Beaubier: You sure know how to make me blush. ;) Thank you! It's a real honor to read such kind words from great writers like yourself. I can only hope you enjoy the coming chapter. I'm getting closer to the end—though I still have no idea how many chapters I have to write.

"They have a Burger King!" Usually I'd make a comment about how Bobby was easily appeased but even I turned around to catch a glimpse. Anything would be better than the cold cuts we've been eating for a week. Surviving the 'Closet' and the boot camp really made you appreciate the outside world. For the first time in my life I actually wanted fast food. Even Scott was in awe of the neon lights that were bathing us.

"Agent Duncan, I don't mean to question you sir--"

"But?"

"Why are we here sir? Are we going to do some observational tactics?" I threw Scott the dirtiest look I could manage. Good God the stick in that guys' rear must have had a stick in it too. Bobby not so subtly 'bumped' his friends' elbow.

"Why don't you ask for homework while you're at it?" Bobby hissed.

"Actually," Duncan interrupted, "no. This concept might be a little hard to grasp but we're just here to relax. Things have been rough for the last couple of days so we figured you boys deserved a break. Now where does everyone want to eat?" At once all three of us opened our mouths and in unison called out our chosen restaurant.

"Burger King!" Bobby exclaimed louder than he intended.

"Olive Garden!" I voiced.

"Joes' Diner!" Scott called out. We stared at each other then began bickering. Over the years many things would change, but the debate of where we would eat wasn't one of them. It was an explosive topic that a certain red-haired girl would later call 'a male dominances struggle.' Which was just silly, it was never about that. It was about eating in a place with class. The fact that I always had the ideal place in mind was never a factor.

"A-hem. Gentlemen, I believe I can settle this in a less…public manner." Duncan remarked giving a gaping woman a small nod. "Bobby, what do you want to eat?"

"A burger with some fries."

"What about you Warren?"

"I'm not sure," I admitted, "but I'd like to have something with pasta."

"Scott?"

He scrunched up his mouth giving off the impression that he was giving the matter some serious thought. "Either chicken fingers or a hot sub."

"Good. We can get all of that in here." Duncan jabbed his thumb at a building across the street. I winced at the neon lit, loud arcade called, "Eddies' Place."

"You got to be kidding me. It looks like a freaking Chucky Cheeses'!"  I said in disgust.

"I'm surprise you even know what one is." Bobby mumbled but I just acted like I hadn't heard him.

"Think of it as a version for the older crowd. I was in the other day." Duncan replied motioning for us to follow him crossing the street. "Fortunately they have a bar in the back." I barely caught his words but it made me smile all the same.

We were all given spending money (something that made me uncomfortable and wishing I had bought some cash with me.) Our chaperon left us to our own devices so he could get a drink. It was hard to hear anything in the deafening place. Kids were yelling, music was blaring, and games issued annoying sound effects. Yet somehow…it was relaxing. Hell, it was fun just to sit down with the guys and eat with the rest of humanity. Not shacked up in some gloomy remote hide-a-way plotting to change the world. It was just so normal and well--human.

Bobby ran off after he'd gobbled down his meal to play some of the video games. I went to the shoot a few hoops at the basketball game. As you may have guessed Scott was less inclined to loosen up and have fun. He claimed he just wanted to sit down for awhile. The guy's about as much fun as a cavity.

After a pretty good score at the hoop I caught him hanging around Bobby and he was actually smiling! Bobby was speaking animatedly making gestures whenever his hands were free from the joystick. A brilliant smile lighting his face, and I found myself grinning in return. It was really amazing what a difference it made. It's remarkable what how his smile could brighten our day. You know it was a powerful thing when even Scott was affected so strongly.

"Hi there stranger." I turned my head slightly to glimpse the speaker. A girl with short blond hair, wearing a purple tank top gave me a wicked smile. "Are you new here?" These were old clichés but I didn't care, I appreciated her straight-forwardness. "As a matter of fact I am." I replied neutrally. It was an old trick of my family to act indifferently which of course would only draw the other in more.

"That a fact?" Bingo. "How do you like it so far?" She asked coyly.

"It's alright, I guess. This is my first night out in town, I haven't seen that much."

"Would you like to see more?"

"That depends…" I murmured playfully.

"Really subtle aren't they?" I heard Bobby mutter to which Scott answered with an affirmative noise.

"Oh yeah? On what?" She asked flipping her golden hair to the side. Bobby giggled helplessly.

"On the company." I gave the obvious line trying to block out my 'pals' and their comments. The twerp made a gagging sound.

"Oh, I might be able to help you with that…" She trailed off eyeing me with what I instantly recognized as approval.

"I'm sure she could…" The brat whispered.

"How so?" I asked through a fake grin. I was going to kill that frozen juvenile deliquesce.

"Oh, I could think of a few ways." She murmured.

"Wak cha wak cha." Bobby intoned.

"Ha ha, excuse me." Without turning around I reached back and slapped the kids' arm.

"OW!"

"Penny! We have to get going!" A man in his early twenties called out in our direction.

"That's me…I have to go. I hope to see you again." Penny said flipping her hair off her shoulder. I noticed a strange red wrist band that didn't seem to fit her at all. I couldn't help but wonder why would she wear that thing.

"So do I." As soon as she left I glared at Bobby. "What is wrong with you?"

"Sorry War, but you two were just sooo cheesy that I couldn't resist. Did you have to hit me so hard?" He rubbed his arm groaning nut still grinning broadly.

"It's not like you're get a chance to see her again anyway." Scott added. "We're only going to be here for another week and I don't think we'll be coming back into town again."

"*sigh* Yeah, you're probably right."

A/N: Warren has class but I think he's a little corny when he flirts. At least back in the old days. When he first met Jean his line was something like, "She has one obvious power, the power to make a mans' heart beat faster!" Which of course Bobby responded by saying that if he had Warrens' line he'd shoot himself.

Next chapter: More of Eddies' Place, a surprise for the X-Men, and maybe a class.