In about a week Scott Summers almost got used to having Emma Frost around. Although that didn't mean he was enjoying it even for a little bit. He was still trying something in her costume he could tell was against school rules. No such luck, so far. Emma was careful not to wear exposing dresses anymore. And even though in Scott's opinion none of her clothes were suitable for the school formally he had nothing to blame her for. Well, except for still not wearing uniform. True enough they settled into some sort of routine in Danger Room sessions. As they were still fighting Magneto, who due to his helmet could not be affected telepathically, Emma was making sure that there were no innocent victims and that everyone could telepathically reach others. It took some time to adjust to other presence in their minds, but they managed. Logan once claimed Emma took control of his body making him to follow orders and for a moment Scott was sure those two would be having a fight. Not that he minded, but he was the leader. It was later that day that Logan suggested to literally push Emma into the uniform. As tempting as it sounded Scott had to reluctantly decline. He was not that desperate yet. But he was already close enough. Talking to Professor didn't help much either.

-I'm afraid there is nothing to be done.I cannot bend her, Scott. And I mostcertainly do not want to break her. Once she feels she is part of this school she will act accordingly. And no, Wolverine was completely different case. I had something he wanted, or at least he thought I did. The only thing I could offer Emma was teaching place here. We can only wait now.

What Scott did understand from that short conversation was that as long as Emma Frost wasn't killing anyone Charles Xavier was ready to overlook anything she did. Not exactly comforting thought. But not the one to make Scott overlook that too.

---

Another day he saw her walking alongside Professor towards Cerebro. Quite logical actually, Cerebro was meant for telepaths and as one Emma was bound to know as much about it as possible. It also looked that unlike Jean she was powerful enough to use it without any danger. He never asked that but he saw the present scene quite a few times already. It was obvious that Professor was teaching Emma more about Cerebro than he taught Jean. There was no reason to be furious about it but Scott still was. He was already deciding to turn around and leave when Emma turned and headed towards him.

-I can understand you hating me for being like her. I can even understand you hating me for being different from her. But I can't understand you hating me for both at the same time. I hope you don't mind making up your mind, darling.

And then she was already catching up with Professor clearly not interested in whatever response Scott could give, not that there was any anyway. It was already becoming a tradition, their conversations broken abruptly by either of them another left without any chance to answer. He almost wasn't angry by that anymore. Almost.

---

Scott was so deep in taking his motorcycle apart, he only reacted when she was already sitting on chair left from his previous lesson. Motorcycle forgotten he turned to her half-amused half-angry. What was Emma Frost doing in the garage, especially when everyone in the school knew it was his time to work there? And she certainly shouldn't sit looking like she came to stay. He'd still not decided if he'd just be content with throwing her out or if he'd enjoy every moment of it. It looked like he was not going to get any answers until he asked the questions. Not that he actually expected Emma to be polite anyway.

-So, what brings you here? Somehow I don't think you suddenly became interested in mechanics.

-And why not? May be it was my childhood dream. OK, it actuallywasn't. We are just having practical lesson today.

She sounded as if it was explaining everything. To him though there was absolutely no connection between lesson practice and Emma Frost sitting here, annoying him. If she was having a lesson now she shouldn't be here in the first place. He was sure his face expression reflected his confusion, because Emma continued her explanations without further questions.

-The topic of today's assignment is 'saying 'no' without saying it'. I made a deal with the students. Should they be able to find me within half an hour, they are not having the test I prepared for them.

Scott almost bursted out laughing at that. If she gave them more than five minutes she was destined to lose. It was more like 'saying 'yes'' kind of game. No way could someone hide from the bunch of over-energetic kinds for such a long time. And she still hadn't answered his question.

-And you decided to come here and annoy me instead?

-Well, that's certainly a bonus. However I figured out no one is going to come here looking for me. Not while you are here.

Logical enough, he would give her that. It was common knowledge that two of them couldn't stand each other. And that was exactly what made all her logical constructions useless.

-Then I guess I'll just have to make you leave. Or leave myself. Or keep it simple and just tell them you are here.

For a moment Scott was sure she was going to laugh. But the moment was gone and the only thing Emma did was sending him bemused glare. She obviously knew something he didn't. At least yet.

-Sorry to disappoint you once again, dear, but we are playing by the rules. First of all, no help is allowed. Should you do anything to help them, they automatically lose. Second, no powers are allowed. Combined with the fact that I'm allowed to hide anywhere at the Institute grounds it is quite certain they are not coming in here. And even if they are, it's going to be enough for them to see you here.

-And because of your 'first rule' I'm not allowed to tell them anything. That is what you mean?

-Exactly. See, this is really simple. Even you are able to understand.

She did smile this time, even though smile never reached her eyes. Scott was not sure how exactly he himself felt. Not like smiling, that for sure. It looked like he was stuck with her for – what was it again – half an hour. He was sure that should he try something –anything – to get her out of here, there will be a lot of noise in the process and he will be the one blamed for helping the students. Students losing a bet, he could live with. But Emma Frost winning was another thing entirely. He decided to try something a bit different.

-And I thought you could just make them walk past you noticing nothing. Seems like I did overestimate you.

-No powers. Shouldn't be that hard to remember, really. That means I can't use my telepathy either. Charles agreed to keep an eye on us all. Especially on me, as it seems. Made me block out everything.

Last two sentences were muttered disapprovingly, clearly meant more to herself than to Scott. Not that he couldn't understand Professor's motives. Quite the opposite exactly. Then another thought came into his head.

-And aren't you breaking the rules right now? I'm actually helping you by not telling anyone you are here.

-You wish. I'm not supposed to hide from anyone besides my students. Should you tell them I'm not here, then yes you are helping me. But by asking you they are breaking the rules. And you telling them before they can ask is also considered 'helping'. Leaves you no choice, doesn't it.

-You thought just about everything, didn't you?

He was not sure if he meant it to be heard by Emma or not. Judging from her triumphant glare she did hear it though. Not that he minded much. The worst thing was that he had run out of arguments. It did look like she though about everything. Or she could easily just lie to him. Not that he had any safe way to control that. All of a sudden Emma frowned a little.

-Not about everything it seems. I still have to spend all this time in your company.

Now he was sure that if he somehow managed not to kill her while she sat there, he should be considered a saint. Then again he was not actually sure he could resist the temptation. Emma bended forward looking at the tools Scott had around him. And 'absolutely accidentally' allowing him to look deep into her costume cut. Not that he had any wish to do so. It was just the way she sat, nothing more. Nothing more…

-So, you actually know how to use all these?

-And you actually care?

There was probably a bit more sarcasm in his voice than was necessary. But Emma Frost and mechanics just didn't fit. Emma shrugged, seemingly deciding to ignore his tone of voice for at least now.

-Not really. But I have to be able to tell I at least tried to have a decent conversation with you.

---

Scott was actually surprised that half an hour didn't last for eternity as he secretly suspected it would. Nor did he go on and kill or seriously injure his unwanted companion. In general it was almost civil. Emma had indeed been right about students not coming to look for her in the garage. Something Scott found rather disappointing. It looked like he had a perfect material for his next tactics lecture though. No way was he thanking Emma for that though.

Emma had already opened the door then turned back to him. Another one of their so called 'traditions'. No leaving without some kind of witty comment.

-You know, I actually like it, when you forget to hate me.

This time her eyes smiled as well. She was right he sudennly understood. Hewas sure he still didn't like her, but somewhere during their almost-conversation hehad forgotten he hated her.Almost against his will Scott smiled back. Strangely enough he liked that too.

-Better not get used to it though.

---

A/N:

Harpiebird: And what exactly makes you think it could possibly be anything else:)

SM: I found one. Didn't like it though.