Author's Note: Thanks to all of my reviewers (Lauren Grant, gabbylynn, and Beautiful Enigma). I'm really enjoying writing this one and I am so happy that everyone is enjoying reading it.

I do not own any of the X-Men except for Steam which is a creation of my own daydreams.

Enjoy, review, let me know how I'm doing, please no flames.

Chapter 3

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Steam could hear the low murmuring of voices through the walls of her room. A door slammed from somewhere down the hallway. Footsteps sounded, soft at first, then growing louder as someone passed her room, then faded down the hallway. Then everything fell silent once more.

Steam rolled onto her side, squinting as sunlight found its way through the curtains and into her eyes. She groaned and rolled back onto her back. She stared at the ceiling, trying to sort out her memories from the night before.

A knock at her door broke through her thoughts. Steam growled impatiently. She was not a morning person, never had been and never will be.

She tossed back her sheets and got out of bed. With an impatient look on her face she yanked open the door.

"What?"

A small brown haired girl was standing there. The smile on her face faded as she took in Steam's glare.

"The Professor told me to come get your for breakfast."

She held up a stack of clothing. "He asked me to bring you some of Rogue's clothing for you to wear."

Steam eyed the clothing in the girl's hand. She reached out slowly and grabbed it from her.

"I'm Kitty Pryde by the wa--"

Steam shut the door in the girl's face. She wasn't going to be here long enough to take names.

She tossed the clothing onto her bed and stretched. First things first, she had to pee and then a shower was a must.

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Steam cracked her door open and peered out. She had to make sure that twit Pryde wasn't hanging around trying to introduce herself. The hallway was empty.

Steam clutched the borrowed clothing and a towel to her side and tried to slip out of her room. A shooting pain raced down her arm as her sling caught on the door and yanked her arm to one side. With a grumbled curse Steam wedged the clothing and towel between her side and the door and unhooked her sling.

She picked her things up and finally slipped out of her room. She carefully shut the door behind her, not wanting to make any noise to alert anyone of her presence.

"Bathroom's down the hall to the left."

Steam jumped at the sound of the low voice coming from behind her. She turned, raising one arm, letting the clothes and towel fall to the ground. A curl of steam floated up from her fingers as she prepared herself for whatever or whoever was there.

A tall girl with a streak of white in her brown hair stood there. "I see Kitty gave you my clothes." She glanced down at the pile on the floor with a pointed look.

"I was on my way downstairs when I realized that you probably didn't have any shampoo or anything. Here" The girl held out a clean washcloth and an unopened bar of soap in one hand and a bottle of shampoo and conditioner 2-in-1 in the other hand.

Steam slowly bent down and scooped her things off the ground and shoved them under her sling. With her free hand she reached forward and took the things from the other girl.

"Thanks," she mumbled, her face burning. Steam whipped around and fled down the hallway to the girl's bathroom and showers.

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"Well? What's she like?"

Bobby leaned over, his blue eyes twinkling, a piece of bacon in one hand.

Rogue shot him an annoyed look. "Hold your horses Bobby, I've just sat down." She reached for a pitcher of juice and poured herself a glass.

Bobby sat back, and glanced at John who sat there smirking at Rogue's rebuttal.

Kitty set down her fork and cleared her throat. "Well I thought she was rude. I mean I was in the middle of introducing myself when she just slammed the door in my face."

Rogue rolled her eyes. "Kitty, you can be a bit… persistent, and I'm sure that's just what she doesn't need right now."

Kitty glared at Rogue. "Well, what does she need then?"

"Who needs what?" Piotr set his tray down next to Bobby and pulled back his seat.

"There's a new student in the girls' dorm. She's a bitch though."

"Kitty!" Rogue scolded. She turned to face Piotr. "She's not a bitch. She looks like she's had a rough time lately." Rogue turned to look at Kitty now. "She had her arm in a sling and I noticed blood was seeping through it."

Kitty turned red and glanced down at her plate. "Well that doesn't give her the right to be a bitch." She glared, lifting her face.

"Actually it does."

The five turned, startled by the newcomer to their conversation.

Logan stood at the end of their table. His hair was still wet from the shower and he held a plate of food in one hand.

Rogue shifted in her seat, hoping her face was not turning too red. "Morning Logan."

"Give the girl a chance. She's been through a lot the last couple of days and the last thing she needs is hostility, especially from any of us."

Kitty blushed even harder now. "Sorry Wolverine." Her voice was soft and apologetic.

Rogue nodded her thanks to the mutant. Logan nodded to the rest of the table and turned to sit at the teachers' table.

"So, would that be her?" Piotr pointed with his fork to the entrance to the dining room.

Steam stood there surveying the room, a carefully neutral look on her face. She had showered and rebadged her arm, throwing the bloody bandages away. Now she stood with her red hair braided back in a pair of Rogue's shorts displaying her long pale legs and a t-shirt tight across her chest.

John leaned over and let out a long, low whistle. "Now that is what I call new meat. Gotta get me some of that."

Rogue and Kitty shot him a dirty look. "Perv," Kitty mumbled underneath her breath.

Rogue turned her attention back to the new girl and was about to beckon the girl over when Logan rose from his seat and made his way over.

"Morning kiddo. How ya feeling?"

Steam looked up at him, a relieved look on her face. "Thank you. I don't remember much from the other night, but thank you for what you did."

Logan shook his head. "Just what I would do for a friend."

Charles had called for an early morning meeting between Jean, Scott, Storm and himself, briefing them on Steam's condition, her outburst about mutants, and his decisions regarding what to do about her. He cautioned them to be careful but friendly around her and to avoid telling the other students too much about what was going on.

Logan smiled down at the red head. "Let me know if you need anything. I'll see you around."

Steam ducked her head in thanks and waited for Logan to resume his seat before making her way over to the buffet table.

Steam's eyes widened at the sight of the breakfast buffet. It had been years since she had seen so much food. Her stomach offered an agreeing rumble. She reached for a plate but stopped as the sling on her arm restricted her movement.

"Need some help?"

Steam shifted around and found herself looking up into a pair of warm brown eyes. Her own eyes narrowed. "No thank you," she muttered, her face flaming. Not only could she not get her own breakfast but she was completely helpless in front of an audience.

"Please, let me help." Brown Eyes was insistent this time, reaching out and picking up a plate. "Eggs?"

Steam sighed and nodded. They went down the table like this. Him asking and her nodding her consent to food. She could feel their eyes on the back of her neck. It made her feel uncomfortable to be watched by so many.

"Forget them. Just concentrate on breakfast. The food here isn't all that bad. It's actually pretty good."

Brown Eyes kept chattering trying to distract Steam from the prickling on the back of her neck from being watched.

After what seemed like eons, Steam's plate was filled and she had her glass in her hand. She turned to face the room and got the distinct impression that everyone had suddenly glanced away and resumed their conversations.

"You can sit over here with us." Brown Eyes left no room for discussion as he took off towards a table, plate in hand.

"Rogue, Kitty, Bobby and John. Guys this is…." Brown Eyes paused and looked over his shoulder at Steam.

Steam stepped forward. "Steam. Call me Steam." She was proud to hear that her voice sounded strong and didn't show the butterflies in her stomach. This was all so new to her.

Kitty sniffed and turned away, barely acknowledging Steam's introduction.

Rogue smiled. "Good to see that the clothes fit."

Bobby half stood and flashed a charming grin complete with dimples. "Nice to meet you."

John eyed her, his gaze traveling down slowly. Steam lifted her chin, her look challenging.

Brown Eyes set Steam's plate down and held a chair out for her. Steam awkwardly sat down, her knees bumping the table as she did.

Brown Eyes took a seat next to Steam and reached for the pepper for his eggs.

"So, Steam, interesting name, is it your real name or what?" Kitty had finally turned back around and was leaning over the table, a less than friendly smile on her face.

Steam set down her fork and finished chewing. "My given name is Elizabeth Hanson. Steam is a nickname I picked up."

Rogue had remained friendly but silent until now. "Which do you prefer, Steam, Elizabeth, or some variation there of?"

"Steam is just fine."

Rogue nodded and turned back to her own breakfast.

The six finished eating in silence. Slowly the rest of the students finished and began filtering out of the dining room. Rogue finished first, she sat there waiting and as the rest finished, she gathered their plates.

"We each take a day. Whoever has the day off from school chores has to clean up after the group at meals," Rogue explained as she piled silverware on top of the dishes.

"Steam." The Professor's voice rang out, soft but commanding. Steam stood and turned. Charles was sitting in the doorway.

"Follow me please." He turned and wheeled out of sight. Steam turned back to the group, nodded curtly and followed the Professor from the room.

"Since you are just beginning here, I thought we might begin with a tour of the school and an explanation of how things work around here."

Steam paused, "Just beginning here? No Professor, I think you have it wrong. As soon as I can get my clothing back, I'm leaving."

Charles silently studied Steam, holding her gaze until she finally glanced away.

"Perhaps we should begin with the letter."

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Hope you all enjoy this chapter too. I should have another one up in a day or two

Love, Ginger : )