Click. John clicked his pen off. It was no use to pretend to take notes; he could care less about Calculus. The fact that it seemed to come naturally to him was a fortunate coincidence, otherwise he would have suffered more from having missed so much school work. As it was this was the only class in which he was still with his old classmates, having fallen too far behind in every other subject.

Click. John snapped the pen back on. John could easily contain his joy at this prospect. It was fortunately the only time he spent anywhere near the vicinity of Bobby since his return to the mansion, the near miss at the elevator this morning notwithstanding. He had to hand it to old Stormy, for being stupid enough to let someone like him back in, she had been smart enough to put him and the Iceman as far apart as could be and still be in the same building.

Click. Off again. But for forty minutes every morning he had the distinct pleasure of sitting behind and to the right of the sainted one himself as some minor mutant teacher struggled through a new syllabus. If mutants were gods among insects, than this particular mutant would have been a much lesser god, like say, the god of goats. John wondered briefly if the teacher's mutant ability was to bore others to sleep.

Click. There was something comforting about hitting that little button, almost like having his lighter back. A little obsessive compulsive habit that helped him stay calm and focused under the most trying conditions. It was not quite the same. But almost.

Click. John ached for fire. He yearned for it in ways he didn't think possible. Sure burning stuff was fun, a joy, really to see how destructive he could be. But just manipulating the flames into figures, seeing how long he could stretch it or how compact he could make it before it extinguished had been a part of his daily life. It was like a piece of him was missing. If he hadn't fallen so out of favor with his current headmistress he would ask her to set the danger room up just to burn things. That however, was not an option any time soon. John shoved away the thought that it was after all his own fault.

Click. Click. No, he decided suddenly, it was not the same with a pen top as his lighter, but he thought that he had seen something out of the corner of his eye. Could he be annoying his fellow classmates?

Click. Click. There was only one way to find out.

Click. Click. Click. Click. Clickity-click. John pushed his finger up and down on the pen with a speed his classmate the super speedster Pietro would have been proud of. He couldn't be sure, watching only the right side of Bobby's face, but it seemed to have tightened.

Clickity clickity clickity clickity clickity clickity clickity clickity –click.

"Will you stop that?" Bobby hissed quietly, turning in his seat.

"What?" John asked loudly trying to draw the attention of the teacher.

Mission accomplished. "Mr. Drake, will you turn around and pay attention!" Mr. Rupert reprimanded. So even the little god of goats had his uses.

With a last glare at John, Bobby turned around in his seat, sliding down slightly, sulking. 'Poor Bobby got called out by a teacher? How will he ever survive?' John mocked silently.

Rogue reached her hand out to grasp Bobby's left in a show of support, but he shrugged it off as well. John bit back a chuckle as she turned and glared his way as well. This, too, was apparently his fault.

John searched the back of the room to see if someone else had noticed and wasn't disappointed to see Kitty staring at him thoughtfully. Although a year or two younger than the students around her, Kitty was apparently some kind of math and engineering wonder kid and had been skipped up to more appropriate classes. She didn't seem to approve or disapprove of his actions, but was just studying him. He winked at her and was pleased to see her blush at being caught. She quickly ducked her head, making furious and no doubt illiterate notes.

John sighed. It did no use to him to get a rise out of her when the Popsicle couldn't see it. It was the perfect plan to get back at Bobby and get out of the mansion for once and for all, using Kitty. Bobby couldn't very well object if Kitty and John started a relationship, not without risking his own. But John could tell that he couldn't just watch either. What to do, Iceman? Catch-22.

So far, that part of John's master plan seemed to be working, so long as he had Kitty alone. When they were alone, Kitty seemed not to mind that he was a convicted terrorist and treated him like she would any other friend. The other part of his plan was completely hampered by the fact that everyone else did seem to mind about that whole convicted terrorist bit. Unfortunately for both plans, Marie had interrupted his tour with Kitty and threatened to tell Bobby of what she had seen. Since then Kitty had joined the rest of the school population in not so subtly avoiding him.

John could care less if Marie told, in fact, he eagerly anticipated the distress that poor Bobby would go through when she did tell. John took a minute to fantasize about what it had been like when Bobby's girlfriend confided in him that his wannabe girlfriend had been hot and sweaty with his worst enemy, granted from racing, but still. Had his face tightened? Had the room dipped sharply in temperature? Or had he stared impassively trying to keep his feelings undercover to quell any rumors and Rogue's fears? Was he thinking about it right now, as he mused about how much he hated John? Wondering what he was up to and how Kitty could be so foolish?

Clearly Kitty at least somewhat reciprocated Bobby's feelings for her. Enough so that she cared what he thought unfortunately, which was evident not only by her reaction to Marie's threat earlier in the week, but to John's presence outside the elevator. Granted, it hadn't seemed like her and Bobby were exactly getting overly friendly in the elevator; if anything Kitty had looked like she couldn't wait to get away from him. John once again wondered if he needed to do anything at all to ruin Bobby's relationship with the ghost girl. Bobby seemed to be doing a bang up job on his own. However, her power would still be damn useful, John thought, mindful of the metal against his ankle. Tormenting Bobby was just the icing, really.

It had been a mistake to not try and follow her earlier despite Marie's interruption. He could have repaired some of the damage, but he forgot himself slightly when faced with those big brown eyes. John looked over to where Marie sat pouting, her lower lip trembling in a way that was quite sexy in its innocence.

John shook himself out of that line of thinking. He had always had a soft spot for the Southern runaway, invulnerable to touch, but oh so vulnerable emotionally. She was such a mix of fiery temper and tender insecurity, it was enchanting, really, if Pyro went for that flowery romantic stuff. Which he didn't. Still, he hadn't been lying when he told her that he had been jealous of her relationship with Bobby at first and if he was into psychobabble, girly self-analyzation, he would probably admit that was what caused his deep seated hatred for Bobby to start. But all that had changed now.

John was disgusted that she could choose to make herself less than what she was. Sure it was challenging to not be able to touch, but getting close to people was far over rated. And in time, he was sure that she could learn to control her powers. Bobby just obviously wasn't the right person. John was melded to fire until he was unsure where one element stopped and the other began, but Rogue . . . she could have had that connection with anything if she just reached for it. She could have been the supreme goddess and she had thrown it all away.

And for what? Bobby Drake?

Further proof that John should have killed him when he had the chance, for helping destroy something so beautiful. Although his failure was unfortunately not for lack of trying, John reminded himself bitterly.

"Mr. Allerdyce, are you listening at all?" Mr. Rupert's angry shout broke through his reverie.

John was displeased to discover that while he had been lost in thoughts of Rogue and revenge, he had been being called on repeatedly, to the point where now everyone was staring at him. Rogue blushed and turned away as their eyes met and John allowed himself to smile at Bobby triumphantly before responding to his teacher.

"No," He admitted truthfully.

The poor teacher just sputtered, unable to decide what to say to that frank admission. John heard Kitty giggle from behind him although she tried to stifle it. "And why, pray tell, are you not?"

John shrugged his shoulders, seeming to ponder his answer. "Because you're boring?"

This time Kitty couldn't stop her laughter, although she was joined by a few others. Bobby rolled his eyes and started rifling through his notes, although John noticed Marie was fighting a small smile.

"Mr. Allerdyce, let me remind you that your position is a bit more precarious than others here," Mr. Rupert threatened, drawing close to John's desk. "I could cause trouble for you that would go far beyond an hour's detention, do you understand? I can only imagine what they would do to someone like you in prison-"

"I don't think Ms. Monroe will be exactly pleased to hear you threatening one of her students, no matter what his 'position' as you put it," Kitty's voice rang out from the back, interrupting, and keeping John from tearing the head off of the man in front of him, fire or no fire. "I would be careful if you value your job."

"Miss . . . Pryde, is it?" the teacher said, turning his glare her way. "I don't appreciate being threatened."

Kitty wouldn't back down, however. "Neither, I imagine, do your students." She flipped open her notes, mechanical pencil held ready as if to take notes. "Now, we were discussing the difference between absolute and conditionally divergent equations, correct?"

Mr. Rupert continued to stare at her for a moment and John was afraid that he wouldn't go back to his lesson. He didn't care if he got in trouble, but he knew that Kitty was the type of girl who did. Or at least he thought she was; nerds usually were. He wasn't used to having people stick up for him. The Brotherhood had been mostly every man for himself, with everyone fighting for positioning. Getting her in trouble would most likely jeopardize his plans, not to mention their lunch date.

Eventually, Mr. Rupert did go back to his blackboard, attacking the equations with chalk in a way that John could only assume his teacher would rather have aimed at him. A small note fluttered onto his lap and turning John could see it had been guided there with the help of a mutant sitting next to Kitty he could only assume was telekinetic.

Hey Sparky,

Rupert's an ass, don't let him scare you. And more over, you're right, he is unsufferably boring. I could do this with my eyes closed and I somehow get the feeling you could too. Full of surprises, aren't you?

See you at lunch,

Kitty

The handwriting was so incredibly perfect and feminine, it fit her all too well. The content, however. John cocked an eyebrow at her. Apparently he wasn't the only one full of surprises. Although, the Sparky nickname would have to go.

The thought of missing lunch with Kitty and thus a chance to further his agenda kept John from anymore blatant class interruptions although he did continue to find his gaze straying towards Rogue. She would catch him every so often and look away. Even better, every once in a while Bobby would catch him and apparently try to use his powers with his eyes from the icy glare he gave. All in all the last twenty minutes of class were not a complete waste of time.

All the same, John booked it as soon as class was dismissed. He wasn't afraid of a little man like Rupert, but it was more the principle of the thing. Class was over, why dawdle? Get out while the getting was good.

Unfortunately, that was one view that John and Bobby had always shared and John found himself reach the stairwell at the same time as his former roomie. Fortunately, Bobby seemed disinclined to speak so John reached the second floor in peace. Not many students headed to their rooms between classes, but John was seriously considering ditching History after the fun and fabulous time he had just had in Calculus.

As soon as he turned the corner to the boys' dormitory, however, Bobby still beside him, John knew something was up. Bobby's room was the other direction, and his class a floor below. Sure enough, as soon as John had opened the door to his room, Bobby shoved him into it from behind following him in and attempting to lock the door, before realizing the lock was on the outside.

"Oh, Bobby, what will your girlfriend say?" John mocked. "Unfortunately, I don't swing that way, so unless you're planning on letting me take a swing at you, I suggest you leave." John made a big show of turning as if dismissing Bobby and began unpacking his Calculus book onto his desk.

"I'm going to tell you this once and only once. Stay away from her," Bobby's voice was dangerously low.

"Look, your girlfriend is pretty and all that, but do you really think I would waste my time with a human?" John scoffed. "She's less than human when you think about it, considering she was one of us and chose to destroy herself."

"Marie?" Bobby looked confused, but that too was soon replaced by anger. "What have you done to Marie?"

John chuckled, turning. "So you were here about your other girlfriend, Bobby? I've done nothing, to either of them – yet. Marie is your girlfriend, so I suppose your caveman behavior there is understandable, although I doubt she'd care much for it. But what I do to and with Kitty is none of your concern. You made your choice, Bobby. I still have time to make mine."

"No, you don't. Stay away from Kitty! She's too good to be caught up with the likes of you and too nice to tell you to take a short walk off a long pier, so do us both a favor and leave her the hell alone!" Bobby shouted.

So, the golden boy could swear. That was an interesting turn of events. John realized wryly that he might have had more than a little to do with Bobby's transformation from defensive pansy to aggressive control-freak, but it wasn't much of an improvement in his opinion. He bit back the urge to shout that he'd do whatever he'd want with whomever he wanted, thank you very much. If he was going to get a plan to work he needed to think before he acted. Something that did not come naturally to him, he'd be the first to admit.

"I'd lower your voice, Iceman. There's plenty of rumors about you and Kitty already and I doubt she'd appreciate you adding to them by shouting about her to the corners of the school," John kept his voice calm and was gratified to see the utter confusion that it affected in Bobby. "I'll tell you this only once. As much as you hate me and believe me it's mutual, it would be in your best interest to listen. Kitty Pryde is an intelligent young woman and she doesn't need you to make her decisions for her. In fact, I have no doubt she'd resent you for attempting to do so."

Bobby's face confirmed that he knew John was telling the truth, but John didn't stop there. "So I'd run along to your next class before you ruin your no doubt perfect attendance record with a pointless activity. If Kitty wants me to stay away, she'll tell me herself. And if you want me to stay away? Try and make me."

Bobby glared at him one last time, before going over and practically yanking the door off its hinges. He didn't leave before turning to issue one last threat. "I may not be able to make you stay away from Kitty, true. But I know I wouldn't want to be you if the Wolverine finds out what you're up to."

The slam of the door had an ominous ring to it as Bobby's words sank in. John wasn't afraid of anything, or at least maintained that attitude. But he'd be foolish if he didn't admit that the feral mutant was dangerous and more than a little intimidating. And protective enough to make Bobby look like a teddy bear.

John looked at the note peeking out of his calculus book. It was too late to back out of his plan with Kitty now, even if he wanted to. He'd just have to be very, very careful and avoid Logan at all costs. With any luck by the time Logan caught scent of it, John would be long gone, with or without Miss Pryde.

John jumped in spite of himself as the window next to him rattled loudly against the bars in the wind. All the same, maybe being in a boring history class with tons of children as witnesses wasn't a bad idea. He grabbed his books, ran out the door and slid into his history seat in record time, making it the first time in his career at Xavier's both before and after his stint as a criminal that he was at class on time.