A/N: CrowWren, I'm glad you like the writing style! I write with Canucklehead Cowgirl, and we've got a *lot* of volumes in this particular universe, so we've really had time to fine-tune it. (Feel free to check out the earlier stuff, too! :D)

Chapter 2: "Seize the Opportunity"

The local school at Salem Center was pretty much everything that Elin had thought it was going to be. Too many kids, not enough room to move, packed into classrooms like sardines — comparatively, that is.

But … it was still a way to put some distance between herself and pretty much everyone at the school. She'd really only ever had that one part of a year in Kindergarten where she had to deal with teachers that weren't like family, and really, she wanted to see how much the staff at Xaviers was coddling her and blowing smoke. She had a sneaking suspicion that it was a lot more than they were letting on.

So, she'd gone against the look of disappointment that Annie tried to hide when she said she wanted out of Xaviers and did her best not to scare Scott and Kurt when they asked if she was still go back to doing team practices because, honestly, for now anyhow, she did want to join the team. She just wasn't sure on the timing, and she had even considered going to Canada before Chance had announced his intentions to go — and before her mother made such a shift to pure poker face that she knew it was a stupid idea for her to even consider that route. Family history considered.

But that really only left Salem Center, unless she wanted to try testing out like James had done … and that really just made the lingering decision of what to do that much bigger and harder to deal with.

So instead of dealing with it, like she should have, Elin took her seat near the back in her first period English class and waited to see how this was going to go. She didn't make it ten minutes in before she could hear the whispers across the room and the speculation on where she'd come from. But it was so pedestrian that she couldn't help but smirk the slightest bit.

She got all the way to her second-to-the-last class of the day before someone tried to get the real story, though there had been a few that had hung close by and clearly hoped she'd voluntarily spill.

But this one … this guy following her wasn't exactly direct in getting the information, either. He was following her from a few steps behind, and he'd been doing so between classes … making it seem like he was trying to work up the nerve to talk to her, but there wasn't enough of that sharp tang in his scent that meant he was actually anxious.

"Are you going to keep following me around all semester, or is this just a first day thing?" Elin asked without turning to look at him. "Because I'm pretty sure that would mean I should get a restraining order or something, and honestly, that's not the impression I want to make."

"For following you to class?" the tall, stocky blonde asked. "I'm just heading to class myself. And … I thought I'd introduce myself, but if you're going to call the cops just because I'm here … then you're probably too afraid to make friends? And I'll just find someone less spooky to talk to."

She smirked to herself and turned to face him, walking backwards. "I just don't like it when people follow me off and on all day without introducing themselves. It leaves the wrong impression. It doesn't say 'friendly' as much as it says 'stalker'."

He grinned and took a step closer, sticking with her all the way until they were in the Calculus room and found a couple of seats. "We can't have that. I'm Jacob Hall," he said finally, extending his hand. As she reached out to take it, he finished, "I play running back on the varsity football team."

She raised an eyebrow and nodded. "Elin Howlett. New to the school."

He grinned wider at her as the bell rang. The teacher cleared his throat, and Jacob seemed to realize where he was and hastily started to pick up his books. "Nice to meet you, Elin. Maybe I'll catch you after school," Jacob said. "Seeing as … this is not my class." He gave her a grin that read all kinds of trouble before he simply stood up and headed for the door, waving to the teacher on his way out as if it was perfectly normal for him to have gone into the wrong room.

When class let out, she barely got down the hallway before Jacob caught up to her. "You gonna stick around and watch the team practice?" he asked, grinning still.

"As much fun as sitting around watching you play fetch with your friends sounds, no." She shook her head lightly. "Have fun, though. I'm sure you'll catch it eventually."

"But how am I supposed to give you a ride home?" Jacob asked.

"No idea," she replied. "I've already got a ride, thanks." She gave him a little smile before she stepped out of the front doors to the school to find Chance in the Jeep, waiting across the street. "See you around, Jacob."

"Hey, El," Chance said as she climbed into the passenger's seat. "How'd it go?"

"I need fresh air," she said, leaning her head back on the headrest. "The nose is no fun sometimes."

"So, windows down 'til we get home," he said. "Horseback after?"

"Your call," she replied. "It's your last week here. You pick."

"Well, I haven't ridden for a while. If you swear not to laugh at me…" He grinned. "I mean, not that I think you would. Just giving you fair warning."

She rolled her head his way with a smirk. "You're so dramatic. You'll be fine."

"Hey. I did date the drama teacher's daughter for a while. I think it might be catching."

"Obviously," she laughed. "I'd advise talking to someone about it, but it suits you."

His grin lit up wider at that, and he shook his head, looking back at the road in silence for a good long time. "So… does this school suit you?" he asked. "Or was it horrible?"

"Honestly, I think Dad's suggestion to throw it out the window is sound."

"Gee, El, one day in and already you're doing a post-mortem."

"I'll give it a little time, but there are a lot more kids, and I had a sinus headache before the second class started," she said with a sigh. "It's just … very busy. In a vapid, boring way."

"No, no, don't hold back," Chance chuckled.

"But I am, sweet Summers," she replied. "So, so, much."

He grinned at her sideways for a second before he turned back to the road. "Well, like I said, you can always transfer."

"Maybe I'll just go back to LA and spend all my free time on the beach in a bikini."

"See… now I want to go to LA," he laughed. "For the beach." He paused. "You know, if I wasn't trying to get in the training."

"Like you need to worry about it," she said with a wave. "I wonder if anyone would have a problem if I spent a semester in Hawaii bumming around instead of training. Or if that would totally disqualify me from the team."

"If you did, my uncle would probably bend over backwards trying to make sure you knew the best beaches," Chance pointed out.

"I know," she said with a grin his way. "That's what I was thinking of. Go spend some time with the laid-back, big Summers."

"Well, hey, if it makes you happy, I say spend a semester on the beach. Why not?" Chance shrugged. "We've still got time before graduation."

"Maybe if we don't go back to Japan next summer, I'll find a beach instead."

"I've spent a few summers in Hawaii with Uncle Alex. We could throw a luau after I graduate."

She tried and failed to hide the smile. "There is a very good joke in there, but … you are driving, and I don't think you're up to my sense of humor anymore."

"See, now I'm going to be curious about it all the way home, and I blame you."

"I was going to ask if that's the best way to be sure you got 'lei'd'," she said with a smile clear in her voice.

He spun to face her and turned bright red, swerving before he got it back under control. "Elin."

She burst out laughing, though she kept the presence of mind to keep one hand on her dress to keep the wind from blowing it up. "I told you there was a joke there! And I even warned you that you weren't up to my humor."

"That's not… Come on."

"Oh, relax, Chance," she said with a wave as she got her laughter under control. "It's funny, and you know it." She rested one hand on his arm as she smiled wider. "Go on. Admit it."

"It is," he had to admit. "But seriously. That… no wonder you and Krissy are best friends. That is a horrible pun."

"It's a wonderful pun, and you love it," she insisted. "It's my favorite pun now. Thank you."

"You're very welcome. We are so lucky there weren't any cars in the other lane," he said, shaking his head to himself.

She was chuckling all over again. "I … was watching the road. A little."

"A little." He shook his head at her. "Hey, what're friends for if not for keeping each other from being roadkill?"

"I'm pretty sure there's a list," she said, smirking. "But I'm not in the loop as to what's on it."

"Yeah, well, one of them is driving to and from school in one piece," he laughed.

"Alright, I'm sorry," she said. "I won't do that anymore."

"It was funny," he promised. "Just... " He glanced her way and then started to laugh before he shook his head. "Never mind. Let's get you home and into the barn so we can see if I remember how to use a saddle right."

"Alright, you'll surprise yourself, I'm sure," she swore. "As long as you keep the saddle on the horse."

He grinned her way for a second. "No, really, jokes aside, I've missed horseback riding. Not the same in Muir Island."

"Then we'll have to do a little trail ride," she said. "They weren't a big attraction in Japan either. At least not where I was for most of the trip."

He grinned. "That sounds great. Then I can catch you up on the stuff from the Europe tour — you know, the details that weren't in the emails — before Krissy embellishes it all. And you can tell me about Japan."

"Like she'd do something like that," Elin replied, smiling crookedly again. "That doesn't sound like her at all."

"Oh no. Not at all," he agreed with a smirk. "But just in case — before she tells you the story? It was only a two-story fall. Remember that."

"Well. You can monopolize my time, since she already told me the stories when she emailed me," she replied. "Mom and I both keep a change of clothes, and she has spare boots in the barn, if you don't mind me using the tack room to change."

He grinned at that, the slightest pink on his ears. "Yeah. Alright."

When the two of them got to the Institute, she talked him into parking in the shade by the barn — since 'Dad won't mind' — and then, she rushed off to the tack room, shouting over her shoulder which horses he should pull out while she changed. She rushed, of course, pulling the jeans on first before she quickly switched the dress for a shirt with her back to the doorway — just in case anyone walked by the door.

By the time she stepped out of the tack room, he'd pulled out the horses and looked ready to hit the trail as well — he hadn't forgotten nearly as much as he claimed to. "Ready?"

"I think so," she said before she pulled the hem of her jeans down over the tops of the boots. "Did you want to ride out by the rocks or around the lake?"

"Lake sounds better," he said. "Especially while it's still somewhat warm."

"If you're feeling brave, we can leave the saddles behind and take the horses swimming …"

He grinned. "Hey, I'm about to face a whole bunch of Canadians. Gotta be brave to do that," he teased.

"Oh sure; it'll be hard not stepping on them as they trip over themselves to make you feel at home."

"We'll see," he said with a shrug. "That only lasts 'til they realize Cody's the one with optic blasts, if the pattern holds."

"Then you hand them their backsides and show them their short-sightedness. Followed by an apology tour and a donut parade."

"Oh, always. I'm just saying that's when the doormat thing ends," he said with a small smirk. "I'll time it and send you a text when it happens."

"I can help Dad collect on his bet with Mac — who insists his students are different. Dad said they're the same crop of morons everyone else has, by the way."

"Yeah… I mean, they'd have to be," Chance chuckled. "We spread out pretty evenly." He shook his head. "Mac means well. He was excited I said I'd be coming out there."

"I know; I heard all about it from him," Elin said.

"Well, I figure I've got to be the first at something," Chance teased.

"You like to be first at everything. Get real."

"If it's not horrible, I'll let you know."

"You can tell me if it's horrible too," she replied as she hopped up on her horse. "Mom's been looking for a reason to invade for years."

Chance laughed outright. "Yeah, if you ever get the 'help me' text, assume I'm drowning in maple syrup."

"Then you'll be all sticky," she said with a grin, arranging her reins.

"Easier to snag for the save," he countered as he hopped up on his own horse. "Race you to the lake?"

"Only if you want to lose," she answered.

He grinned crookedly at her before he spurred his horse on first — not declaring the race, just taking off with a loud laugh over his shoulder.

James was totally absorbed in his work when he got a call on his cell. With his gaze locked onto the little grouping of wires, he reached over to tap the button to answer it — he had a small microphone that he'd rigged up on his flannel shirt pocket so he didn't have to shout.

"Did you meet the new girl?" Scott asked.

James frowned and glanced at the phone for a moment before trying to get back to work, sure that he sounded irritated when he replied with a drawn out, "Yeah — why?"

"You need to bring her home with you," Scott told him. "She's in a similar kind of genius program, though not quite as advanced as you're running. She'll be doing classes in the afternoon here too."

James' hand slipped, and he dropped the flux in his left hand while he turned to glare at the phone. "Wait. What? What are you talking about?"

"Stark's program took in a couple of mutants over the summer with genius scores. One went to Kitty, the other stayed in New York so they could get her rolling into the program. That was about a week ago. So when you leave tonight, bring along this …" James had his head tipped to the side, frowning as he heard paper rustling on the other end of the line. "Vanessa Wailani. You can show her around once we get her enrolled properly. Charlie's already got a room set up for her," Scott told him, leaving James staring at the phone for a moment.

He didn't answer. Not right away, even when Scott had to check and see if he was still on the line. "No, I heard you … just … okay. He didn't tell me that part. We'll be there." James reached over to hang up, not waiting for any further instruction from Scott, then turned in his seat to look at Vanessa when he realized she had been quietly working across the room. "You didn't tell me you were supposed to go to the Institute in Westchester."

"You didn't look like you really wanted to talk to me yet," Vanessa said. "It's okay. You'll get used to it."

James let out a breath of a laugh and nodded before he glanced up at the clock and swore to himself. "You can stop me if I go too far over," James told her before he unplugged the soldering gun and picked up his coffee cup. "I just … have been here for a while and don't really work well with someone watching me."

"Oh," Vanessa said with wide eyes as she turned to face him. "I wasn't watching you. I was working on my own project." She tipped her head to the computer in front of her, where she was clearly coding something. "I've predicted that Mr. Stark will need a little upgrade to his operating system in the next few weeks. It's not security like you're working on? But it will make communications run easier." The blonde smiled brilliantly at him as she started to shut down her computer.

"That's not predicting; that's common sense," James corrected her, but Vanessa didn't seem bothered in the least.

"Oh, you'll see. It'll be small, but it's something that a dark-haired woman is trying to get into. I don't know her name," she said, scrunching her nose. "But she is very pretty."

James was frowning outright when a pair of bamfs appeared on his shoulders, giggling and rattling away a few very dirty jokes that James knew they had to have learned from his father and Kurt. "Seriously, guys. You're supposed to be on good behavior for new people," James told them, shaking his head, though it was clear that Vanessa was completely perplexed by the little blue demons. "She's a new student, so behave or I'll let Kurt know you've been repeating his jokes again," he told the bamf on his left, who happened to be the resident romantic. The suave little bamf wasted no time teleporting over to pick up Vanessa's hand and kiss it with an almost purred out little 'bamf' that had James wanting to cover his face for the bamf's sake, though Vanessa was obviously entertained as she lit up and bit her lip.

"Can I hug him? He's just the cutest little thing I've ever seen!"

James let out a chuckle and gestured with one arm. "Be my guest, but they won't leave you alone if you do."

Vanessa paused and tipped her head to the side, watching the little bamf for a moment. "No they won't, will they?" she said before she threw caution to the wind and snuggled into him. "We'll have some fun though, won't we, little guy?"

The bamf fell apart in giggles and kissed her cheek before he turned to look at James with a quizzical sort of "Bamf?"

"Yeah. Yeah. We should go," James agreed, and just before the bamfs teleported them, Vanessa reached out and took a hold of James' arm.

They reappeared in Scott's office, and it took Vanessa a moment to let go of James even though she wasn't nervous in the least at the teleporting. Scott and Charlie were there waiting for them, and the two of them took over, leaving James in a little bit of a whirlwind. He backed up, intending to slip out of the office as unnoticed as possible, but obviously, that wasn't going to happen. "We've got it covered tonight, but don't run off first thing tomorrow," Scott warned. "You have some time with me to make up."

James nodded in agreement and headed off to go to bed. It was getting harder and harder to just … be alone for five minutes.

"Seriously. When are you going to ask her out?" Charlie asked as she watched her brother throw his riding boots in the back of his car on his way out to go pick up Elin from school.

Chance looked up at Charlie and flushed bright red. "I thought you said you didn't get involved in romance drama."

"Not usually, but you seem to need the help," Charlie said, shaking her head at him with her arms crossed. "Honestly."

"Okay, Mom." He shook his head at her as he snagged the keys off of the hook.

Charlie let out a little huff of annoyance and shot him a serious glare. "Someone should give you a good kick in the pants. You like her. You always have."

"You're not going to bring out that stupid video of Elin from when we were babies, are you?"

"If I have to," Charlie shot back. She shook her head, and her curls bounced on her shoulders. "Honestly, Chance, I don't know what you're waiting for. You're both single. You obviously like her. What's the holdup?"

"I'm going to Canada!" Chance pointed out.

"So?"

"So I'm going to be in a different country all the time. It's not fair to date someone here if I'm going to have all my focus out there on training with Mac," Chance said.

"You act like she hasn't even dated long-distance before," Charlie shot back.

Chance pulled a horrible face. "Did you seriously just compare me to Nolan?"

"I'm just saying—"

"That's exactly why I'm not going to ask her to do that," Chance insisted. He shook his head hard. "I don't want to be another Nolan for her. And I remember how it was with me and Krissy. I hated being that far apart. It's not fair to either of us, and I…" He rubbed the back of his neck. "Even if she did like me, which she doesn't, I care about her too much to put her through that. I wouldn't want her thinking I was only interested in … I'm not going to have any parallels with him."

Charlie stared at him for a long moment before she rolled her eyes and threw up her hands. "You're an idiot."

"You tell me that for just about everything, you know that?"

"I wouldn't have to if you weren't an idiot."

"Gee, thanks, Charlie."

Charlie rolled her eyes again. "You're just sabotaging yourself because you're scared she doesn't like you back."

"She doesn't."

"You're an idiot."

"Yeah, we've already established that," Chance said, shaking his head as he got into his car. "Look," he said, turning her way at last. "How about this. Once I get established up in Canada, if I feel like I can honestly make the trips down here often enough to feel like I can put in the work for a real relationship? I'll reconsider."

Charlie stuck her finger out at him. "I'll hold you to that."