Faux Pas

Chapter Three

"Yowza! Check it out, doc!" Bridgette awed, leaning close to the window of the helicopter. As far as the belt restraints would let her anyway. Blue eyes rounded as she looked down at the Charles Xavier Institute. A massive estate with perfectly green grass and backed by what looked like some type of wood or forest area while the other side seemed to be near the edge of some sort of cliffside. The building itself was gorgeous and intimidating in size. A family that was well off, no doubt.

"It's all right. I'll just wait until we land," answered Bruce, keeping still. She smirked at the doctor's uneasiness with helicopters, reflecting the time when she first met him after the Hulk showdown and he was twitchy then too. She couldn't recall if he had properly explained his overreacting, maybe a bad encounter with a helicopter or simple phobia? Maybe it just riled his pulse, the uncertainty of flight.

"Aw c'mon, half of the fun is the view from above," she teased. Bruce raised a brow, mouth daring to smile.

"You've flown often then?" She shook her head, gaze still focused on the ground below them. She could see the tiny figures of people milling about. Students of the school perhaps?

"Nah. I stuck to ground transport mostly. Flying doesn't always allow for an escape route, like an airplane with civilians " she explained, pausing to confirm her decision. "Yeah, helicopters are way easier to ditch."

"Preparing for landing," came the voice of their pilot over the communication line. Sitting back properly in her seat, she glanced over at the scientist who wore matching ear coverings and she gave a grin to disarm some of his worry.

"Relax, Bruce. It could be fun," she said. He gave a small laugh.

"You make it sound like we're on vacation, not this type of exile," he reasoned. She pretended to ponder his words as the helicopter began it's descent.

"All right, so we can't go city walking, window shopping, but it doesn't mean that Fury can take the fun out of going somewhere new," she returned. "Besides, I think it'll be neat to learn about this mutation gene."

Bruce gave her a look of disbelief. "You think it'll be neat?"

"Oh come on, Bill Nye, don't pretend it doesn't interest you. Being born super powered? I mean, yes, there's probably more to it than that, but it means we're not the only ones who are different," she trailed off as they finally landed, the spinning blades overhead slowing down. The pilot gave them the okay and they removed their headphones, thanking the SHIELD agent for the ride. Grabbing their respected bag, they slid open the door and hopped down to land on the lovely estate.

As the helicopter took off, a small group of people approached them. Four were walking and one was in a wheelchair. Going off the chair and the photo they were shown, she figured that he was Charles Xavier, head honcho of the institute. Slinging her bag over her shoulder, she and Bruce made their way so to meet them halfway. As they approached each other it was becoming difficult to ignore the tense air between the groups. Of course they were apprehensive. They were welcoming two figures from SHIELD, members of the Avengers, people they didn't particularly favor because they were made into what they were today, not born as such.

Taking a breath, Bridgette gave a bright smile and a wave.

"Howdy there," she called. The two girls returned the wave and Professor Xavier smiled back as well, offering his hand when they were close enough.

"Welcome to the Institute Bridgette Smith," he turned to shake Bruce's hand, "and Dr. Banner. We're happy to have you here with us."

"Thank you. It's very generous of you to let us stay," thanked Bruce. "We're sorry for the inconvenience."

"Not an inconvenience at all. We're all very excited to have you here. You've been the topic of most of our students' conversations since the New York incident," said Xavier, giving a laugh. Embolden by the positivity, Bridgette stepped forward to offer her hand to the man closest to her while Bruce and the professor chatted over pleasantries. He was wearing a leather jacket and a stern expression with his arms folded over his chest. She grinned again.

"Hi. I'm Bridgette," she introduced. He looked at her hand like it was offensive, not making a move to shake. He gave an unintelligible grunt of a response, looking away. Hand left hanging without reciprocation made the girl raise her brow in interest.

"And your name must be Sunshine," she answered for him. "Pleasure."

"Please, don't mind Logan. He is rather unpleasant toward newcomers," intervened the woman next to him. She had dark skin with strikingly white hair. She moved forward to return the handshake. "My name is Ororo, otherwise known as Storm. It is very nice to meet you, Bridgette."

"Thanks. You too," she smiled back. Stealing another glance at Logan, she focused her gaze back to the professor who gestured to the two younger people next to him.

"These are two of my students who live here at the Institute and attend Bayville High. Jean Grey and Scott Summers," he introduced. Both students moved to shake hands and exchanged proper greetings. Jean Grey was a young lady with lovely red hair and Scott Summers wore a set of red tinted sunglasses. Which Bridgette found odd as it wasn't overly bright that day. Strange.

"It's nice to meet you," said Bruce.

"Ditto," added Bridgette.

"Jean and Scott are seniors at Bayville High and are more than capable in helping you two adjust to your new roles," explained the professor. "Feel free to ask them any questions you may have."

"Wait, I'm sorry, our new roles?" interjected Bridgette, allowing confusion to be written across her face. "What roles?"

"Didn't your director explain to you your identities while you are here with us?" asked Xavier. Stealing a glance at each other, the Avengers shook their heads.

"I guess we missed the memo," shrugged Ricochet.

"If you could brief us, Professor," encouraged Bruce, adjusting the bag on his shoulder. Professor Xavier took a breath and his hands came together to create a steeple.

"While you are with us you will be filling in as teachers at the high school where our students attend. This acts as a sign of trust between ourselves and your division. I have been granted access of some of your basic files so to find the most suitable roles for you here." His gaze focused on Bruce. "Dr. Banner with your degree and field training, the science department is clearly your strong suit. Fortune was with us as the current science teacher is away for a year due to her pregnancy leave."

Bridgette gave a playful shove, a teasing grin pulling at her mouth while she did her best not to comment, trying to hold up her good behavior.

"Miss Smith, I was able to secure your role as the Physical Education teacher. Lucky for us, as strength seems to be your strong suit, so to speak." Bringing her arm up in a flex, she smiled at his pun.

"Sounds like a blast, professor. So when do we start our roles?"

"Tomorrow is the first day of the new school year and that seems the most appropriate time to start." He seemed to relax somewhat, the tension leaving his shoulders. "If you'll follow us inside, Logan will show you to your room." Biting the inside of her cheek so not to smile at Logan's face of disbelief. Clearly he was not the hospitable type. He glanced her way and she flashed him a broad grin, just so he could resume brooding with his arms folded.

Bruce stepped closer to her as they made their way up the steps that led into the building. "You shouldn't try to make him angry. I see what you're doing there," he warned fairly.

"Oh come one. I'm being the perfect guest. Charm and all," she whispered back.

"You're trying to tick him off. I believe it's working, so tread carefully."

"I'm simply being a charming guest and an optimistic person. He's being a grouch for no reason," she whispered back. Bruce gave her that knowing look and she sighed. "All right. I'll lay off a bit. Heaven forbid he die by too much nice-ness from another person."

"Nice-ness?" repeated Bruce with a laugh. "Your vernacular is quite extensive." She bumped his arm again as they followed Logan up the staircase and down the first hall.

"Good vocab words, doc. I see what you did there."

There was a thud as Logan pushed open the door and stepped aside.

"This is where the Professor assigned your room," he gritted out, as if speaking to them was a tremendous chore.

"Thank you Logan," spoke up Bruce formally.

"Thanks, Sunshine," smiled Bridgette good naturedly. With another grunt, he turned and left, Bridgette watching with interest. "I wonder what his deal is, super bad attitude?"

"It's not our concern," chided the doctor as they stepped into the room. It was a simple set up with two twin beds on opposite sides of the room. There was one by the window that caught the girl's eye and she glanced back at the doctor, hesitating.

"Any chance you want the one by the window?" she asked slowly. He shook his head, setting his back on the other bed.

"No thanks, I'd feel more comfortable away from the window if you don't mind."

"Great!" she cheered, tossing her bag on the bed. "Dibs then!"

"You want the one by the window?" he asked, raising a brow as he began to carefully unpack his bag, clothes nicely folded. She nodded, hopping onto the bed.

"Course, keeps me posted about what's going on." She sent him a grin and a wink. "Don't worry, doc, I'll be the first response team." He gave soft chuckle as he started to put away the clothes he brought.

"Always about finding that emergency exit," he guessed. He would know, he was the same way. Whenever he was in a new place he had to locate the nearest exit in case of a potential Hulk-out. To spare those around him injury. It was still strange to think that Bridgette needed to think the same way when she was avoiding Hydra, or even SHIELD at times. She didn't turn into an angry green giant or anything eye catching. She was a prized experiment constantly on the run, evading everyone that wanted her under a microscope.

"Sure. The best plan is the one that has an exit," she answered, starting to rummage through her own bag.

It was quiet for a few minutes as they unloaded their belongings. The quiet was odd as Bridgette tended to fill the air with chatter whenever she could. She never liked quiet. It put her on edge. It was exactly why she liked living in the city. Noise was a constant factor that could be counted on. Cars running, honking with people talking, swearing, and singing. Buildings and clubs producing their own music, and the general chatter of the city. It was loud, reliable, and always there.

Bridgette Smith hated the quiet.

"Kurt, don't push me!" whispered a girl.

"Sorry! I can't see!" came the corresponding voice. Interest piqued, the Ricochet made her way over to the doorway after hearing a sharp 'bamf' like noise. Stepping out into the hall, she looked left, then right only to see no one. Hands finding her hips, she checked again. She was certain she heard people and that odd sound. Since the hall was clear, she thought to look up, just on the off chance there was some clue. Good call.

A boy and a girl were hiding up on the hallway light fixture, looking down at her with wide eyes. Doing her best not to laugh, she gave a smile instead.

"So...you hang here often?" she teased. There was that 'bamf' sound again and the pairing vanished, then reappeared in front of her, making her flinch at the sudden change in space. They continued their stare from before, not quite sure on how to approach her.

"Hi, I'm Bridgette," she introduced. The girl took a breath and stepped forward, closer to the stranger.

"I'm Kitty and this is Kurt," she said, pointing to the boy behind her. She was a normal looking girl with brown hair pulled up into a ponytail and a pink sweater. The boy was similar to the girl in height with almost blue colored hair. He gave a wave and a smile as well.

"Hello!"

"Howdy," she returned. "So, you guys are students here, right?" She could hear Bruce moving so to stand behind her and saw how their gaze flickered over her shoulder so to study him as well.

"Yeah, and you're both, like, the Avengers right? The ones who fought the aliens?" asked Kitty. She and Kurt exchanged a quick glance to confirm their suspicion "Because we totally saw you on the news!"

Bridgette gave a shrug. "Yeah, we were there." Bruce touched her shoulder gently, tone cautious.

"We shouldn't confirm anything," he whispered.

"We were on tv, so we're on the internet and they have full access into looking us up if they'd like. Might as well tell them straight," she whispered back. She pointed to her fellow Avenger. "And this is Doctor Bruce Banner. Super smart scientist, doesn't like to fly, a little socially awkward like myself, but an all around nice guy."

"Wait, were you there too?" asked Kurt, stepping forward slightly. Bruce gave a soft laugh of irony.

"Yes, I was certainly there."

"So cool, dude!" cheered Kurt with a jump. He disappeared and reappeared hanging from the light fixture again. "You're both staying for awhile, right? Logan wouldn't tell us when we asked."

"Oh yeah, we'll be here for a bit," smiled Bridgette. "I think it'll be fun."

REVIEW! Oh my gosh, I am so sorry about the wait for this chapter! Big thank you to everyone who has been so patient with me. It's been crazy with school, getting ready to transfer to a four year university, internship planning, working on original stories and ect. Again, I am so sorry that you all had to wait so long for this, I feel terrible, but this chapter/story was really fighting me. This is my second take on this chapter as I had to scrap the other that wasn't going in the direction I wanted. This will lean toward X-Men:Evolution as that is what I have a bit more info on I think.

Thank you for your patience and I hope you continue to enjoy!