Wade's house was nice and clean, and very orderly; no thanks to him. His prisoner…I mean roommate, Al, was blind as a bat, literally. She had to have everything in a certain place so she didn't run into them and break her hip or something. Now, in the basement, where Wade actually lived, that was different. It was messy. That was an understatement. There were guns, bullets, blades, and bombs strewn all across the room. Papers all across the floor and a poster of Audrey Hepburn on the wall. Wade had a thing for classic movie icons.

"It's not like Wade to let anyone in the house, much less stay here." Al chuckled.

"What can I say? I'm special." I smiled, realized she couldn't see it, and followed Wade up the stairs.

"You can have this room. There's no window, so you don't have to worry about snipers. It's a queen sized bed; Al changed the sheets this morning, so it's clean." He dropped my bag on the bed and smiled at me. "I kinda like this."

"What? My being hunted like an animal?" I giggled.

"No, though that does make the game a little more fun. I mean you staying in my house. I like the idea."

"Ya know what? So do I." I kissed his cheek through his mask.

"Aww shucks." He laughed and pulled out a teleporter belt. "Weasel gave you a makeshift one, but here's a better one to replace the one that went up in flames with Sinead."

"Thanks, Wade." I cringed a little at the memory of my truck burning. I missed my baby.

"We can get you another Chevy, kitten." It was like he could read my mind, or maybe he just knew me that well. Could be either one with Wade.

"It won't be Sinead, pumpkin. It's kinda like when a Sultan's wife dies. He has several others, but none quite as good as the first one."

"Bad analogy."

"Oh, like yours are so much better." I laughed and punched him in the arm.

"Ow. Why you so mean?"

"Would you like me if I weren't?"

"Nope. It just wouldn't be you." He grabbed me in a huge bear hug and kissed my head.

"You're gonna end up getting hurt one day, pumpkin." I said, pushing away.

"If getting to kiss you means spending a couple days in a coma, it'd be well worth it." He chuckled.

"You're insane." I shook my head and turned to my bag. "I should start unpacking."

"Right. I'll leave you to it. I'll be in the basement." He turned to leave.

"Wade?" I stared at my bag.

"Yes?" He turned his head back to look at me.

"Thank you."

"Anytime, kitten. I mean that." He left me alone to sort out my things.

I opened the bag and pulled some hangers out of the closet. It was a fairly large closet; that made me happy. I dumped the contents of the bag onto the bed, grabbing off the top and putting them on hanger, or folding them and putting them in drawers. Wade really knew my style. He had gathered two pairs of boy's shorts, three pairs of blue jean, my favorite camo jeans, and a pair of capris. He also had jumbled up several t-shirts and tank tops. When I got to the bottom of the pile, I burned red with a mixture of anger and embarrassment. He had shoved several lacey red thongs and three red leather corsets into my bag. I don't remember ever buying lingerie!

"WADE!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. "WHAT THE FUCK?"

"Just wishful thinking, kitten!" He yelled back from the basement.

"You asshat!"

Why the hell did Al have a car? That was the only thing I could think of when she offered to let me drive her car while I stayed with her and Wade. I graciously accepted, of course, but what the hell? Why did the blind chick have a car? More importantly, what kind of car had I just agreed to drive?

A Jaguar XKE II E-type. That was the answer. One of the best classic cars I'd ever seen and I got to drive it around town. I was having a mini-spaz attack just looking at it!

"Are you drooling?" Wade laughed as he handed me the keys.

"Wade, did you know she had this car?"

"Yep."

"How do you not drive this everywhere?"'

"I don't like cars."

"This, Wade, is not a car. This is a gift from God! Do you know how much one of these costs at used market value?"

"Five grand?"

"I should shoot you!"

"Wouldn't be the first time."

"Wade! This is a little piece of history!"

"I prefer the future."

"You don't even have antique car tags on the license!"

"Should I?"

"Wade!"

"Just drive the damned car, Annie!" He threw his hands in the air and walked back in the house.

I smiled and slid into the car. I carefully pushed the key into the ignition, and started her up. She purred like a mother cat. I reveled in the feeling of the vibrations from the engine. This was amazing! I backed out of the drive way, and went a little down the road. I pulled into a back alley, out of sight of passersby, and pushed the button on my teleporter. The car and I appeared in a back alley three miles from the school. I turned back on to the main road and made my way to school.

I loved the looks on people's faces as I drove the Jag into the school parking lot. I parked next to Scott and the others, who had driven in just before me, and sat in the car for a few moments, gathering myself; trying to calm down from the euphoria.

"Whoa! Annie, where did you get that?" Kurt spurted in disbelief.

"Borrowed it from a friend."

"That's one awesome friend!" Kitty laughed.

"I know! She's pretty awesome when she wants to be."

"Where were you last night, Annie?" Scott demanded, ignoring everyone else.

"With a friend."

"Logan was pissed."

"I left him a note."

"Annie, you've been acting really strange lately. I think you owe us an explanation."

"Leave her alone, Scott. She doesn't want us to know, and that's her business." Jean stuttered.

"No, you're going to tell me what's up. You're never home anymore, you've become reclusive, and you never talk to us anymore. Not to mention, your truck blew up. How does a truck just blow up, Annie? What have you been doing?"

"Scott, don't ask me this. Just leave it alone."

"We're your friends. You need to trust us.'

"I trusted you to trust me." I said softly. Scott jerked back, then scowled.

"Scott, stop." Jean pleaded.

"Did you tell Jean, Annie? Is she the one you trust? Not the rest of us?"

"I agree with specs on this one, Annie." Rogue sighed. "What's been going on?"

"You're being really shady." Scott growled.

"Scott, stop being such an asshole!" Jean yelled. His face fell in shock. I looked at her, eyes wide. Little miss priss just cussed out her best friend! How very un-Jean. "She's dealing with some stuff that she doesn't want to share with us. Leave her alone and give her some space!"

Scott didn't say a word. He turned and started walking to class; the others followed his lead. Jean gave me an awkward smile and went off to her class. I shook my head and got back in the car. I drove to the cliffs that overlook the town. I sat there and cried, getting tears all over the leather interior. SHIELD was destroying my life.

I sat there, blubbering like an idiot for what seemed like hours. I finally sniffed it all in and drove to the warehouse. It was only 9:00, no one would be there. Good. I parked the car and rode the elevator down. The lab was so quiet, so peaceful; I needed that. I sat at my little desk and read over my notes. Maybe I could get a jump start on the simulations I wanted to do. I wanted to recreate the freezing process with a rat, and try the good doctor's theory about electrified awakening. I didn't think it would work; I was pretty sure it would only kill the rat. I kinda hoped it would work though, if it didn't we'd have to start from scratch. That didn't bode well for me. I wanted this done with. I couldn't afford to let this place ruin my life. That was my goal now. Get this done. Fix my life.

Twelve hours later, I had disproven the theory and seven others. I was exhausted, both mentally and physically. Fury wanted me to go home and get some rest, but I couldn't. My body was so tired, but I knew I couldn't sleep. I was too determined. Fury actually carried me back to my car, and I left begrudgingly. I teleported back to Wade's, but then drove out to a gym. I went in and paid a one-time visit fee, and went straight to the treadmill.

I dug my iPod out of my bag and pressed play. I had my biology textbook on audio. I listened to Chapter 18 as I ran. The chapter ended, but I wasn't tired. I listened to another, still running, but I could still move. I ended up listening to four chapters before my legs gave out on me and I fell off the treadmill. Luckily, at 11:00, there was no one but me in the room. I got up and dusted myself off. My phone started ringing. I cussed, knowing it was Wade. I forgot to tell him where I was. He was gonna be pissed. Perfect, having another pissed at me would perfect my day.

"Siobhan, where are you?" His voice was calm, which surprised me.

"Two blocks from your house, at the gym."

"Why?"

"Needed to run off some stress."

"Come home."

"I was actually about to."

"Good. I have a surprise for you, kitten."

"Ok, I'll be home in a few minutes." I hung up the phone, realizing that I had called Wade's house 'home.'

Wade was waiting for me in the living room. He smiled as I walked in.

"Jean called earlier."

"Did she now?"

"She figured you were over here. Scott's an asshole, kitten. Don't let him bother you."

"He's right, though. About everything. I trust them; I should be able to tell them what I am doing."

"If they knew, they'd be in danger, you know that."

"They're my family, Wade. I hate keeping secrets from them. I must protect them at all costs, I know. I guess one of those costs is just them hating me."

"They don't hate you, Siobhan. Believe it or not, Scott's just worried about you; even if he is being a total dick about it." He rolled his eyes. I smiled. "That's better."

"You're not wearing your mask."

"I'll go get it." He turned to go to the basement, I grabbed his arm.

"I don't like it when you wear it, you know that."

"Yeah, well I don't like it when you're upset."

"You're cheering me up."

"You really want to see this face?" He gestured to the scars covering his face. I smiled and ran my gloved fingers across his cheek.

"I wouldn't want to see anything else. I want to see you, not a mask."

He kissed my fingers and hugged me. "I love you, Siobhan."

"I love you, too, Wade." I felt my face burn cherry red, but I didn't care. I was tired of pretending I was strong. In his arms, I wanted to be weak; if only for a few minutes.

I felt his lips on my cheek. My eyes went wide in horror. I had hidden my face in his chest, I hadn't seen him lean in to touch me. I thrust myself out of his arms and stared at him, expecting him to fall unconscious on the floor. He stood there, smirking. He wasn't hurt!

"How?" I whispered.

"I've been talking to your professor. He had a theory."

"A theory?" I was shaking. I didn't know if I was still shocked or just angry.

"My increased healing factor. He thought that it might not let you hurt me."

"That's insa-…that makes sense. You heal so rapidly…you could as quickly as my power would wound." I felt a smile slowly spread across my face. "I can…I can touch you."

I kissed him. It felt more amazing than anything I'd ever felt. I peeled off my glove and let my fingers run across his face. His skin was much smoother than I had thought. He grabbed my arms and pinned against a wall; I let him. He moved his lips from mine down my neck. He flicked my collar bone with his tongue; my breath quickened. I felt…scared? Nervous? Fretful? He kissed back up to my lips and ran his tongue across my bottom lip. He kissed my forehead lightly and let go of me.

"I'm not going to push you too far."

"But I-"

"No. I'm taking this slow for you." He smiled at me and tugged on my arm. "You need to sleep. Now. It's way passed your bed time, little girl."

"Do you have any idea how much you sound like pedobear?"

"Pedo what?"

"Never mind."