Chapter 4: Back at the Mansion
"Gin!"
Rachel Grey spread her handful of cards proudly across the table.
"Oh for…" Kitty Pryde grumbled with mock frustration as she began to gather up the cards. "That's 4 games in a row! Do not lie to me and say you're not using your powers!"
"Hey! I'm not taking the blame for your inadequacies!"
"Hmph."
But Kitty was smiling behind her put-upon frown. It felt like ages since she and Rachel had been like this. Sans immediate crisis, for once they were able to act like exactly what they were: young women sorely in need of some good old-fashioned normal fun. Like kidding each other over a game of cards on a Saturday afternoon.
"Okay, I'll deal this one."
Just as Kitty began shuffling, the peace was broken by a rather violent wrenching open of the main door. In stalked Kurt followed a few feet behind by Logan.
"Welcome back guys!" Kitty greeted, swinging around in her chair to look at them; in her good mood she didn't immediately register the rather obvious tension between the two men, highlighted by Kurt's grim visage and tired, unhappy tail. "You two have been gone all day. How'd it go?"
"Hi Kitty, Rachel," Kurt greeted them unenthusiastically. "I need a shower. Wolverine, I will meet you in the briefing room for our rundown with Storm in half an hour."
"Sounds good."
With that Kurt left, Logan lingering a moment longer to spare them both an awkward walk together to the dormitory. By now, both Rachel and Kitty had registered the tension.
"What was that all about?" asked Rachel.
"Nothin'. We've just had kind of a long day. How're you guys doing?"
"Fine," answered Kitty. "Problems on the mission?"
"Leave it. It was just a bit messy. But anyway I got to get going myself so I'll see you ladies later. Take it easy."
Rachel and Kitty waited two full minutes after Logan has left the room to make sure their conversation would be out of the range of his enhanced senses.
"Logan covering up for Kurt's rudeness…? That's something you don't see every day. Did you pick up anything from either of them?"
Rachel shook her head. "Just quick impressions. Kurt was upset about something, but I guess that much was pretty obvious without telepathy. His thoughts were jumbled, though, anger but also a lot of stuff mixed up. But Logan was clearer. He mostly seemed… hurt?"