Author's Note: Hello again. This is the sequel to Some Secrets Are Worth Keeping. This story will probably make more sense if you read that one first.

Ages:

Etienne LeBeau-18

Nathan Summers-17

Alana LeBeau, Daniel Alvers-16

Rachel Summers, Callie Alvers, Jenna Tolansky-15

Jayme Maximoff, Anya Rasputin, Jessie Allerdyce-14

Hannah Drake, Shane Allerdyce, Mya Alvers-13

Disclaimer: I don't own X-Men: Evolution.

"Are ya'll ready yet?" Rogue stuck her head into the room where the girls were putting the finishing touches on their outfits. "The boys are getting impatient."

"We'll be done in a minute, Mom." Alana turned from the mirror, putting one last pin in to hold her hair in place. Her long black hair had been turned into a mass of curls.

"Don't take too much longer, sugah."

"We won't." Alana checked her hair and makeup before standing up and putting on a pair of flip flops. She'd put on her heels in the car before they got to the dance.

Five minutes later, the four girls that were going to the dance came downstairs. The guys just stared. All of the girls had taken their time getting ready and it really showed.

"Hey, big brother."

"Alana? You look great." Etienne stared at the girl in front of him. He rarely saw his sister dressed up. She was wearing a green halter dress that clung to her lean torso before flaring at her hips. The hem stopped an inch or two above her knee.

Etienne's eyes were drawn to the other girls. Rachel was wearing a short white dress that set off her red hair. Jenna was wearing a black skirt and red corset. The outfit reminded Etienne of something Wanda would wear.

Etienne almost gasped when he saw Callie. She was wearing a light blue spaghetti strap dress. The hem came down to mid thigh, leaving her toned, tan legs exposed. The color of the dress set off her eyes beautifully. "Wow."

Callie smiled at Etienne, letting him know that she had heard the comment. "What do you think?"

"You look great, sweetie," Kitty's voice came from behind them. They turned to see Kitty and Lance with a camera.

"She's right, Cal. You look beautiful."

"Thanks."

"Now come on. We want some pictures of you two." Kitty positioned the two before snapping a few pictures. Alana, Nathan, Daniel, Rachel, Jenna, and her date, another Xavier student, were getting the same treatment.

"I think that's good, Mom. We don't want to keep the limo driver waiting."

"He's not," Etienne's statement was stopped by a sharp elbow to the ribs.

"Yeah, I guess you're right. Have a good time."

"We will. Come on, Et." Callie took her boyfriend by the arm and led him outside.

"What was that about, Callie?"

"Mom would stand there and take pictures for the next half hour. I really don't feel like posing for that long." Callie took a step toward Etienne and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Besides, wouldn't you rather have some alone time before the dance?"

Etienne grinned and kissed his girlfriend. "Hate to tell ya this, babe, but ya forgot you're shoes inside."

"Dammit." Callie realized that he was right. "I'll be back." Etienne chuckled and leaned against the railing of the mansion's steps.

He was gazing at the stars when he heard the door open. Etienne didn't even glance over to see who it was. They'd say something sooner or later if they came out to talk to him.

"Ya hidin or something?" Etienne turned his head slightly to see his father leaning on the railing next to him.

"Nope. Just waitin for Callie."

"She might be a while." Remy nodded to the glass doors. Etienne glanced over to see Callie posing for more pictures. They stood in silence for a few minutes before Etienne spoke.

"Did ya ever go to dances in high school."

"No. I had more of a private education," Remy replied with a smirk. Etienne gave him a questioning glance. "The Guilds didn't exactly send their members to school together. We were more like home schooled."

"Oh, okay. Can I ask you something?"

"Sure, mon fils." Remy was now sitting on the railing, alternating glances between the house, the start filled sky, and his troubled son.

Etienne looked away from the stars to fix his gaze on Remy. "How did you know that you loved Mom?"

"That's a loaded question." Remy paused to think it over. "It's hard to explain. I was drawn to her from the first time we met. I couldn't get her outta my head after that. But I think that I didn't realize it until I came here and really got to know her. She wasn't like the other girls I had dated. I didn't think that I could live without her and, to be honest, I didn't want to try." Remy looked over at his son. "Why?"

"Just wonderin."

"Ya trying to figure out what ya feel for Callie?"

"Yeah. I've always loved her, but it used to be more of a friendly little sister kind of love. Now I don't know."

"What's ya heart telling ya, fils?"

Etienne sighed. "I really don't know. That's the problem."

"Ya enjoy bein round her?"

"Yeah."

"Ya like kissin her?"

"Course I do."

"Ya wish that ya never had to leave her side?"

"Yeah."

"Ya wanna protect her, no matter what it'll cost ya?"

"Yeah." Etienne looked over at Remy. "I guess I do love her."

"Sounds like it to me. Ya just gotta figure out if it's a forever kind of love or just a everyday kind of love."

"Why's everything so complicated?"

"C'est la vie." Remy shrugged and stood up. "Have fun. I'll send Callie back out."

"Thanks."

"No problem." Remy walked back inside the mansion, thinking about his son's current predicament. Rogue noticed his thoughtful mood and gave him a questioning glance. He just shook his head, his way f saying I'll tell you later without actually saying anything.

"Remy, where's Etienne? I wanted some more pictures of him and Callie." Kitty snapped another picture of the girls.

"He's waitin for the belle fille outside."

Callie smiled at the compliment. "I think that's enough pictures, Mom." Callie hugged her parents before heading out the door.

"Hay, Dad, come here. I want you in one of these with me." Remy smiled at his daughter's request. He took his place next to her and Rogue took a picture of the two.

"Kit, can ya do me a favor?"

"Sure."

"Can ya take a picture of us?" Rogue handed the camera to Kitty and joined Alana and Remy. They had already taken one with the whole family.

Callie stuck her head back in the door. "Limo's here."

All the other couples said a quick goodbye and hurried out the door. They piled into the sleek black stretch and settled back for the ride. They had gone all out, since the school wasn't hosting another dance after this for the year.

The music was already blasting when they got to the school. The gym was quickly filling with teenagers and the odd chaperone. The Xavier kids immediately made their way to the dance floor. Instead of breaking of into couples like everyone else, they all danced in a big group for the first song.

The next song was a slow song, so the group broke apart. Etienne and Callie swayed to the beat, the fingers of one hand intertwined. Etienne's other hand rested lightly on her hip, while hers was on his shoulder.

"Thanks for inviting me, Et." Callie smiled up at him.

"It would have looked bad if I came with someone other than my girlfriend." Etienne's grin told her that he was teasing.

"Yeah, that's why I had to turn down all the guys that were begging me to be their date."

Etienne pulled her close, her head resting against his chest. They danced in silence for a moment, just enjoying each other's company.

"Callie?"

"Yeah?" Callie pulled back slightly to look into his eyes.

"I love you."

She looked surprised. The surprised look was quickly replaced by a smile. "I love you too, Et."

Etienne retuned her smile and leaned down to kiss her. Neither noticed when the song ended. Nor did they notice Rachel's jealous glare from across the room. They only broke apart when Alana's voice came from behind them.

"Ya'll gonna have to breathe sooner or later."

Etienne turned to his sister with an amused smirk. "I've seen ya lockin lips with Nathan for longer than that."

"Not lately ya ain't."

"True."

"Now, if ya don't mind, I'm stealin your ate."

"And if I do mind?"

"Too bad." Alana was already walking away with Callie. Etienne laughed and went to get a drink. He met Daniel at the punch bowl.

"Havin fun?"

"Yeah. But my date seems a little jealous of you and my sister."

"Rachel? I doubt it."

Daniel glanced back to where Rachel was flirting with some guy. "Maybe you're right. So what was up with that lip lock?"

"What d'ya mean?"

"I've known you for years, Et. Something's going on there."

"We've been dating for the last few months if that what ya mean."

"You know what I meant."

"Yeah, I do."

"So?"

"I think I love her."

"You tell her that?"

"Yeah."

"You better not hurt her, Et."

"I don't plan to."

"Okay then. I'd better get back to my date before she bails on me for some other guy."

"See ya." Etienne leaned against the wall to drink his punch and think some more. Callie and Alana came back, putting an end to his musing. They hit the dance floor again.

The group danced late into the night. The dance ended around eleven. They had been invited to several parties, but they all decided to go home, since they had training in the morning.

Two months later, Etienne nervously waited for his name to be called. Once he had that piece of paper in his hand, he was done with Bayville High. He looked over to see Nathan dressed in his cap and gown, eagerly waiting his turn. Etienne's glances went back to the audience seated behind him.

He easily picked out his parents and Alana. They saw him looking and smiled. He returned the smile before his glance ran over the rest of the crowd. He picked out Scott, Logan, Ororo, the Prof., and Rachel, the Tolanskys, the Rasputins, the Allerdyces, the Drakes, and the Maximoffs. His gaze stopped on the Alvers family. Callie grinned at him and waved.

"Etienne LeBeau." Etienne turned around and stood up to make his way to the stage set up on the football field. He shook Mr. Tompson's hand as he received his diploma. The Institute families cheered and snapped pictures before Etienne took his seat. He drifted off as the principal went through the list of names, clapping politely when everyone else did.

"Nathan Grey-Summers." Etienne clapped enthusiastically when his best friend stood up to get his diploma. He heard a sharp whistle from behind him and knew that it was probably Daniel. Cameras flashed once again and Nathan made his way back to his seat.

The principal read off the rest of the names and finished handing out diplomas. The salutatorian gave her speech and sat back down.

"And this year's valedictorian is Nathan Summers. Mr. Summers."

Nathan stood and took his place behind the podium. "It's been a crazy year. But we're done." Cheers rang out form the graduating class at his statement.

"I personally want to thank my family for helping me to get here. Thanks to my friends for sticking by me through all the stuff we've been through. Et, Daniel, you are the brothers I never had. Lana, Callie, Jenna, you've taught more than I could ever hope to learn about living with the female part of our species. Professor, you've helped me more than I can ever tell you. Logan, you've always pushed me past what I thought I could do and it's made me stronger than I realized I was. Ororo, you've always been there when I needed someone. Everyone else at the Institute, you're more of a family than I could ever hope for. Thank you all.

"I remember my first day at Bayville. I got lost on my way to class and one of the seniors at the time was kind enough to show me how my locker worked. Unfortunately, it didn't work from the inside. Luckily, I got that figured out by the next week. I didn't get the opportunity to participate in many of the school events due to various reasons, but from the few I got to have a part in, I learned a great deal about my peers. I've learned that this class is full of potential.

"Today is the beginning of the rest of our lives. As we go on from this, we'll learn more about who we are and who we want to become. We'll rely on the knowledge of those around us and learn from the mistakes we are undoubtedly going to make. Twenty years from now, we'll come back and find out just who we've become in comparison with how everyone remembers us. Thank you."

Applause rang out as Nathan took his seat. The principal took his spot once again. He thanked everyone for coming and gave his closing address. The seniors threw their caps and it was over.

"Four years of hell for that?" Etienne mumbled to Nathan, who was now walking next to him.

"I know. Totally not worth it."

"You're not kidding."

"Great speech, Nate."

"Thanks, Dad."

"Congrats!" Alana rushed at the boys and almost knocked them over in her eagerness to give them a congratulatory hug. The rest of the Institute members followed suit.

"If I'm correct, I believe that there is a party awaiting these two young men back at the mansion," Professor Xavier's voice broke through. The teens exchanged glances before grinning. Another party.

"What are we waiting for?" Tabitha called. The adults rolled their eyes. She had calmed down some, but Tabby was still a party girl at heart. But they all followed her lead and piled into the cars to go back to the mansion.

Callie took her spot in the passenger seat of Etienne's car. The other teens had all gotten rides with other people, leaving them alone.

"So what now?"

"Now we go back to the Institute and party."

"You know what I meant, Et."

"Yeah. I think I'm going to take a year to decide my next step."

"Are you sure?"

Etienne nodded. "I don't really know what I want to do yet. I'm not sure if I want to do something like my mom and dad are or not. I like the whole training thing, but not that much."

"Just promise me you'll stick around for a while."

Etienne parked his car in the garage and turned to face her. "Cal. I'm not going anywhere. I promise. I love you."

"I know and I love you. But I still worry that you'll leave and head back to Louisiana or something."

Etienne took Callie's hands and stared into her beautiful blue eyes. "Cal, if I go anywhere, it won't be alone. I want to spend my life with you by my side. You're everything that matters."

Callie smiled and leaned in to kiss him. "I feel the same about you. One more question though."

"Sure. What is it?" Etienne climbed out of the car and looked at Callie over the roof.

"What are you going to say when you propose? I won't accept that line twice." Callie grinned. Etienne returned the grin. Callie could recognize the evil glint in his eyes.

Callie stepped back as Etienne came around the car. "Etienne, what are you doing?" Etienne just smiled innocently. Suddenly he lunged at her, picking her up and walking out of the garage.

She looked around as Etienne headed away from the house. "What are you doing?" Then her eyes caught on the object he was headed toward. "Etienne, so help me, if you mess up my dress, I'll kill you."

"Come on, Cal. Why would you kill me?" Etienne gave her a smile and she relaxed. She regretted it a minute later when she hit the cold water of the pool.

Callie came up sputtering. She pushed her wet hair out of her face and fixed a glare on Etienne. "You're dead, LeBeau."

"Love you too, baby."

Okay. This is the end of this fic. I hope that ya'll have enjoyed it. I'm working on another Romy fic that I'll hopefully have out soon, so keep an eye out for that. Til next time. R&R. Thanks to anyone who has reviewed throughout this fic. It was very much appreciated.