The following Sunday, the Professor allowed Taryn's family to come visit
the school. Taryn was a nervous wreck.
Taryn stood in Piotr's room looking through his clothes.
"Taryn, I'm sure your parents would be fine with anything he wears." Bobby commented.
"You don't know my parents. They can be judgmental." Taryn said. She sighed, looking at her boyfriend.
"Don't you own any nice clothes?" She asked. Piotr pouted.
"You never seemed to complain about my clothes before. I feel unloved." He said. Taryn looked at him. She went over and put a gloved hand on his cheek.
"Of course I don't have a problem with your clothes." She smiled. Piotr sighed.
"OK, OK. I feel appreciated again." He joked. Taryn laughed. "Anyway, it's not like your family hasn't met me before."
"True, but this is the first time they're meeting you as, well, more then just a friend."
"And that matter's because....?" Bobby asked.
"It just does." Taryn said. She went back to looking through Piotr's clothes. She finally found a pair of black slacks. "Eureka." She said as she pulled it out and handed it to him. She looked at him. "Do you have a tie?" She asked.
"A tie?!" Piotr exclaimed. Taryn thought for a second.
"Maybe you can borrow one from Scott, or Mr. McCoy, or the Professor. Kurt and Logan don't seem like tie owners." She mused. Piotr rolled his eyes.
"Bobby, open the door." He said. Bobby laughed and opened the room. Piotr looked at Taryn. "Out." He said.
"Excuse me?" She said.
"You heard me, out. I have the ability to dress myself."
"Yes, but-" Taryn said.
"I will find a good outfit that should be acceptable by your parents, ok? But, I swear, if you keep bugging me, I will not be responsible for whatever actions I take to get you to leave me alone." He threatened jokingly. Taryn sighed.
"Fine." She said. She left the room.
"Thank god." Piotr sighed. Bobby laughed. "So happy you find this amusing." Piotr said.
"It's hilarious." He said.
"Shut up."
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Taryn dressed herself in a long black skirt and a black tank top covered by a black sweater.
"I look like a nun." Taryn sighed.
"Then change." Rogue said.
"I can't. My family's coming, and I want to look.."
"Saintly?" Rogue suggested with a smirk. Taryn gave her a look.
"Nice." Taryn sighed. She picked up her hairbrush and began dragging it along her long hair. She sighed and stopped brushing her hair and looked at Rogue. "I just, feel like I need to impress them or something."
"Why?" Rogue asked.
"I don't know. I mean, I guess I want to show them that things are going OK, you know, so they don't worry."
"And you feel that dressing like Sister Taryn of the Catholic nunnery will show you're OK?" Rogue asked. Taryn laughed.
"Shut up." She said as she went about doing something with her hair.
"Don't you think if you go all out in trying to impress them, they'll suspect something's up?" Rogue asked. Taryn paused.
"Oh my god, you're right. What was I thinking?" Taryn groaned.
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A little while later, Rogue and Taryn emerged from the room, Taryn was now wearing the same top and sweater, but a pair of jeans instead of the skirt. She decided to just leave her hair loose. She wore a pair of black leather gloves. They found Piotr and Bobby sitting in the living room. Piotr was dressed in the pants Taryn had picked out and a white polo shirt. Taryn walked over and sat next to him, as did Rogue with Bobby.
"Wait a minute, how is it that I have to look like some Prince Charming wannabe, yet you can wear jeans. That hardly seems fair." Piotr smiled.
"Well, they already love me. You're the one they have to be impressed with. I mean, they are meeting their first-born's boyfriend. There are things they're expecting." Taryn grinned. Piotr groaned playfully.
"I see your point." He said. Piotr had been smiling and not making a big deal of this whole thing, but deep down inside, he was scared. What if Taryn's parents didn't like him? What if he made a total fool of himself? What if Taryn realized he was just one big jerk and decided to end it? Piotr put on another smile, desperately trying to ease his troubled mind.
"So, what are you planning on doing with your family today?" Bobby asked.
"I thought I'd show them around, introduce them to the teachers-slash- adults. The Professor said he would like to meet my folks. And I guess they want to talk to him too. And, just, generally hang out with them for the day." Taryn said.
"That sounds good." Rogue said.
"Yeah." Taryn said. She checked her watch. "They should be here in like an hour or so." She said. She rested her head on Piotr's shoulder. Piotr smiled and put an arm around her shoulders. She sighed. "Man, I'm nervous." Taryn thought out loud. Piotr was somewhat eased to know he wasn't the only one. "I mean, I haven't seen them in over a week, and like......We didn't really get to talk. I'm worried what will happen."
"I thought you said they were OK with everything." Rogue said.
"Yeah, but, I just didn't get their total feedback on it, you know?" Taryn said.
"I guess, but they love you. And if you're happy, they'll be happy too and support you." Piotr said softly. Taryn smiled. She snuggled closer to him.
"I'm sure they'll adore you." Taryn laughed. "You don't have any visible tattoos or piercings, don't own a motorcycle and don't have a code name like RoadKill or something." She laughed.
"As far as you know." Piotr grinned. "Would that be a problem?" He asked.
"With 'rents, yes." Taryn laughed. "But, hey, I think that'd be kinda sexy." She winked. Piotr laughed.
"Note to self: Buy motorcycle, get tattoo, and get bad ass name." Piotr grinned.
"Oh god, I think I'm going to puke." Rogue groaned jokingly. Bobby laughed.
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Taryn, Piotr, Rogue and Bobby stood outside waiting for her family to arrive. Taryn peered towards the driveway. She fidgeted slightly.
"Where are they?" Taryn wondered.
"Don't worry." Piotr said, squeezing her hand reassuringly. "They'll get here." As if on cue, they saw The Lewis' family's car appear around the bend and drive up to the driveway. Taryn grinned and looked at Piotr.
"How did you do that?" She smiled.
"Magic." Piotr laughed. Taryn saw her family climb out of the car. She ran over to them.
"Guys!" She called happily to them. She practically jumped her father as she hugged him. He laughed and picked up his petite daughter. Leona and Mrs. Lewis laughed. Mr. Lewis set Taryn down and she went to hug her sister and mother.
"We missed you too." Leona laughed as Taryn hugged her tightly. Taryn smiled.
"Come on." She said. She led them towards the house. Piotr, Rogue and Bobby stood there smiling at them. She led her family to them.
"Guys, these are my friends, they were at the mall that day." She said. "This is Rogue, Bobby, and Pete." She said. She smiled a little when she introduced him. Her parents picked up on it, and figured he was a boy she liked. "Pete's my, well, boyfriend." She said, blushing softly. Leona couldn't help smile at her sister's nervousness. Mrs. Lewis looked at Piotr, slightly surprised. She smiled.
"Well, Pete, it's nice to meet you." She said. Piotr extended his hand to Taryn's parents.
"Likewise." He smiled. Mrs. Lewis shook his hand, followed by Mr. Lewis. He stared at him, as any father would, evaluating him as his daughter's boyfriend. He seemed kind, friendly, and seemed to care about his daughter a lot. He accepted that and offered the boy a smile. Taryn gave a soft sigh of relief, hiding it with just simple exhaling. She was glad her parents seemed to be accepting Piotr. She would've hated it terribly if they hadn't.
"Well, come on, I want to show you guys around." Taryn said as she ushered her parents and Leona into the house. Piotr caught Taryn's hand as she went to follow. Taryn turned to him with a questioning look.
"Hey, I don't want to like, impose on you and your family, so I'll catch up to you later, OK?" He asked. Taryn smiled, touched by his wanting her to spend time with her family alone, so they could talk, and placed her other hand on his cheek.
"OK." She said. "But this better not be some trick to avoid my parents." She jokingly warned. Piotr laughed.
"Of course not." He said. He kissed her gloved palm gently. "I'll see you later." He said as he went off with Bobby and Rogue and Taryn went with her family.
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"This is the girls' room." Taryn said. She had been giving her family a semi tour of the house, and decided to start with the living space. "There's my bed." She said, pointing to one of the beds. She smiled a little to herself, feeling like a kid at a summer camp, with their family on visiting day, showing them all over the place.
"Oh, we brought some of your things, you know, your knick knacks and stuff we found in your room. Maybe give this place some of your personal touches." Mr. Lewis smiled. Taryn smiled back at her father. "I guess we left them in the car.." He sighed. Taryn laughed. Her dad did tend to get forgetful sometimes.
"OK, I have got to borrow this!" Came Leona's voice. Taryn turned to see her holding up one of the shirts she had bought at Hot Topic.
"Step away from the shirt, hands up where I can see them." Taryn grinned. Leona put the shirt down, sticking her tongue out at her older sister.
"You're no fun." She said. Mr. And Mrs. Lewis laughed softly. Apparently the separation hadn't affected the sisterly banter the two had always had.
"I'm your older sister, kid, I'm not supposed to be fun." Taryn smiled. She looked at her entire family. "OK, let me go show you the rest of this place." She said.
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Taryn and her family where walking around when they spotted Logan, Ororo, Hank and Scott in the living room talking. Ororo saw them and smiled. She stood up and walked over to her parents.
"You must be Mr. And Mrs. Lewis. I'm Ororo Munroe." She said extending her hand to Taryn's parents. They each shook her hand. Hank, and Scott walked over. Logan didn't feel the need to, since he had already met them, somewhat. Mr., Mrs. Lewis and Leona where a little taken aback by Hank's form, but got over it quickly.
"This is Scott Summers, and Hank McCoy." Ororo said. Mr. Lewis' brows furrowed.
"The Doctor Hank McCoy?" He asked, slightly surprised. He had heard of the great scientist, seen him on the news, everything. Last he heard, McCoy had just disappeared.
"Yes." Hank nodded. He smiled a bit. "What can I say, these days, everyone's a mutant, huh?" He said. Mr. Lewis laughed a bit.
"Our stoic friend over there is Logan." Scott said, jerking a thumb over to him. Taryn looked at Ororo.
"Do you know where the Professor is?" She asked. Ororo thought for a second.
"He might be in his study." She said.
"K, thanks." Taryn said. She looked at her folks. "He asked to talk to you guys. And, I'm guessing you'd like to talk to him too, right?" She asked. Her parents nodded.
"If it isn't too much trouble." Her mother said. Leona looked at Taryn.
"Is it ok if I go hang with Pete, Bobby and Rogue?" She asked. "This is so going into parent teacher conference territory." Taryn smiled.
"Yeah, they should be outside." She said. Leona went outside.
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Charles Xavier was in his study when he heard a soft knock on his door. He looked up to see Taryn peek her head in.
"Professor?" She asked. "Are you busy?" She asked. Charles smiled.
"No." He said. "Come in." He sensed she wasn't alone. Taryn opened the door and stepped into the room with her parents. Charles gave them both a warm smile.
"Mr. And Mrs. Lewis, it's nice to meet you both." He said. "Please, take a seat." He said. They sat down on some chairs in the room. He looked at Taryn. _Would it be all right if I spoke to them alone?_ He said to her telepathicly. Taryn jumped a bit, still not totally used to that. She looked at him and nodded. She looked at her parents.
"I'm going to go hang with Leona outside." She said as she quietly left the room.
"Thank you for letting us come up and visit Taryn." Mrs. Lewis said. Charles nodded.
"No thanks are needed." He sighed. "I only wish more family members were like you, wanting to see their children. Not all are as understanding and open minded." He said.
"We both love Taryn very much." Mr. Lewis said. "To be honest, we have known for a while." He said. "When Taryn was six years old, she accidently almost made one of the neighborhood children into stone. But I guess if she just taps a person, it's not too bad." He said. Charles nodded.
"Yes. And again, I must commend you both for not isolating your child after such a shocking experience." He said.
"Taryn was so frightened. She didn't even know what happened. We didn't know either. But we knew she didn't need to be abandoned." Mrs. Lewis said. She looked at Charles. "Is she all right?" She asked. "I mean.."
"Taryn seems to be happy here. I think it is good for here to be around others like herself." He said. Taryn's parents nodded.
"After what happened at her school, she deserves to be in a comfortable, and safe enviorment." Mr. Lewis said.
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Taryn walked out to the front lawn to see Rogue, Bobby, Piotr and Leona sitting together and talking. She went over and put her arms around Piotr's shoulders from behind. Piotr smiled and pulled her over his shoulder onto his lap with ease. Taryn laughed.
"Whoa." She said.
"They don't call me Colossus for nothing." He smiled. Taryn laughed again. She looked at the others.
"So, what embarrassing stories has my little sister been telling you guys?" She asked.
"Eh, was about to get to the juicy stuff. But, now that you're here, I guess I should keep it to myself." Leona smiled.
"Good call." Taryn said.
"So, mom and dad are talking to that Professor guy?" Leona asked. Taryn nodded.
"He wanted to talk to them alone. So, I came over here to bug you guys." She said. Piotr smiled and put his arms around her waist, hugging her to him.
"You could never bug me." He said. Taryn giggled softly. Leona rolled her eyes.
"Man, you get a boyfriend, and suddenly the sullen loner chick is replaced by a giggling valley girl." She said.
"Bite your tongue." Taryn laughed. "I am no valley girl."
"Sure, whatever you say." Leona said. Bobby smiled at them. He couldn't help feel a pang of jealousy though, thinking about his little brother. He wished his brother was like Leona, understanding, acting as if nothing was different. But no. He had called the police on him and the others after he had told his family about him being a mutant. His family treated him as if him being a mutant was something to be ashamed of. Taryn's family cared about her, and loved her as if she was totally normal. He couldn't help want that too, but, his family had already basically turned their backs on him......Or him on them.......He wasn't sure anymore.......All he knew was that they were out of his life.
Rogue saw her boyfriend look a little down, and knew he was thinking of his family. She reached over and took his hand in hers, squeezing it gently. Bobby looked at her and smiled.
"So, do your parents think I'm a decent young man, or do they despise me?" Piotr asked Taryn. Taryn laughed a bit.
"Oh, they're plotting an ambush as we speak." She joked. Leona smiled.
"Trust me man, they like you. And that's saying a lot, seeing as to them, no one's good enough for their daughters." Leona said. "So, if our dad didn't interrogate you, ask for a blood and urine sample, and finger prints, you're fine." She said.
"Speaking of blood and urine samples, how is Gary?" Taryn smirked, asking about Leona's boyfriend.
"Oh, you mean Mr. Dumped me for Maryanne?" Leona asked. Taryn's jaw hung open.
"Are you serious?" She asked. "That jerk!" Leona waved her hand dissmissivly.
"Eh, it was for the best." She said, not wanting to tell Taryn the reason for the dump-age.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Taryn asked. Leona shrugged.
"Didn't think it was a big deal." She said. Taryn knew there was something Leona wasn't telling her.
"Was it because of me?" She asked. Leona looked away.
"No, what ever gave you that idea?" She asked.
"You're a horrible liar, always have been." Taryn sighed.
"Look, if you must know, he said some not so nice things about mutants, you especially, I got pissed and said he was being prejudice, which caused him to get pisssed, call me a 'Mutie lover' and dump me. Few days later, he and Maryanne are sucking face in the park." Leona said. Taryn climbed off Piotr's lap and went over to her sister. She gave her a sideways hug.
"I'm sorry." She said.
"Don't be." She said. "I mean, I got a glimpse of the real Gary. And it wasn't pretty. Really, Maryanne and him deserve each other. Two people who will get bitten hard by karma." Leona smiled. Taryn laughed, as did the others.
"That's the spirit." Rogue said
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Charles continued speaking to Mr. And Mrs. Lewis. He told them about the classes that went on in the institute, answered all their questions about how Taryn was doing and such. He still sensed something was on their minds.
"I hope you don't mind us asking," Mrs. Lewis began. "But, we were wondering if there was anything you could tell us about this boy our daughter is seeing." She said. Charles smiled softy.
"Ah, yes, Piotr Rasputin." Charles said. "Yes, it seems he and Taryn do seem quite taken with one another. Well, Piotr is a fine young man. Very kind, courteous and caring to the others here."
"Isn't it dangerous for them? I mean..Her powers and all.." Mr. Lewis asked. Charles nodded, understanding their concern.
"From what I and the other adults have seen, the two are very careful. Taryn isn't the only student who unable to have physical contact. Rogue also cannot touch others. She and Taryn, having common ground, have become good friends, and the two are both very careful to not hurt any of the other students here." He explained.
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"I wonder what mom, dad and the Professor are talking about." Taryn said softly. Leona looked at her, then at Piotr, then back at Taryn.
"Probably getting dirt on your boyfriend." Leona smirked. Taryn groaned.
"Oh, man." She said. Piotr, Rogue and Bobby laughed.
"I don't think there is much incriminating dirt on Pete." Rogue said. "The guy's pretty straight and narrow."
"Is that a compliment or an insult?" Piotr asked. The others laughed again.
"Aww, it's a compliment." Taryn smiled, leaning her head against his shoulder. "The world needs 'straight and narrow' people." She said.
Taryn stood in Piotr's room looking through his clothes.
"Taryn, I'm sure your parents would be fine with anything he wears." Bobby commented.
"You don't know my parents. They can be judgmental." Taryn said. She sighed, looking at her boyfriend.
"Don't you own any nice clothes?" She asked. Piotr pouted.
"You never seemed to complain about my clothes before. I feel unloved." He said. Taryn looked at him. She went over and put a gloved hand on his cheek.
"Of course I don't have a problem with your clothes." She smiled. Piotr sighed.
"OK, OK. I feel appreciated again." He joked. Taryn laughed. "Anyway, it's not like your family hasn't met me before."
"True, but this is the first time they're meeting you as, well, more then just a friend."
"And that matter's because....?" Bobby asked.
"It just does." Taryn said. She went back to looking through Piotr's clothes. She finally found a pair of black slacks. "Eureka." She said as she pulled it out and handed it to him. She looked at him. "Do you have a tie?" She asked.
"A tie?!" Piotr exclaimed. Taryn thought for a second.
"Maybe you can borrow one from Scott, or Mr. McCoy, or the Professor. Kurt and Logan don't seem like tie owners." She mused. Piotr rolled his eyes.
"Bobby, open the door." He said. Bobby laughed and opened the room. Piotr looked at Taryn. "Out." He said.
"Excuse me?" She said.
"You heard me, out. I have the ability to dress myself."
"Yes, but-" Taryn said.
"I will find a good outfit that should be acceptable by your parents, ok? But, I swear, if you keep bugging me, I will not be responsible for whatever actions I take to get you to leave me alone." He threatened jokingly. Taryn sighed.
"Fine." She said. She left the room.
"Thank god." Piotr sighed. Bobby laughed. "So happy you find this amusing." Piotr said.
"It's hilarious." He said.
"Shut up."
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Taryn dressed herself in a long black skirt and a black tank top covered by a black sweater.
"I look like a nun." Taryn sighed.
"Then change." Rogue said.
"I can't. My family's coming, and I want to look.."
"Saintly?" Rogue suggested with a smirk. Taryn gave her a look.
"Nice." Taryn sighed. She picked up her hairbrush and began dragging it along her long hair. She sighed and stopped brushing her hair and looked at Rogue. "I just, feel like I need to impress them or something."
"Why?" Rogue asked.
"I don't know. I mean, I guess I want to show them that things are going OK, you know, so they don't worry."
"And you feel that dressing like Sister Taryn of the Catholic nunnery will show you're OK?" Rogue asked. Taryn laughed.
"Shut up." She said as she went about doing something with her hair.
"Don't you think if you go all out in trying to impress them, they'll suspect something's up?" Rogue asked. Taryn paused.
"Oh my god, you're right. What was I thinking?" Taryn groaned.
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A little while later, Rogue and Taryn emerged from the room, Taryn was now wearing the same top and sweater, but a pair of jeans instead of the skirt. She decided to just leave her hair loose. She wore a pair of black leather gloves. They found Piotr and Bobby sitting in the living room. Piotr was dressed in the pants Taryn had picked out and a white polo shirt. Taryn walked over and sat next to him, as did Rogue with Bobby.
"Wait a minute, how is it that I have to look like some Prince Charming wannabe, yet you can wear jeans. That hardly seems fair." Piotr smiled.
"Well, they already love me. You're the one they have to be impressed with. I mean, they are meeting their first-born's boyfriend. There are things they're expecting." Taryn grinned. Piotr groaned playfully.
"I see your point." He said. Piotr had been smiling and not making a big deal of this whole thing, but deep down inside, he was scared. What if Taryn's parents didn't like him? What if he made a total fool of himself? What if Taryn realized he was just one big jerk and decided to end it? Piotr put on another smile, desperately trying to ease his troubled mind.
"So, what are you planning on doing with your family today?" Bobby asked.
"I thought I'd show them around, introduce them to the teachers-slash- adults. The Professor said he would like to meet my folks. And I guess they want to talk to him too. And, just, generally hang out with them for the day." Taryn said.
"That sounds good." Rogue said.
"Yeah." Taryn said. She checked her watch. "They should be here in like an hour or so." She said. She rested her head on Piotr's shoulder. Piotr smiled and put an arm around her shoulders. She sighed. "Man, I'm nervous." Taryn thought out loud. Piotr was somewhat eased to know he wasn't the only one. "I mean, I haven't seen them in over a week, and like......We didn't really get to talk. I'm worried what will happen."
"I thought you said they were OK with everything." Rogue said.
"Yeah, but, I just didn't get their total feedback on it, you know?" Taryn said.
"I guess, but they love you. And if you're happy, they'll be happy too and support you." Piotr said softly. Taryn smiled. She snuggled closer to him.
"I'm sure they'll adore you." Taryn laughed. "You don't have any visible tattoos or piercings, don't own a motorcycle and don't have a code name like RoadKill or something." She laughed.
"As far as you know." Piotr grinned. "Would that be a problem?" He asked.
"With 'rents, yes." Taryn laughed. "But, hey, I think that'd be kinda sexy." She winked. Piotr laughed.
"Note to self: Buy motorcycle, get tattoo, and get bad ass name." Piotr grinned.
"Oh god, I think I'm going to puke." Rogue groaned jokingly. Bobby laughed.
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Taryn, Piotr, Rogue and Bobby stood outside waiting for her family to arrive. Taryn peered towards the driveway. She fidgeted slightly.
"Where are they?" Taryn wondered.
"Don't worry." Piotr said, squeezing her hand reassuringly. "They'll get here." As if on cue, they saw The Lewis' family's car appear around the bend and drive up to the driveway. Taryn grinned and looked at Piotr.
"How did you do that?" She smiled.
"Magic." Piotr laughed. Taryn saw her family climb out of the car. She ran over to them.
"Guys!" She called happily to them. She practically jumped her father as she hugged him. He laughed and picked up his petite daughter. Leona and Mrs. Lewis laughed. Mr. Lewis set Taryn down and she went to hug her sister and mother.
"We missed you too." Leona laughed as Taryn hugged her tightly. Taryn smiled.
"Come on." She said. She led them towards the house. Piotr, Rogue and Bobby stood there smiling at them. She led her family to them.
"Guys, these are my friends, they were at the mall that day." She said. "This is Rogue, Bobby, and Pete." She said. She smiled a little when she introduced him. Her parents picked up on it, and figured he was a boy she liked. "Pete's my, well, boyfriend." She said, blushing softly. Leona couldn't help smile at her sister's nervousness. Mrs. Lewis looked at Piotr, slightly surprised. She smiled.
"Well, Pete, it's nice to meet you." She said. Piotr extended his hand to Taryn's parents.
"Likewise." He smiled. Mrs. Lewis shook his hand, followed by Mr. Lewis. He stared at him, as any father would, evaluating him as his daughter's boyfriend. He seemed kind, friendly, and seemed to care about his daughter a lot. He accepted that and offered the boy a smile. Taryn gave a soft sigh of relief, hiding it with just simple exhaling. She was glad her parents seemed to be accepting Piotr. She would've hated it terribly if they hadn't.
"Well, come on, I want to show you guys around." Taryn said as she ushered her parents and Leona into the house. Piotr caught Taryn's hand as she went to follow. Taryn turned to him with a questioning look.
"Hey, I don't want to like, impose on you and your family, so I'll catch up to you later, OK?" He asked. Taryn smiled, touched by his wanting her to spend time with her family alone, so they could talk, and placed her other hand on his cheek.
"OK." She said. "But this better not be some trick to avoid my parents." She jokingly warned. Piotr laughed.
"Of course not." He said. He kissed her gloved palm gently. "I'll see you later." He said as he went off with Bobby and Rogue and Taryn went with her family.
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"This is the girls' room." Taryn said. She had been giving her family a semi tour of the house, and decided to start with the living space. "There's my bed." She said, pointing to one of the beds. She smiled a little to herself, feeling like a kid at a summer camp, with their family on visiting day, showing them all over the place.
"Oh, we brought some of your things, you know, your knick knacks and stuff we found in your room. Maybe give this place some of your personal touches." Mr. Lewis smiled. Taryn smiled back at her father. "I guess we left them in the car.." He sighed. Taryn laughed. Her dad did tend to get forgetful sometimes.
"OK, I have got to borrow this!" Came Leona's voice. Taryn turned to see her holding up one of the shirts she had bought at Hot Topic.
"Step away from the shirt, hands up where I can see them." Taryn grinned. Leona put the shirt down, sticking her tongue out at her older sister.
"You're no fun." She said. Mr. And Mrs. Lewis laughed softly. Apparently the separation hadn't affected the sisterly banter the two had always had.
"I'm your older sister, kid, I'm not supposed to be fun." Taryn smiled. She looked at her entire family. "OK, let me go show you the rest of this place." She said.
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Taryn and her family where walking around when they spotted Logan, Ororo, Hank and Scott in the living room talking. Ororo saw them and smiled. She stood up and walked over to her parents.
"You must be Mr. And Mrs. Lewis. I'm Ororo Munroe." She said extending her hand to Taryn's parents. They each shook her hand. Hank, and Scott walked over. Logan didn't feel the need to, since he had already met them, somewhat. Mr., Mrs. Lewis and Leona where a little taken aback by Hank's form, but got over it quickly.
"This is Scott Summers, and Hank McCoy." Ororo said. Mr. Lewis' brows furrowed.
"The Doctor Hank McCoy?" He asked, slightly surprised. He had heard of the great scientist, seen him on the news, everything. Last he heard, McCoy had just disappeared.
"Yes." Hank nodded. He smiled a bit. "What can I say, these days, everyone's a mutant, huh?" He said. Mr. Lewis laughed a bit.
"Our stoic friend over there is Logan." Scott said, jerking a thumb over to him. Taryn looked at Ororo.
"Do you know where the Professor is?" She asked. Ororo thought for a second.
"He might be in his study." She said.
"K, thanks." Taryn said. She looked at her folks. "He asked to talk to you guys. And, I'm guessing you'd like to talk to him too, right?" She asked. Her parents nodded.
"If it isn't too much trouble." Her mother said. Leona looked at Taryn.
"Is it ok if I go hang with Pete, Bobby and Rogue?" She asked. "This is so going into parent teacher conference territory." Taryn smiled.
"Yeah, they should be outside." She said. Leona went outside.
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Charles Xavier was in his study when he heard a soft knock on his door. He looked up to see Taryn peek her head in.
"Professor?" She asked. "Are you busy?" She asked. Charles smiled.
"No." He said. "Come in." He sensed she wasn't alone. Taryn opened the door and stepped into the room with her parents. Charles gave them both a warm smile.
"Mr. And Mrs. Lewis, it's nice to meet you both." He said. "Please, take a seat." He said. They sat down on some chairs in the room. He looked at Taryn. _Would it be all right if I spoke to them alone?_ He said to her telepathicly. Taryn jumped a bit, still not totally used to that. She looked at him and nodded. She looked at her parents.
"I'm going to go hang with Leona outside." She said as she quietly left the room.
"Thank you for letting us come up and visit Taryn." Mrs. Lewis said. Charles nodded.
"No thanks are needed." He sighed. "I only wish more family members were like you, wanting to see their children. Not all are as understanding and open minded." He said.
"We both love Taryn very much." Mr. Lewis said. "To be honest, we have known for a while." He said. "When Taryn was six years old, she accidently almost made one of the neighborhood children into stone. But I guess if she just taps a person, it's not too bad." He said. Charles nodded.
"Yes. And again, I must commend you both for not isolating your child after such a shocking experience." He said.
"Taryn was so frightened. She didn't even know what happened. We didn't know either. But we knew she didn't need to be abandoned." Mrs. Lewis said. She looked at Charles. "Is she all right?" She asked. "I mean.."
"Taryn seems to be happy here. I think it is good for here to be around others like herself." He said. Taryn's parents nodded.
"After what happened at her school, she deserves to be in a comfortable, and safe enviorment." Mr. Lewis said.
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Taryn walked out to the front lawn to see Rogue, Bobby, Piotr and Leona sitting together and talking. She went over and put her arms around Piotr's shoulders from behind. Piotr smiled and pulled her over his shoulder onto his lap with ease. Taryn laughed.
"Whoa." She said.
"They don't call me Colossus for nothing." He smiled. Taryn laughed again. She looked at the others.
"So, what embarrassing stories has my little sister been telling you guys?" She asked.
"Eh, was about to get to the juicy stuff. But, now that you're here, I guess I should keep it to myself." Leona smiled.
"Good call." Taryn said.
"So, mom and dad are talking to that Professor guy?" Leona asked. Taryn nodded.
"He wanted to talk to them alone. So, I came over here to bug you guys." She said. Piotr smiled and put his arms around her waist, hugging her to him.
"You could never bug me." He said. Taryn giggled softly. Leona rolled her eyes.
"Man, you get a boyfriend, and suddenly the sullen loner chick is replaced by a giggling valley girl." She said.
"Bite your tongue." Taryn laughed. "I am no valley girl."
"Sure, whatever you say." Leona said. Bobby smiled at them. He couldn't help feel a pang of jealousy though, thinking about his little brother. He wished his brother was like Leona, understanding, acting as if nothing was different. But no. He had called the police on him and the others after he had told his family about him being a mutant. His family treated him as if him being a mutant was something to be ashamed of. Taryn's family cared about her, and loved her as if she was totally normal. He couldn't help want that too, but, his family had already basically turned their backs on him......Or him on them.......He wasn't sure anymore.......All he knew was that they were out of his life.
Rogue saw her boyfriend look a little down, and knew he was thinking of his family. She reached over and took his hand in hers, squeezing it gently. Bobby looked at her and smiled.
"So, do your parents think I'm a decent young man, or do they despise me?" Piotr asked Taryn. Taryn laughed a bit.
"Oh, they're plotting an ambush as we speak." She joked. Leona smiled.
"Trust me man, they like you. And that's saying a lot, seeing as to them, no one's good enough for their daughters." Leona said. "So, if our dad didn't interrogate you, ask for a blood and urine sample, and finger prints, you're fine." She said.
"Speaking of blood and urine samples, how is Gary?" Taryn smirked, asking about Leona's boyfriend.
"Oh, you mean Mr. Dumped me for Maryanne?" Leona asked. Taryn's jaw hung open.
"Are you serious?" She asked. "That jerk!" Leona waved her hand dissmissivly.
"Eh, it was for the best." She said, not wanting to tell Taryn the reason for the dump-age.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Taryn asked. Leona shrugged.
"Didn't think it was a big deal." She said. Taryn knew there was something Leona wasn't telling her.
"Was it because of me?" She asked. Leona looked away.
"No, what ever gave you that idea?" She asked.
"You're a horrible liar, always have been." Taryn sighed.
"Look, if you must know, he said some not so nice things about mutants, you especially, I got pissed and said he was being prejudice, which caused him to get pisssed, call me a 'Mutie lover' and dump me. Few days later, he and Maryanne are sucking face in the park." Leona said. Taryn climbed off Piotr's lap and went over to her sister. She gave her a sideways hug.
"I'm sorry." She said.
"Don't be." She said. "I mean, I got a glimpse of the real Gary. And it wasn't pretty. Really, Maryanne and him deserve each other. Two people who will get bitten hard by karma." Leona smiled. Taryn laughed, as did the others.
"That's the spirit." Rogue said
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Charles continued speaking to Mr. And Mrs. Lewis. He told them about the classes that went on in the institute, answered all their questions about how Taryn was doing and such. He still sensed something was on their minds.
"I hope you don't mind us asking," Mrs. Lewis began. "But, we were wondering if there was anything you could tell us about this boy our daughter is seeing." She said. Charles smiled softy.
"Ah, yes, Piotr Rasputin." Charles said. "Yes, it seems he and Taryn do seem quite taken with one another. Well, Piotr is a fine young man. Very kind, courteous and caring to the others here."
"Isn't it dangerous for them? I mean..Her powers and all.." Mr. Lewis asked. Charles nodded, understanding their concern.
"From what I and the other adults have seen, the two are very careful. Taryn isn't the only student who unable to have physical contact. Rogue also cannot touch others. She and Taryn, having common ground, have become good friends, and the two are both very careful to not hurt any of the other students here." He explained.
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"I wonder what mom, dad and the Professor are talking about." Taryn said softly. Leona looked at her, then at Piotr, then back at Taryn.
"Probably getting dirt on your boyfriend." Leona smirked. Taryn groaned.
"Oh, man." She said. Piotr, Rogue and Bobby laughed.
"I don't think there is much incriminating dirt on Pete." Rogue said. "The guy's pretty straight and narrow."
"Is that a compliment or an insult?" Piotr asked. The others laughed again.
"Aww, it's a compliment." Taryn smiled, leaning her head against his shoulder. "The world needs 'straight and narrow' people." She said.