Author's Note: Whaahahaha. I'm so evil. It's so much fun knowing what's going on and not telling. I like randomly dropping clues…It's fun. And argh! I miss you guys so much! Come visiiit! You know you wanna! Ahem. Okay, on to the story.
Chapter Thirteen
Kurt woke up early that morning in order to get a shower in before he met Samantha for church. He had thought a lot about her comments yesterday and Friday night, and had decided that she had only meant it as harmless flirting. That was something Kurt knew how to deal with. Back in the circus, between acts, some of the female audience members would often approach him. It was fun to flirt with the lead acrobat, and none of them knew that his costume didn't include make-up. Kurt had always been at ease with them, his fellow performers often said he had a knack for charming the ladies. They usually added some comment about it being a shame that Kurt didn't have the outward appearance to match his charm, but that didn't bother Kurt. He knew they were only teasing. Most of them.
Still, though, now that he had safely categorized her actions, he knew exactly how to respond. He wasn't at all unsure around her anymore, and it showed in his grin as he left his room and headed for hers. Kurt knocked softly on the door, not wanting to wake anyone else in the hall.
Samantha heard it, though, as the door opened and she smiled at him. "Hey. Gimme a sec, I have to put my shoes on. Come on in."
She left the door open for him as she walked back into her room and he followed her, watching as she sat down on the edge of her bed and reached for a shoe. A lump of blankets stirred, then a small head peaked out from under them.
Kurt blinked. "Is that a raccoon?"
"Huh?" She asked, then glanced behind her and grinned. "Oh. Yeah. Apparently it was too cold out last night, so he came to sleep in here. I'll leave the window open for you, sweetie, so you can go back to sleep."
The raccoon disappeared back under the covers and Samantha stood up, grabbing her purse. "Ready." She told him.
"Do animals often do that?" Kurt asked as they walked downstairs.
She nodded, then grinned. "Yeah. So be glad you're not my roommate."
"Actually, I do not think I would mind." He said. "Either the animals or your company."
Samantha grinned. "Oh, sure, you say that now, but I bet it'd be different when you woke up with a raccoon trying to steal your bed. They're cover hogs, too."
He laughed. "In that case, I'll send all of the raccoons to your bed."
"Thanks." She said, sticking her tongue out at him. "Hey, are we going to do the little bamf-y thing again? Because it's really cool."
"Ah, so now I know the real reason you came to church with me." He said.
"You caught me." She told him. "I only go with you because you bamf."
Kurt grinned. "Well, I guess I shouldn't disappoint you, then. Ready?"
"Yeah!" She agreed and scooted closer to him, sliding one arm around his waist before catching hold of his tail with her hand. "Now it doesn't have to do it by itself, like last time." Samantha said with a grin.
He went along with it, wrapping his tail a couple of times around her forearm. "Thinking ahead, I see."
"I'm good at that." She agreed, then closed her eyes in preparation for the teleportation.
It seemed quicker this time, and not quite as startling, although Samantha figured it was just because she knew what to expect this time. The quick jump had made them early for the mass, so they walked aimlessly for a bit, chatting. Kurt's easy manner put Samantha herself at ease, and soon all worries about how her stupid brain not shutting up had made him uncomfortable were gone. Soon it was time for the mass to begin, so they took a seat in one of the pews.
After the mass was over, Samantha threaded her arm through Kurt's as they filed out.
"You up for grabbing some breakfast before we go back?" She asked. "Apparently my stomach doesn't like it when I don't eat."
Kurt laughed. "Our stomachs must think alike. Breakfast sounds like a very good idea."
She grinned. "Great. We walked by a café before church that smelled incredible, so we should try that. I think it's the reason my stomach woke up, anyway."
They strolled along the sidewalk down the way that they had gone before. Samantha kept her arm through Kurt's, but he didn't think anything of it. He had seen her do the same thing with her other friends, so he supposed he must have graduated from acquaintance up to friend. That thought made him vaguely pleased. Before long, they located the restaurant that Samantha had seen and got themselves a table.
"You still look so weird." Samantha commented after they had placed their orders. "I'm so not used to you without the blue."
"I don't want to frighten people." Kurt said.
"Yeah, they'd probably be really intimidated by your good looks." She said, grinning at him. "At least this way you don't have jealous men challenging you to duels."
He raised an eyebrow, amused. "Maybe I should go out as normal, then. I do enjoy a good duel."
She laughed. "Yeah, but then you'd win and you'd get all of their girlfriends. And then I'd get jealous and have to start challenging some people to duels myself."
"Chicks dig the fuzzy dude." Kurt agreed. "I just can't help it."
Samantha reached across the table to give his arm a playful shove. "Okay, Gambit. You'd really let all of those women fight me?"
"Of course not." Kurt said. "I would swing in heroically to your rescue."
"Okay. As long as I get to watch the swinging." She said. "I bet it's spectacular."
"People did used to pay to see it." He said. "But I'll give you a free show."
She arched an eyebrow at him. "I'm sure you meant it in the acrobat way, but I think I'll take it the other way."
He grinned at her. "What makes you think I didn't mean it that way?"
"Oh, good, then I took it the right way." She said, then grinned as the waitress brought their food. "Thanks."
"You're welcome, honey." The waitress said, giving Samantha a wink before she left.
"I think she liked you." Samantha said.
"I think she liked you." Kurt countered.
Samantha considered that. "I think she was complimenting me on my choice of breakfast partners."
"All right, I'll go with you on that one." He said.
They ate in silence for awhile, occasionally making a comment or two about the food.
"Oh!" Samantha said suddenly. "Hey, a bunch of us are playing laser tag before lunch. You wanna join?"
"Sure, I would love to. As long as no one minds losing." Kurt said.
Samantha grinned. "You can be on my team."
Rachel pressed her body against the wall that sheltered her as she cautiously peered out from behind it. Although it was dark and the dim lights in the alley weren't much help, she could tell that no one was there. Instinctively, she reached behind her. Her hand came in contact with Bobby's and she gripped it tightly. He laced his fingers through hers and she squeezed his hand to let him know everything was clear. They moved forward silently, guns gripped in their free hands. Rachel was left handed and Bobby right, which meant they could hold hands while walking and not really even realize it. Their gun hands were still free, after all.
Bobby stopped suddenly, signaling that he had heard something. Rachel listened as well, and could hear the soft footsteps of someone coming up behind them. They had raised their guns and were about to shoot when Cassandra called quietly, "Just me."
Bobby and Rachel relaxed as Cassandra joined them.
"Where are the others?" Bobby asked.
"Anorra and Sammie are tracking Piotr, Zeph, and Rogue. Kurt was headed towards Gambit and Warren, last I saw." Cassandra replied.
"Not anymore he isn't, petite." Gambit commented as he materialized out of the shadows, gun blazing.
Rachel and Bobby ducked down and rolled to hide behind another alley wall, but since Cassandra was in front of them she was too late and took the shots right on her chest. Her vest started beeping and she pouted.
"This is the second time I've had to sit out." She said, crossing her arms and leaning against a wall.
"It's only for five minutes, petite." Gambit replied, looking entirely too pleased with himself. His eyes widened as his own vest started beeping and he looked wildly around to try and find the shooter.
Kurt sauntered into view. "Have a fun five minutes, mein freund."
"Kurt, have I told you that I love you lately?" Cassandra asked, beaming at him. "So glad you joined us."
"So am I." Kurt said, then disappeared once more.
The teams were a little uneven, since they had eleven people playing. They had agreed to just draw numbers, though, and put six number ones in the hat and five number twos. Anyone who got a number two wasn't allowed to complain about being short. In the end, Zephyr, Rogue, Gambit, Piotr, and Warren were on team two, with Kurt, Samantha, Rachel, Bobby, Cassandra, and Anorra on team one. So far, team one was ahead, but they still had ten more minutes of game time left, so it could go either way.
Unfortunately, before Cassandra and Gambit could even get back in the game, the simulation was shut down and the doors of the Danger Room opened to reveal Cyclops and six of the younger mutants.
"Sorry to cut your game short, but our training session was supposed to begin seven minutes ago." Cyclops told them.
"So not cool." Cassandra told him. "We only had ten minutes left."
"We're scheduled to use the Danger Room now." Cyclops said. "We have to set a good example for the students about how to be on time."
"Were you guys playing laser tag?" One of the girls asked wistfully. "It looked fun."
"Yeah, Ali, we were." Rogue said, coming up to join Gambit and Cassandra. Ali was one of Rogue's favorite students. Ali's power was similar to Rogue's, except that the younger girl could amplify any mutant's power just by touch.
The rest of the laser tag group slowly joined them as well. The group of students were eyeing them longingly, probably thinking that laser tag was a lot more fun than anything Cyclops had planned for them.
"You may join us next time, if you wish." Piotr offered.
Samantha grinned. "That's a good idea. We can make it a big thing, students versus teachers."
"That's not a bad idea." Cyclops admitted. "You should talk it over with Xavier."
The adults headed out of the room then, although Rogue paused for a moment to smile at Cyclops. "It's good to have you back." She told him, then followed her friends out.
"I think he's quite possibly the most annoying person in the entire universe." Cassandra grumbled. "He just waltzes in there and shuts down our simulation. We still had ten minutes left in it. Okay, so we went a little over our time. Big deal. He should have just let us finish."
"I'm right there with you, darlin'." Logan agreed, taking a drink of his beer. "Cyke needs to loosen that collar around his neck."
"He needs to get the stick out from his ass." She said, making Logan snicker.
The two of them had gone into town for lunch. They were currently occupying an outside table at some bar and grill, waiting for their food to arrive. Logan was drinking beer, and Cassandra was, too, although mainly because he had made some comment about her taste not being good enough for Canadian beer. So she had gotten some just to prove that she could, too, drink it.
"Guess I was wrong about your taste." Logan said, eyes slightly teasing.
"I don't know about that." She teased. "I like you, so there must be something wrong with me."
"Nah." Logan said. "You ask me, liking me and being irritated by One Eye just means you're smart."
"I'm guessing you don't like Scott much." Cassandra said.
"We have different ideas about what's okay to do in front of the students." He said. "Or at all."
"That's a nice way of saying he's a goodie-goodie ass, isn't it?" She asked, grinning at him. "In that case, I agree. I still can't believe he ruined our game." She paused. "You're gonna play with use next time, right?"
"I ain't much for games, darlin'." Logan said.
"Logan, this is a game where you track down people and shoot them." She told him. "I don't think there's a game that more perfect for you."
He considered that. "Good point. And I do have to make sure you X-men don't get your butts handed to you by the students."
Cassandra snorted. "They don't stand a chance. Not against us."
"Few people stand a chance against you." Logan commented, his face perfectly serious, although Cassandra was sure he was teasing her.
"Except you." She said.
Logan smirked. "I'm starting to wonder about that, darlin'."
"Oh yeah?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. "Just what do you find so hard to stand a chance against?"
Logan didn't say anything. Instead, he leaned over to lock his lips with hers. By the time their food had arrived, they were so involved in each other that the waiter had to clear his throat a few times in order to get their attention. When he finally did, he rolled his eyes and placed their plates in front of them, then left quickly, leaving them to dig into their food with full plans to get back to where they were later.
Across town, though, things weren't going quite as well. Anorra and Piotr had made their lunch date, but they had spent most of it in silence. Surprisingly, though, it wasn't an awkward silence. Anorra actually felt comfortable with him. Which was a really new feeling, one that she hadn't quite settled into yet. They did have a few conversations about Piotr's family back in Russia and Anorra's experiences during her college life, but for the most part they sat in silence.
It didn't really help that the kindly owner of the restaurant kept commenting in heavily Russian-accented English that they were an adorable couple. Every time she did so, Piotr blushed darkly and Anorra found herself even more mute than usual.
She did like being out with Piotr, though. And halfway through their meal, when his left hand reached out to cover hers, she didn't even notice. In fact, she twisted her own hand a bit so that her thumb was over his, absently stroking his hand from time to time.
As the meal progressed, their conversations grew longer and longer, until they were talking the whole time. Most of it was meaningless conversation about classes, teaching, and training, yes, but they were still talking. And sort of holding hands.
Which was a good start.
Rogue didn't like Gambit. She really didn't. Well, she did, but only as a friend. Nothing more. It wasn't like she could ever really have any more, anyways. She could try, yes, but sooner or later the fact that she couldn't touch would take all of the romanticism out of the relationship. It was hard to be in love with someone you couldn't make physical contact with. Which, of course, meant she was screwed. Because no matter who she fell in love with, it would always be with someone she couldn't touch.
Which was why she wasn't entirely sure why she was currently headed towards the swimming pool with Gambit. She was wearing the full length bathing suit that Ororo had made for her, one that covered everything except for her face. Gambit, being himself, was wearing a speedo. And Rogue had to admit that he looked pretty damn good in it.
"Ain't we supposed to be waiting an hour after eating before swimming?" Rogue asked as they reached the pool.
Gambit waved his hands. "Ah, that's just an old Southern tale."
"Gambit, we're both Southern." She said, hiding her grin.
He frowned at her, trying to figure out whether or not she was serious. After a moment, he shrugged. "You wait, then, chere, and if Gambit drowns you can save him."
"If Gambit drowns, Gambit can save himself." Rogue told him. "I ain't jumping in after you."
He grinned at her. "Guess you'll just have to jump in before Gambit, then."
With that he picked her up and tossed her in, then dove in after her. She came up for air, trying to be angry but she kept laughing. She settled for sending a huge wave his way which, fortunately, he wasn't expecting. Rogue felt quite satisfied as it hit him in the face, leaving him sputtering water. He splashed her back and the two became deeply involved in a water war.
When they finally paused to catch their breath, Gambit was a lot closer than Rogue was comfortable with. Mainly because she really wanted him to be even more close. Gambit reached for her hand, but Rogue pulled away.
"Don't." She told him quietly.
"I can't." He said equally as softly. "Gambit tried this whole friends thing, chere. It ain't working. Gambit wants more."
"I can't give you more." Rogue told him, anger clouding her words. "Don't you think I want to? I can't. I can't touch, or kiss, or do anything that normal couples do."
"Gambit doesn't want any of that." He said, shaking his head. "He just wants you."
Rogue shook her head back at him. "You say that now. I don't really know you, Gambit. I don't even know your real name."
"Gambit doesn't know yours, either." He told her. There was a long moment of silence as they stared at her, then he said, "Remy. Remy LeBeau."
Rogue's eyes searched his. Both of them knew that it wasn't just about their names. If she didn't say hers now, he would take the hint. He would stop trying. Rogue was surprised to find out that she didn't want that. "Marie D'Ancanto."
Maybe they would find some way to make it work.
"Come on, hon, it'll be fun." Charm commented, leaning her hip against the doorway of Backlash's room.
Backlash scowled at her. "Why aren't you bugging Pyro?"
"Because it's your turn for fun." Charm replied. Really, though, it was because she had been with Pyro every night since last Friday. After over a week with only one guy, Charm usually got fidgety. This time, though, she wasn't. She would be perfectly happy to go "bug" him again. And that made her fidgety.
Backlash just stared at her. "Going to a club is not my idea of fun." Although, honestly, Backlash was considering it. If only because it meant it would get her away from Toad. The irritating mutant had been flirting with her constantly and Backlash was actually starting not entirely mind. She needed to get out. Not to a club, though. And preferably alone.
Charm pouted at her, but Backlash wasn't at all moved, so Charm just sighed. "Fine, be that way." She said, heading off down the hall.
She stopped in front of Aphedria's door and knocked, calling, "Hey, 'Phedria?"
Aphedria's response was a loud snarl that may or may not have been actual words.
Charm backed up. "Um, never mind."
Damn. There was no one in this whole stupid place that would go out and have fun with her. Well, no girls anyway. And going out with guys just wasn't as fun. Guys were usually only good for sex. Except for Pyro. Which was really, really weird. They had only had sex twice more, despite the fact that she had been hanging out with him every night.
Oh, that was it. That was why she didn't mind hanging out with him. Because there was only a small chance they'd actually get anything done, so she had to spend more time with him in order to get the same amount of sex. Damn, that sucked. Unfortunately, Pyro was the only guy around that was really worth doing. So, with another sigh, Charm turned and went for his room.
This time, she didn't even bother knocking on the door. She just opened it and waltzed right in. By now, he did the same thing to her as well, although Charm wouldn't have knocked even if he did. Hey, if he was doing something he didn't want her to see, he should lock the door. Of course, that wouldn't really work, since Pyro's door knew Charm and would open for her, anyway. So, uh, he just better not be doing something he didn't want her to see.
Fortunately, he was only getting dressed. Or maybe undressed, Charm wasn't really sure. Either way, he was half naked, and it was the good half.
"Hey hon." Charm said. "Put some pants on and let's go clubbing."
Pyro blinked at her. "You want to go clubbing?"
"Why not?" She asked. "We've go not plans, no training scheduled, and I know you're done with your big important meetings for today. Besides, Magneto's coming back Tuesday, so this is our last night to go out and have some fun without having to baby-sit newbies."
Pyro grinned. "For you. I'm baby-sitting right now."
"Mmm. Guess that makes you a cradle robber." She commented.
He raised an eyebrow. "How old are you?"
"Twenty-four." Charm replied cheerfully.
"I'm twenty." Pyro said, marveling briefly at the fact that he was doing a woman four years older than him.
"Ouch. Then I'm the cradle robber, aren't I?" She said, although she didn't seem at all upset about it. Mainly because Charm was a liar. She was nineteen, she just happened to look like she was in her mid-twenties. "So, clubbing?"
He shook his head at her, then grabbed a fallen pair of pants and pulled them on. They were black leather, and he was wearing a black tee-shirt with a flaming skull, so Charm deemed him appropriate enough for the club she had in mind. She, however, wasn't. She opened up his closet as he laced up his black combat boots and found a long sleeved button up shirt in a dark, burning red. Charm grinned and ditched the tee-shirt she was wearing, putting on the red shirt and leaving it unbuttoned over her black bra. Her short black shirt and usual black boots were acceptable, so she turned back to him.
Pyro raised an eyebrow. "This is hardly a fair arrangement. I can't wear your clothes."
"I'm sure you could if you really wanted to, sweetie, but people mind wonder about you." Charm replied. "You ready?"
Pyro shrugged. The only reason he really tolerated her was because it meant he got laid. Plus, going and having a few drinks sounded like a decent idea. "Yeah."
They headed out to her car, then sat back as it drove into town. Of course, Charm couldn't sit still long enough for the whole ride and they had started making out before it was over. Her car pulled up in front of a club with a name that Pyro recognized, although he hadn't been to it. The club was generally mutants only, which was probably why Charm had picked it.
She grabbed his hand and pulled him out while the car went off to go find a place to park. Charm bypassed the line and went right to the front, where she tossed a flirtatious smile at the bouncer.
"Hey, Temp." Charm said.
"Hey sweetie." Temp replied. "Haven't seen you around here lately."
"Been out of town, honey." She said. "I'm back now."
The bouncer's gaze swept over Pyro, who stared defiantly back at him. The bouncer grin.
"You're Pyro, ain't you?" Temp said. "Damn, Charm, looks like you're hanging around a much better crowd these days."
Pyro's eyes narrowed. "What makes you think I'm Pyro."
"You're hot as hell." Temp replied. "I can sense heat. Only one guy could have your temp and still be walking around. Besides, everyone knows about what Magneto's doing for us. I'd join up myself if I didn't have my responsibilities here." He looked back and forth between the two of them. "If you're recruiting, there's a group in booth three that might be interested."
Pyro made a mental note to tell Magneto about this place. "Thanks."
"Any time." Temp said, waving them inside.
"You come here a lot?" Pyro asked.
"I grew up here." Charm replied. "On the streets of New York. Probably why I'm so 'screwed up'." She added, laughing cheerfully at herself. "Where're you from?"
Brief flashes of John's childhood swept through Pyro's mind, making him curl up a lip slightly. "Australia."
"Really?" Charm asked. "Where's your accent?"
"Disappeared after a year on the streets here." He replied.
Charm pouted. "Too bad. Australian accents are hot."
"I might be convinced to bring it back, after a couple of drinks." Pyro said with a smirk.
Charm grinned back. "Guess we better get you some drinks, then."
They spent the rest of the night drinking, dancing, and flirting. Sure enough, after a copious amount of drinking, Pyro's accent came back. Charm was delighted with it, and kept trying to make him talk to her, saying whatever he felt like as long as he kept talking. It wasn't long after that that the two of them headed back out to Charm's car, letting it drive them home while they had sex in the back seat. Hopefully Aphedria wouldn't find out. Because she would probably kill them for defiling the place she had to sit in. For now, though, neither of them cared.