And now, some romance begins to blossom…Ah love…

Comfort From a Handsome Stranger

"I've got a date with an angel…" Pietro preened in his hand held mirror.

"Pietro what have I said about grooming yourself in the kitchen?" Cover Girl sighed. She was making Lina's lunch.

"I am not grooming myself," Pietro remarked. "Merely putting on the finishing touches. Everything has to look just perfect for when she falls in love with me."

"What is he talking about this time?" Fred asked as he walked into the kitchen.

"He's planning an attack," Cover Girl said sarcastically.

"Hey she's been here a week and she's out of the infirmary," Pietro said. "It's time that girl got her spirits lifted. And I'm the guy to lift them."

"I'm shocked," Fred remarked.

"Why?" Pietro pouted. "Lina is quite attractive. Not many girls can pull off antennae."

"No I'm shocked that you haven't put the moves on Angelica as well," Fred folded his arms.

"Yeah I was wondering that myself," Cover Girl remarked. "What's up with that?"

"If must know I have plans for her," Pietro explained. "But not for myself. I like to think of it as charity work. Helping less fortunate mutants who are disasters in love, namely one Lance Alvers."

"Oh boy," Fred winced. "This is not going to be pretty."

"Hey we all know its high time Lance stopped moping after Pryde," Pietro said. "He's got to move on. Or at the very least annoy the hell out of her. And I think our new resident fire starter just might be the trick!"

"I hate to admit it but I'm curious to see where he's going with this," Cover Girl said.

"I know exactly where he's going with this," Fred said. "Disaster, Population: us."

"Oh come on," Pietro told them. "You know deep down I'm right. Besides she's not my type anyway. One, she's a klutz and two she looks a little too much like Jean for my tastes. Besides, why settle when you can get the best. And Lina is like a delicate angel from heaven."

"Yeah and she's got a devil of a guardian!" Cover Girl told him crossly. "Remember that!"

"Pietro you shouldn't really be bugging her," Fred frowned.

"I'm not," Pietro remarked. "I'm just giving that lovely girl a chance to spend time with a gorgeous guy like me! Oh man, three of my hairs are out of place! I'd also better change outfits!" He zipped up to his room.

"Oh brother," Cover Girl grumbled. "Freddy could you do me a favor and bring Lina some lunch please? Try to get her to eat okay?"

"Will do," Fred nodded. He went up to her room with the tray. "Lina? Are you in there? Are you okay?"

She was in her bed curled up. "Yeah I'm fine."

"You don't look fine," Fred set the tray down on her dresser.

"Well I don't feel fine," Lina sat up. "You're Freddy right?"

"Yeah," Fred smiled nervously. "Sorry we haven't gotten to talk much."

"I guess trying to kill myself does put a damper on conversation," Lina sighed. "You all think I'm a basket case, don't you?"

"Well…" Fred sighed. "Let's just say that you're not the only one that tried to hurt themselves when they first got here. A few of the others really were out of it. Just promise me you won't do it again, okay?"

"I'm not going to do anything like that again," Lina sighed. "I just feel so stupid and ugly."

"But you're pretty," Fred blinked.

"You're just saying that," Lina sighed. "I have freaky eyes, antennae and wings! And on top of it all I spit up this sticky gunk! I'm a monster! There's nothing beautiful about me. What can anyone see in me?"

"Well…" Fred scratched his head. "At least you're not fat."

Lina looked at him in amazement. "Sorry," Fred shrugged. "First thing that came to mind. People have been saying bad things to me all my life because of the way I look. I can't help being fat. It's my mutation. Believe me, some days I'd rather look like a pretty bug than a fat pig. I mean you are pretty. Really. At least you don't have to worry about stupid things like the toilet seat not being big enough, or finding clothes in your size…"

"Well," Lina moved her wings involuntarily. "Kind of. I never wore backless shirts before. Now I have to. It's weird." She looked down. "You all probably think I'm being selfish don't you?"

"Well uh," Fred shrugged. "Let's see, you became a mutant, nearly got captured by people who wanted to experiment on you, nearly got killed and got dumped by your parents in under a week. I think that qualifies you for depression."

He lightly touched her hand. "I mean it's natural to feel sorry for yourself once in a while," He said. "But you can't just you know, dwell on it. You gotta think of the good stuff. You got a lot of good stuff. You can probably fly with those wings. Me, all I can do is stand around and have things hit me and I hardly get hurt."

"What do you mean?" Lina looked at him.

"Well not only am I super strong, noting can hurt me," Fred told her. "I got invulnerable skin. Plus nobody can move me if I want them too. I'm un-moveable!"

"That doesn't sound so bad," Lina said.

"Yeah well it's not exactly good for being fast or anything," Fred told her. "I'm learning how to move better, but I'm still pretty slow."

"I don't think you're slow at all," Lina blushed. "I mean…I think you're really nice." They both smiled at each other.

Ten minutes later, Pietro swaggered up to Lina's room in a new outfit. "Oh Lina…" He knocked on the door and peeked in. "Hey…" He stopped at what he saw. Both Freddy and Lina were laughing. "What the…?"

"Thanks Freddy for cheering me up," Lina blushed.

"Well…Anytime," Fred grinned.

"Okay…" Pietro walked in the room. "Hey there."

"So you really know how to cook?" Lina asked Fred. Neither of them had noticed Pietro.

"Yeah. I'll cook for you tomorrow if you'd like," Fred continued.

"Well duh of course Freddy can cook," Pietro rolled his eyes. "Now about me…"

Neither had heard him. "Could…could you teach me to cook?" Lina asked shyly.

"You don't know how?" Fred asked her.

"No I never learned…" Lina admitted.

"Well I could teach you," Fred said quickly.

"Fine you can give her a cooking lesson," Pietro said. "And speaking of cooking…"

"Really? You will teach me?" Lina asked.

"Sure!" Fred nodded. "Anytime!"

"HE-LLOO!" Pietro waved his arms. "I'M IN THE ROOM HERE!"

"Hey Pietro, you just get in?" Fred asked.

"Uh yeah," Pietro slapped his hand to his forehead. "Just popped in to see how Lina's doing."

"I'm feeling a lot better now," Lina admitted. "But a little tired."

"Well we'll let you rest," Fred got up and absently grabbed Pietro by the arm, but it was clear he was paying attention to Lina. "Bye!"

"Bye Freddy!" Lina giggled. "Oh bye Pietro."

They left the room and Fred gave a happy sigh. He looked like he was in a daze and happily whistled as he walked down the hall. Pietro made a face of absolute horror and shock as he was left standing there in the hall.

"OKAY, WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED HERE?" Pietro shouted.