15 January

Teamwork. n. 1. cooperative or coordinated effort on the part of a group of persons acting together as a team or in the interests of a common cause 2. work done with a team

"Where is everyone?" Rogue asked. The dinner table was exceptionally empty.

"Missions," Kurt explained simply. "The senior team is dealing with some mutant terrorist crisis in New York, and Storm took a fraction of the junior team to deal with some big explosion or something." He shrugged. "I guess the junior team can be broken up and I'm a leader of the second fraction. So don't get in trouble or I'm responsible for you."

Alison settled herself into a dinner chair. "Afraid of responsibility, 'Crawler?"

"Nein, aber I would not speak if I was you," he retorted. "If I have to own up for your mistakes, consider yourself disowned."

"Touchy," she commented.

"Ja, touchy. Out of all the things I need, it is not a bad rep."

"I do not have a bad rep!" Alison replied haughtily.

"... bar fights?" Kurt prompted.

Alison's expression instantly changed to the defensive. "Oh no, you don't! First off, that was a well to-do club. Second, I did not cause that ... that riot. I was singing!"

Kurt waved a dismissive hand. "But you still participated. I am a firm believer in fun, but not at the cost of our team." Alison opened her mouth to argue again, but Sean walked in and cut her off.

"Yuir voices get any louder, ye'll wake the whole town."

"Ah'd be surprised if anyone was sleepin' yet, Sugah."

"Why are you not with Cyclops and his team?" Kurt asked.

Sean took his time in answering. He gathered a plate full of food and only answered when he was settled in his chair. The three students stared at him expectantly. "They're gonna make it permanent, breaking up yuir team int' two," he announced. "If they're doin' that, yuir in need of another teammate, Kurt. My skills are covered on the senior team, so I volunteered t' give you a hand. I don't know if I'll be with you, but we'll figure that out when Storm an' the' others come back."

"It doesn't bother you that you've been demoted?" Alison questioned off-handedly.

"No," Sean said firmly. "Like I said, lass, I volunteered."

"I guess that means they won't be doing any promotions," she mused.

"Probably not. Although I've seen yuir teamwork skills, lass, and you'll be wantin' t' work on that."

Alison's eyes flashed angrily, though she had the sense to keep quiet.

"Not just her. I think all of us need to learn to work together," Kurt said.

Rogue shifted in her seat. "Ah don't think we're that bad. Ah mean, we don't usually leave each othah high an' dry."

"Usually is not good enough," Kurt explained. "Und we need to cover each other's backs. Running around and staying out of each other's way is not good enough."

"It's the best Ah can do," Rogue mumbled.

"Doch!"

"We'll teach you how to fight, lass. You've been here for two weeks."

Kurt smiled and nodded. "If I'm your team leader, count me in on it," the blue boy promised. "I bet Storm would do the same.