Disclaimer: I do not own the X-Men. Ilehana Xavier belongs to Corrinth and is used with permission. Blaze, Shockwave and Iona belong to Lamby and should not be used without my permission.
Scene 08"So if you're not going to shout at me, why have you pulled me out of lessons?" Iona asked as though she was grievously hurt at not having to sit through biology. Blaze shook her head in wonder; she had a heck of a lot of work to do to get this girl to trust her. Absently she found herself wondering how long it had taken her to start trusting Gambit…
They reached the small lawn and it circle of protective trees, and the little gazebo sat by it, without Blaze answering Iona's question. The teenager sighed heavily, wearily, as Blaze indicated she plonk herself down on the lawn. It certainly was a nice day, and being out here did beat being sat in a dark and smelly classroom, but she was still dreading what Blaze might have to say to her.
"What's wrong Iona?" It was the last question Iona had expected Blaze to start with, and shocked her enough that she met the young woman's eyes. "We were getting along just fine when you first arrived, but now… Is it because I've been away? Have I let you down by not being here?" There was deep guilt in Blaze's voice that made Iona desperate to set things right.
"No, no, of course not! It's not you Blaze, I swear. I know what we did the other night was wrong, but I'm just sick of being reminded of it already, you know? I really didn't want you to find out about it. Silly I know…"
"Yep." Blaze grinned, relieved. "You should know nothing stays secret around here for long…"
"And especially not when Shockwave is involved." Iona shook her head in wonder. "I don't know how she does it…"
"Look, Iona. I know Nightcrawler meant well by asking Vertigo to look out for you, but have you maybe thought that she, Shockwave and Wolfsbane might be a little old for you as friends? If they're getting into going to bars already…"
"You sound like my mother." Iona responded waspishly. "I'll be friends with who I want, thanks very much. And I'm not that much younger."
"And now you sound like me…" Blaze marvelled, "Telling Gambit I'll date who I want and he can get stuffed."
"Why would it be any of his business?" Iona looked confused.
"Don't worry about it." The redheaded former thief shrugged off the probe into her past. "I just want you to know I'm always right here Iona. Anytime you want to talk. Now, how have your powers been holding up?"
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'Film night' was a Bobby invention, but one well received by X-Men and kids equally. The projector was set up in the rec. room with big screen and surround sound, the room packed to the rafters with mutant bodies. This week the film had some improbable title about some kind of fish, and as it was far from compulsory, a few faces were missing.
With the staff otherwise distracted, Sam and the others were gathered upstairs. All they needed was for the film to begin, providing their cover to stop Logan or anyone else barging in their room. As the smallest, Iona was their natural choice of spy, clinging to a banister halfway down the stairs and peering in the direction of the rec. room. But Sam being Sam wasn't confident about a job being done properly unless she did it herself. Tapping Iona on the shoulder she bid the younger teen to move out of the way. It wasn't worth it for Iona to argue, sighing as she gave up her uncomfortable seat.
Downstairs there was still a great deal of to-ing and fro-ing as the trailers started. Kids suddenly decided they were hungry, or needed the bathroom, or didn't want to sit next to whoever they were. The X-Men were mostly acting as shepherds, recollecting and distributing the audience with amusement. Finally all seemed to be ready, and Sam turned to Iona to signal that they should move back to the dorm. But sudden laughter from the rec. room was Blaze and Gambit getting thrown out by Iceman and Logan. Sam just had to know what was going on…
"And stay out!" Bobby finished, absurdly dusting his hands off, blue eyes twinkling. Iceman disappeared, but Gambit and Blaze didn't even look phased as they headed for the front door. It was only then that Sam realised both were dressed for a night on the town. Gambit had braved the realms of shirt and shoes; Blaze was in thigh-high socks and ludicrously short miniskirt.
"Sure you don't want to come Logan?" It was Blaze who asked, whilst being shoved towards the door by an impatient Remy. At the same time Gambit picked up two conveniently abandoned motorbike helmets and dropped one in Blaze's hands. She was going to ride a bike in that skirt? Only in America, thought Sam.
"Don't think it'll really be my scene." Logan pointed out, arms folded but smiling.
"Well, don't wait up." Blaze waved bye, turning the tables on Gambit as she set off determinedly for the door. Sam couldn't help herself, left her hiding place and dropped a couple of stairs towards them.
"Can I come?" As soon as she'd said it she knew how lame it sounded, and she felt herself get angry as the three adults just looked at her.
"Sure Petite." Gambit finally answered with a shrug. "We still be doin' this when you twenty-one."
"Speak for yourself, Rem." Blaze laughed, grabbing his wrist and dragging him to the waiting bike. Logan shook his head at Sam despairingly and followed them out. Gambit was already starting the engine as Blaze put on her helmet and climbed on behind him. No doubt the teetotal girl would be driving back in the early hours after Remy had had a few. The redhead wrapped her arms tight around Remy's shoulders, an action that seemed his cue to go, as Logan saluted them goodbye.
"I'm sorry we're just not good enough for you, Shockwave." Iona cornered the older girl angrily on the stairs.
"What are you talking about?" Sam went to stride past her, but Iona sidestepped on the landing to block her way. Downstairs there was a thud as Logan shut the door to disappear back into the rec. room.
"Don't you want to go through with this now? How old do you think you are, tryin' to get a ticket out of here on the back of Gambit's bike?"
"Is it my fault I'm sick of all this kid stuff?" Sam bit back defensively. "I could pass for twenty-one at fourteen! Staying home and babysitting you lot is just…"
"Babysitting us? I hate to point this out, Sam, but you're being babysat yourself!"
"Whatever." Sam pushed Iona aside and headed back towards the dorm room. "Lets go see if this book can really make life around here a little more interesting…"
