Eventually they all trooped back inside, melted snow making their clothes damp and heavy, their fingers freezing inside their coat pockets, toes feeling numb.

They stripped of their heavy coats and gloves, then went inside to the front room. Silence lit a fire and they collapsed on the sofas with coffee.

"I like winter." Twist said vaguely, cuddling up to Silence and smiling. The heat from the fire was already starting to get into her skin and it felt really nice, especially with his arms round her.

"How long is it 'till Christmas?" Alyx suddenly asked, playing with her blue black hair.

"Thirteen days. It's the 12th today." Yuako said almost automatically. Streak threw a pillow at her.

"Math freak." she teased, dodging the pillow that Yuako threw right back.

"Hey, it's gonna be my first Christmas back with you." Twist suddenly said, smiling at Silence. He smiled back and kissed her for a moment before there came a vomiting noise. They broke away and looked at Streak.

"Ew, Twist. I don't like seeing you kiss my brother!" she squealed, sticking her tongue out. Twist made a face back, and then kissed him again just to spite her.

"You cook well, you know." Twist said vaguely as she sat next to Streak in the kitchen, watching Silence make spaghetti. She sat still, knees tucked up to her chest, half watching Silence, half watching the snow outside which was still falling.

It was getting closer to Christmas now, and Twist had already started buying cards and small presents for her friends. She still didn't know what to get Silence. She'd bought him a CD of his favourite band, but she felt it was still so inadequate. For Chiara, Yuako, Alyx and Streak, she'd bought them bracelets and rings, in different colours. She was still contemplating whether to get Cat something, as well as Lucea. She hadn't spoken to either since the Mystique day, really.

Frowning she poked Streak in the side. "I need to talk to you later." she said, jumping up as the coffee clicked off.

"About what?" Streak asked, passing three mugs to Twist.

Twist poured the bitter stuff into the three mugs, then looked at Streak. "Christmas presents..." she mumbled, casting a sideways glance at Silence who was still cooking.

"Ohhh. I see." said Streak with a smile. "What do you want for Christmas anyway, Twist?" she wondered, taking the mug Twist passed her.

"Oh...I, um, never thought about it really." she shrugged and smiled, giving Silence a mug and he smiled at her, keeping quiet.

"Twist, Xavier wants to see you." Lucea said suddenly, bursting into the room noisily. Twist frowned and pouted.

"Can't it wait?" she snapped, receiving a frosty glare from her.

"No, but spaghetti can. Go." Sulking, she stood up and stalked out the room, slowly making her way to his office. She raised her hand to knock on the mahogany door, but she heard his voice in her head.

Twist jumped, and entered quietly, shutting the door behind her. "Professor?" she mumbled, looking up at him.

"Twist, sit down, please." she did so, quietly, looking at the professor with her head lowered.

"Now, I need to talk to you about what happened the other day."

"Oh." Twist mumbled quietly.

"Quite. I know myself and Miss. Windle have both been warning you about leaving the mansion, especially alone..."

"But, Professor, I can't just stay here the rest of my life! It gets hard you know?! There's always people around and I like being alone!" she burst out, her eyes flaring. "I'm used to be alone."

"Twist, please, let me finish."

Twist glared stonily at him and kept quiet. I hate this place. She thought bitterly, knowing Xavier would hear her.

Would you prefer to go back to New York, or maybe even England? Twist met his blue gaze that seemed perfectly innocent. Of course I'd have to speak with your parents, and you could stay with them until you had somewhere to live...

Twist, still frowning shook her head. "I hate it here. I hate you. I hate everything!" he told him, her voice scarily calm.

"I think hate is a too harsh word, Twist."

"You know something!" she twirled round, eyes blood red. "You just want to control people and make them do what you want! You don't CARE about what's good for people! You, you just want to have people on your side so you can prove to Magneto that you're supposedly better! And you think he's, he's...he's evil or something!" The wind was steadily rising outside, gushing into the room through the open window – making it icy cold and blowing papers of his desk. "You know, I don't think he's evil! I don't know how you think you're better than him, but Magneto has a point, he wants to stop the idiots enforcing their bullshit Mutant Rights campaign!" she was yelling fully now, not sure what she was saying.

Giving up and blowing the door open she stormed down the hallway, accidentally knocking pictures from walls and stunning students.

Silence came out of the kitchen, feeling the wind. Bewildered as he followed the trail of shocked pupils and broken things down the corridor and into the computer lab. He spotted Twist sitting at one of the computers, her fingers flying over the keys, occasionally slamming one or two, making a jarring noise.

"Feannan?" he asked quietly, coming over and sitting in a chair next to her. "Baby, whats wrong?"

"Xavier." she mumbled quietly, still typing. He glanced at the screen, seeing a window open, and she was writing a new email.

"Feannan?" he repeated her name and she spared him a glance. He frowned and slipped his arm round her waist, watching her elegantly long fingers as she typed. When she'd finished she turned the computer off and turned to look at Silence. "Who were you writing too?" he asked quietly, as she moved closer, sliding into his arms and resting her head on him.

"My friend, from New York." she mumbled. "I want him to come here...He's been thinking of coming..." she continued quietly, feeling comfort from Silence.

"What his name?" he asked, feeling himself get protective of her almost immediately. She told himself they were just friends but he held onto her tighter anyway.

"Connor." she closed her eyes, feeling sleepy as she spoke. "Connor Larson."

Note: Hmnmm. I dunno bout this chapter. :P
2nd Note: A note to those lovely people who review me, and keep reviewing me! XD

TheHollister – Thankyou! If you talk to my friend Ray, she'd say I had an eye fetish (XD) so maybe that's it.)

Julz – Silence IS awesome! Heh.

fayeNOISE – Thankyooooou again!

SnakeEyesHannah – Love you sweetie and thanks! :)

Keeley – Oopsy. Sowwee and glad you liked it.

Maychelle – Muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuch loooooooooooves!