Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or basic storylines from the X-Men. I do, however, own Matthew. And yet, still I am poor beyond belief.

Authors Note: THANK YOU REVIEWERS! You all make me so happy.

'Thoughts'

Matthew

Chapter Eleven: Growing Closer

"And then their leader, Cyclops, he blasted the big metal robot out of the sky with his eyes," Matty related, using his hands to further his point as Summer leaned forward on her elbows, smiling at the expressive young man before her. They were in the dinner where she worked and Matty had a hamburger, chocolate milkshake and french-fries in front of him, which had been quickly forgotten when he started telling her about the latest escapades of the X-Men, which he'd watched on the big television at the mall the day before when she'd taken him to buy new shoes.

"Really? Wow! Then what happened?" Summer asked, giggling at the young boys enthusiasm. It was refreshing to find someone, especially someone so young who was the future hope of the world, so accepting of others. She just couldn't understand how his foster family could treat him the way they did. She pushed that thought from her mind though, knowing that as long as she was around he'd be safe, and continued to listen to his tale, for the sixteenth time since he'd seen the program yesterday.

"Then Rogue, she's my favorite…" (AN: Wonder why? Looks around innocently)

"Which one is she?"

"The one with the white streaks in her hair. She's always on the TV with Mr. Xavier and the President, but she never says nothin'."

"Oh, okay."

"Then Rogue swooped in and flew right through its chest and out the other side!"

"Wow! And this was all on the news?"

"Yeah, but I'm not done yet. Then Wolverine came and cut off another one's head! Like this," he stood up in the booth and mimicked flying and slashing with invisible claws sticking out of his hand, letting out a fierce growl that had half the patrons of the diner looking at him oddly and Summer laughing happily. "And then the best part was when Gambit, he's new and so cool! (AN: Another innocent look) "He just walks up ta one of 'em like they ain't two buildings tall and looks up at it with a grin and then, the camera man was close enough so you could hear him, he says, 'Here, pick a card.' And then he throws all these playing cards at it and it explodes KABOOM!" here he threw his legs from under him and flopped down on the booth seat with a loud thud, once again disturbing some of the patrons.

Summer sent them a small, apologetic smile before turning back to him. "Is he your favorite too?" she asked amused as he'd started back in on his fries.

"Yeah," he said with a mouthful of food. He swallowed and continued, "Nona, that's Mrs. Baker's daughter, she says him and Rogue are doin' something or other. I'm not sure what though. Anyway, I want to be just like him one day. Hey maybe I can find me a brown trench coat like what he wares!" his eyes glowed excitedly at the prospect and Summers smile broadened.

"Oh, I'm sure we could come up with something," she mused. It'd taken several visits and healthy meals, but the little boy was starting to look better. He'd filled out to about normal size now and she was making sure he had good shoes and cloths for school. The best part in Summers eyes was how happy he looked now. Before he'd been merely a frightened boy too old for his years, struggling to survive. Now he was just a normal happy kid, and she'd be damned if anyone tried to change that. She'd already called his social worker twice and was in the process of getting foster custody switched to her. The only good thing this did was prevented the Bakers from acting retribution on him for selling them out to her. There was increased state supervision and therefore less chance for them to use him for a punching bag. Especially since most of his free time was spent with her.

She offered him a bright smile. "Now hurry up and finish your dinner. My shift ends in fifteen minutes and then I'll take you for some ice cream."

xoxoxoxoxoxox

"What do you think?" Matty asked, standing on a stool in the department store, a brown trench coat, three sizes too big, over his small frame.

Summer covered her mouth and tried to stop the giggle that involuntarily escaped her lips. "Looks a little big."

The boy looked down crestfallen. "But it's the smallest one they have," he muttered sadly, tears in his eyes.

Summer's heart broke as she looked at him and quickly knelt down and hugged the small boy. "Then we'll just have to make it work," she whispered.

Immediately he pulled away, his face as bright as the sunrise. "Really?"

"Yep. So we'll have to stop and get some brown thread before I take you home," she replied smiling.

"Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!" he exclaimed, hugging her tightly before taking off the jacket and placing it back on the hanger with her help.

"You're so very welcome my little Gambit," she replied, earning an even bigger grin from the boy. "Now, lets go pay for this."

"Of course Mademoiselle," he replied, jumping from the stool and bowing dramatically before taking her hand as she led him towards the counter, both laughing happily.

Authors Note: Sorry it took so long. My semester is coming to a close and of course, everything is hitting due at once. And since me and Meg were working on WS: Phase 2, this just kinda got put to the side for a bit. Hope you enjoyed it. This week coming up is finals week and after that I'm free. FREE I TELL YOU FREE! So hopefully my long neglected writing will no longer be long neglected. Now take care y'all and NO FLAMES PLEASE.