AN: This chapter is dedicated to the wonderful StormyNightengale, the creator of Natasha Dugan a.k.a Hack. It is because of her that I have been posting so often. Thank you StorymNightengale, and I hope you enjoy this chapter.

The next couple days were lazy and slightly boring to the mansion's occupants. A blizzard rolled in on Boxing Day so everyone was kept inside. Quinn and Caim played chess for most of the day while Mark and Kitchie enjoyed a movie marathon of cheesy television Christmas shows. The four of them stayed in the living room for the day, just enjoying the peace. The next six days were spent between playing outside and playing inside, all the while trying to come up with new games. At least once a day Wolverine would give them a training exercise and they were more than overjoyed to participate. Although they came away from it with a scratch or two, they came away extremely happy and tired enough to sleep through the night.

Soon New Year's Eve rolled around and the mansion was setting up for the party. Several mutants from out of town were coming to visit and some students that had left for the holidays were returning for the party.

Quinn hovered in midair as she hung gold streamers from the chandeliers in the dining room.

"Out of your reach is it?" Mark joked, coming into the room holding some center pieces.

"I'm doing just fine thanks," Quinn replied, looking over her shoulder at her friend.

"So are you going to dress up?" he asked as he started arranging the pieces on the table below his winged comrade.

"Why would I dress up?" she replied, fixing a piece of her decoration.

"Because it's a party."

"So?"

Mark sighed and shook his head. "Never mind. I'll figure out something for you."

"No you won't."

"I'm already helping out Kitchie and Caim-"

"Caim's not here for the party."

That caused Mark to look up. "He's not?"

Quinn shook her head and flew over to land on the floor next to him. "Nope. Mr. Xavier's letting him go out with Alex for the evening as long as he's home by midnight."

Mark looked over at her, one eyebrow raised. "How do you know that?"

"Because I heard him on the phone with Alex."

Mark laughed quietly and nodded. "Ah. I see. Eavesdropping again are we Quinn?"

"I overheard it. I wasn't intentionally eavesdropping," she snapped in reply.

Mark rolled his eyes. "Sure Quinn, sure. Now just fly back up and finish decorating what you're too short to reach." Quinn muttered darkly under her breath and was sure to give Mark a slight kick in the arm as she fluttered back up to finish the other chandeliers. She unrolled a piece of the streamer before pulling her knife from her pocket and cutting the end. Mark looked up at her just as she did and he smiled. "That's the one I made you," he noted.

"Yep," she replied. "My Swiss Army one broke, so I'm using yours."

"I'm glad. I had to really talk the Professor into letting me make them."

"I'm surprised he did."

"Me too. But I explained that they weren't going to be too big and that they were going to be more decorative than deadly."

"They're still knives."

"Yes…" Mark let his voice trail off as he adjusted one of the table pieces. He moved onto the next one as he spoke. "I'm surprised you're complaining."

"I'm not complaining; just saying."

Mark shrugged a shoulder and ran a hand through his hair. "I think I'm done."

"With this conversation or your table stuff?"

"Both, and they're called center pieces."

Quinn rolled her eyes. "Like I care." She finished off the last chandelier and flew down to land beside her friend. "I'm going to grab more streamers," she said. "You need anything?" Mark shook his head. "No thanks. I'm going to go help Kitty finish cleaning up the living room." Quinn nodded. "Alright." Once again using her wings, she flew out of the dining room and down the hall, wondering how many people were going to show up to the party.

Personally she didn't get what the big deal was. A year was only a number of days to her, and in the orphanage New Year's Eve only marked another year that she hadn't been adopted. On the streets the only year she recognized was when September came around and it marked a year for her being on her own.

She quickly pushed those negative thoughts away, not wanting to dwell on the past.

As she passed the clock in the entrance hall she noted it was four, and that the guests were going to be arriving in a little under an hour. She sighed and let her feet skim the foot before landing. She was about to turn into the supply closet when there was a knock on the door. She glanced at the clock again and frowned.

She moved towards the door but Caim, who had just raced into the entrance hall, got there first. He quickly opened the door and froze. Quinn stepped over to see who was in the doorway and wasn't necessarily surprised that Caim had stopped. If she thought that she and Kurt had a physical mutation, they had mere blemishes compared to this guy. Not that she was being mean or anything, it was just a note.

Two people stood in the doorway, looking into the mansion as though they had just turned from having a conversation. Their entwined hands released each other and they both wore a kind smile on their face. The first person was a tall and slim lady with her long brown hair pulled back into a ponytail. Her smile reached her sparkling blue eyes and Quinn had the automatic instinct to trust the kind looking woman. The second person was a man, bigger than the woman probably due to the dark blue fur that covered his entire form. His face was almost catlike and his eyes gleamed from behind a pair of glasses.

"Good evening Caim," the man greeted, extending a large furry hand. Caim inclined his head as he shook hands with the older mutant. "Good evening Dr. McCoy." He looked at the woman. "Good evening Ms. Dugan." The lady laughed quietly and they shook hands as well. "It's good to see you," she replied kindly. Caim nodded as he stepped out of the way for them to step inside. Quinn couldn't help but notice that he stood up a little straighter as the couple walked in. The man looked over and, as he spotted Quinn, he smiled. "Hello," he said. Quinn was able to muster a small smile in greeting.

"I'm Hank McCoy," the man said, introducing himself as he walked up to her. "Pleased to meet you."

"Quinn, Quinn Morr," Quinn replied, shaking his hand. "Um. It's nice to meet you too Mr. McCoy." The man laughed and the woman stepped up beside him. In another other situation Quinn would have felt trapped being between these two people and the wall behind her, but the lady had a calm feeling to her that Quinn trusted.

"I'm Natasha Dugan," the lady said, smiling.

"Quinn Morr," Quinn repeated. They shook hands and Quinn glanced over at Caim, who was patiently standing near the now closed door, although it was evident in his posture and the way his eyes flicked towards the door that he wanted to leave. Mr. McCoy and Ms. Dugan must have noticed as well because Mr. McCoy turned to him and said, "Go ahead. Don't wait around on our account. Have fun wherever you're going."

Caim nodded and gave a small smile, but he didn't move. He looked at Ms. Dugan who gave him a warm smile. "Go ahead Caim. But when you come back, I'd like to talk with you." Caim visibly swallowed and nodded before leaving quickly.