Katie could honestly say that she had never felt so neglected in her life. Her mom was getting busy at the shop back in North Carolina, Lance and the boys were still mad at her, Rogue was spending time with Kitty since they were roommates, and Killian was the only one who ever even said hello to her.

But it wasn't their problem, so she'd get over it.

Katie didn't mind that her mom and Rogue were somewhat ignoring her and spending less time with her. It was completely understandable, and if Katie's mom didn't get done what she needed to get done, then she wouldn't be able to come up here within the next few weeks. And Rogue did have to live with Kitty, nonetheless stay in the same room as her. Katie just didn't appreciate the Brotherhood ignoring her. It was stupid and annoying. So when Lance and Pietro were suddenly finding somewhere else to sleep, Katie had no sympathy.

"Katie, let us in!"

"Hm? Here I was think I was a ghost," Katie mumbled loud enough for them to hear. "Must be thinking of a different Katie." She continued playing Sudoku and ignored the banging on the door.

"Katie!" Her cell phone began ringing as Pietro finally managed to pick the lock. But the door wouldn't open because of the many things blocking the door. Katie had a window to jump out of, and she wondered when the boys would think of it. She answered.

"Yeah?"

"Hey, Katie," Killian greeted. Katie smiled.

"Hey, Kill. What's up?"

"Well, I was wondering if maybe you could come out this afternoon now that exams are over and no more studying if required."

"I certainly can. Where do you wanna go?"

"Doesn't entirely matter to me. Can you take Lance's ride?"

"Of course, yeah."

"Meet me at the Institute then."

Katie became rock still. "You live at the Institute?"

"Of course," Killian replied. "I thought you knew I was a mutant?"

"No, I didn't." Katie then gave a small grin. "I'll meet you there." The banging at her door increased. Katie moved the dresser back to the corner, then the two desks, and the mattress. She knew they wouldn't destroy a mattress, that was too valuable in this house. On the next bang, Katie opened the door. "I'm leaving."

Lance froze mid-sentence. It was Friday, and for the last two weeks, Lance skipped out on Movie Night. He didn't move as Katie grabbed her jacket and looked at him expectantly. "Where are you going?"

"To hang with Killian. What difference does it make?" Katie asked stiffly, ponytail swishing as she spun quickly around to grab her cell, almost forgotten. "I've been less than a ghost these last two weeks." She let out a bitterness that even she hadn't expected. On her way past him, Lance grabbed her arm.

"What do you mean you're going to mess with that X-Geek?" Katie threw his arm away.

"Quit calling them that!" she shouted.

"What're you gonna do if I don't?" Lance ran a hand through his hair. "What does it even matter to you?" Katie turned away from him, and crossed her arms. She walked into the kitchen, looking for his keys. The brunette dangled them from the living room. Katie turned red and opened the door in time to see Mystique.

"Nice to see you too," Katie said sarcastically before leaving Mystique behind to stare at her and Lance to do whatever he wanted to do by himself. She shivered, and didn't even notice that it was pretty cold for summer. Of course, to her it was always cold.

Her cell rang again about forty minutes later. "Yeah?"

"Where are you?" Lance said a little loudly into the receiver. "I'm at the Institute gates, and Killian says you haven't been here. I was going to let you have my ride." Katie looked around herself, trying to find a familiar landmark. She hadn't realized that she missed several turns until then.

"I, uh, I don't know. I haven't been here before." Katie looked around again. "I guess.. .I just don't know, man. I wasn't paying attention."

"Just stay where you are. Rogue is going to go with Scott and I'm coming with Killian."

"No, no. I'll find my way back to known ground and then you can just come pick me up," Katie said in a low voice. "I'll be fine. I mean, it's only like seven at night. What's the worst that can happen?" Lance grumbled something that Katie couldn't hear.

"You have thirty minutes to get somewhere you know. No, actually you have ten." The line went dead, and Katie shivered again.

About six hours later, Katie got in the jeep with Lance and Killian, taking up the back seat. "Are you alright?" Killian asked, turning back to look at her. Katie nodded. "Remind me next time to just take Scott's ride and come pick you up. Maybe we can avoid a search and rescue."

Katie laughed slightly, reaching under Lance's seat for a blanket she placed the other day. She was so cold. "Katie, you alright?" It was Lance's turn.

"I'm fine," Katie said stiffly, wrapping herself up and laying down to avoid the winds. "I'm just tired." She snuggled into the blankets, closing her eyes.

Katie lifted her head up when she was placed on something soft and covered with a blanket. Big brown eyes looked into her grey ones as she laid it back down but didn't close her eyes. Katie had a feeling she wouldn't remember this later, if at all, as she couldn't place exactly where she knew them. He smoothed down her hair, the black tendrils now loose and falling around her.

"You are so stupid," he laughed lowly. "Even Killian agreed with me." Katie nodded her head blankly. The brown eyes shut, and something shifted the soft something. Katie's hand snaked out. She lifted his head off of the bed, and she brushed the area by his eye softly.

"Pretty brown eyes," she whispered. He chuckled, hand wrapping around her own. He pulled off the gloves carefully before setting them both down next her. Katie watched at he stood up, leaned down and whispered in her ear.

"If you weren't you, I don't think I would've gone back for you. Don't change, Katie. Got it?"