Chapter 7
Night of the Cow

Pyro sat atop the Bayville Bridge. Construction on it was finally complete after his last little spree had exploded an oil tanker and almost killed about a hundred people. That was fun.

He had already been to the wharf, but the police still had it roped off and guarded, so he couldn't complete the thorough search he had planned. What to do now was a mystery.

He knew what he wanted to do, but that wouldn't help matters much. No matter how much joy playing with fire would bring, it would lead to a horrible depression. Lately, the depression didn't even wait for him to finish having fun. It sucked. Playing with fire would just emphasize how poor of a tracker he was. Dammit, if Gambit and Jennie hadn't scared her off in the alley, he wouldn't be in this mess right now.

Against his better judgment, he created a small fireball and tossed it back and forth as he thought.

* * *

Remy, Jennie, and Piotr were watching Kids in the Hall on Comedy Central. Featured this evening was the skit "The Night of the Cow". Wasn't late night programming great?

"I do not understand," Piotr said. "Why is it the night of the cow? Clearly, nothing good can happen to the cow."

"Piotr," Jennie said, "chill out. It's just a comedy. It's not supposed to make sense. There is no plotline like in your books. The show's just there to be funny."

Piotr leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. He held the remote under his chin as he stared at the TV. "I still don't get it..."

Suddenly, a loud POP was heard by all in the living room. Piotr discretely stuffed the busted remote between the couch and the couch cushions.

Jennie, confused by the pop, looked at Remy, but he was too wrapped up with the "Night of the Cow". She looked at Piotr and slowly inched her hand over his lap toward the break between the cushion and the couch.

"What you t'ink you're doin'," Remy asked glaring at Jennie.

Jennie stopped mid-reach. She put on her brightest fake smile and spun towards Remy, quickly bringing her hand to her lap. "Popcorn?"

Remy, not taking his eyes off of Jennie or Piotr, reached over the arm of the couch and picked up a bowl of popcorn. He held it in front of Jennie's face. "Dis popcorn?"

Jennie, fake smile still plastered to her face, pulled out a few kernels. "Why, yes. Thank you, dear."

Remy placed the popcorn bowl back on the floor and returned his attention to the TV.

Jennie, however, returned her attention to what Piotr had hidden in the couch. Slowly, she leaned forward, trying to see around his tree-trunk of a leg.

Remy looked over at Jennie and pulled a classic double take. He tapped her shoulder with two fingers. "Ah-hem..."

Jennie, still leaning forward, turned her head toward Remy. "My Mountain Dew..."

Remy nodded toward the Mountain Dew in his left hand. "Gambit been drinkin' your Mountain Dew."

Jennie sat up. "How did you get that?!"

By this time, the "Night of the Cow" was over. She turned to Piotr. "You were supposed to be watching my Mountain Dew."

"I know nothing of the sort," he replied.

Remy gave Jennie a 'what-were-you-doing' look.

"The remote, ok, Remy. I was looking for the remote."

"Da remote?"

"Yes, the remote. Where is it Piotr?"

Piotr tried his best to look innocent. "Remote? What remote?"

Remy rolled his eyes, stood up, and stretched. "Gambit goin' ta bed." He went to his room and closed the door, leaving Jennie and Piotr alone on the couch.

Piotr reached into the couch, pulled out the remote, and handed it to Jennie. A few buttons were missing, the frame was cracked, and the little laser bulb was bobbing by a spring. Piotr smiled sheepishly, stood up, and went to his room.

Jennie walked up to Remy's room, opened the door, and threw the remote at him. "I told you so!!"

She slammed the door and went to her room.

* * *

Aidan was sitting on the couch trying to figure out a way to find the fire starter. It wasn't like she could just get up and leave; she had no idea where she was.

Suddenly, Jean Grey plopped down next to her. "Hi."

Aidan jumped. "Hi."

"What's wrong?" Jean asked trying to read Aidan's mind.

"Oh, nothing. You just startled me." Aidan began twiddling her thumbs.

"Oh, sorry," Jean said. "I didn't mean to."

"That's all right," Aidan replied. Her palms began to itch with the need to create fire. She looked at Jean and then proceeded to sit on her hands.

"So, did Scott show you around?"

"Yeah." Aidan caught the slightest bit of jealousy in Jean's voice. "Why?"

"Just curious. Usually when new recruits show up here, either Scott or I show them around. I just wondered if you got the tour yet."

"Yeah. This place is nice. I can't wait to get into the Danger Room."

"You'll regret you said that. Logan'll kill you in there."

Aidan stifled a giggle. As soon as the Professor introduced 'Wolverine' she could tell he wasn't one for fun and games.

"So... Are you and Scott a couple?" Aidan asked.

"Uh, yeah... I guess you could say that," Jean replied. Damn. Aidan was on to her. She didn't get what she wanted out of Aidan's mind yet. She had to suppress her anger and jealousy and try harder.

"You two look good together," Aidan muttered. For a split second though, she let down her guard and thought about the fire mutant.

"Well, see you tomorrow," Jean said. "Be ready to go bright and early!"

Jean had what she wanted.