Disclaimer: I do not own and am making no money from the X-Men. Vixen belongs to her creator Corrinth. Blaze is mine. That is all.

Scene Twelve

"You're sure this is right?"

"Yes Kitty, I'm sure."

"Jean, you have to be positive about this."

"Rogue had the directions, Blaze, and the map."

"Ah can read a map Firefly, this is definitely it."

"Okay, great," said Tabby. "So the question is what are we doing here?"

"May I be of assistance ladies?" asked the clerk, who waited patiently behind a mahogany reception desk. Sunlight streamed through stained glass windows and across the marble floor. Tropical plants rustled in the air conditioned ambience. There was a faint smell of chlorine, no doubt filtering through from a distant swimming pool.

"Um, Professor Xavier sent us?" Jean replied. The clerk's face lit up.

"Ah yes, we were expecting you yesterday but the Professor rang ahead personally and told us that you had been delayed. I trust everything is resolved now?"

"Err, yeah, thanks," replied Tabitha.

"Cerebro," muttered Rogue to Kitty. "The Professor knew where we were all along."

"Maybe he planned the whole thing," replied Kitty, before Blaze shushed them both.

"Your rooms are ready and waiting," continued the clerk. "The spa treatment menu is here, please feel free to book via the automated telephone system in each of the rooms. Dinner is served in the grand restaurant between six and nine, and breakfast is between seven and ten tomorrow morning. Do enjoy your stay…"

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As Jean's SUV pulled through the gates of the Xavier Institute two days later, Gambit, Cyclops and Angel waited nervously to greet their respective girlfriends. After four days with only the other X-Girls for company, Remy was convinced that Blaze would be about ready to self-combust. His plan was to get her down to the Danger Room as speedily as possible so she could take out her frustration without spontaneously setting anyone else alight…including himself. The last thing he expected was for Blaze and the others to climb out of the car laughing.

"I'll catch you guys later," Kitty called, waving a hand as she headed back towards the gate.

"Say hi to Lance for us," Blaze replied, waving back at Shadowcat.

"Ah'll ditch your bag on your bed," Rogue offered, opening the car's trunk and tugging two pieces of luggage free.

"Thanks Rogue!" Kitty broke into a run and disappeared around the corner. Jean and Blaze exchanged knowing looks whilst Tabitha helped Rogue unload the rest of the luggage.

"I'll take your bag Jeanie," volunteered Boom Boom, "you go park the car or somethin'."

"You're a star Tabitha," Jean praised her teammate. Twirling her car key round her finger she called to Cyclops, "Scott, are you coming?"

"Err, yeah I guess…." Scott said, getting into the passenger seat as Jean re-started the engine.

"Can I help with those bags?" Angel asked Tabby and Rogue.

"You're right Rogue, he is a gentleman!" Boom Boom announced, making Rogue and Angel both blush. Angel took two bags, leaving Tabby and Rogue with one each as they headed inside companionably. Blaze hitched her bag onto her shoulder and went over to Gambit.

"Miss me?" she asked, squinting up at the tall Cajun. He answered by kissing her gently on the lips, and taking her bag. Blaze took the opportunity to wrap her arms around his waist and bury her face in his shirt. He smelt good, kinda spicy. Remy smiled and used his free hand to stroke her hair.

"Ok, 'fess up," he said, "the Professor sent you fils away to get brainwashed into likin' each other, non?"

"Brainwashed? No," Blaze replied, "nothing so dramatic. It's just hard to be grouchy with them when you've been massaged, acupunctured, manicured, facial-ed, sauna-ed, and aromatherapy-ed for two days like we just have." She detached herself from him and took his hand in hers. "It's been okay, we've got to know each other a bit better I suppose. Jean's got that perfume I was after. She's going to let me try it before she goes back to college. Oh and you know that film I wanted to watch, but I'm still banned from the cinema? Well Kitty says Avalanche has a ripped copy, so she's going to borrow it off him and we're gonna watch it one night. Tabby is gonna bring popcorn, so it should be good."

"Brainwashed," Gambit confirmed to himself, letting himself be led inside. "What about Rogue? You an' her made up too?"

"Heh," Blaze laughed, "One step at a time Cajun, one step at a time!"

(Roll credits………………………………..)