11

Storm smiled at Logan as he walked through the doors to the Danger Room.

"You're just in time Logan." Xavier smiled, turning to greet the burly man before averting his attention back to the large gym.

"Just in time?"

"We're starting research with AJ. The Professor requested an extra set of eyes." She grinned at him. "Would you like to join us?"

Logan grunted, stepping beside Storm, his arms crossed against his chest. "What's with the Cajun?"

"He's assisting." Xavier grinned.

Gambit smirked, cracking his knuckles and taking his stance. "Y'ready chère?"

AJ laughed taking her stance. "Ready as I'll ever be."

Xavier announced the start of the simulation and AJ immediately took her block position. Waiting.

Gambit held his staff behind him, flipping it around his arm with a cocky grin before sweeping it in front of him.

AJ made her move, diving towards him, tacking him to the ground. In one swift motion, he rolled onto his back, kicking her off of him and hopping back onto his feet.

She crouched down, stretching her leg out and kicking his feet out from underneath him. He landed on his back with a thud as she hopped back up to her feet, waiting expectantly.

He jumped up, cracking his neck as he pulled out his cards, charging them up. He flicked them at her one at a time, following her as she ran, hopping and ducking to miss the glowing cards. She could sense his movements before he made them, making it easier for her to navigate her way though his charged up weapon of choice.

She could see what he was about to do. It was as if she was watching a movie, watching him perform the moves, all in the blink of an eye. In an attempt to change the inevitable, she made her move first.

She dove towards him, tucking her chin against her chest in time to roll onto her back, sliding between his legs and jumping up behind him. She ripped the staff from his hands, holding it firmly against his neck.

"How y'like me now Cajun?"

He chuckled. "Dis easy chère."

He reached behind him, grabbing her waist and pulling her in close. He spun around to face her, lifting the staff that she still had her tight grip on, up over his head, moving it over hers as far as her arms would allow. He charged it up lightly, making her let go quickly before shoving her back and tossing a few cards at her, sending her to the ground.

She slammed her fist onto the ground and sat up.

"It's alright AJ." Xavier's voice sounded through the danger room. He had been watching her thoughts as well as the fight, looking out for any sign of her new powers. He requested she come up to the control room for a moment.

She stepped in, tucking a stray red hair behind her ear with a frown. "I saw it. I even tried to change it. I didn't do what I was going to do…"

"I know." Xavier nodded. "You saw it and tried to change what would happen but you failed. Why do you suppose that happened?"

She pressed her lips together in thought before letting out a breath "I suppose… because I was supposed to make that move first?"

"Possibly." Xavier nodded. "When you have your premonition, try to pay close attention to every detail. Inspect every aspect of it, it should help you determine what to do."

She scratched her head. "Alright…"

She headed back down to the gym, standing across from Gambit.

"Y'came back f'more?"

"Yeah yeah…" She muttered.

The simulation began.

AJ clenched her fists, making the first move. Gambit ducked and blocked all of her punches with ease before she finally got a kick in. He stumbled backwards, sweeping the staff out in front of him to keep her back.

He regained his balance before running at her, using the staff to jump off the ground. She moved out of the way just before his feet would have made contact with her.

She saw it again… in a split second she could see herself jump at him. He'd charged his staff and jabbed it into her gut, lifting her up over his head and slamming her into the ground before the staff sent a kinetic charge through her body.

She couldn't let that happen.

He pulled out some cards, flicking them at her with ease. She dodged them before taking her chance. She was about to jump at him when she realized how similar the scene before her seemed. Rather then jumping at him she ducked and slid towards him. He jumped over her and she grabbed his leg, yanking him to the ground with a thud. She grabbed his staff, pinning his arms to the ground above his head with the long stick. She clenched her legs around his torso to make sure he couldn't move, a small smile creeping across her lips as Xavier announced the end of the session.

She kissed him on the nose before jumping to her feet and pulling him to his.

"You okay?" She rubbed his arm with a smile.

"Been better. Y'good." He nodded in defeat.

"I know." She shrugged, heading up to the control room.

"Congratulations AJ." Professor X smiled. "I believe you've just passed your first lesson."

Storm crossed her arms with a grin "I'm quite impressed. You managed to silence the Cajun."

Gambit smiled. "Don' let dis get out."

Rogue smiled, watching Gambit and AJ walk into the rec. room.

"So, ah hear y'got your ass beat by a girl."

"News travels fast 'round here…" He said, moving over to the couch, sitting down next to her. AJ looked over her shoulder.

"What is it?" Rogue furrowed her brow.

AJ peeked around the corner with a laugh. "You'll have to do better then that…"

Pyro pouted as he walked in. "I've been tryin' t'scare this girl since we met. It's impossible!"

AJ laughed and mussed up his strawberry blonde hair. "You keep tryin'… I'm not one to kill dreams."

Nightcrawler teleported into the room, in front of Pyro and AJ, causing the fire fanatic to jump.

The blue fur ball chuckled. "Sorry. Didn't mean to startle you…"

AJ laughed "You guys just won't quit will you?" She sat down on the couch, kicking her legs up on the coffee table with a smug grin before looking back at the doorway expectantly.

Logan stepped in clearing his throat. "Sorry t'break up yer little pow wow… but Scott's got a practice ready. Y'better head down there."

Rogue grumbled something inaudible as she stood and lead the X-men out of the Rec. room.

"What about us?" Pyro stood, looking at Wolverine with a frown.

"Don't care."

"Well, I know I don't need to practice…" AJ shrugged with a smile.

"Don't get cocky." He looked at her. "You beat gumbo in a controlled atmosphere. An' he stopped when Charles told him to. In real life, that won't happen."

AJ knit her brow. "I know what real life is like Wolverine."

He was about to say something back to her, noticing the shocked look on Pyro's face. He decided to let it drop, uttering a small growl instead, turning around to leave.

More to come... stick around:)