In this chapter, more of the students are mentioned- by first name. For your reference: Theresa is Siryn; Paige is Husk; Sam, (as in Samuel), is Cannonball; Christine is Angel Dust, Joshua is Elixir; Victor is Anole; Jono is Askari; Donald is Crypto; and Rory is Crimson Crusader.

AND- this chapter is BIT lengthier than my other ones.

…

Bobby had Peter frozen still and Jubilee was getting ready to fire at him when Nanny knocked Liz aside and used her powers to push the frozen Peter out of the way. Peter fell over and the ice chipped away enough for him to free himself.

Josiah swung down on a vine and kicked Nanny from behind, slamming her face first into a tree. She grabbed a fallen branch and swung at Josiah's stomach, completely knocking the air out of him. That's when Liz came up and stole the branch from Nanny in an attempt to use it against her. Nanny rolled, ducked, and dove out of Liz's swinging range until she was able to kick the branch from her hands. Rogue kicked Liz in the back, and Kitty picked up with Nanny where Liz had left off.

Fighting Kitty was hard since she could phase through all of your attacks yet be perfectly solid when she needed to hit you. It was probably the best way to practice your blocks. Kitty grabbed Nanny's arm and tried to force her to the ground, but Nanny freed herself and just as she had Kitty's arm behind her back, she didn't. Kitty phased through and slipped up behind Nanny holding the branch again. Rogue threw off her glove and grabbed Kitty's arm just long enough for her to fall to the ground- surrendering.

Peter sent a log soaring through the air at Jubilee, and Josiah threw himself at her, pushing her out of the way.

"How'd you do that!" Bobby yelled, now facing his own girlfriend- a small battle that was soon joined by Bobby's teammate Liz.

"I – I saw it happening, before it happened." Josiah yelled, a bit surprised. Working with the Professor had enhanced his proficiency and how often he saw events. Training in the arena helped hone these skills as well, every now and then allowing him to see his opponent's next move.

Nanny jumped out of a tree above Jubilee and shoved her to the ground. She pulled Jubilee's arms behind her back, but Jubilee let a few sparks fly out of her hands and Nanny jumped back. Josiah rushed at Nanny from behind and Rogue tripped Bobby. Peter came up behind Jubilee before she and Josiah had the time to gang up on Nanny. His steel flesh protected him from Jubilee's blasts as he yanked her arms behind her back and she fell to her knees.

"Ow, ow, ok, ok!"

The simulation shut off. Peter let go of Jubilee's arms and extended his hand to help her up. His armour exterior returned to flesh and Jubilee accepted Peter's hand. Once Jubilee stood up however, she let a few sparks explode in Peter's now flesh hand, burning it.

"Jubilee!" He yelled as she rushed out of the arena, threw her eye piece onto the control board, and left the Danger Room completely.

"She's a sore loser," Liz stated sourly.

Bobby helped Rogue up and Nanny and Kitty exited together.

"That was a good fight," Kitty said.

"Ya, it was one of the best we've had in a while. But you didn't have to be so rough Bobby," Rogue said.

"It's the only fight we've had in a while Rogue. And it's not my fault that you can't take a few blows," Bobby said cynically.

"They take things too seriously," said Kitty.

Everyone tossed their eye pieces on the control board and left for the showers. Nanny put away the eye pieces and turned off the control panel and lights.

…

"Nah, I don't belong to a 'group' per say, anymore." Lily said. "Some of us split up, others joined different groups. Things fell apart a bit when nothing was going on- with no one to fight. Maveric said he thought it was the calm before the storm. I mean, as far as we can tell even Magneto is sitting still."

Logan grumbled under his breath- he knew all too well that Magneto had too many ants in his pants to sit still. Even if he was quiet, he was still doing something.

"Everyone's taking this time-out to restock their groups though. They've been busy recruiting and gathering info on Magneto's gang and even on your X-Men and some of the students."

"Anyone in particular?"

"Oh sure. Everyone wants Jean on their team, but no one's willing to risk the side effects of her powers. Well, except Magneto. Someone said they heard that he thinks he could keep her powers under control." She rolled her eyes again. "Then, after that little show down at the warehouse, a lot of people have their eyes on Magenta. But, everyone's too lazy to make a move. As for the children, well, I doubt they have their names right, but the kid who can phase through stuff, and the one who can absorb powers. Oh, and the one with a metal body. And before the incident at Alkali Lake, they were looking at Pyro- but of course he went off with Magneto." She paused "Oh, and I don't know of anyone who wouldn't like to get their hands on you. But there's not a person out there who could tame you; tis' a shame really." She smiled seductively at Logan, and then sighed deeply. She looked into her empty mug. "You're too much of a risk for anyone. Cept' Xavier."

"And Maveric? Where's he? What's he up to?"

"You really don't know, do you?" She sat up in her chair and waved for her check.

"Maveric was murdered two nights ago. Kidnapped first- and then his body turned up behind the Tasty Freeze on 21st and Poppy."

Together they left the bar and headed towards a park a couple of blocks away. They first met in the park, seven years ago …

Clouds cover the mid-night sky. A bone shattering breeze sweeps down the street and through the trash scattered park. Across the street a young girl rushes to lock up the video store, but the lock is being obstinate. Finally the lock clicks into place and the young girl crosses the street to take a short cut through the park, wrapping her shabby coat around her as tightly as she can.

Not too far off, hidden in the dark she can hear soft male whispers and snickers. She picks up her pace, and soon foot steps can be heard behind her. One of the men speeds up and reaches out to grab her wrist.

"Where do you think you're going lady?" He asked, and the other two men encircled her. The girl tries vainly to free herself.

"Leave her alone." A fourth voice enters from the darkness.

"Move along bub. We've got you out numbered."

They hear a metal –shing- and six knives bust out from the man's knuckles. He doesn't wait for them to run. Before any have the chance to scream, including the girl, the three men lay gutted on the sidewalk. The girl chokes on her fear, the gore in front of her, and her savior who is already on his way, moving on back into the darkness.

"Wait please! Thank you."

"Name's Wolverine."

"If you're ever in town again Mr. Wolverine, look me up won't ya?Look for a Miss Tiger Lily."

That was their first encounter. Years passed and Wolverine had moved further north, permanently staying in Canada. Later Lily found him, and she tried to get him to join her small mob of mutants. He refused her offer, needless to say. Lily had always found a way to keep in touch.

…

They walked through the park and stared down the street at all of the abandoned and boarded up shops. A car alarm went off somewhere near by and fox crossed their path a couple of yards ahead. The clouds loomed over ahead, and shivering breezes blew the autumn leaves across their path.

"So what you up to these days?"

Logan shrugged and took another puff of his cigar.

"Rumors have been going around that you finally found yourself some woman at the mansion."

Logan cocked his eyebrow: seemed like people were keeping a closer eye on the Professor than anyone had imagined. And it made his skin crawl.

"Is it true?"

"What would it matter?" Logan mumbled.

Lily took a breath and exhaled loudly. He was too vague and she hated it. The whole time she had known Logan she had to struggle with believing rumors or his sly comments.

"So, you going to tell me anything that's happening at Xavier's? News for news?"

"Cyclops and Jean are finally tying the knot."

"Oh, I'll have to remember to send a present." She said nonchalantly, but also sarcastically.

"The Professor built himself a new wheel chair."

"Wolverine, are you going to tell me anything or aren't you!"

"Guess we're sittin' still just like you and Maveric." Logan said.

They had finished the loop around the park and they crossed the street. Once they reached the bar, Wolverine didn't waste anytime hoping aboard his motorcycle and slipping on his sun glasses.

"It was nice seeing you Wolverine." Lily called from the curb.

Logan didn't stop, or slow, or turn around. He waved his hand and tossed his cigar down the street drain as he passed by, and sped away.

…

"Nanny, I look ridiculous in this costume!"

"Haha! Well, I don't think you'd make a good hippy, but you do look cute."

"Of course she does," Scott said, beaming, as he walked down the hall.

"Oh Scott!"

He softly kissed her forehead and continued down the hall.

Jean sighed. "The beads aren't over doing it?"

"Jean, you look fine! In fact, it looks really good on you."

"I don't know. I'm not feeling the green and yellow."

"It's not like we have anyone to impress Jean."

"I know," she sighed.

"Are the others ready?" Nanny asked Theresa who came racing down the stairs in her pink fairy costume.

"I think so. Most of them are chattin' in the hallway."

"Come on guys! We want to get started early," Nanny shouted up the stairs. Everyone came bounding down soon enough.

"We're going to have to walk a ways, so everyone get a buddy and stick together. Before we leave, everyone make sure you're dressed warmly enough. AND, there will be NO use of your powers tonight. NONE at all. Is that understood?"

"Yes," they all moaned in unison.

"Ok, then let's go."

Nanny, Jean, and Kurt took the kids in groups. Jean was dressed as a hippy, Nanny as a biker girl, and Kurt as Dracula with black boots, a white puffy, renaissance shirt, and a black and red cape.

It took them a half an hour to get to the nearest neighborhood street. By then it was getting dusk, and the wind picked up. Nanny just waited for the snow.

…

"Ohhhh, what are you supposed to be? A Pharaoh, eh?" A sweet old lady asked Joshua. His gold skin was perfect for a Pharaoh's costume, with painted eyes, and a fake jeweled neck piece, and a white toga.

"And now, dear, what are you?"

"I'm a lizard." Victor replied.

"Oh my! What a great costume! Paint and everything …" she reached out her hand to touch his face when another group of trick-or-treaters came up and he was able to slip away, out into the crowd.

Paige was dressed up in a white cheerleader's outfit with her blonde hair in pig tails and small pom-poms sewed onto her pillow case. Sam was dressed in camouflage as a soldier and Donald was dressed up as Will Smith from Men in Black. Christine was dressed up as Mortisha and Jono and Rory were dressed as the duo, Hanz and Franz.

…

"Nanny, why can't we go off on our own? Just a little ahead." Rogue pleaded.

"No. We're staying together."

"Please? We'll meet you at the top of the street. We'll wait there."

Nanny turned to Jean who just shrugged.

"Fine. Meet us at the top of the street."

The group rushed up the street, bounding around the corner into a cul-de-sac.

"But don't be late!" Nanny shouted after them.

…

-Ding Dong-

The fake tombstones and skeleton hands in the yard were illuminated by the driveway lights, but the rest of the mansion was ominously dim. The door creaked open slowly and the children yelled, "Trick-or-treat."

Storm swung the door open the rest of the way, a great gust blowing her hair back, her glazed eyes meeting the chilly trick-or-treaters. Her face warmed into a smile as her eyes return to normal and she pushed forward a large bowl of candy.

"That's so cool!"

"Ya, how do you do that!" The kids asked as they rushed forward for their candy.

"A lot of practice," Storm have teased.

The Princesses, cowboys, Darth Vaders, fairies, brides, ghosts, goblins, pumpkins, and lady bugs scooted away ready for the next house.

…

"Well, maybe they went down that cul-de-sac." Jean pointed to their right when the group had arrived at the top of the street.

"I'll stay here and wait for them," Nanny sighed.

"You've got a cell right?"

"Ya. I'll call you when they show up. I'll finish taking them around and we'll head back to the mansion on our own."

"You think you can handle them on your own?"

Nanny laughed. "Ya."

"Ok. We'll see you later then." Kurt and Jean continued on across the street and further into the night of candy collecting.

Nanny stood at the corner for the next ten minutes waiting impatiently for the group. Twenty more minutes passed by without any sign of Bobby, Peter, Liz, Kitty, or Rogue. Thirty minutes. Then thirty-five.

Nanny's cell rang. "Yes?"

"Still haven't found them?"

"Nope. But when I do, we're going to head straight home."

"If they don't show up soon, call the Professor."

"Ya." She sighed. "Suppose I'll have to go find them then."

"Call me soon to let me know what's going on, k?"

"Ya, all right Jean."

Nanny waited for over an hour when she finally called the Professor.

…

"How long do you think we have until they come looking for us?"

"I'm not sure, but we've got to hurry. Once the Professor knows, it won't be long at all before they come to get us."

"All right, so where to?" Peter's older brother asked after the group had jumped into his old, beat up car.

"The Silver Noose Club in town."

"All right. You all got money to get in?"

"Ya, but we're gonna need you to get us in."

"No worries little bro."

Peter's older brother, Mikhail, drove them to the hip and always full club down town. The bouncer didn't check for IDs and the starry eyed kids entered the music blasting and crowded club.

…

"Be careful Nanny, Storm. And if there's the slightest hint of foul play, you call for back up," the Professor's voice echoed over the speaker phone over Storm's cell.

"Will do Professor. We're at the club now. We'll be in touch soon."

"All right, let's split up." Storm and Nanny agreed. They pushed through the dancing bodies and under-aged drinking kids.

"I've found Kitty and Liz." Storm said into her com. "Girls, where's Rouge?"

"She's been in the bathroom the whole time we've been here."

"Is she drunk!" Storm shouted over the music and chatter.

"No." Liz spat, a bit surprised.

Storm made her way past the bar with the two girls to the bathroom.

"Rogue, honey …"

"Storm?" Rogue came sniffling out of the bathroom stall and fell into Storm's arms. "He … w-went off with, with some other girl!" She sobbed.

"Shhhh honey. Are you talking about Bobby?"

Rogue nodded and the four left the bathroom together.

"I've got the girls Nanny."

"And I've found Bobby boy," Nanny replied with disgust. "Bobby, who is this?" She was referring the girl that he was lip-locked with.

"Ahh, Nanny, this is …"

"Save it. You're in enough trouble as it is. Excuse us miss." The girl rolled her eyes and shoved past Bobby and Nanny. Bobby tried getting lost in the crowd, but she caught his arm and held on tight.

"Any sight of Peter?" Storm asked.

"Nope, I haven't seen him."

"Peter?" Liz said. "He's been flirting with the DJ just about the whole time."

"See him," Nanny announced into her com. Peter saw her and sighed with resignation, but came without a fuss.

"March!" Nanny said firmly when Storm and everyone was together at the door. All the kids filed out, upset that their fun had to end. Bobby, however, was sorer than the others, and Rogue was simply heart broken.

"What were you all thinking?" Storm asked as she slid into the driver's seat and sped off. "Don't answer that. No answer you could give would make your situation any better."

"I'm not sure what you all had in mind once you were caught, but I believe you'll be impressed with the Professor's punishment. We've all had a hand in it."

The kids groaned in unison.

…

The motorcycle pulled in and soon Logan came stomping through the house. He locked the door behind him and immediately started closing curtains and locking windows and doors. He noticed that Jean and Kurt were home, but that they were all up with their cells on the table, holding cold mugs of coffee and sitting silently, as if they were waiting for bad news.

"Where's Nanny?" Logan asked as he brusquely entered the kitchen.

"Logan, what's wrong?" He seemed more agitated than normal.

The garage door opened and Nanny yanked at the door Logan had just locked. No one had the time to get up and unlock it before Nanny unlocked it with her powers.

"For starters, you're grounded for at least a month. No computer, Tv, games, or phone privileges."

"What!" The kids complained.

"What happened?" Logan asked, hurrying after them, towards the elevator.

"Oh, nothing big," Nanny answered sarcastically, not sour at Logan. "These five just decided to take a joy ride down to a club in town without our knowledge and certainly without our permission."

"Do you kids have any idea how dangerous something like that is? You're lucky Magneto, or … someone else didn't take advantage of this and try to kidnap you. Or do you forget what happened before Rogue? And Bobby- with John?"

"Ok Logan," Liz said, rolling her eyes.

"Go to bed," Storm instructed firmly.

Storm followed them up, and Jean, Kurt, and the Professor, tired from stress and the late hours, went to bed as well.

"Logan …" Nanny said she followed him into the art room and library, and then back to the TV room. "What's wrong?"

"They're watching us."

"Who?"

"Does it matter? We've been careless and let our guard down. Who knows what they've found out? In fact, what if Josiah is their informant?"

"Logan?"

"I went to the big city today," he said, slowing down and looking Nanny in the eye, "to talk to a man about my past. Only, he's dead. A little hard to talk to him now. However, I met one of his associates. Lily-"

"Lily!"

"-told me some things about ourselves that made me realize that they've been watching us, closely." He raised his eyebrows high.

"Who?"

"I don't know, but she mentioned a few of the kids, and you, and us."

Nanny stepped back a bit shocked. Their relationship had barely gotten off the ground yet somehow the underground world of mutants already knew.

Logan sighed and plopped down on the couch and flipped the Tv on. He wasn't much of a Tv watcher, or a movie watcher, but he certainly needed something to help him unwind. Nanny curled up next to him and held his hand. Logan flipped through the channels until he found something that he could at least stand to watch; something with humorous slapstick-violence and gore. It didn't matter that movie had already started. Logan needed something for his mind to concentrate on other than Lily's words. There would be time enough tomorrow to speak to the Professor about these concerns.

So together Nanny and Logan finished Halloween by watching Shaun of the Dead.

…

Sorry it took me so long to update. These past couple months have been sooo busy!