((A/N Begin))

Kai: Wooooo Chapter 5

Gambit: Slow update huh Chere?

Kai: D: I was enjoying Halloween

Warren: Yeah yeah we get it. You had to dress up and roam your city *rolls eyes* sounds fun.

Kai: *wacks* No one asked you!

Gambit: Careful somethin' might happen ta ya D:

Kai: *rolls eyes* Anyways I'm glad all of ya have stuck with me so far. :D

Gambit: And we have excitin' news. Th' Avengers are almos' here

Kai: Yep. If they don't make an appearance in this chapter it'll be the next one.

Kurt: She ist Writing vhat ever comes to mind.

Kai: Also the spelling mistakes in Kurt's speech are on purpose. That's how the words actually sound with a German accent.

Gambit: Kai knows she's had three years of German.

Kai: It's a bad ass language. If someone told me they would kick my ass in German or with just the accent I think I would be running away. ^^;

Kurt: Kai ist also doing it this vay because if she actually typed German you vould be confused. Like. Was is pronounced Vas which means What.

Kai: Changing the W to a V is alot easier. So if I typed Vas its German for what.

Warren: Anyways here's the next installment

Kai: There's also talk of Harry Potter. Enjoy ^^

((End A/N))

Everyone was staring, she could feel it. Their gazes were burning holes through her head, figuratively speaking. But Lae felt like her body might spontaneously ignite if they didn't look away.

"What?" She growled.

"Cher we know you're slightly unstable but I think ya should keep those thoughts to y'self."

"Yeah well, it seems the filter between my thoughts and lips broke." She leaned back to look into Remy's amused red gaze.

"But that man over there." Her hand waved to draw attention to his general area. "There is something about him."

"And what would Dat be?"

Ah what was the word. Remy just taught it to her two days ago. Her eyes lit up in triumph. "Le Meurtrier."

She held his gaze, watching as his eyes hardened, blocking his thoughts completely. He turned away to glance at the man, Lae just called a murderer. She knew what he was doing, he was assessing the man to see if he was a threat or not. Lae shrugged it off. After all if he was a danger to the children, she believed the Professor wouldn't have allowed him here.

"What does that mean?"

Lae smiled up at Rogue, completely ignoring the question in her eyes. "It means pudding."

"You called him pudding?"

That broke Remy's glower as he tried and failed to hold in his laughter. Lae smirked, she knew Remy would find that amusing. The tension was a thing of the past as the group laughed at Rogue's expense. The poor girl confused about the entire situation.

Her green gaze shifted to annoyance once she gathered the word didn't mean pudding, "That wasn't very nice."

Lae shrugged, "Not my fault you don't understand other languages."

"Not everyone can be omni-lingual like you."

"Oh such a big word."

Rogue shoved Lae from her lap with a scowl on her lips. Lae giggled and rolled to her stomach, hands laced underneath her chin.

"Don't be that way. You know you love me."

Rogue shook her head, groaning in displeasure for knowing such a playful creature. "I swear you will be the death of me."

Laelia shrugged, "Hey everything is in good fun. Laughter is much better than slaughter."

Rogue looked between her fingers, disbelief clearly painted over her entire face. "What? Laughter is better than slaughter?"

"Yeah. If I didn't have anyone to annoy or laugh with. My inner animal might come out to play. Which would probably end in manslaughter."

The fact that Lae stated that with a serious face had many questions running through her mind. So she asked the first one she thought of.

"How?"

Lae hummed in humor, "My inner animal is a feline, which makes me a hunter."

Rogue could tell there was more to that thought, so she urged her on with an imploring gaze. She sighed, she knew Rogue wouldn't leave it at that, but she was afraid to tell too much. Avoiding all eye contact, Lae dropped a hand to the ground and ran her knuckles across the grass.

Her eyes never leaving her hand as her voice took on a somber note. "Also I naturally play rough which could result in accidental death if my instincts took over. Like a game of cat and mouse to the death. Its even worse if I happen to end up the mouse."

Rogue smiled sadly, Lae hardly talked about her life before coming here. Based on how she was acting, something bad must have happened in her past. Something that had her ashamed of her mutation.

Gambit reached over and gently stroked Lae's hair. He knew, Lae shared the darker part of her past with him a few months into their friendship. Their pasts were similar in many ways, their both had to do things they aren't proud of to survive. But Lae didn't just have herself to think about, her human parents were in danger too.

Lae glanced up, connecting sorrow filled amber with knowing red. The ghosts of her past faded to the back of her mind. She had Remy and her pack to think about, to care for and share a fun life with. The dark couldn't hunt her anymore, not here, not with friends who would protect her with everything they have. She shared a smile with Remy, letting him know all was fine as the amber receded to her natural green-blue. He nodded and gave a final pat to her head before removing his hand.

Lae slowly pushed herself up to her feet, and dusted off the back of her jeans. "Well since this sharing episode is over. How bout we go bug the Elders? Find out who the Scary Bald Man is?"

Remy wrapped an arm around Lae's shoulders, "Sounds like a fun plan Cher." They shared a smirk full of mischief and looked back to the rest of the group.

"Who else is in?"

Rogue looked up at Lae, "I'm sorry about bringing up those less than pleasant memories Lae."

Laelia scoffed and held a hand out to her with a grin on her lips. "No harm done. I don't really share my past. You're allowed to be curious. K?"

Rogue smiled finally and grabbed the outstretched hand. "Ok."

"Good." Lae hauled Rogue to her feet but didn't let go of her hand.

Warren stood next to Remy as Kurt jumped down from the tree to stand with the rest. Everyone staring at Piotr, who was still on the ground.

"You coming Big Guy?" Warren asked.

"Yeah let's go! You're part of the pack today!"

Colossus looked at all the grinning faces and shook his head as he slowly stood up. Maybe this group would be a fun one to hang around with. Lae whooped in joy as Piotr fell in step with them.

As they headed towards the main entrance, Colossus couldn't help looking around the group. He watched Lae swing her and Rogue's entwined hands, back and forth, even as she was arguing with Remy. Warren and Kurt making bets on who would win said argument before being threatened by both Gambit and Siren. Rogue just shook her head at their antics, though she was sporting an amused smile. Piotr jolted out of his thoughts as an arm weaved through his. He glanced at said clothed arm before looking at the smiling Rogue it was attached too.

In the past she would never voluntarily initiate physical contact but now here she was, with her arm draped through his. He smiled and allowed it, knowing this was a big step for the girl. Rogue returned the smile before looking ahead of the group. Lae was a great person even if she didn't always see it. She helped Rogue in more ways than could ever be repaid.

"Hey Rogue how come ya never hold onto me, but your holding onto da Big Guy? A pretty girl like ya belongs on my arm." Remy winked.

"I don't walk near you because the last time I did you tried to cop a feel."

"What? You dare touch my Rougey in an inappropriate manner!"

"Ah! Sy! Mercy!"

He laughed as she slapped Remy on the top of his head repeatedly, screaming at him for flirting with her Rougey. Said girl shook her head, denying Lae's claim which sent her into a whining fit about her undying love for Rogue. Piotr chuckled quietly at Rogue's flustered expression and silent pleas for help.

This group was closer than any group of friends could be. Colossus felt honored that such a group would want to keep him around, and include him as one of their own.

"So vere do you think the Elders would be?"

Lae paused mid swing but hit Remy anyways for his mouthed thank you to Kurt.

"Somewhere without the young ones. Most likely his office. But Logan is with them so he'll hear us if we walk up to the door."

"Yeah and Logan told you to stay put so you're ignoring his orders by the way."

"Thanks for pointing that out Feathers." Lae deadpanned, getting a thumbs up in return. She rolled her eyes. "Logan already knew it was a long shot that I would actually listen. For once. That's why he's staying with them. So I can't get near."

"So what do we do?"

"Hmmm. No idea Rogue. But this guest is obviously important to the Professor or Logan wouldn't be there."

"Just cause Logan is there doesn't mean the guest is important."

Lae grinned at Warren. "You don't get it do you? Logan's hearing is scary good. Its how he knows when I'm getting into trouble."

"You mean causing trouble. Ow. Sy stopping hitting me Chere!"

Rogue snapped her fingers gathering everyone's attention. "I get it. With his hearing they can tell when someone is heading their way."

"Exactly." Laelia grinned at the girl. "He can stop the conversation and scare the outsider away before they continue. So they have to be discussing something interesting that they don't want to be overheard."

"That makes sense," Piotr nodded, "But that symbol on his jacket collar. I've seen it somewhere."

"TV?"

"No I think it one of the hand written books in the library."

"Why were ya in the library. Dat doesn't sound fun."

"Some people do like to learn Remy."

He scoffed, "Yeah da ones who are overachievers."

"Hey! I take offence to that! I love to read." Lae pouted.

"Mostly Sci-fi am I right?"

"Technically speaking its actuality since we used to be considered Sci-fi." She chuckled. "But I also read stories about history too."

"Probably not most of the time."

"Stop picking on me!"

Rogue squeezed Lae's hand that was still resting in her own. "I think I know what Piotr is talking about. It was a leather-bound. It was originally someone's diary or journal. Right?"

Piotr nodded, "It seemed to be passed along many people, each entry signed, some with different names. It was titled the Journal of the Shield."

Remy and Warren shared a knowing look, "Sounds like a boring book."

"Should be put in the "Restricted Section"."

Lae face-palmed, "Oh God I'm never letting you two watch Harry Potter with me again."

"Come on Cher. We're the residential Marauders of this joint."

"Yep," The two bumped fists with identical grins.

"Well if that's true whose who?" Lae asked with an arched eyebrow.

"Hmm. Well I would be Potter. You Sy would be Black. Rogue is our Lily. Warren is Peter and Kurt is Reemus."

"Hey why am I the rat!"

"Cause ya run away from me like one."

"Ok I understand me, you, Rogue and Kurt. But I don't see Warren as Peter. And what about Colossus?"

Warren and Remy looked at the boy in question and shared a smirk. "He can be our Snape."

Cue another face-palm from the girls. "I don't think they should watch Harry Potter ever again."

"If they didn't argue so much I could see them as the Weasely Twins."

Rogue and Lae stared at Piotr with an identical look of disbelief.

He blushed. "Don't look at me like that."

"Just answer this movies or books?"

"Both."

Lae threw herself at him and wrapped him in a one-handed hug. "Sorry Remy I think I love Colossus more than you now."

"Hey!"

"Piotr will you marry me?"

"Sy!" Remy whined from behind her, "I thought ya were gonna marry me?"

"I can't do that Rem."

"Why not?"

"Cause if your James Potter you have to marry Lily and I'm not Lily."

"Ok you two. Enough. Sy let go of Colossus before he implodes from embarrassment and Gambit don't even think of marriage with me."

"Ah Chere ya wound me. I would be an amazing husband."

Rogue rolled her eyes and tugged Lae's hand so she let go of the red Piotr. She did, giggling as she circled back to Rogue's other side.

Leaning over she smiled up at Piotr. "I think you would be a much better husband than Remy."

"Sy!"

Kurt just shook his head and wandered over to Piotr's other side. "Don't feel bad. They're always this vay."

"I'm starting to notice that." He smiled, watching Remy and Lae argue once again.

"So vhere are ve heading to?"

"Seeing as they're busy," Rogue nodded towards the bickering duo. "I guess we decide."

"We could always head to the library. And try to find that book."

Rogue hummed in thought, a habit she picked up from Lae. "That works."

Unnoticed by the other three who were preoccupied with themselves, they turned left at the second hallway. Lae and Remy unaware the Commons room was in the opposite direction they were heading. Rogue glanced down at Siren and smiled at the fact that their hands were still together.

"Kit." A gruff voice growled.

Lae immediately went stiff, forcing Rogue to stop next to her. With wide eyes she slowly turned around to find her alpha glaring down at her. Lae moved her gaze around the walls, trying to find some semblance of familiarity.

"This isn't the hallway to the Commons room is it?"

"Your correct kit. Now would you mind telling me where you are heading?"

"Logan. Its ok." Rogue gave a reassuring squeeze to Lae's hand. "We're just heading to the library. Lae was distracted from talking with Remy. She didn't know."

Lae relaxed and mentally thanked Rogue for removing her alphas angry stare.

Logan grunted and turned away. "Fine. Go."

"Actually," Everyone turned to glance at Professor Xavier as he made his way over. "I believe its time they knew what has transpired. Rogue, Laelia, Remy, Kurt, Warren and Piotr. If you would follow us."

The group glanced and each other before following behind the two Elders.

"Professor if I may ask?"

"Ask away Siren." He smiled over his shoulder which she returned.

"Why all this secrecy? I mean I can understand keeping the students away but, just who is this guest?"

"Yes Logan already stated that you would figure out most of what is happening. You are a smart girl after all."

"Just can't stay serious."

Lae scowled and looked away from Logan, they both knew he was right. Xavier chuckled lightly catching their thoughts.

"Tell me Siren what have you gathered."

She turned her eyes to the ceiling, swinging her and Rogue's hands again. "They are military. The way they walk and hold themselves gave that away. The girl is scary loyal to the older man, and they both seem to take everything serious."

Xavier couldn't hold back a chuckle that time. "What else?"

Lae paused to gather her thoughts, when a strange image forced its way through. "That man."

Her voice trailed off as she mentally analyzed in her thoughts. "He leads something, a group. He's most likely a commanding officer in the military. That would explain the air of importance about him."

With her eyes trained on the ceiling, she didn't notice Logan send an "I told you so" look to the Professor.

"Hmm. Anything else you noticed."

"His eyes." Her voice held a strange understanding to it.

"His eyes?" Logan looked lost.

"Yeah his eyes. They held knowledge of a world most never see. But they were tired."

"So." Remy shrugged. "The guys tired."

"No Rem they were tired. Like someone whose been pushed to the edge of their sanity and are about to fall off. Which in turn causes the loss off sleep. I would say it was most likely a member or members of his team that caused it."

"Then I would say your excellent at reading people."

Lae lazily moved her gaze to scrutinized the female lingering in the doorway to the Professor's office. It was the same woman who was walking the grounds with the scary bald man.

"Impressive might I add. Most people can't understand a stranger that well."

An unspoken challenge, Lae grinned, sweet. "Most "people" as you put it, wouldn't happen to have an animal based mutation. Would they?"

The woman smiled very slightly, just a twitch of the lips. "No they wouldn't. My name is Maria Hill and I'm a leading agent for the organization S.H.I.E.L.D. I must say Professor Xavier she is a very well taught student. Your not training Assassins are you?"

Lae scoffed. "I'm no student, and before you ask my age is of no concern to you."

Remy chuckled from behind her. "Cher sometimes I believe ya don't even know how old ya are."

Lae glared over her shoulder. "Oh hush you." She turned her attentions back to Maria. "Seeing as you have given me your name I assume its only polite I give you my own."

"That would be appreciated."

"My name is Laelia McCollins also known as Siren, member of the X-Men, Best Mechanical Engineer and Leader of Technology Advancements within these grounds."

"Impressive."

"Oh trust me. When ya get Lae in a room with technology she could give Tony Stark a run for his money."

Maria smiled, hmm that would be interesting to witness. A woman beating Tony at his pride and joy, that would be worth money to see.

"Sounds good. But words can make the truth sound better than the reality."

Good God, his voice was almost as gruff as Logan's but it didn't invoke submission in her.

Oh no, she thought with a smirk. This was a man she would challenge and defy. After all only Logan and the Professor could make her do as told, and even then she had her moments of defiance.

"So." She drawled, connecting mischievous amber with aggressive browns. "You have a name? Or should I continue to call you Scary Bald Man?"

His eyes narrowed into a glare, "I'm Nick Fury Commanding Office of S.H.I.E.L.D. You would do well to show respect."

"Seeing as I don't know you and you are not my alpha. I don't see that happening anytime soon."

Logan scoffed, "Even as your Alpha, you hardly do as I say, Kit."

"Yep." She chirped, eyes never leaving Fury. "Defiance is in my nature. I don't take to well to a man trying to control my way life."

"Well tell me this little cat," Fury smirked as the girl in front of him visibly bristled. "Would you be able to hold your own against a fully trained male agent."

She smirked, skin shimmering as she seemingly disappeared into thin air. A gust of wind on the back of his neck had him turning to the right. Clawed hands slowly shimmered into focus millimeters from his already scared face. "I don't know. How bout you tell me?"

Remy chuckled at Rudy's incredulous expression. "Don't feel bad, da first time she got me. I screamed."

"How?" Fury was generally curious about this strange gift.

Lae pulled her hand away, allowing her claws to recede back to regular human nails. "We call it Camouflage. My skin can reflect light, which allows me to take on the colors of whatever is around me."

"It's a mutation unique to her. We believe it's because she's part feral." Storm supplied.

"Feral?"

Laelia glanced at Maria, "Another way of stating I'm part animal."

"And which animal would that be?"

"You said so yourself Fury. I'm feline based. A Cheetah to be exact." Her grin was positively feral.