Disclaimer: The X-Men are © Marvel.

Claims: Julianna, William, Andria (Electra), Chris (Cyber), and other miscellaneous characters that you do not recognize are © me, do not use them without asking or dire consequences will follow.

A/N: I apologize for the amount of time it's taken for this update but I just got it back from the person who was editing it.

I use a combination of comic and movie in my story

My choice of pairings (whether you like them or not) are: Kitor (they're married) Romy (they're not) and Kuroro (they aren't either)

Chapter 2 – Birthdays and Villains

A young, brown-haired, woman was walking down the hall of her hotel, hardly noticing where she was, when she ran into a couple of men. The taller of the two, she guessed he was just over 6', looked her up and down from behind his red sunglasses. The other man, meanwhile, was apologizing profusely in a thick German accent. He nervously brushed a piece of black hair away from his forehead and looked at her with deep blue eyes. She told him not to worry about it, and that it was her fault. After one last apology he hurried after his tall friend, who had continuing to their room. She watched as they unlocked the door and entered. Would she have been so interested if she had seen, moments later, the black-haired man remove his wristwatch and suddenly transform into a furred monster?

Kurt set the image inducer down on the dresser and turned to Scott. "I swear, the only reason Xavier sent me along was so that I would have to wear that blasted thing!"

Scott looked at the German, with an eyebrow cocked, and queried, "What makes you think so?"

"The fact that he has been put out for years about me refusing to wear one, that's what."

Cyclops shook his head at his friend and turned away. Kurt sighed thoughtfully as he opened his suitcase and pulled out a photo. "What is it, Nightcrawler?"

"Hmmmm? Oh, just a picture Storm gave me on my last birthday."

"Speaking of birthdays, what are you giving her for hers?"

"I'm not sure. Why?"

"Because it's the week after next."

"Was! You must have the date wrong."

"No. I'm positive. You could call Kitty for gift ideas."

". . . Ja. I think I'll do that. . . ."

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Shadowcat was manning the phones. It had been a really quiet day so when the phone rang she pounced on it. "Professor Xavier's School For Gifted Youngsters, Katherine Pryde-Rasputin speaking. How may I help you?"

"That's quite a mouthful, isn't it, Katzchen."

"Kurt? You guys just left. Why are you calling?"

"Because I realized that Ororo's birthday is in two weeks. I was wondering what she wanted."

"From you?"

"Nein, from the Incredible Hulk. Of course from me!"

Kitty didn't pause, "A candlelight dinner and a ring."

There was silence on the other end. When Kurt did speak, his voice was hesitant. "A candlelight d-dinner and a-a ring?"

Kitty raised her eyes skyward and sighed, "Yes, Kurt, that's what I said."

"But–"

"Oh dear. I've got a call on the other line," The phaser said, lying through her teeth, "bye, Kurt." Before the German teleporter could reply, she hung up. "Men are such idiots!" Her husband, who was walking by, stuck his head in the door.

"What gives you such a low opinion of us, Katya?"

"Kurt."

"And what did our blue friend do to give men such a bad name?"

"Pitor, when someone mentions a candlelight dinner what comes to mind?"

"A romantic setting?"

Kitty rocked back in her chair, "Ding, ding, ding! Men win a hundred points! If you add a ring to that dinner what do you get?"

Colossus looked at her quizzically, "A proposal of marriage?"

The woman threw up her hands and exulted, "Hooray! Men aren't completely hopeless!"

Pitor quietly left, nearly convinced that his wife had gone insane.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Kurt stared at the phone in his hand for a full minute after Kitty hung up. He put the phone down and slowly turned to Scott. "Would you do me a favor and tell me that I misinterpreted that?"

"What?"

"'A candlelight dinner and a ring.'"

"Sounds like a marriage proposal."

Kurt sat down on one of the beds, "That's what I was afraid of."

"Why?"

"It's what, according to Kitty, Ororo wants from me."

"So?"

"So I don't think I'm ready."

"Kurt, how long have you known her?"

"Fifteen years, maybe."

"Closer to twenty. You've put it off for too long and you seem to be the only person who doesn't see that."

Nightcrawler shrugged, then changed the subject quickly, "Have you thought about what Julianna said?"

"Not really. I think it was probably just the memory of her dream."

"Maybe, but maybe not."

"You don't believe her do you?"

"I don't know, mein fruend. It isn't like her. If it was just her dream, I don't think she would have argued with you about it. The real question is: do you believe her?"

"No. She's still just an untrained, untested, girl."

"She's almost seventeen! Did you really forget that or are you just ignoring that fact?"

"I know she's seventeen. She looks just like Jean when I met her," Scott said, quietly.

"That's another thing! Anya isn't her mother and it isn't fair, to either of you, to compare them!"

"I know that. It's just . . ."

"Scott, I don't mean to sound calloused, but it's been ten years. Jean isn't coming back." Kurt spoke with a sorrow that Scott didn't hear, a pain that he didn't see.

Cyclops whirled on his partner, "Why not? We thought the same thing before!"

"It was never this long though. Ich bedaure"

Cyke scowled and headed to the door, "I'll meet you at the conference at six o'clock sharp!" Kurt sighed as the door slammed behind his teammate.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Kurt arrived at the old warehouse, where the convention was being held, a few minutes before six. He was met by a woman who appeared to be in her early forties. She had dark hair, hazel eyes, and pale skin. The woman looked him up and down then asked what he wanted. "I'm here to cover the convention. My partner should be along soon."

She raised an eyebrow, "The entrance is at the end of that alley. If you'll tell me what your partner looks like I'll send him, or her, in after you."

"Thank you, no. I told him I'd meet him here."

"Suit yourself."

Kurt looked up as a car approached, "Ah. Here he is now."

Scott got out of the car and came over. After giving Kurt an icy look he turned to the woman. "My name's Scott Sumner. I see you've already met Kurt."

"That's his name?"

"Ja, that's my name." Kurt responded, glaring at Scott.

"Who d'you work for?"

"What?" Scott looked confused.

"Your partner said you were covering the conference."

"Oh. A small paper from a few miles north. Kurt, how 'bout you go on in. I'll be there in a minute."

"I wi–" The teleporter stopped when he saw the set of his friend's jaw. "Alright," he walked down the alley, muttering. He reached the door at the end and tried it. Much to his surprise, it was locked.

An arm suddenly shot out and tightened around his neck. Kurt couldn't concentrate enough to 'port. He slammed his elbow into the gut of whoever was holding him, but the blow rebounded before it touched the person. Unus! Then the other members must be . . . Scott! Kurt felt a needle inserted into his arm. When the syringe was empty, the grip on his throat loosened so that he could breathe easily. He was still having trouble concentrating.

I can't 'port in this condition, I'll end up in a wall. It doesn't matter. I've got to. Kurt BAMFed to the entrance of the alley. He arrived in time to see Scott crumple to the ground and Mystique revert to her normal form.

"Always the hero, aren't you, Nightcrawler?"

"What do you want?" He asked, trying to clear his mind.

"You look exhausted. Maybe you should rest."

Rest. Ja, that sounds wonderful. Wait a moment. What am I thinking? This is Mystique! Kurt swayed a little. He could feel something other that blood flowing through his veins.

"Kurt, mein sohn rest, sleep." Mystique changed again and Kurt found himself looking at Margali.

"Mutter," Kurt murmured. Nein! It's not Margali, Dummestück! Wake up . . . wake up. You have to get out of here. The drug finally took effect and Kurt slipped into darkness.

Meadowlark4491: Thank you to my reviewers.

Flamegirl– You and your sister put me on your favorites list? Thank you. I hope you continue with the story you're writing the plot line is really good.

Jinxeh– I have been reading your stories. To say I was mad when it was thought that "Jumper" had been killed is putting it lightly. I have ideas for stories in which he has a few kids as well.I hope the format is fixed now. Jilianna's relationship with Kurt is rather like Jenny's was during the original stories.

I was wondering if you think I should write in Kurt's accent. Thank you for reading, I love getting feedback so I would appreciate it if you would hit that little button that says "send review". I will update as soon as I can, but with school and all it may be a while.