Quinn sat on the back of one of the chairs in the living room that had been pushed aside to make space in the middle of the room for milling about and dancing. She had been looking around the mansion for Mark and Kitchie but wasn't able to find them so she had just retreated to a corner, not wanting to mingle but knowing that Mark would get on her back if she wasn't at least a bit sociable. He had even dressed her up in a black skirt of Kitty's and a red top of her own. He had borrowed Kitchie's gel to spike her hair up into a pixie style and even though she complained she did have to agree that her hair looked like cool.

She surveyed the room, wishing that Caim was here but glad that Mr. Xavier had allowed him to go out. She didn't understand his rule about being home by midnight, and guessed that Caim wouldn't be following it.

She jumped off the chair as Ms. Dugan stepped into the room. They locked gazes and the lady smiled, walking over to Quinn. "So how long have you been here for?" she asked. "Not for very long I guess, since I haven't seen you around."

"Since mid-November," Quinn told her. "So about a month." She shrugged a shoulder and crossed her arms since she didn't have any pockets to stick her hands in.

"Well that's nice," Ms. Dugan replied. "How do you like it here?"

Quinn glanced around at all the people gathered in the room. Four-Eyes, Jean, Rogue, Kurt, Kitty… She had met everyone at least once and although she didn't care for some she had to admit that she didn't hate them and would fight beside them anytime. "I like it here," she replied simply after a moment.

"That's good."

Quinn looked back at Ms. Dugan and nodded. Ms. Dugan smiled and then frowned slightly. She glanced towards the door that led out of the living room, before turning back to Quinn. "Excuse me," she said. She left and Quinn watched her go, wondering what just happened. After a moment her curiosity got the better of her and she followed after her.

She stopped in the entrance hall and looked around, trying to think of where Ms. Dugan went. As she paused, the memory of her last adventure caused by curiosity flooded her mind, bringing Caim's words with it: Curiosity the cat killed the little bird. She shuddered, remembering how that led to the talk on the ice and then…

She shook her head furiously, her hands balling into fists.

She raised her head, slowly looking away. If a mutant adult suddenly went somewhere in the X-Manor where would they go… Her eyes drifted to the stairs and she flew up them silently and down the hall; she guessed that she had gone to Mr. Xavier's office.

As she neared the office she spotted Caim standing just outside it, like Quinn had done when she had overheard Caim and Mr. Xavier. She frowned at the sight of her friend, who tonight was dressed in classy black, not just jeans and a sweater. He wore black dress pants and a button up shirt and his gloves seemed new. He seemed to have just walked in because he still had his shoes on.

He looked over at her, as though he had sensed her staring at her, and he quickly shook his head. "Go," he whispered.

"Why do you get to stay," she shot back, and he let out a controlled sigh. That's when the door opened and Ms. Dugan stepped out. "Caim, Quinn," she addressed. "If you're going to be a part of the conversation why don't you come in?" Her voice was soft, but there was a tone of scolding under it. Caim seemed used to it as he diverted his gaze and said quietly, "Sorry Ms. Dugan." She shook her head and opened the door wider. "Just come in," she told them.

Quinn landed as she followed Caim into the office, confused. She hadn't heard anything, but Ms. Dugan seemed stress and Caim looked worried, and that was enough to put Quinn on edge.

Mr. McCoy stood in front of Mr. Xavier, who sat behind his desk. Ms. Munroe stood opposite the room from Mr. McCoy and Ms. Dugan moved to sit on the chair beside her partner. Caim stood by the door, arms crossed, staring at Mr. Xavier's desk.

"How much did you hear son?" Mr. McCoy asked.

"From the point where she said she was appointed Senator."

Quinn frowned. Who were they talking about? She tried to remember anything on the news about an election but she didn't really watch the news so she couldn't think of anything. But if there was something big going on like that then surely the mansion would be filled with talk about it, especially if the change had anything to do with mutants.

"Who's being appointed Senator?" Quinn asked. "I haven't heard about any election."

Mr. McCoy slowly shook his head with a sigh. "She's taken the place of her father, who recently passed. It is extremely uncommon and most likely would not have gone through if her father hadn't been who he was and didn't have the... influences-" The word was held the edge of a snarl. "-that he did."

"I still can't believe what they let him do. His crimes were right under their noses and nobody noticed," Ms. Munroe commented.

Now Quinn was starting to get annoyed. She had no idea what the hell any of them were talking about. "Who are we talking about?" she demanded.

"Senator Jane Kelly." Caim spat the words as though they waere poison in his mouth. "Senator Kelly's daughter."

AN: The idea for Senator Jane Kelly was created by a girl that made an RP site that I wrote on. So thanks to her, wherever in Great Britain she may be, and I hope you don't mind me borrowing her.
Now, since this is fanfiction I am allowed to do stuff like this. I will not mention any specifics about what happened with Senator Kelly in the X-2 because then time wouldn't match and I would probably end up getting hate mail.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter!