A/N: To the people who are still following along, I've been done with this story for about four months; I just haven't found time to upload the rest of it since returning to school. But, here is chapter seven - expect eight and nine along by the end of next week. Cheers!

++Chapter VII: Cupid Would Blush++

"But love is blind and lovers cannot see

The pretty follies that themselves commit;

For if they could, Cupid himself would blush

To see me thus transformed to a boy."

William Shakespeare

By the time Friday morning rolled around, nearly all of the students were chattering incessantly about the Valentine's Day dance that was being hosted by the teachers that night. Logan found himself allocated the task of driving the boys to the nearest florist – for those that were hoping to impress their dates with a fancy corsage, that is – and most of the girls were hastily comparing outfits, trying to decide on the perfect wardrobe for the evening. Natalie was one of the lucky few that didn't have any issue with that, settling on a regular pair of pants and shirt. Nothing that anyone said or did could convince her to wear a dress or a skirt fort the event, although she did grudgingly agree to Kim putting her hair up with a shiny red-and-black stick, complete with a small ornament, to match her clothing. Jessica had finally settled on a simple blouse, dressy slacks, and permitted Kitty to give her a simple, semi-formal hairstyle.

"Are you sure I don't look – underdressed for a dance?" Jess asked again, nervously, as she smoothed down her outfit in front of their mirror.

"You look wonderful, Jess, " Kimberly answered truthfully, smoothing a tiny crease out of her shin-length, black skirt. "I'm sure he'll love your outfit. I mean, hey. It's you."

Natalie made a retching sound from where she was flopped on the bed, careful not to nudge her hair out of place. "Mushy stuff. Blech."

She was cut off from anymore good-natured complaining by a knock on the door. Suddenly, she, too, felt a little nervous, and sneaked a glance at Kim. Well? Who is it?

Her friend refrained from replying, opening the door instead to reveal Kurt Wagner and Peter Rasputin, both of whom also looked rather nervous.

"Erm, hi, Kim, " Kurt said after a moment. "We're here for uh, Nat and Jess."

"I had no idea, " the telepath chuckled, giving them both a grin. "Your dates are here!" she called back merrily over her shoulder, earning her a hard shove in the shoulder from Nat as the girl made her way to the door.

"'Lo, elf, " Natalie greeted. "Great night for a party, isn't it?"

Kurt grinned, showing his fangs. "Ja. You have everything?"

Nat smirked, reaching down to pat her many pockets. "Let's just say I've got several surprises waiting for everyone, as planned."

Colossus peered past Kim's shoulder after Nat had barged out and engaged Nightcrawler in conversation. "But where is Jessica?"

"H-hello, Peter, " Jess managed as she finally came to the door. She flushed a little as his eyes widened, and even more so when he murmured, "You look wonderful."

"Alright, let's cut the mushy crap and get moving, shall we?" Natalie interrupted, pulling a bottle out of one pocket. "I've got some punch to spike."

The party was just getting started as the five teenagers arrived downstairs. Logan, leaning grumpily against a wall, watched the students trail in with narrowed eyes. He had to make sure that nothing happened on his watch; no matter how well-behaved some of the students might be, they were still, well, kids. He raised an eyebrow as Nat and the rest of her party made their way into the front hall, particularly as he noticed her immediately edging toward the punchbowl, a small bottle clutched firmly in one hand.

Natalie snuck a quick glance to the left and right, and began tipping the bottle innocently toward the bowl of punch – until someone said, right behind her: "You're not planning on spiking that punch, are you?"

Logan grinned a little as the girl whirled to stare at him defiantly. After she and Kurt took Scott's bike and managed to outrace the other four miscreants in Cyclops's car, he had to admit that the kid had spunk, especially if she was attempting a little mischief at the party.

"And what if I am?" Nat answered, eyes narrowing. "Are you going to try to stop me?"

"No, " he replied, honestly, "I'm not. I don't want anything happening under my watch. Look, if you're really set on doing this, wait until Ororo gets here." He shrugged a little. "This whole thing was her idea. She can't blame me for it if I'm not here when it happens."

Natalie's defiant expression promptly shifted into a smirk. "This was Storm's idea? In that case, I'll definitely do more than just spike the punch … "

Across the hall, Jessica, Peter, and Kimberly were chatting lightly, although their conversation paused as a slower, more stately song began flowing from the various speakers stationed around the living room, which had been cleared temporarily of furniture to provide a dance floor, of sorts.

"May I have the honor?" Colossus asked formally, clicking his heels together as he bowed to Jess.

Kim grinned as her friend blushed and permitted him to lead her onto the dance floor, leaving the dark-haired telepath rather alone near one of the windows. Edging along the walls, she waved briefly at Rogue and Bobby as the pair arrived, noticing Kurt near Natalie and Logan. All three appeared to be rather deep in conversation, and judging by the broad, scheming grin on her friend's face, she was relatively certain that things were going to soon erupt into insanity at the party. Determined to make an escape as soon as she could manage it, she headed for the staircase, narrowly missing colliding with a bespectacled Hank McCoy, who was muttering under his breath, "Mine eye hath play'd the painter and hath steel'd, thy beauty's form in table of my heart … "

Eyes widening, Kimberly hastily altered her course for the library, blanching as the opening lines of the Shakespearean sonnet reverberated in her head. Beast sent me a valentine? Her head spun as she wearily lowered herself into the nearest armchair, and shut her eyes, rubbing at her temples. What on earth should I do?

A soft whirring alerted her to Professor Xavier's approach, although even if it hadn't, his mental presence would have been more than enough to inform her that he had just entered the room. He paused as he drew near her chair, and gazed concernedly at her for a long moment. "Is everything alright, Kimberly?"

"I – yes, " she replied after a moment, glancing up to meet his gaze. She shifted a little self-consciously, very much aware of how his pale eyes were trained upon her. "I'm just not really much of a party-type, " she admitted, giving him a small smile. "I don't exactly dance, and well – both Jess and Nat ended up with escorts. There are only so many rounds one can make at the refreshment table before it gets a little repetitious."

Xavier returned her smile. "Ah, yes. Ororo did work especially hard to make sure that this would be an event that everyone would enjoy. I believe that she's joining the party shortly."

Kim grimaced a tiny bit. "I suppose I'd better go poke my head back in there to keep an eye on Nat. Just in case she decides to – do something."

"Knowing Natalie, " the Professor replied amusedly, "that's probably a good idea." He paused, leaning forward slightly. "I've been meaning to ask you and Jessica if you've given any thought yet as to where you want to go once you demonstrate enough mastery of your powers." He watched as her expression waxed thoughtful. "You are always welcome to remain here as a fully-fledged member of the X-Men, and teach the new generations of students. However, if you were interested in pursuing higher education at a more – universally accredited school – I will gladly write you a letter of recommendation."

"I've always wanted to become a doctor, " the younger telepath said quietly. "I would like to pursue medical-related studies, and be licensed to practice medicine, or to at least diagnose and treat ailments in a clinic."

"Our clinic could always use another doctor to work alongside Hank, " he remarked, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "Have you decided on a university, yet?"

She shook her head, the ghost of a grin flitting across her visage.

"You have plenty of time to think about it, " Professor Xavier assured her softly. "Let me know when you have decided upon one, and I will write a letter to assist you with the application process."

Kimberly closed her eyes briefly. "I – I don't know what to say, really, " she managed to get out after a moment. "Thank you, Professor. I'd – I'd really appreciate it." She stood, brushing a small wrinkle from her skirt. "I'm going to go find the party I came with, " she chuckled. Pausing just as she reached the doorway of the library, she added, "Happy Valentine's Day, Professor."

Charles Xavier watched her leave, gaze unmoving as he murmured, "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and far more temperate … " Reaching into his jacket, he removed a slim volume, identical to the one left for Kimberly, and gave The Sonnets of William Shakespeare a tiny smile.

"I see the party's in full swing, " Storm observed as she crossed the hallway toward Logan, who had resumed his position by the doorway.

He merely shrugged in response. "They're kids, " he replied. "It's a party. What did you expect was going to happen?"

She would curse him later for those words, although she didn't know that at the time. "Point taken, " she conceded cheerfully, raising an eyebrow as a tow-headed kid stumbled past them with a rather intoxicated sounding giggle. Her eyes narrowed a little. Besides the fact that Daniel was much too young to be consuming alcohol, this was also a school. There wasn't supposed to be any alcohol on the entire campus. She shook her head. Perhaps it was just a coincidence or a figment of her imagination. Yes, that was probably it. She had only imagined that Daniel giggled as though he were intoxicated. There was nothing at all to be worried about.

Natalie's eyes narrowed in anticipation as Storm passed by. Excellent. As people began taking turns on and off of the dance floor, the contents of the punch bowl were steadily dwindling, and she was certain that nearly everyone had had at least one cup of her version of the beverage.

Outside in the main hallway, Kurt grinned as he located the thermostat for the mansion. Flipping the cover open neatly, he peered at all of the different settings. "Danger Room … Study … Library … Infirmary … Ah-ha, Living Room." His tail swishing slowly, he moved the slider upward, ensuring that the temperature would begin to rise on and around the dance floor. "Blue Boy to Shade, " he whispered into his wristwatch. "Stage Two has been accomplished."

Ororo did a double take as Rogue and Bobby passed by, laughing outrageously and weaving in and out of some dance moves that she was certain their parents probably would have never approved of. "Logan? Is it just me, or do these kids all seem – a little off?"

Logan carefully maintained his surly expression. "They're kids, Storm, " he repeated. "They seem to be having a good time, to me."

The weather goddess frowned uneasily, and began fanning herself with her hand. "Well, I had hoped that they would, " she said at last, grimacing a little. "I guess I should have allocated other areas of the mansion for the party, though; all this body heat is really making this place warm." Her gaze flicked toward the refreshment table. From this distance, it seemed that the punch bowl was nearly empty. "You want anything off of the table?" she added as she took a few steps toward the refreshments.

Wolverine shook his head. "I'm fine." He grimaced a little as Storm headed toward the punch bowl, and surreptitiously cast a glance toward Natalie, still leaning against one of the walls closer to the staircase and snickering at something with Nightcrawler. "Just remember, kid, I knew nothing about this, " he muttered under his breath.

Kimberly peeked around the corner from the other side of the hall, quickly scanning faces and checking mental presences. Fortunately, the familiar, blue form of Hank McCoy was nowhere to be seen, and with a sigh, the girl dared to re-enter the foyer, stopping short at the scene that awaited her. Oh, man.

Nearly everyone in the foyer and the living room was giggling madly, swaying drunkenly from side to side and hiccupping, or laughing outrageously at something completely ridiculous. Pyro was doing a little jig with one of the lampshades plopped onto his head, and the small crowd gathered around him was roaring its approval. Even Storm, much to the telepath's shock, was dancing in a corner without much inhibition – alone, to be sure, but dancing just the same. The few people that weren't affected were carefully staying clear of the inebriated people; Jessica and Peter were staring with mixed horror and amusement; Logan scowled from over by the doorway, although his expression occasionally twitched quickly into the tiniest of smirks; Natalie and Kurt were laughing as they moved in time to the beat of the rock song currently blaring out of the speakers.

Nat? What on earth did you put into that bowl?

Nat's movements stilled, and she turned her head slightly in her friend's direction. Just a little something to liven things up, she smirked in response. The party could use a little enhancement, and Storm had it coming to her for coming up with the idea to begin with.

Kim coughed a little. And what's with Logan smirking over there by the doorway? You must have let him in on your plan.

Yep.

The dark-haired telepath groaned under her breath. I'm not surprised at you, really, she managed to reply after a moment. But uh, Nat, when the Professor finds out about this –

Oh, what're you going to do about it, huh? Are you going to tattle-tell on me, is that it? Ruin all of my fun by telling the big guy in charge?

Kimberly grimaced. If he finds out about it, it won't be from me. I'm sure he has his methods …

Logan suddenly stepped forward from the doorway as the rabble of the party silenced. Dancing couples stilled in mid-air. Storm was frozen mid-twirl, and the lampshade toppled off of John Allerdyce's head as he, too, simply ceased to move. Eyes narrowing, he darted a quick glance toward Kim, Jess, Nat, Peter, and Kurt, and grunted. They appeared to be unaffected by the sudden – well, whatever it was.

Jessica gasped, and instinctively drew a little closer to Colossus. "What – What's going on?"

Nat cast a suspicious look at Kim. "Did you -- "

"No, " she answered before Natalie could finish, "I didn't."

"I did, " Professor Xavier answered as he wheeled into the foyer, staring at the unaffected individuals. "Since you are the only ones who do not have a – questionable – state of mind, you will be assisting Logan and Mr. McCoy with ensuring that everyone makes it safely back to their rooms. Classes will be canceled tomorrow." Before Natalie could look too happy, he added, "Oh, and the six of you will join Scott in the Danger Room tomorrow morning at six."

"There are only five students out here, " Logan pointed out. "You said 'the six of you.'"

"Yes, Logan, " Xavier replied patiently, "I did. You knew about this, I believe, as you did absolutely nothing to prevent it. Therefore, you will join the five students in the Danger Room. Besides, I believe they could use some tips and pointers from someone with a more – direct – point of view when it comes to combat." As he wheeled toward his study, he was almost certain that he heard Natalie groan. Cyclops was going to give them a thorough workout in the morning, he was sure.