Nanny and Scott entered a small, dimly lit room. A glass cabinet on their left contained extra suits. Just over the long control panel was a large window that allowed the instructor, or whoever, to view the fight below.

"Alright. We'll start here in what we call the Control Room. I'll go over the rules, safety instructions, and all of that other good stuff. Then you can start some training simulations.

Rules and Safety. All of the children must have an adult in the control room if they wish to train. If you want to train some time, just be sure you let one of us know. Things can go wrong, so if they do, someone needs to know where you are so we can come and get you, hopefully before you sustain any injuries, or worse.

These buttons here allow you to choose your setting: jungle, desert, simple martial arts arena, an endless factory-which includes dim lights and steam, and we even have a space simulation for the fun of it. There are even different kinds of fight settings, but we can go over those later. Then, these buttons allow you to choose who you wish to fight. Now, before you enter the arena, you must put this device on. It sits over your right eye. It records your moves and it can recognize when you're hurt, if you surrender or win, and even detect malfunctions in the program. For any of these reasons this device will turn off the simulation.

The device creates pain as well. Say you were training against the hologram projection of Logan. If the hologram cut or stabbed you, you would feel pain and see blood, induced by the device. We call these false injuries. Of course the actual injury will not remain after you shut the simulation off, though you may still feel a bit sore in that area. And of course you can sustain injuries by being thrown against the actual arena walls or if you're fighting one of us in the flesh and blood, then obviously by our powers or fists, or whatever.

Back to whom you can fight. Every time you fight your device will record your moves and how you react to certain moves. This creates a database which allows for a more realistic version of yourself either for others to fight against, or even for you to fight against. Once you have fought several times in the arena it might be a good idea to face yourself. You can then observe how you react to others and whether or not your reactions are predictable. In the database already, we have Mystique, Magneto, Toad, Wolverine, the Professor – which by the way, no one has won a fight against his simulation, even though he rarely trains here- Storm, Jean, myself, and we'll soon have a database for you and Kurt.

Got it so far?"

"How did you get Magneto, Mystique, and Toad in the database?"

"Ahh, that's a good question. Now obviously they've never 'trained' with us here in the Danger Room. So what we've done is create an artificial database based on the information we already know about them. For the most part we simply plug in their powers and then the ordinary fight patterns. Sometimes we'll take some sequences from other databases and mix them with the artificial databases. It's not a very accurate database, however, it still gives you the chance to fight another power. In your case, it would be more beneficial to you to fight yourself than Magneto."

"Ok."

"Alright. Now go ahead and put the device on. Make sure your suit is properly fastened and go ahead through that door and to the middle of the arena." Scott now switched to the P.A. system.

"Ok. We're going to start with a simple training program and go through a couple steps. In each one you'll fight me." There was a short pause and an almost robotic version of Scott appeared in front of Nanny. She laughed at his expressionless face, hollow eyes, and the funny white and gold instructor's suit.

"Ok. This first simulation is blocking. You will hear three beeps and then the program will begin. Try to remember all of the blocks and retreating techniques that Logan has taught you."

…

Blocking was first. The next simulation was bent to increase Nanny's offensive skills- kicks and punches. The last one focused on defense and offense, but now the hologram was programmed with a toned down version of Scott's actual powers.

The training all together lasted a few hours, with little breaks in between.

"Nanny, that was an awesome job! But, I thought you said that you had only begun to work on your levitating. And now your flying!" Scott and Nanny talked on their way back up the elevator.

"I have been working on my levitating. However, when your adrenaline is pumping and your situation is tense, a lot of things become necessary. Like pushing yourself past levitating a few inches. But you must also remember how the Professor mentioned that my power's intensity is greatly affected by my emotion. My emotions run high when I'm under a lot stress- like in a fight or training. Thus I can do more when it counts, then when it doesn't."

"Well you did a great job. Better than most on their first session. And now you can come and train at your own will. There is one thing to remember though," the elevator bell rang and the door slid open. "You'll have to remember to keep your powers low. Especially in your case- you could end up tearing down the side panels. Keeping our powers low key has rarely been a problem, though it is the cause for its recent … reconstruction."

Nanny panted and nodded, wiping herself off with her towel as they entered the living room. Rogue was outside playing a game of football- girls vs. boys. Nanny slouched into one of the cold porch chairs and fully unzipped her training suit.

"The Danger Room is up again?" Kitty exclaimed rushing over to Nanny, looking over the new suits. "Wow, I like these better than the old ones. They even have our names on them! I wonder if that means we get to keep them!" Several of the students had gathered around.

"I'm not sure that your suits are as nice. I think it's only for the team …" Nanny said.

"Ohhh!"

"You should join us Nanny!" Rogue called from the field.

"I'm too tired," Nanny yelled back.

"Oh come on! We could really use you."

"I'm no good at football. Besides, I'm too tired from training earlier."

"Whimp!" Rogue mumbled, though loud enough for Nanny to hear it. Nanny ignored her and sat back, relaxing in the cold breeze.

"So I hear you got your chance in the Danger Room today. Also heard you did well," Jean said, coming up to her from behind.

"Jean … you look like you're feeling better."

"I am, but that's off the topic."

"Hahaha. Yes. I had a good training day. Only bad side effect is that the training didn't help my remaining bruises."

"Where?"

"Most painful bruise is here on my right side. The one over my ribs."

"Is it purple any more?"

"No. It's morphed into a disgusting yellow-brown color."

"You know, Storm has a recipe for ailments. She said they used it back in her mother's village. I'll talk to her Monday about making you some."

"At least the purple highlights are fading fairly fast." She sighed and tied her hair back. "So we've talked about my training- what's up with you?"

"Nanny," she said scooting her chair closer, her face all lit up, "I think I've finally won."

"You mean you think you've beaten the Phoenix?"

"Yes! I didn't have any problems while we were dress shopping last night and then I came and still had no problems. I was so exited from looking at dresses that Scott stopped working on new jet designs to simply watch me twirl around the room. And last night, I had the best sleep I've had since I've been back! Scott said that I didn't toss or turn, mumble, scream, kick, or punch. And nothing in the room moved last night. I feel so energized and relaxed- and happy."

"This is so wonderful Jean!"

"I'm so relieved Nanny." They sat in silence a few moments longer watching the football game. By now Nanny had cooled off and the wind was beginning to give her goose bumps. Nanny opened the sliding glass door and they went inside.

"Oh Nanny, I almost forgot. I talked to the Professor earlier. Your Halloween idea is a go. We'll take all of the kids thirteen and up. So, we're looking at about fifteen kids."

"Awesome! Now we need costumes!"

"Are you going to dress up?" Jean asked.

"You bet!"

"Like what?"

"Like me- I guess." She shook her head at the irony. "I'm going to wear that biker's suit y'all found me in. You have any ideas?"

"I'm not dressing up Nanny."

"Uh huh! We'll just see about that," Nanny laughed.

…

"We should have carry out more often," Jubilee muttered in between bites.

"Only if you're willing to foot the bill," Scott laughed.

"I don't have that kind of money. I was just saying, ya know, as in a suggestion."

"Uh huh." Scott rolled his eyes and stuck the chop sticks in his mouth again.

"So Cyclops, I heard Nanny got to train in the Danger Room today. When are we going to get to?"

"Actually Liz, I was going to announce that soon. Regular Danger Room training will begin on Monday again, just like the good old days. So now you get to beat each other up in Logan's martial arts class and in my Danger Room."

Jubilee and Peter hit high fives. Bobby sat silent, sulking a bit. Last time he had been in the Danger Room was in a tournament that he and John had been winning. The tournament was closed without an official winner due to the "accident": Siryn got caught up in the adrenaline and forgot to keep her screams down.

"Are we going to have permanent teams like before?"

"We haven't decided, but I think you'll have different partners each time. It'll you give you a chance to practice against just about everyone. You still need to keep your powers in check, however …" Scott said, glaring at them all.

"Are we gonna have a tournament?" Kitty blurted out.

"We're still debating about that."

"Oh come on! Those are so much fun!"

"We'll see, we'll see."

…

"Professor?"

"Come in Nanny."

"Oh. It's nothing much sir. I just couldn't find anyone else. They must have gone to bed. Anyway, I'm not very tired and thought I might head to the danger room. Just letting you know."

"You be careful Nanny."

"I will."

Nanny made her way to the Danger Room with a little skip in her step and a song stuck in her head that she hummed as best she could. She was wearing a white tank top and grey shorts- the X-men gym uniform. The training suits were too heavy to wear much underneath.

"Welcome. Please verify yourself," the security system stated as Nanny approached the training door. Nanny placed her hand on the key pad and the door opened. She stepped through and just before the door shut she heard a creak and slight crumple of metal, and then something force the door open again. Nanny turned around quite startled; she hadn't notice anyone in the hall way.

"Thought you'd hog the danger room to yourself, eh?"

Nanny blushed and let out a sigh of relief. "I have no intention of hogging the danger room."

"Good. Then you wouldn't mind if we trained together."

"Well, actually, Logan, I mean …"

Logan glanced up from the control board and smirked, cocking his eyebrows at her. "Good thing you don't have a choice then, huh!" He handed Nanny her eye piece.

"It's just that I still have some bruises ..."

"And you're afraid you'd get whopped by me?" He chuckled. "Don't worry. I'll go easy on you."

"Logan, the point of training isn't to go easy on me. And I never ask you to go easy on me." She put on her eye piece and grinned. "Besides, admitting that I have bruises doesn't mean I thought you could beat me." She finished zipping up her suit and chose the atmosphere: the factory.

"No pain, no gain, right?" Logan said, opening the door open for her as they both entered the arena.

- -

"Do you think we'll start facing each other?" Logan asked. The computer made a few noises and then the first beep was heard.

"I guess we're about to find out." The third beep sounded and the setting was up.

- -

"Damnit." She cursed under her breath.

"What?" Logan asked as he came bounding around the corner towards her. Nanny took a great leap over the railing onto the landing below.

"I should have picked a setting with less metal," she gasped out. When Nanny's defenses were up, she could feel the approach of anything metal, or the simple movement of metal. For instance, at night when she slept, the simple turning of her bedroom door knob would have disturbed her senses, consequently waking her up. The massive amounts of metal in the factory made it impossible for Nanny to use her senses to locate Logan, even though his adamantium skeleton often triggered her senses.

There were few lights in the factory, and a majority of those flickered. Steam and dim lighting enshrouded the arena with eeriness. The pipes popped and cracked. The steam hissed. Foot prints echoed against the mesh, grate, hanging walkways. Adrenaline and the boilers made the air unbearably hot.

Logan followed her onto the pathway below. His landing created a loud echo of clashing metal. Nanny revealed herself from behind him and kicked his side, knocking him in a metal barrel. He turned around and released his claws.

Nanny thrust herself upward and grabbed a hanging pipe; she swung herself onto a landing two levels above Logan. For a few moments he could her harsh, metal foot steps. Then he had to strain to hear her at all.

"You can't hide forever." Logan growled.

"I'm not hiding at all." Logan turned in the direction of her voice. He stomped along the grated floor until finally he found a set of stairs.

"I thought the danger room was meant for training. So far you've only hid like a coward."

Nanny came up to Logan's side without a sound, flying so that he couldn't hear her foot steps. She thrust herself towards him in an attempt to knock his feet out from under him. His heightened senses allowed him reach out and take hold of Nanny's thigh before she could trip him. Simultaneously, Nanny magnetized the floor behind Logan and he came crashing down on his back.

A series of rolls, punches, flailing claws, kicks, and dodges of flying pipes followed. Nanny was knocked off balance and fell over one of the railings. It was too dark below for Logan to see where she had landed, or even if she was seriously hurt. A faint thud was heard, and through a series of gasps, "Ow."

Logan smiled. He jumped to the next landing. Then the next. And the next.

His senses triggered and he thrust around, swinging his claws up. He was shocked to find that instead of a piece of rusty pipe, he faced a sword.

"I've been practicing on my metal shifting." Nanny beamed with pride. "It's amazing what you can create when it becomes necessary." Nanny gasped.

It's hard to describe a fight with so much spinning and swinging when it deals with claws and a makeshift sword. However, the next chapter of their fight boiled down to fencing. A primitive sort; Logan's claws were too short for it to actually be considered fencing. But the motions were the same. Logan sustained a few scratches to his face and one nice blow to his ribs. Nanny had managed herself quite well and only managed to scrape her shoulder.

At the first chance Nanny got, she grabbed hold of the railing and threw herself over it and downward. Logan heard her land, a few heavy breaths, and then silence. Logan landed and sniffed the air. The steam and racket made it hard for him to sense anything either. Nanny jumped from above with great force and knocked Logan forward onto his hands and knees. He grabbed her ankle and flung her into the air. She landed on her bruised side a yard or two from him.

She stood up aching and breathing heavily, but had no chance to move again before Logan had her back pinned to a large boiler. The pain was too intense for Nanny to keep from wincing, to keep from revealing her weakness to Logan. However, her pain and fatigue had evident from the moment Logan grabbed her ankle.

Logan's eyes bore into her soul for a brief moment before he leaned closer, releasing her arms and pressing himself against her, embracing her with a passionate kiss. Her wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him.

A few passionate moments passed, suspended in time, and then Nanny pulled back and mumbled something. Logan sensed it to: someone was coming and they couldn't be caught like this. With no physical energy left, Nanny polarized herself and the repulsion exploded. Logan went soaring through the air to the other end of the walkway. Mid-flight, the simulation was shut off.

"Logan, the Professor needs to see you." Scott announced over the P.A. Logan hustled up the stairs and exited with Scott.

Nanny slid down against the wall behind her, wincing under her heavy breathing.