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Chapter 25

News of a team being formed amongst the staff had travelled fast across the student's of Xavier's school. Rumours flitted with the whisperings. Some true, some false. One of rumours that were true, however, was that Scott Summers, the new leader, had fashioned himself a codename. It was an act of safety for some mutants, especially those linked to Charles Xavier, in order to hide their real details. Some mutants however, choose names for themselves because they believe it is just another feature of showing that they are proud of their powers. Scott's apparent new name was Cyclops. One that had been met with perceptive murmurs. Of course, it made sense, especially when his new visor was revealed that effectively, had only one 'eye' of sight.

"I think Cyclops is a cool name," said a voice out of a group of students as they ambled down the corridor towards the student dormitories. Raven stepped into the corridor as they passed. Her startling eyes narrowed in dislike as the students disappeared from view around the corner. There had been a lot of conversation about Scott recently, and it ranged from him being a leader to the supposedly 'obvious attraction' between him and Dr. Grey. Clearly, Raven hadn't taken the latter of the rumours well. She also kept meeting Scott in the corridors over the week. But she had always turned quickly to walk in the opposite direction before she could catch his expression to see that he no longer looked at her with contempt, but pity and guilt.

However, Raven was still attending her lessons, and more importantly she would still travel through the school in her natural blue skinned form. Any metamorphing took place in her bedroom behind a locked door. She wasn't entirely sure how to use her mutation in the long run, but for now she was just practising. She hadn't really had chance to have much fun with it yet for she hadn't approached anyone else. She wanted her first meeting to be something harmless. Just to see if people would fall for the disguise.

Undoubtedly, her easiest form to change into was Storm. It would raise little questions to see Storm passing in the corridor and no one would query the weather mutant out of respect for her. Earlier that day, during Raven's last lesson, she sat and watched Storm carefully as she taught. Whilst Storm was explaining some details about the end of World War II Raven was observing her hand actions as she spoke, the way she carried herself and how her body posture was positioned when she walked and stood on the spot. It was actually quite incredible how many little unique things people had that made them individuals.

Like the way Storm would incline her head gently every so often, her hands turning over as she spoke and being held in front of her before repeating the process. Raven's never moving eyes were probably interpreted as unwavering interest. But Raven hadn't written down a single note all lesson.

It was late. So late that the sky outside was a mysterious inky black. A few scattered stars glittered gently like strewn jewels across the dark skies. The mansion was completely silent. The type you only really come across when the hours are after midnight. Raven quietly crossed to the other side of her bedroom, reaching the door. Slowly, her hand outstretched to quietly take the doorknob. As her blue fingers closed around it, a familiar crackling sound issued and once more, working from her spine the blue skin disappeared beneath the spreading of a new layer. Flakes of blue skin peeled back across the top of her hand to reveal soft brown skin. The hand tightened around the doorknob and the door was quietly pulled open. Silently, Raven slipped through the space and closed the door, disappearing off down the corridor as Storm, with the hem of the African's familiar dressing gown flapping elegantly at her heels.

She didn't meet anyone as she passed through the numerous corridors, and Raven wasn't sure whether to be pleased by this news or not. She had wanted to see if she could fool some of the students, but at the same time, she was a little nervous and subconsciously she didn't mind putting it off. However, Raven decided with this new lease of freedom (of basically being a teacher and allowed to be in the corridors after lights-out) that she should do something productive. So far, the only thing that came to mind was to visit the kitchen and have a snack.

She pushed quietly into the kitchen as she came up to the door. The kitchen, like the rest of the school was dark and empty. Glass doors at the back of the room were currently locked, but the moon outside sent soft shivery rays of moonlight across the kitchen worktop, throwing the blue tiles into sharp relief out of the shadows. Raven quietly crept through, pulling her silken dressing gown a little looser from her hips. Whilst Storm was a modest woman, Raven didn't have any objections to showing off the beautiful body nor the nightgown that the real Storm was currently sleeping in upstairs. Quietly, Raven opened the large refrigerator door, sifting through the items inside. Before anything had chance to catch her eye, she heard a noise, and quickly slammed the fridge door. As it shut, it revealed a student stood in the doorway of the kitchen, staring up at Raven like a deer caught in headlights.

Raven recognised him to be one of the younger students here, a fire-manipulating mutant. She slowly stepped back from the fridge, watching the younger student carefully before she finally spoke, "John, you shouldn't be wandering the corridors at this time of night." She suppressed a smirk and tried to hide her laughter.

The younger boy hovered uncertainly in the doorway, "Sorry Miss. Munroe. I was only coming for a drink." But Raven scoffed inside. Yeah right..

"Well have a drink and go," Raven was sure he was suspecting something wrong for he looked a little alarmed. Maybe Storm was nicer that this with students who were caught out of bed? But even so, John hurried to the sink, quickly filled a glass with water, drunk about half before emptying the rest down the sink. The glass was placed on the draining board and he had disappeared again. Raven curiously walked to the door, peering out to look around. He had disappeared. But instead, at the end of the corridor two figures came into view and it was with a horrible jolt in her gut that she realised it to be Scott and Jean.

Before she realised what she was doing, she had stepped out of the kitchen and was walking towards them. The pair was talking quietly, apparently in good moods. Jean glanced round and saw 'Storm' walking their way.

"You're up late aren't you?" blurted out Raven as she reached them, "It's gone midnight."

Scott shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot whilst Jean just spread a gentle smile, "We were sat in the living room watching a film, you see. It's only just finished. Don't worry Storm, we left it tidy."

Raven forced a smile onto her face although it was more likely to turn into a sneer, "Good. I'm only up for a drink, myself. Better be getting back to bed soon."

"Us too. Well, see you tomorrow Storm."

"Goodnight," called Scott and the pair turned and walked away down the corridor. Raven knew the direction. It was towards Scot's bedroom. Raven didn't know where Jean's room was, but she was sure it wasn't the same way. Suspicious, she followed after them, making sure to walk slowly and quietly till she reached the corner. She peered around the edge of the wall, looking down a moonlit corridor. Scott was unlocking his bedroom door, talking quietly to Jean. Raven couldn't catch what they were saying. Scott's bedroom door swung open and he stepped over the threshold before turning to face Jean. Still they were talking, and still Raven couldn't hear them. Her eyes narrowed as she remained at the corner. Then, without any warning, Scott had moved closer towards Jean and took both Raven and Jean by surprised as he kissed her.

Raven's mouth dropped open and she glared with such vicious anger swirling in the usually kind eyes of Storm. Her hands gripping the wall were digging those pristinely manicured fingernails into the wood. What made her all the more furious was that Jean was actually responding positively. But Jean then gently pulled back Scott's arms and she was still smiling. She said something that Raven couldn't catch before she walked away gently, her hand drifting almost reluctantly from Scott's. Scott remained stood in his doorway, watching her disappear from view down the corridor. He didn't look all that pleased that Jean had gone. Perhaps he had wanted her to stay for a little while. He made a gentle sigh and backed away into his room, closing the door sullenly.

Raven stepped out from her hiding place after also watching Jean travel away from her. Her eyes were darting from Scott's closed bedroom door to the spot where Jean had round the corner. She stepped hesitantly forward before she paused. She could feel her hands shaking slightly so she quickly folded her arms across her middle, pulling the dressing gown closed over Storm's nightwear. She had a plan brewing up inside her head. And whilst part of her was saying no, there was one singular loud voice in her head saying yes. That voice had always been right before. Plus it would probably not like being denied.

And so, quietly, another few steps forward, Storm's walking body transformed. The top of her ivory haired head merged into gleaming red locks and the brown skin materialised into soft pale features of Jean's face. The only sound in the corridor was the eerie sound of her crackling skin as it ran it's winding path of breaking skin right down to her bare feet. With a deep breath, Raven stepped forward. The dressing gown she wore had gone, leaving in place a short nightgown that Raven had never seen anyone wear, but she remembered it in the back of her mind from a shopping trip years ago. And when she concentrated hard enough, it had appeared. It was strange to feel taller in the space of a few seconds. Jean's form differed from Storm in only a few ways, but Raven could pinpoint them all.

Raven stopped slowly in front of Scott's door, raising her fist to the door through the pale moonlight. She knocked quietly, once, twice, on the smooth wood.

"Who is it?" came a curious voice from the other side.

"Jean," Raven replied.

Raven heard Scott come closer to the door followed by the rattle of the catch unlocking. The door was pulled back and Scott peered out from a small gap. "I'm in the middle of getting undressed."

Raven's hand uncoiled as she pressed her palm against the door, "Good." She heavily pushed the door open, causing Scott to stumble away from it as she shoved it fully open. He was exactly right. He stood there looking quite worried, only dressed in his trousers whilst his shirt and jumper lay on a chair. He folded his arms across his bare chest and stood slightly hunched as though trying to hide. But Raven had stridden up to him immediately after the opening the door. She took his face gently in her hands before she brought her mouth to his with a soft brush of her lips before she kissed him. She felt Scott's folded arms pull apart and smoothly settle around her small waist.

Mission accomplished; she lifted a foot, pushing the door behind her shut.

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