St. John Allerdyce looked over at Dominic Petros, known better to the X-men as Avalanche. "You sure about this, mate?" He'd done some crazy things in the past, no doubt, but going to the X-men's headquarters to visit Mystique was right up there with the craziest. And most suicidal.

Not that Pyro had a problem with it. He was rather excited, truth be told …

Dom nodded. "I wrote her about it." He stopped the car at the gate and adjusted his helmet.

A voice crackled through the air. "What are you doing here, Avalanche?"

Dom leaned out the window. "Dominic Petros and St. John Allerdyce to see Mystique, please. And yes, we'd like fries with that."

St. John broke up. The whole situation was nonsense, but he loved it.

There was silence. He waited, fingers tapping on his knee, ready to fire things up at a moment's notice.

***********************************

Charles Xavier centered himself, then put Cerebra on and slowly reached out to Pyro and Avalanche.

going on anyway, taking a while isn't it, wonder if we'll have to take them on to get out again, fine thing to be punished for nothing

seen Misty, probably fine but can't be sure, and might get to see Rogue too, how is that girl these days, haven't seen her in ages

He reached deeper, past their surface thoughts, until he found what he was looking for. They were, apparently, telling the truth. They were merely here to visit Mystique.

************************************

Scott Summers, fully suited up, met Dr. McCoy by the front door. "Ready to head out, Beast?"

"One moment." The furry blue mutant searched through Bobby Drake's old jacket on the coat rack. "I knew they were here." He pulled an old yellow McDonald's container out of the front left pocket.

"What the hell is that?"

"Expletives, Cyclops? I was not aware you had it in you to express your feelings with such vehemence." Beast opened the door. "I am giving them what they asked for."

************************************

As they waited in the car, Avalanche turned the radio to an oldies station and started singing along with "Tainted Love." Pyro stared at him. "You like that '80s trash, mate? I think I'm losing all respect for you."

"Look who's talking. Who always sings along with 'Time in a Bottle'?" Avalanche turned the music up and sang louder. "Tainted love, whoa…tainted love…"

The gate opened and Beast and Cyclops approached their car. Cyclops took the lead. "Get out, please." The two men left the vehicle warily. "You realize we will have to ask you to leave any weapons behind."

Pyro snapped his fingers. "But my AK-47 goes with me everywhere!" He pretended to pout.

Beast grinned and Cyclops snapped, "Too bad. Leave it."

They disarmed, then Beast handed Avalanche a McDonald's box with stale yellow disgusting … fries. He gave them fries with it.

Things were looking up.