothing to do." Quinn stated plainly.
"Come join Gambit, mon ami. Two thieves. Dat sound like fun."
"That does sound like fun, Remy." he said joining the Cajun. "Later." They walked out.
"Well," Dodger announced, "I'm going to go do some reading. I'm behind in two of my books." he stood up and stretched.
"How many do you read at a time?" Shadow questioned sarcastically.
"Between four or five at a time." Shadow's jaw dropped.
"Well, I think I'm going to join the ladies." She said wrapping her arms around Morgana and Rogue. "So...where's the ponies?"
After the girls had gotten dressed into proper riding cloths, they met in the stable.
"You got to be kidding me. Morgana, you're not going to actually ride bareback?" Shadow asked mounting the young black steed that she choose to ride.
"Is there any other way to ride? Saddles just get in the way and you can't feel how the horse moves." she said siting atop of a painted mare.
"If you say so." Shadow said.
"Are we ready to go?" Rogue broke in leading out an almost white horse.
"Yes." Shadow and Morgana said at the same time. After Rogue had mounted her horse they walked them to the outside of the barn.
"Do these horses have names?" Morgana asked patting her horse's neck.
"You're on Glory. Shadow is on Knight, and this Windy." She answered.
"Cool. Let's see what they can do." Shadow stated.
"Proposing of race?" Rogue remarked.
"Yes I am." She grinned. "How about once around the mansion?"
"Agreed." both southern and native voices chimed.
They settled that the start/finish line was between two trees in the back . They lined up with Rogue between Nature and Shadow. Unknown to them, Gambit and Quinn had been watching them the whole time. By the time the girls had made the rules half the school knew. They only bets placed on who was going to win was between Gambit, Quinn and Logan.
"Ready, set, go!" Rogue shouted and they were off. All three galloping at top speed between trees and bushes. Shadow and Nature were still neck and neck, with Rogue closing in form behind. They rounded the corner only to see a line of people standing and cheering them on.
"Pick it up, kid!" Logan bellowed.
"Come on, Morgana!" Quinn yelled.
"Show 'em how the ride, Cher!" Gambit shouted, each trying to drown out the other. They were rounding the last corner neck and neck when out of nowhere jumped a brown bay pony with none other than Saber riding on top. The rest tried to catch up, but it was too late, she had won. They were stunned as they slowed their horses to a stop, so was everyone else, but Jean and Scott were already telling people to disperse into the mansion.
"Thought you could forget me, huh?" Saber spat.
"No, no. Didn't know you wanted to come." Morgana said calmly.
"Well, I did."
"We are awful sorry, sug." Rogue apologized.
"I'm sorry, but how did you do that?!" Shadow questioned still in shock from what happened.
"That's my little secret." she commented. They all laughed as they rode down into the woods. Rogue leading the way, showing them all the good trails. Also pointing out some of the unsafe ones, like ones that flooded out in a storm. The girls rode on until the time before the dance.
End chapter three. Four coming. Hope you liked this one. It didn't have much fluff in it. The next chapter is the final one for this story, but it's not real short. So, read it when it gets up, okay! Love all!
Feeding the Fires chapter three: Chores and Free Time The Four Minds
"Come on, girls, do we have to go in every store?" Shadow protested.
"If you didn't want to come, you didn't have to." Saber stated patiently.
"Yes I did. It was this or a training session with Logan, and he's still ticked at me for the perfume thing. Can't he take a joke?" She added.
"Shadow, he still smells like roses." Nature commented. "Besides, we have to get out dresses for the party." she added as an after thought.
"We've been to five stores, tried on everyone in that store." she said pointing across the mall. "Can't you just pick one?" Shadow asked.
"Morgana and I have tried on dresses yes, but you haven't even looked at them." Saber corrected.
"Ya, ya, Sab, I know." she answered as she walked into yet another shop and sat down in a chair by the changing rooms, while the girls looked around at the dresses. Shadow looked around from where she was sitting. Some of the dresses where not so bad; but she was not about to prance around in a dress for Nature and Saber. They, however, were having a wonderful time.
By the end of it, Saber had picked a long sleeve, red dress that only needed a few moderations for her tail. Even Shadow had to admit it was a nice choice. Nature picked a earthy green dress that hugged her curves and made her dark skin glow. It looked wonderful on her.
By the time they got back to the mansion, they had shopped for three hours straight. Shadow was about to go out of her mind. Nature and Saber went up stairs to put their dresses away while she went and laid on the couch in the waiting room.
"All that and you came back empty handed, pet?" Dodger questioned sitting down in a chair next to her head.
"I said I was going to go to look at dresses, not buy one." she replied rolling over to look him in the face.
"All the same. I'd've just like to have seen you in a dress is all." He felt awkward after he said this. Quickly, before she could say anything, he changed the subject. "Tomorrow's the big day, pet. You should get some rest." He patted her head, them started to get up.
She caught hold of his arm, and began to protest. "But I'm restless. I'll never get to sleep."
"That don't seem fitting. You look plum tuckered out, pet."
"I don't feel it." She looked around with a cruel grin. "How about a quick game of Black Jack, only with a twist."
Dodger, already concerned by her grin, showed more concern when he asked, "And what's the twist, dare I ask."
"Same rules, only this. When someone loses a round they strip."
"Strip Black Jack? Pet, it's too late for that. Maybe another time. Right now," he said checking his cards on the table, "let's keep it PG and play one round and call it a night?"
"Fine." she hated giving in, but she was slowly starting to feel the effects of the day wear on her. "But I'm taking you up on that 'later' offer some time."
"Fine, pet. Now...let's play."
The two were content and played for half an hour. Dodger, Shadow noticed, was becoming significantly better at the game since they had first used this as a way to pass time. Shadow was slowly allowing herself to feel comfortable around Dodger. She even considered letting part of her guard down when it was just the two of them. But that rarely happened in a large house, let alone a mansion full of teenagers running all over the place. They did have a few times alone on the rooftop where no one knew them there to mess with. It was late, and after losing another hand to Dodger, Shadow held up her end of the bargain and , after him escorting her, went to bed.
The next morning Shadow woke up and looked at her clock. "5:30 ugh." she thought to herself. She knew she could get up, other people were, but she just decided to lay there and think. Her mind wandered mainly on yesterday's events. The shopping for three hours, coming home and playing Black Jack with Dodger. 'It's a good thing we didn't play Strip Black Jack. I was losing horribly.' she told herself. Something he had said she just couldn't get out of her mind. 'I'd've just liked to see you in a dress.' Those words kept churning in her mind, over and over again. Then, see started to wonder what he would think if he did see her in a dress. That idea appealed to her. Any time she could astound him she would. She dragged herself out of bed, got dressed, grabbed some money, then left her room.
Not too many people were up, the ones that were she snuck around so they wouldn't notice her. 'I need a ride, but if I take Logan's bike again he'll slice me into little pieces. Ah,...I'll take Dodger's bike. I'll be back long before he's awake.' With Dodger's keys in hand, she left the mansion. Being sure to walk the bike far enough away so as to make as little noise as possible.
Shadow looked at all the shops they went to the day before. None of them were open except for the last one they had been to. She had a pretty good idea of which dress she liked. As she walked in, a lady came up and asked her, "May I help you?"
A half hour later, she was thanked for her purchase and left. 'Wait 'til he sees me in this.' she thought grinning evilly. "Now, how am I going to fit this on the bike?" After a stressful five minutes, she finally adjusted herself and the package then drove home.
She stopped the bike below the mansion, making sure not to wake anyone. As she was walking to put Dodger's bike away, she noticed Scott and Jean walk out the front door. 'Shot, there's more people up. And they're probably all in the front living room or the foyer. How can I get back in without getting caught? Ah-ha, I've got it.' She placed the bike in its spot then ran around the side of the mansion. 'Ah...the right window.' she thought viscously. Quickly, with the talent that possessed her, she scaled the drain pipe next to her second floor window. She landed on the balcony and opened the pavilion doors.
After shutting them behind her, she started to take off the package she had strapped to her back before her accent when she heard a knock on her door.
"Wakey, wakey. Eggs and bacy. It's time to get up, pet." he started to open the door.
She slammed herself against it, screaming, "Hold on, I'm not dressed yet."
"I'll wait." She heard him call. Quickly she stashed her package in her under wear drawer. 'Ha...no one will look there.' she laughed, tiding herself down a little. After making sure it looked like she had just gotten up, she joined Dodger outside.
He was leaning against the wall near her door. Softly he whispered, "You didn't care about 'that' last night." He immediately he received an elbow to the ribs.
"Shut up you." He laughed, starting to walk down the hallway. "I wasn't all there last night. All the pink and lace made my head swirl." Her hands were swaying every which way trying to show the confusion.
"When are you ever there, pet?" he teased again, then took off down the hall. About the middle of the hall, he turned invisible.
Shadow noticed this, and quickly caught the fact that instead of the tight jumpsuit he always wore when using his powers, he was now wearing a tight (unseen) shirt and loose blue jeans. She called out his name and pretended to not see him, stopping right behind his back. She knew he knew she was there, but what she knew he didn't know was that she could see him. She stood there another moment playing to fool, then, leaning over, whispered, "Not tight enough, pet," then slapped his rear. She continued on down to the first floor leaving him stunned. He joined her, now fully visible, with an embarrassed grin. "Shall we have breakfast then?"
They joined the others in the kitchen for breakfast. They filled their bowls with cereal and milk and sat down at the extra long table. They listened to the conversations that were going on.
"Alright, we know that today's the day." Scott said taking up the role leader. "We've all worked had to prepare the mansion, to get the gardens and everything ready. Now all we have to do is wait, get dressed and wait some more."
"So, what time she comin' in, bub?" Logan directed to Hunter.
"Her flight comes in at six-fifteen. She should be here about seven."
"Fine." the professor said from the head of the table. "Now it's eight- fifteen. That gives us over ten hours. I guess everyone can do what they want until that time." With that he left the room.
The others sat there, looking around at each other. "Well, what now?" Shadow asked impatiently. They just sat there.
"I'm going to go make sure I have everything for tonight." Jean said, Storm and several other women going with her. All the women in fact except for the girls of the Pack and Rogue.
"What you wanna do, chere?" Gambit asked Rogue, his red on black eyes shining.
"Ah think Ah wanna go horseback ridin'."
"Chere, you know Gambit no like ridin' horses. Gambit like horse power."
"Fine, sug, but Ah'm still going. Any one wanna come with?" The young southern woman looked around.
"I have not been riding since I left home. I'm in." Morgana said, a longing look in her eyes.
"Well, I've got nothing to do." Quinn stated plainly.
"Come join Gambit, mon ami. Two thieves. Dat sound like fun."
"That does sound like fun, Remy." he said joining the Cajun. "Later." They walked out.
"Well," Dodger announced, "I'm going to go do some reading. I'm behind in two of my books." he stood up and stretched.
"How many do you read at a time?" Shadow questioned sarcastically.
"Between four or five at a time." Shadow's jaw dropped.
"Well, I think I'm going to join the ladies." She said wrapping her arms around Morgana and Rogue. "So...where's the ponies?"
After the girls had gotten dressed into proper riding cloths, they met in the stable.
"You got to be kidding me. Morgana, you're not going to actually ride bareback?" Shadow asked mounting the young black steed that she choose to ride.
"Is there any other way to ride? Saddles just get in the way and you can't feel how the horse moves." she said siting atop of a painted mare.
"If you say so." Shadow said.
"Are we ready to go?" Rogue broke in leading out an almost white horse.
"Yes." Shadow and Morgana said at the same time. After Rogue had mounted her horse they walked them to the outside of the barn.
"Do these horses have names?" Morgana asked patting her horse's neck.
"You're on Glory. Shadow is on Knight, and this Windy." She answered.
"Cool. Let's see what they can do." Shadow stated.
"Proposing of race?" Rogue remarked.
"Yes I am." She grinned. "How about once around the mansion?"
"Agreed." both southern and native voices chimed.
They settled that the start/finish line was between two trees in the back . They lined up with Rogue between Nature and Shadow. Unknown to them, Gambit and Quinn had been watching them the whole time. By the time the girls had made the rules half the school knew. They only bets placed on who was going to win was between Gambit, Quinn and Logan.
"Ready, set, go!" Rogue shouted and they were off. All three galloping at top speed between trees and bushes. Shadow and Nature were still neck and neck, with Rogue closing in form behind. They rounded the corner only to see a line of people standing and cheering them on.
"Pick it up, kid!" Logan bellowed.
"Come on, Morgana!" Quinn yelled.
"Show 'em how the ride, Cher!" Gambit shouted, each trying to drown out the other. They were rounding the last corner neck and neck when out of nowhere jumped a brown bay pony with none other than Saber riding on top. The rest tried to catch up, but it was too late, she had won. They were stunned as they slowed their horses to a stop, so was everyone else, but Jean and Scott were already telling people to disperse into the mansion.
"Thought you could forget me, huh?" Saber spat.
"No, no. Didn't know you wanted to come." Morgana said calmly.
"Well, I did."
"We are awful sorry, sug." Rogue apologized.
"I'm sorry, but how did you do that?!" Shadow questioned still in shock from what happened.
"That's my little secret." she commented. They all laughed as they rode down into the woods. Rogue leading the way, showing them all the good trails. Also pointing out some of the unsafe ones, like ones that flooded out in a storm. The girls rode on until the time before the dance.
End chapter three. Four coming. Hope you liked this one. It didn't have much fluff in it. The next chapter is the final one for this story, but it's not real short. So, read it when it gets up, okay! Love all!