X-Men Forged: Lost Son

by JasonLauchlan

Jason is now an X-Man, and after a harrowing first semester, the next semester throws everything its got at him. From rekindled rivalries to new threats from the shadows, this is all overshadowed by a mysterious figure doting upon Jason, as well as Jason finally finding love. How will Jason deal with the next several months? And will finally Jason find out his mysterious origins?

4. Chapter 3: Boom-Boom

CHAPTER 3: Boom-Boom

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Xavier Institute for Gifted Children – January 9th, 2012 – 7:02 AM

"I don't know but I've been told!" chanted Scott.

"I don't know but I've been told!" echoed the rest of his team behind him.

"Winter air is mighty cold!" chanted Scott.

"Winter air is mighty cold!" echoed the rest of the team.

"I don't know but it's been said!"

"I don't know but it's been said!"

"I don't miss my soft warm bed!"

"I don't miss my soft warm bed!" There were a few chortles that were barely contained at that lyric.

As Scott continued to lead the rest of the X-Men in his modified Air Force chant, they ran along the shoreline of the bay in winter running gear. Scott led the pack with Jean, her red weaves of hair tied back this time, right behind. Jason and Kurt were right behind them with Piotr just behind him with Kitty making up the rear.

It had been less than two weeks since the X-Men reconvened back at the Xavier Institute after a brief holiday reprieve, and despite looking forward to constant training under Logan, Jason was more than happy to see that Piotr had elected to stay at the Institute, and was definitely much happier knowing his family was safe and reachable. As the year drew to a close, Jason and Piotr were nigh inseparable, and the Professor was glad to see that both had seemed to heal very well from the year's trials, none more so than Jason.

Now it was a week after the New Year, and the second term of school was looming. To make the tension of how midterms turned out even bigger, Scott thought this was a great time for a morning run along the bayside, even though it was only twenty-five degrees outside, and the bayside wind wasn't helping. The sun had not risen yet, but a small speck of dawn was visible on the horizon.

Finally, the run ended back at the bluffs upon which the Institute was crowned, and

many of the X-Men were grateful, particularly Piotr and Kitty. Kitty voiced her exhaustion right away. "Didn't I like say how much I didn't like running in nature?"

Jason was panting, but not as hard. "It wasn't as bad as back at Ironback."

Even Piotr was winded. "I am still not good enough to run…"

Jason was at Piotr's side at once. "It truly takes a while to get one's lungs to get acclimated to aerobic exercise. It took me a long time as well. You just got to keep on with the treadmill."

Piotr felt better about that. He just needed to put the same effort into aerobic exercise as he did in his weights.

Before all of them fully got their breath back, Logan strode up to them. "You all planning to suck up all the air at the beach or are you going to join us for the New Mutants training?"

Scott was all business. "We'll be right there, Logan."

"Then get moving!" Logan said, turning away.

Jason sighed. "New year and some things will never change. We'd better get going."

Kitty stood up straighter. "Aren't we just playing a supervisor role in their exercise?"

Jean said. "Yeah, but this is the rescue simulation, and that requires a lot of spotters."

"Oh yeah."

Jason stood up. "Well, let's just hope they take this seriously…this time."

"You do realize who you're like talking about, right, Jason?" Kitty said.

Jason pursed his lips. "Yeah…"

In due process, the team met the New Mutants in the Danger Room, and the environment they were going to be tested in today was already preloaded, and Alchemist saw with mild apprehension that it was the cliff rescue simulation, which was among the more perilous rescue simulations. Nightcrawler was drafted to be the "victim" that needed rescuing, and therefore he was waiting on a ledge about halfway down the cliff face. Cyclops would be coordinating the rescue effort as well as chief supervisor from the cliff. Alchemist and Colossus, being the strongest and most athletic of the group left, would act as belayers for the stretcher apparatus, while Marvel Girl and Shadowcat were watching from below, ready in case something went horribly wrong. Storm hovered opposite them all, watching the rescue operations very closely, acting as judge for each rescue. Wolverine waited topside, making sure things went according to plan.

When everyone was in their places, Cyclops repelled off of the top and found an "unconscious" Kurt half-buried under a modest pile of debris. "Confirmed: victim is approximate twenty meters down and unconscious," Cyclops reported into his earpiece.

"And starving," Nightcrawler quipped, noting his grumbling stomach. "The victim requests a speedy rescue so he may eat his breakfast."

"Quiet, Kurt!" Cyclops hissed, and then continued in the speaker. "Boom-Boom, recommend taking it slow and easy on the approach."

Nightcrawler's eyes bulged open. "Boom-Boom?! You chose to put my life in the hands of a lunatic?!"

Cyclops ignored Nightcrawler, but didn't get a response from Boom-Boom. "Boom-Boom, do you copy?"

Wolverine noticed the delay, and looked around. He immediately spotted Boom-Boom, and scowled as she was listening to her iPod at full blast through her earbuds. While the rest of the New Mutants adjusted the stretcher, Wolverine walked right up to Boom-Boom. Lifting one earbud out of her ear, he loudly cleared his throat.

Boom-Boom started up, and looked at Wolverine. "What is it?"

"Why aren't you wearing your comm link, kid?" He growled.

Boom-Boom didn't look the slightest abashed. "Oh, I must have put in the wrong headphones by mistake." It was a lame excuse, but that didn't bother her. "No big deal. Am I up?"

Wolverine sighed, which sounded more like a growl. "Get over there and finish your job, kid."

Boom-Boom saluted and swished her away around Wolverine and towards the rest of the group.

Colossus had seen Boom-Boom's behavior and looked at Alchemist. "Should I be feeling concerned?"

Alchemist had his back towards Wolverine's and Boom-Boom's exchange, but he knew that Boom-Boom was first up. "That's why we're here, Peter: to make sure things don't go wrong. Let's give Tabitha a chance. Sure, she's fun-loving and a little rambunctious, but we should trust her enough to act properly when the chips are on the table."

"All right, it's my turn!" came Boom-Boom's infectiously energetic cries. "Let's sling down there and rescue our furry wonder boy so we can get back to having fun, woo!"

Alchemist visibly winced. "Then again, maybe we should hang on tight."

Colossus gulped and steeled up at once.

The New Mutants had just barely lined up the stretcher on the platform when Boom-Boom came red hot on the scene like a firework. She practically jumped in, using her momentum to go right over the edge. Alchemist and Colossus hung on tight as Boom-Boom dropped out of view.

"Look out, world! Boom-Boom is dropping in and the forecast is explosive! Woohoo!"

Alchemist looked like he had tasted a sour grape, and Colossus kept looking at him, wondering what to do. None were nearly as uncomfortable as Nightcrawler. When he heard Boom-Boom's bellows, he sighed resignedly to himself. "I'm going to die…"

Cyclops couldn't disagree with that sentiment, and watched with a sinking stone in his stomach as Boom-Boom carelessly swung down on the stretcher. She came to a stop level with Nightcrawler's ledge. "Hey, cutie! How's it hanging?"

Nightcrawler looked at Boom-Boom. "I have to know: are you insane?"

Boom-Boom giggled and pinched Nightcrawler's cheek. "You wouldn't be the first to ask."

"His codename is Nightcrawler," Cyclops said. "And he's unconscious?"

"Oh, right," Nightcrawler lay back down and closed his eyes.

Boom-Boom's glossed over the pile of debris. "Well, first thing's first: let's blow away the rocks!" She formed a small charge right in her hands and tucked it inside the debris pile. "Fire in the hole!"

Nightcrawler flinched and covered his head. A blast of rocks shattered the debris pile, and despite covering Nightcrawler in dust, he was unharmed.

"Now that wasn't so bad, was it?" Boom-Boom said, grinning ear to ear. "Now on you go!" She reached over with her free leg and dragged Nightcrawler right onto the stretcher clumsily.

"Hey, I'm an injured victim, not a pile of sticks!"

Boom-Boom merely looked down at Nightcrawler. "Hmm, I'm not really feeling your name; it doesn't work for a cutie like you. What do you think of 'Wild Blue Yonder Boy'?"

Nightcrawler moaned. "You are insane, aren't you?"

"Enough, you two!" Cyclops barked. "Let's get Nightcrawler topside so we can move on to the next one!"

"Right-o, Goggle-boy!" Boom-Boom looked up. "Hey, Badger! Let her rip!"

"It's 'Wolverine'!" Wolverine growled. He looked at Alchemist and Colossus. "Scarface, Russkie, pull them up!"

"And not a moment too soon," Alchemist quipped, and started pulling. Colossus pulled, making sure to keep the same pace as Alchemist.

They were about ten meters up, when Nightcrawler decided to prove a point. He stealthily rolled over and off the stretcher, falling below. Boom-Boom felt the weight shift and saw Nightcrawler fall over. Gasping in horror, she couldn't move fast enough to stop him. A second later, a flash of brimstone heralded Nightcrawler's return.

"You forgot to strap me in!" Nightcrawler chided playfully. "Ten points from Hufflepuff, fraulein!"

A freshly recovered Boom-Boom looked at Nightcrawler mischievously. "Is that so?"

Cyclops felt his heart turn into stone. "Oh no…"

"What will these cost me?" Boom-Boom created a few more charges, and started hurling them at the cliff wall.

"Hey, knock it off!" Wolverine snarled.

The stretcher started rocking back and forth like a pendulum, and Alchemist and Colossus struggled to keep control. "What the fuck is she doing?!" Alchemist said, gritting his teeth.

Disaster struck in the form of a stray charge, blasting a piece of the cliff side off, sending a sizeable piece flying right into Nightcrawler's unprotected head. Stunned, he fell off the stretcher and fell like a stone.

Boom-Boom looked down. "Hey, stop goofing around, you big fuzzball!"

There was no response from Nightcrawler, and down below, Marvel Girl and Shadowcat saw the whole thing. "Kurt!" Shadowcat screamed in spite of herself.

Marvel Girl quickly caught Nightcrawler's falling form in a telekinetic field and slowed his descent. Back up top, Alchemist and Colossus heard Shadowcat and froze. "What just happened?" Alchemist asked, his eyes large.

Wolverine looked down to see Marvel Girl carrying Nightcrawler up the cliff with her powers, and Cyclops quickly climbed up the cliff to assess the damage. He reached the top before Marvel Girl did. "Alchemist, Colossus, get Boom-Boom back up here."

Alchemist and Colossus looked at each other, but wordlessly obeyed. Finally, Marvel Girl appeared from over the cliff with a stunned Nightcrawler in her grasp. Cyclops quickly took Nightcrawler from her just as Boom-Boom reappeared on the top of the cliff. "Uh…," Boom-Boom started, but only managed an "oops?"

Alchemist and Cyclops looked livid, but was cut off by Storm. "This exercise is over. Cyclops, get Nightcrawler to the infirmary, while I inform the Professor of the events. Boom-Boom?"

Boom-Boom suppressed a flinch.

"Report to the infirmary immediately." Each syllable was laced with the smallest of ice, and Alchemist gulped. He rarely saw Storm angry, and she was furious. "The rest of you, hit the showers, and get ready for school."

As the rest of the students dispersed, the environment melted away into the half-globe that was the Danger Room. Alchemist and Colossus undid themselves from the ropes they were holding. "Well, that was fun," Jason said sarcastically.

"I disagree," Piotr said.

"No no, I wasn't serious. When I said that it was fun, I really meant that it wasn't. It's sarcasm."

"Oh, I see," Piotr nodded.

"Just one of the nuances of language," Jason pursed his lips as he continued to unwind the ropes. "Seriously though, what the hell was that? I honestly expected a lot more of her!" Jason tossed the rope aside a little more forcefully than he intended.

"I am not liking this," Piotr said. "She should be knowing better."

"I think she does, and that's part of the problem. She doesn't seem to care about keeping it serious when she has to. Not to be critical of the Professor, but I think bringing her here was a mistake."

Piotr looked a little surprised at Jason, but even he thought that Tabitha's behavior was completely unacceptable. "Do you think so?"

"I'm not one to make that judgment, but unless she sobers up soon, I don't think she'll be here that much longer."

XXXXXXXXXX

"To be honest, I'm shocked and surprised at both of you," the Professor started. He had arrived at the infirmary, and after Kurt had come too and Mr. McCoy had assured the Professor that no damage was done, the Professor grew stern. "The Danger Room exercises are not a time to be playing around. They are training for very real circumstances that may befall us in the real world. Had this happened in a less controlled setting, one or more of you all could have been seriously injured, or worse, killed."

Kurt wilted at the lecture, while Tabitha seemed less receptive and more dismissive to it.

"When I brought you here, it was under the understanding that it was so both of you would learn to use your powers responsibly, and if you cannot be counted on to do so, I'm afraid there must be consequences. Therefore, Kurt, Tabitha, for two weeks, you are confined to the Institute grounds outside of school. You are forbidden to use your powers outside of training regiments as well. In addition, you will also be required to attend two training exercises per day with Logan, including the weekends."

"But—!" Tabitha began.

"You will serve your penances, Tabitha. There is no discussion on the matter. You've fallen out of favor with your teammates who can't count on you to use your powers properly, so until you can garnish that dependability, you will serve your penalties. Am I clear?"

Tabitha looked ready to pop, but Kurt quickly intervened. "Yes, Professor. We understand."

"Good," the Professor said, turning away. "In the meantime, get ready for school. Should you two be late for school, further penalties may be sanctioned."

Kurt shot a warning look at Tabitha, who looked ready to tell the Professor everything on her mind. "Understood."

The Professor, as well as everyone else beside the guilty pair, left the infirmary. Once the door was safely shut, Tabitha cut loose. "This is so not fair!"

Kurt admonishingly looked at Tabitha. "Hey, we goofed off and nearly got hurt. If anything, we got lucky. If our friends weren't there, it could have been worse."

"Oh, come on, Wonder Boy! Everyone around here is taking this way too seriously! We were perfectly safe!"

"But—"

Tabitha looked at her watch. "Whoops! We'd better run before everyone else eats everything else! Come on! If I had to choose being late for school or breakfast, I'd rather not choose breakfast! Let's go!" Tabitha was out the door in an instant.

Kurt could only sigh. On one hand, Tabitha's spunk was infectious, and her spirit was fun and exciting. Kurt never got to do half the things she did because of how he looked, and Tabitha seemed one of the few people that really enjoyed how Kurt looked, finding it cooler than anything. If only he could be as spunky as she was. On the other hand, her carefree attitude was dangerous and reckless, and could head to nothing but trouble.

Well, she was right about one thing: he'd better move and get breakfast. Even if he detoured to get a Burger Bomb, he didn't want to be late again for school and suffer another penalty.

XXXXXXXXXX

Former Bayville Boarding House – 8:26 AM

On the outskirts of Bayville stood a dilapidated house that was formerly used as a boarding house, but was left to rot for decades now. In fact, no one would go near the place because it smelled of rotting food, looked like it was ready to fall at any moment, and likely had more termites than wood. It was condemned years ago, but tearing it down was not currently "in the budget" for Bayville. Therefore, it just sat as a rotting example of a failed business.

It was the perfect place for a group of misfits like the Brotherhood boys would stay out of sight and out of mind. In the kitchen, Todd Tolanski was busy helping himself to a gourmet of houseflies and gnats that seemed like a permanent cloud over a trashcan. To someone as odious as one called "Toad," a place like this seemed to cover up his own body stench. "The place may be trash, but the eatin's still good," he said to himself. "My kind of place."

There was a blast of wind, which scattered the flies. "Hey! That's my breakfast!"

The blast of wind was unrepentant as it swept from cupboard to the next looking for anything to eat. Finally, it stopped, revealing the form of Pietro Maximoff. "What gives?! The cupboards are bare and falling apart!" Seemingly to make the point, a door fell right off the cupboard. Pietro was swift of foot and faster of mouth, sometimes to the point of intelligibility, earning him the alter-name "Quicksilver."

A large bulbous man walked right into the room. "Yeah, man! What's with this cheap dump anyway?" Fred Dukes was a massive man, but also very strong and nigh immoveable, as his mutant ability gave him a sense of personal gravity, rooting him right to a spot he chose to. His size and stature earned him the "Blob" moniker. Among these three as well as one other, they were the Brotherhood of Mutants, or rather what was left of them. After the destruction of Asteroid M, there was no word from Mystique or Magneto. Leaderless and without a cause, they were just a gang of misfits that no one could take seriously anymore.

Todd hopped down, every bit like his Toad persona, and looked up at Fred. "You know what we need? A wad of cash, and I know just where to find some! Wait here!" He hopped out of the kitchen, into the hall and up the stairs, right past Lance Alvers, also known as the seismic Avalanche, who was walking down the stairs with his backpack. Todd disappeared right around the corner, and smashed into a solid oak door. The door withstood his assault, and Toad came rolling down the stairs, dazed. Shaking himself out of it, he growled, and tried again.

Pietro, Lance and Fred looked on as Todd tried again, and again, and again with predictable results. "Even I would have stopped at this point," Fred said.

"Me too; at least I won't have a headache," Pietro shook his head.

Fred approached the stairs, just as an increasingly dazed Todd tumbled down the stairs. Fred caught him before he made it back down.

Todd sounded a little groggy. "That door must be made of adamantium or something…," he moaned.

"Knock it off, Todd," Fred said. "Not that I like you or nothing, but you're going to hurt yourself."

"Even then, what do you think Mystique is going to do to you when she finds out you were in her room, Toad?" Pietro glowered at Todd.

"She ain't coming back, yo!" Todd said. "Which is why it's a great idea that Fred could just pull the door down!"

"No thanks!" Fred said. "Mystique will kill me, and she knows how…"

Lance shook his head. "Well, while you guys talk this one out, I'm going to school. At least there's food there."

Lance opened the door and walked out. Fred, Pietro and Todd looked on after him. "He's right!" Fred said. "I can't stand waiting around here anymore, and I wanna eat! I'm coming too!"

Fred dropped Todd, right on his head, and walked after Lance. Todd shook himself out. "Me too, for my own safety!"

Pietro scoffed. "Bunch of wimps. The only reason I'm going with you is because I want to eat too. This place is such a dump."

XXXXXXXXXX

Bayville High School – 8:37 AM

Jason and Piotr were sitting in the bleachers inside the basketball court. A week before, they were notified that there would be a start-of-semester rally regarding changes at the school. While no one had any idea what it meant, the Professor thought it best they would be there on time, especially if they wanted to stay in the good graces of the school board. The rest of the X-Men were scattered around the gymnasium, and he thought he even saw the Brotherhood boys as well, standing along the wall near the entrance. He half-hoped they wouldn't be here for this semester, but he reasoned that he could deal with them again if he had too. They were probably still licking their wounds from last time.

Piotr sighed. "I am wondering how we did for our midterms."

"Me too," Jason said. "I'd like this rally to get over with so I can focus on doing better this semester. I'm not saying I did badly, but I'd rather know how I'm doing so I can see where I need to study for finals, because odds are finals will cover both semesters."

Piotr looked disturbed. "You are right. I did not think about that."

"Don't worry about it too much. I think we did well enough that we're pretty solid. If we have to, we'll just come up with something stronger for this semester. At least we got friends to help us out."

"Da, that is true…"

"Speaking of, I haven't seen Jean-Paul yet. I'm sure he's around here somewhere."

"My ears are burning!" came an enthusiastic voice.

Jason put his head in his hand. "Me and my big mouth."

Jean-Paul managed to squeeze his lithe frame right in between Jason and Piotr, and Jason was annoyed at that. Even Piotr didn't seem that appreciative. Jean-Paul seemed oblivious to the tension. "You know what they say about big mouths?"

"I know what they say about yours," Jason quickly replied.

"Ooh, cut by my own shade!" Jean-Paul said. "You're getting good at this…"

Jason rolled his eyes.

"So, how was the holiday?"

Jason took the time to choose his words carefully. "Well, didn't do that much besides going to visit my family for the holiday. That's about it."

Jean-Paul rounded on Piotr. "And you?"

Piotr looked strangely wistful. "I got to see my family too." That's all he would say.

Jason snuck a glance at Piotr. They had talked about Piotr's reunion with his family after he got back, and Piotr was more thankful and happy than Jason had ever seen him. Despite picking him up shortly after sunrise, it was nighttime when they teleported back to the Institute, and Piotr could barely sleep, so they stayed up and talked through a lot of their respective holiday experiences, until Jason finally fell asleep from exhaustion. It had taken Piotr a week to reconfigure his biological clock from that.

"Well, since you too don't seem up to sharing, how about I tell you about my holiday…"

Jason and Piotr could only sigh.

While Jean-Paul described his holiday ventures in milked detail, a few rows behind them sat Scott who was sitting with his friend, Paul. Scott was keeping an eye out for a familiar figure to step into the gymnasium, but wasn't having much luck as he was having to divide his attention between both entrances on opposite sides of the room.

He suddenly felt an elbow in his side from Paul. Looking his way, he saw Paul point towards a fresh arrival, and Scott smiled. Jean had just stepped in and was apparently trying to find someone familiar to sit with. Scott leaped to his feet, almost a little too enthusiastically, and waved towards Jean. Jean looked his direction, and seemed to spot him. Scott was thrilled…until he saw that between him and Jean was Duncan, Jean's boyfriend. Duncan had also stood up so Jean could see where he was. Deflated, Scott sat back down.

"Tough luck, man," Paul said.

"Yeah," Scott sighed.

Elsewhere, the Brotherhood boys did not seem to want to take a seat and just lazily watched everyone else dutifully find space. Todd was trying to get a pesky fly that seemed faster than he was. After several failed attempts, Todd voiced his frustrations. "Man, this bombs, yo! Even the flies think they're better than us!"

"Why did we come here again?" Fred said. His stomach growled in answer. "Oh yeah, I forgot."

"Well, I know why Lance is here," Pietro sneered. "And it ain't the food. He wants to get a certain Kitty in a tree, K-I-S-S-I—Whoopsie!" In perhaps the fastest side-step in school history, Pietro dodged an angry Lance's arm.

While the boys were chortling at Lance, Rogue walked past them, deliberately avoiding looking at them. She was hoping to find an open spot where she could just disappear into the crowd as normal, but apparently, she was late to the party and didn't see one right away. Still, Rogue wasn't anything if not persistent. She kept walking.

"Excuse me!" came a voice.

She looked to see that someone had spotted her. Rogue's first impulse was to ignore and keep walking, but this girl wasn't so different from her: streaked hair with purple in it, dark clothing and pale skin, although not as pale as Rogue's. She also was holding a book that Rogue had read herself leisurely last semester. Rogue was a little taken aback; how had she never noticed someone with the same sense of style and similar tastes as her? She couldn't help herself. "Yeah?"

"Do you know how long these assembly's last?" She spoke with a clear British dialect.

"Oh," Rogue started. "Well, a little too long, but they do get us out of class."

The girl laughed. "That's true; I guess I should be thankful. Hey, want to sit with me? I'm not waiting for anyone."

Rogue felt the impulse to leave, but it was quieter this time. "Sure." Rogue sat down to the girl's right.

"Thank you. Speaking of classes, mine should be…" The girl looked at a sheet of paper that Rogue recognized as the class schedule. It was a little hard to decipher if one was alien to it.

"Oh, you're in my class! Geometry with Mr. Barton."

"Oh, that's a relief. I wasn't making any front or end with this."

"It can be a little difficult if you're not familiar with it. You must be new!"

"Was I that obvious?" the girl smiled. "I'm Risty, Risty Wilde from England. I transferred here over the holiday."

"Pleased to meet you. Everyone just calls me Rogue, so you can call me that as well."

"If you insist," Risty said. "But that's not your real name, is it?"

Rogue frowned. "It isn't, but I'm not really comfortable giving it out."

"That's ok, then," Risty said. "It's not that important."

Rogue smiled, slightly relieved. "Well, after the rally, I can take you to class. Understanding the schedule is just one half, finding the classroom is another. Trust me on this."

"Well, I'd rather not start off the semester on a bad foot, so thank you!"

As Rogue and Misty continued to talk, Lance was looking around the auditorium and soon spotted Kitty Pride sitting in the front row. Smiling, he left his friends without another word.

"Uh oh, there he goes!" Pietro chortled.

Kitty was minding her own business when somebody leaned in over her shoulder. "Hey, how was your vacation, Pretty Kitty?"

Kitty looked balefully at Lance. "Oh look, it's the walking Richter Scale. Shouldn't you be striking annoyance into Californians' hearts or something?"

Lance frowned, and was aware that his Brotherhood friends were laughing at him.

Before he could say anything, someone from the board stepped up to the podium. The rally was about to start. "Thank you all for coming! We will try to keep this assembly brief so you can get back to your classes. First of all, I'm sorry to say that Principal Darkhölme has stepped down for personal reasons over the course of Winter Break. To serve the remainder of her term, the board has called upon Mr. Edward Kelly to fill in her spot. I hope that each and every one of you will make him feel welcome to Bayville High."

There was a modest applause as Mr. Kelly came forward. Among those who knew whom Ms. Darkhölme was, they looked at each other. There had been no sign of Mystique since the fall of Asteroid M, and they were somewhat surprised that she decided to stay gone.

"Thank you, all," said Mr. Kelly, a man in his late thirties with light brown hair streaked with grey, and his friendly eyes framed by glasses. "Now I know that it will be quite the challenge to fill in the shoes that Ms. Darkhölme left, but I intend to do my best and rise up to the challenge. Rest assured, Ms. Darkhölme was a fantastic principal of this high school and she will be missed."

In his seat, Jason looked at Piotr. "At least someone will."

A corner of Piotr's mouth moved in agreement.

"Speaking of rising to meet new challenges, that what I hope becomes the theme of this high school: taking on new challenges. As I'm sure you all know, high school is merely a rite of passage into adulthood, and throughout your time here, you will find all sorts of challenges to conquer. Rest assured, each one can be conquered, albeit some easier than others.

"One challenge that I'm sure all of us have faced here is the perception that we aren't so different from anyone else, and the challenge is just to find our place within the status quo. Well, you'll have to forgive me if I find that challenge ludicrous. In fact, I'll wager that there is a complete spectrum of people here each with their own strengths and weaknesses. I see students of every nationality here, but what makes us special isn't limited to our origins: it could be our circumstances that have impacted our lives, or even our own identities. Some of us have talents that surpass our own peers, like in sports, music, art or even something completely different. Some of us may have suffered through great hardship, or find themselves like outsiders. Whatever or whomever you are, know that you are a big part of what makes our school the best in New York: we are a diverse school, and we welcome anyone within our walls. I invite you to embrace yourselves whatever what anyone says about you, because in the end, the only opinion that matters to you is your own.

"That is my challenge to you to make your first priority: embracing who you are, because that's not only what makes our school great; it's what makes our nation and our world great, despite any naysayers out there. As for your second priority, I encourage you to show your support for your fellow students as we gear up to begin our basketball season! We've had a spectacular football season, and now we want a spectacular basketball season! We all are the Bayville Hawks and I expect all of you to show your Hawk Pride each and every game!"

An applause, louder than before, answered Principal Kelly. He beamed at the response. "That's definitely a great start! Now, moving on, I also expect you all to show support for our community as we hold a fundraiser for our new community center in Bayville at the Sunland's Fun Center this weekend!"

An even bigger applause answered.

"Thank you all for coming! Now let's get this semester started! Have a great rest of the year!"

Another applause coupled by the bustle of students getting up to leave filled the room. Jason, Jean-Paul and Piotr stood up. "Well, I can't say I was expecting the first school assembly to turn into a pep rally," Jason said.

"No kidding," Jean-Paul said. "I think I'm going to like the new principal. Never had problems with the last one, but he's…different, you know?"

"I get you," Jason said. "Well, I need to get to Algebra II class. I'm anxious to see how I did."

"Better than me anyway. You can keep your math."

Piotr smiled. "I am sure you are doing fine, Jean-Paul."

"Oh yeah? I still remember the way you guys looked after American Lit."

Now Jason and Piotr looked unnerved. "You had to bring that one up, didn't you?"

"My pleasure! Byesies!" Jean-Paul left the two alone.

"We'd better get going. I need to get to my class and I know you have English this time of day. I'll see you in World History, ok?"

"Da," Piotr said. "Good luck, comrade."

"You too."

XXXXXXXXXX

An hour later…

Principal Kelly had seemed to acclimate to the office quite well, and was already knee deep in administrative duties. He felt he had a lot to live up to since it seemed to be his family legacy to make policy, big or small. His brother, Robert Kelly, was a U.S. Senator for Kansas. As the younger brother, he was often butting heads with his brother about how to run things, and while Senator Kelly was more conservative, Edward Kelly preferred a more moderate approach, the best of both worlds: malleability and stability. After all, it doesn't take much for the world to change. If that meant his place was running a school in the melting pot of the nation, then that's just one small way to make an impact on lives.

He pressed a button on the intercom. "Ms. Gale?"

There was a buzz, and his assistant's voice came through. "Yes, Mr. Kelly?"

"Give me the files of our students that came to us through our partnership with the Xavier Institute, as well as the files for our new enrollees this and last semester."

"Yes, Mr. Kelly."

"One more thing. I've been asked by the staff at the new community center to store any earnings from the fundraiser here at the school as they don't have a secure enough space yet. Would you please make sure that every hour, all funds are delivered to the vault behind you?"

"Yes, Mr. Kelly."

It was only a minute when the assistant came in with a small armload of file. "Here they are, Mr. Kelly."

"Thank you, Ms. Gale. You may leave them on the desk."

Ms. Gale immediately did so and left back to her office space. Alone again, Mr. Kelly began looking through the files. As he was brought on board, he was made aware of the educational partnership they had with the Xavier Institute for Gifted Children, a prestigious facility for the gifted student. Judging by these files, they were definitely exemplary students. He was surprised that they weren't involved with more extracurricular activities for the school. Perhaps he could talk to the headmaster there and they could work something out. It would look great for the school to have such role models.

He encountered one file of a Mr. Jason Downs, and his file was particularly interesting. The first thing he saw was the school photo ID, and the garish scar on the right side of his face. Despite his less than pleasing appearances, Mr. Downs was a model student: proficient in class, high marks and had a solid overall aptitude, and even was taking special science tutoring three times a week. Perhaps he could approach Mr. Downs for the science club.

As he continued, he noticed a few infractions, mainly altercations with another student: Mr. Pietro Maximoff. Frowning, he put down Mr. Downs' file and pulled Mr. Maximoff's file from a different drawer. Quite the opposite of Mr. Downs, Mr. Maximoff was barely passing his classes, and had many marks against him for bad behavior. As a matter of fact, he was narrowly missing suspension. Closing the file, he found some solace in the fact that Mr. Downs' "bad marks" were just notes made by the previous principal. Considering Mr. Maximoff's behavior, it was hard to believe Mr. Downs was anything short of extraordinary.

A buzzer interrupted his thoughts. Pressing the intercom, he answered. "Yes, Ms. Gale?"

"Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Kelly, but a Mr. Smith wishes to see you."

He closed the file he was studying and put the pile aside. "Send him in."

"Right away."

The door opened, and Ms. Gale permitted entry to a rather stocky man with sandy blonde hair. "Thank you to seeing me, Mr. Kelly."

"By all means, the pleasure is mine. Please, sit down."

As Mr. Smith did, he spoke. "I'm not here for any big reason, but I do wish to see my daughter, Tabitha. She comes here."

Mr. Kelly sat back. "Sounds easy enough. I'll have Ms. Gale fetch her file so I can see her schedule." He pressed the intercom button. "Ms. Gale, can you also get me the file for Tabitha…" He looked at Mr. Smith. "I presume Smith?"

Mr. Smith nodded, but Ms. Gale spoke up. "Ms. Smith's file is among the files you requested, Mr. Kelly."

"Oh, thank you!" Mr. Kelly looked at the stack of folders. "That makes things easier." He leafed through the files until he found the one for Tabitha Smith. "Here we are, just give me a moment."

Mr. Smith never stopped smiling. "Take your time."

Mr. Kelly looked through the file, and located the schedule, but also saw that there was a priority note on the file, and looking through it, he found that there was a restricted visitor list. One only saw this if the student in question was protected by court orders to have arranged visits monitored, and that the responsibility of such fell to Professor Charles Xavier, the headmaster of the Xavier Institute. Mr. Kelly chose his words carefully. "I'm sorry, Mr. Smith, but Tabitha is on a restricted visitor list. I'm afraid that only the headmaster of the Xavier Institute is allowed to permit visitation at this time."

For a brief second, Mr. Smith's smile vanished, but it was back just as fast. "Not even the principal can help with that?"

Mr. Kelly closed the folder. "It's out of my hands. Only Tabitha's caretaker, which is listed as Professor Charles Xavier of the Xavier Institute has the authority to permit visitors. If you wish to speak to Tabitha, you must talk to him. I'm sorry, but that's all I can say."

"Very well," Mr. Smith stood up. "I apologize for taking up your time." He offered a hand.

Mr. Kelly stood up and took it. "No apologies necessary. Thank you for coming by."

Mr. Smith left the office and Mr. Kelly sat down. As he recalled the exchange, there was something not sitting right with him. Mr. Smith almost never stopped smiling the entire time, except for a brief moment when Mr. Kelly first said he couldn't help him. Add that to the presence of a restricted visitor list and that the caretaker was neither Tabitha's mother nor father, Mr. Kelly knew that Mr. Smith was bad news.

Mr. Kelly buzzed the intercom again. "Ms. Gale, please inform the school security officer about Mr. Smith, and ask him to see to it that Mr. Smith vacates the grounds without incident."

"Yes, Mr. Kelly."

Mr. Kelly disconnected with his assistant and reached for the phone. "Professor Xavier needs to know about this."

XXXXXXXXXX

A little later…

The Professor was in his office, taking a phone call from the school. He knew that there was a new principal now, and he had expected a phone call to talk about their educational partnership with the school. What he did not expect was that the phone call would come today and that Principal Kelly had grave tidings.

"I understand, Principal Kelly," the Professor said into the phone. "I was not aware that Mr. Smith had been released on parole, but he is still bound by the courts to obey the restrictions. I will speak to the parole officer in charge of Mr. Smith on the terms of the parole." A pause. "Yes, I'll be sure to share those terms with you once I obtain them. I seek the same welfare for my students as you do with yours, rest assured." A pause. "Thank you again, Mr. Kelly. I'll be sure to inform you on any changes. Goodbye, Mr. Kelly."

When the Professor hung up, he folded his hands. He certainly didn't expect Mr. Smith to be released from prison so soon. Tabitha had come to the Institute at the request of Mrs. Smith, who was in a recovery unit from drug addiction, probably in response to the stress Mr. Smith had put her through. Mrs. Smith wanted Tabitha as far away from her father as possible, especially since Mr. Smith had used Tabitha to commit the crimes that landed him in prison, in particular her proclivity to create small charges powerful to blow open safes. His release was disturbing tidings indeed.

He closed his eyes. "Logan, Ororo, Hank, please meet me in my office," he called out telepathically.

In minutes, the three were in his office, and the Professor gravely spoke to them. "I had just gotten off the phone with Principal Kelly. He has just informed me that Tabitha's father had just tried to visit her at school."

Logan growled. "It's bad enough that Firecracker has been a handful lately; now we got her no-good father showing up."

"I thought her father was in prison," Ororo said.

"He was," the Professor said. "But he was recently released on parole. I don't know the terms yet of the parole yet, but I do surmise that Mr. Smith may stop by here some time after school to request my permission to visit her."

"You don't intend to grant him that, do you?" Hank asked.

"No. Mrs. Smith was quite clear on her request that Tabitha have zero contact with her father. While I cannot deny him entry to the Institute without hearing him, I can deny his request for visitation. He must speak through an attorney if he wishes to pursue the matter, and I will inform him of this. Once he realizes he will not get what he wants here, I hope he will leave."

"Not a chance, Chuck," Logan said. "If I know deadbeats like him, he'll try something. He knows that Firecracker is a mutant, and I'm sure he'll do something about that. I'll be watching."

"Fair enough, but I do not want a violent encounter. Should he resist, I would prefer the police to be involved. That way, the police can document this as a violation of parole, provided that the terms of his parole still involve the restraining order."

"Should we tell the rest of our students?" Ororo said.

"Not at the moment, Ororo, but for now, let us exercise vigilance. I do not want to lose Tabitha to him."

XXXXXXXXXX

It was the hour before lunch, and Tabitha was in a fix: her locker had somehow forgotten her combination and her Social Studies class was any minute. She tried the gentle approach, but the locker was not compliant. She then resorted to aggressive negotiation with her fist, but to no avail. Finally, she had enough. Looking around, to make sure was alone, she created a very small charge in her hands and shoved it into the slot where the lock mechanism should be. Ducking to the side, she watched as a small blast shot open the door.

"Bingo!" she exclaimed. She quickly dug around to find her books…only to make a crucial mistake. "Wait a minute, this isn't my locker." She looked a few doors down, and saw she mixed up the numbers. "Oops, my bad." She shut the locker.

"Tsk, tsk, Tabitha," came a voice.

Tabitha looked to see that Kurt had noticed her little bout with "her" locker.

"You know the Prof said no powers."

"Oh no, Wonder Boy," Tabitha said. "One lecture a day is my daily limit. I'm watching my intake after all."

"Well, whatever you say, Tabitha," Kurt said. "I think we got off easy."

"Oh, now don't you start, Blue," Tabitha said, pinching Kurt's cheek softly. "Professor X has his necktie on way too tight! I mean, what's the point of having these powers if you can't have a little fun with them!"

"Well, yeah, I know, but—" The bell rang before Kurt could get much farther.

"Oh, crap! I need my Social Studies book. Can I borrow yours?" Not waiting for an answer, she ducked right behind Kurt and unzipped his backpack.

"Hey!"

With the precision of a professional, Tabitha pulled out a Social Studies textbook and began to run. "Thanks, Blue! I really owe you one! I'll bring it back over lunch, I promise!"

Kurt watched her run, a little dumbfounded. Just for one day, he would like to march to her drumbeat.

A door opened up to his side, and Bobby Drake came out. "Dude! What are you staring at? You're late for Phys-Chem!"

Kurt shook out of his stupor. "Oh, yeah, thanks, Bobby!" He ducked inside the classroom with Bobby.

XXXXXXXXXX

It was now the lunch hour at school, and most of the Institute students were huddled around one table with their daily rations of cafeteria food. Jason, Piotr, Kitty and Kurt were all tallying up their midterm grades.

"Count so far…" Jason looked over a quick set of notes on the inside of his binder. "Got two A's in Algebra II and World History and a B+ in Drama. All that's left is Chemistry, English and American Literature. Not looking forward to that last one, though."

Piotr looked at his. "I am having A's in Art and World History, and I am having a B in English."

"English isn't easy, so I call that a good grade, Peter," Jason said.

Piotr smiled a bit.

"I have all A's so far!" Kitty exclaimed. "That's in Geography, Physical Science and Algebra I! I hope I keep it up with Spanish, Classical Literature and Drama."

"You are having Drama too?" Piotr asked.

"That's all she needs," Jason said.

"Wise guy," said Kitty. "I do, but in a different period. I'm in the afternoon period."

"I'm in the morning period with Rogue and Jean-Paul; Kitty is in the later period," Jason explained. "That's how Kitty, Rogue and I were in the same musical last semester. Same class, different time."

"Speaking of," Kitty asked. "Why aren't you and Peter like in more of the same classes? You're totally in the same grade, you know!"

"Yeah, but like you, different periods. I'm technically in five classes with Piotr, but only four of those are we in the same period. He has English in the morning, while I have English in the afternoon. He also took Art as his elective while I took Drama."

Kitty said. "Totally makes sense."

Kurt looked at his classes. "Well, I got an A- in Physical Science, a B+ in Algebra, and a B in English."

"That's still not bad," Jason said.

"Yeah…" Kurt said, a little sadly.

Jason was about to ask Kurt about his mood, but then saw Scott had arrived in the cafeteria, looked around, seemingly elated for a quick second, only to see him deflate. Scott then noticed all of them. "Oh, hi, guys."

"Hi, Scott," chorused the four. Jason continued. "What's up with you? You look like you bombed a midterm…or all of them."

"It's nothing." Scott deliberately started eating a piece of chicken.

Jason didn't believe Scott. He then looked around, estimating the general direction Scott was looking before he sat down. At once, he got a hit. He saw Jean sitting with Duncan towards one corner of the cafeteria. "If you say so," Jason said, returning to his milk.

"So what were you all talking about?" Scott said.

"Our midterms," Piotr said.

"Kitty is winning so far with all A's," Jason said. "What about you?"

"Hmm?" Scott perked up. "Oh, uh, I got all A's. No big deal…"

The sheer amount of detachment Scott had regarding his good news was so jarring that everyone looked at each other. They knew why his heart wasn't into the good news, but they couldn't figure out

how to say anything.

Jason decided it was best to refocus to where he was before Scott showed up, and Kurt showed no real improvement of his mood. "Hey, are you still bummed about the fun center this Friday?"

Kurt looked up at Jason. "How can you tell?"

"Let's just say you're bluer than usual," Jason said. "Listen, the place is open all year around, so I'm sure you'll get to go soon enough. You didn't have anyone to go with, did you?"

"No," Kurt said. "That's one small consolation I have. What about you?"

Jason wasn't expecting the rebound of his question, and had to force himself to swallow a mouthful of milk he was taking. "Uh…well…no…not really…"

Piotr looked at Jason, wondering why he was uncomfortable with the question.

Before he could ask, Kurt looked at Scott. "What about you?"

Scott looked just as uncomfortable briefly, but hid it a little better. "I doubt it."

"Oh, gee," Kurt said. "Sounds like we're all having a bummer."

Kitty spoke up. "Hey, it's ok! At least you don't have to worry about being a disappointing date or anything. Totally, I don't know if I could go to a place like that for a date. With my klutziness? Totally, no."

"But you're still going, right?" Jason said.

"Like of course! Why?"

"Oh, no reason," Jason said. "I just need to alert the skee-ball attendant for potential wild pitches—OW!"

Kitty had rapped Jason with the back end of her spoon. "Serves you right."

"You didn't have to go for my head though, even if it was the good side!"

Kurt looked up from the debacle and saw Tabitha wandering through the cafeteria. "Hey, Tabitha!"

Tabitha looked around and saw Kurt. "Oh, hi, Blue! That's right, your Social Studies book!" She came up to the table. "Hi, guys!"

"Hi, Tabitha!" Jason said hollowly, not looking at her.

Piotr looked at Jason. Apparently, Jason hadn't quite forgiven Tabitha for the debacle earlier today in the Danger Room, but wasn't going to have complete animosity towards her.

Tabitha didn't seem to sense Jason's energy. "Here's your book, Blue!"

Kurt got up and took the book back, all the while slurping a nectarine soda.

"Ooh, a Nectarine Blast!" She took the can right out of Kurt's hands. "I love these!" She was about to take a slurp, when Kurt took the can right back.

"Soda machine is just around the corner, thank you," Kurt said, smiling.

Tabitha didn't seem offended at all. "Stingy boy." She brushed a finger underneath Kurt's chin and walked off towards the soda machine.

Kurt seemed to be in a better mood. "See? Chicks love the fuzzy dude!"

"If you say so…," Kitty said.

Kurt looked at his textbook. "Oh, man, she doodled all over it, look!" He held it up for the others to see.

Jason whistled. "Now that is an art project."

"She totally dotted her i's with like little explosions, see?" Kitty pointed out.

"Now that does not surprise me," Scott said.

"Yeah," Kurt said. "You know, once you get past her more insane quirks, she's actually kind of funny."

Jason looked at Kurt incredulously. "Those 'insane quirks' almost got you killed just today, remember?"

"Hey, it was an accident!" Kurt said.

"One that was preventable, particularly because she was throwing little balls of dynamite at the freaking cliff. Oh, and in case you forgot, Peter and I were belaying the lines to keep you two safe! She wasn't, we were. So I think what you're really trying to say is 'thank you'."

"'Thank you'?!" Kurt said incredulously.

"You're welcome!" Jason said angrily.

Kurt looked angry, but Piotr held a hand between Kurt and Jason. "I am not wanting to see my friends fight, so I am asking you two to stop…now."

Both Jason and Kurt looked at Piotr, but they knew he was right. Jason sighed. "I'm sorry, Kurt. That was not fair of me. My frustrations with Tabitha shouldn't be made at you."

"I'm sorry, too," Kurt said. "I didn't help anything today and it got us both in trouble."

"Still," Scott said. "I would still be careful around her, Kurt. Her fun-loving attitude is infectious, but the dark side to that is that it can very often get people into trouble, even those you care about. I know she's your friend, but just be careful, ok?"

"I understand, and I will."

"Well, with that all cleared up, we'd better get to class," Jason said. "I'm still anxious about my other grades."

"You're right," Kitty said, gathering up her tray and books. "Hopefully today is just as good as it has been so far."

XXXXXXXXXX

While the rest of the Institute students were wrapping up their lunches, Lance Alvers was looking at the soda machine with a thoughtful eye. Lunch wasn't going to end officially for a few more minutes, and so traffic would be minimal for now. If he timed it right, he could rip off the soda machine and none would be the wiser. Looking around, he held a hand up to the top part of the vending machine and summoned his seismic powers.

The machine rattled rather hard for a bit, and then he heard something fall. He stopped and saw that he succeeded. A can of soda was now sitting in the bin at the bottom. He picked it up and saw that it was a Cola of the diet variety. Rolling his eyes, he shrugged; beggars can't be choosers.

"Hey, not a bad technique!"

He blanched as he saw a blonde girl come up, and he recognized her as one of the Institute peeps. "Yeah? What's it to you?"

"Nothing, but watch how a professional does it."

One of Lance's thick eyebrows rose in confusion, but the girl didn't seemed perturbed. She conjured a small charge and placed it right inside the coin slot. "You might want to step back." Lance was so confused that he obeyed automatically as she stepped aside. In just a few seconds, there was a bang inside the machine, and dozens of cans and quarters came flying out of the bin below. She smiled and looked at a dumbfounded Lance. "How's that?"

Lance shook himself out of his bewilderment. "Not bad, girl. Breaking rules and appliances? That's grade-A to me. You'd be good with the Brotherhood, if you ask me."

The girl waited to finish a large gulp of laughed. "As if! Like I would even think of being a part of the loser brigade. See you around, Shaker!" The girl left, finishing off her soda and tossing the can expertly into a trashcan.

Lance looked at the mess she left behind and the countless quarters littering the floor. Despite being snubbed quite harshly, she couldn't help but admire her handiwork. He smirked to himself and thought, "Not bad for an X-Geek."

XXXXXXXXXX

Xavier Institute for Gifted Children – 3:56 PM

The Professor had his hands folded very patiently together as he spoke to Mr. Smith. The Professor was proven right that Mr. Smith would come calling fairly soon after failing to reach Tabitha at school, and that he would time it to arrive just before Tabitha could arrive back at the Institute to try to intercept her. What Mr. Smith didn't count on was that such resilient resistance awaited him, paraplegia be damned.

"You are in no position to make demands here, Mr. Smith," the Professor said succinctly. "I should not have to tell you that your parental rights mean very little to me as I have explicit instructions from Mrs. Smith that her visitations are to be strictly monitored by myself as agreed by the courts. If you wish to dispute this, I suggest finding an attorney and raising this with a judge, for these conditions are a part of your parole. Until any further resolution is made, I must ask you to leave."

Mr. Smith scowled. "I wouldn't be so dismissive of me, Professor. You can't keep me away from my little girl."

"Your past negligence of your own family notwithstanding, your idle threats are not welcome here as well. I'm willing to allow you to leave without incident, but if you choose to resist, I'm not afraid to inform the authorities of your parole violation."

"Fine, and I'll be there to show them how much of a freak show you're really running in this place."

One of the Professor's thin eyebrows rose slightly. "Are you suggesting something, Mr. Smith?"

"I'm not suggesting anything." Mr. Smith strode forward and place his hands right on each arm of the Professor's wheelchair. "You and I both know this isn't any school for the gifted, more like the biggest circus in history with a closet case. You think you can muscle me out of this house by spouting the law, but you wouldn't dare call the police here, because I'll be right there telling them what really this place is about."

Before the Professor could react, Logan, who had been standing quietly nearby, tensed up as soon as Mr. Smith put his hands on the Professor's wheelchair arms. Suppressing a snarl, he strode forward and put a firm hand on Smith's shoulder. "I'm going to say this only once, bub: get your hands off Chuck or else I've found myself a new set of hood ornaments…"

Mr. Smith looked like he was unwisely going to call Logan's "bluff," and just might have had the Professor said nothing. "Logan, that will not be necessary."

Logan growled, but respected the Professor's wishes. The Professor looked back at Mr. Smith, who hadn't moved. "If you are so sure about who we are, Mr. Smith, you might find it unwise to muscle your way in here with your credibility as an ex-felon. The police around here have already been alerted to your presence here thanks to your little stunt at the school today, so you don't have a foot to stand on to be any kind of a threat to me."

Mr. Smith looked like he was about to pop, but was interrupted by someone entering the parlor. Everyone turned to see that Tabitha and Kurt, freshly returned from school, had just entered the room and didn't except to see a faceoff, but what surprised Kurt more was Tabitha's reaction.

"You!" she exclaimed, her carefree nature completely gone. "What are you doing here?!"

Mr. Smith's attitude changed at the drop of a dime. "I'm here to see you, baby girl."

"You're not supposed to be here!" Tabitha's tone turned harsh. "Get out of here!"

"I only want to talk!"

"Why should I listen to you?!" Tabitha shouted.

Mr. Smith looked every inch the repentant father, and no one was buying it. "Listen, I know I messed up a lot, but I got out on parole and I just want us to start over, but I can't do it without you."

Tabitha scowled. "For once, try…" She turned around and strode angrily out of the room. "Sorry 'bout it, Wonder Boy, but there are too many adults here."

Kurt was so flabbergasted by what he had just seen, he just walked out in silence.

The Professor didn't need to use his telepathy to know that Mr. Smith was seething. "Now, Mr. Smith, please leave us, and do not come back without legal representation."

Mr. Smith flushed angrily, but then strode out without another word. Logan's steely gaze followed him out the door. Logan may have a foul temperament, but he respected the Professor enough to keep his murderous urges in check when he was threatened. That was lucky for Mr. Smith; had Logan been not so disciplined, Tabitha's father problems would be history.

Once Mr. Smith had left properly, Logan looked back at the Professor. "I know deadbeats like him, and he's not going to leave Firecracker alone. He'll be back."

"I fear you're right, Logan," the Professor sighed. "His presence is nothing short of a toxin, and I didn't have to pry to know that he attempts to try again to reach Tabitha. I fear even his presence here will be a major distraction for Tabitha."

"The timing couldn't be worse," Logan said. "With Firecracker being grounded."

"Perhaps Tabitha will be wise enough to follow the parameters of her discipline."

"I don't know, Chuck," Logan said, looking skeptical. "This is not going to end well."

XXXXXXXXXX

Tabitha's normal spunky demeanor seemed to have flash-evaporated. She was steamed, and had to restrain herself from blowing things up. There was the Professor's punishment to remember, but it was mainly the fact that nothing here deserved more than her cherry bomb grade explosives she usually displayed. She was angry enough to blow open a bank safe, something she was sure her father wouldn't be too quick to temper.

She was so mad that she even left Kurt in the dust. She knew that Kurt would likely understand a few things about parent trouble—provided what she heard about his true parentage was true—but she felt the compulsion to apologize to him for being rude enough to leave him like she did. Normally, she didn't feel the need to apologize for anything she did, but Kurt was just as fun-loving as she was, only more guarded due to his appearance. She could hardly blame him, but it still sucked that he allowed himself to hold back due to that.

As she sat on her bed, wrestling with her feelings, her cellphone buzzed beside her. Picking it up, she looked at the Caller ID and saw that it was listed as Unknown. Some part of her knew she shouldn't answer, but she was nothing if not free-willed. She pressed the call button. "Hello?"

"Hello, Tabby."

Somehow, her blood chilled and boiled at the same time. She knew that voice. "Dad?!" Her eyes narrowed despite him not being physically in the room. "How did you get this number?"

"Come on, Tabby," her father said. "I didn't spend time on the wrong side of things and not learn a few things. Truth be told, I saw part of it on the file at the school when your principal was looking you up. I was able to find the rest."

Tabitha had to swallow. While her father was little more than a thief, it shouldn't be a surprise how well someone could look up anyone's personal information with just a little bit of money. Given her father's past, it's unlikely he has a bank account or anything that can't be monitored by federal oversight, but it would be child's play to get a prepaid VISA card and load it up with a little cash he might have stolen. "What do you want?"

"To speak with you."

"Well, now you have, now hang up before I tell the Professor you called."

"I only want a minute of your time."

The words shove it were on Tabitha's lips, but for some reason, she restrained their emittance. After a pause, she finally said. "One minute, and I'm keeping count."

"Fair enough. Listen, your mom isn't doing so well."

That threw Tabitha. The last time she really seen her Mom was before she came to the Institute. They spoke infrequently, and the last time they spoke, she seemed to be doing well. Her mother was a recovering drug addict, brought on by the stress of being married to someone such as her Tabitha's father. "But you're not supposed to talk to her! How would you know?"

"She came to me, by phone. That's how much she cares about you. Please, just hear me out. She's having a bit of a relapse and she needs our help. I need your help to get her some…sustainability so she can get back on her feet."

Tabitha knew that tone. "I knew it! You just want me to get some more cash for you, so we can pretend to be a family again!"

"I'm sorry, Tabs, for everything I did."

That stopped Tabitha before she hung up the phone on him. For the longest time, she never remembered him saying those words that way. Granted, she heard him say them in less-than-sincere ways, but this one sounded sincere.

"I really am trying to get back on my feet, so that I can make things right properly, but you know how hard it is for…someone like me…to find an honest job that can help all of us."

Tabitha had to concede that point. The workforce was particularly unforgiving about ex-cons trying to get back into civilian life. Normally, there were parole programs that help them to get back into the workforce as long as they met the provisions made in place by the parole office. Those that did manage to get in were often subject to suspicion by their peers, and even if there wasn't, the jobs' pay was comparable to chickenfeed.

Her father continued, thinking the pause as an invitation. "We just need one hit and that should help. After that, no more hits. I promise."

Tabitha weighed the problem in her mind, and found it too complex to consider. Tabitha had once or twice helped her father with "hits" with her powers. In other words, her powers were quite good for something as small as breaking open safes or lockers, as something she had demonstrated at school earlier had proven. Something in her mind told her that this was a colossally bad idea, but if her mother truly needed help, perhaps one more couldn't hurt. "If I do this, will you leave me alone?"

"If that's what you want, Tabs…"

Tabitha winced. He sounded regretful. Despite his misgivings, he was her father. Perhaps he was really trying to change his ways, and just needed a little help, even if the "how" was shady. "Fine, I'll help," she relented, but quickly added, "but only this once."

"Thank you, Tabs. Meet me around the outside of Sunland's Fun Center this Saturday. You know what to do, right? I'll see you there. I love you, Tabs."

He hung up the line on his side, and Tabitha was left in her room, wondering if she did the right thing. She would have to figure out how to even get to the carnival location since she was grounded to the Institute for today's debacle in the Danger Room.

At the thought of the Danger Room, she knew exactly who to ask.

XXXXXXXXXX

Sanctum Santorum

Jason had appeared out of a flash of blue smoke, guided to the hallowed halls of the Sanctum Santorum, to resume his studies with Dr. Strange, his teacher in the mystical arts since he came to the Institute nearly five months past. During the winter break from school, Jason had mainly not met Dr. Strange for lessons, but he did confer with him when it was discovered that Jason's powers had grown so much that he didn't need to clap his hands anymore to summon the alchemic energies. After some observance, it was discovered that he had seemingly absorbed a well of ethereal energies from a mystical stone that was originally in Magneto's possession.

Only a couple weeks prior, Jason had found himself embroiled in one of the most desperate struggles of his life: saving himself and his entire team from the clutches of Magneto. Magneto was intending to use a genetic enhancer to amplify everyone's mutant abilities, while sacrificing their mental capacities to make them more receptive to suggestion. Jason had not only saved the X-Men, but destroyed the facility with the help of Scott and his brother. During those events, Jason had discovered the source of the genetic enhancer's power: the Emerald of Cytorrak, which later he would learn from Dr. Strange it was also called the Third Eye. Exposure to that mystical gem had blown up Jason's alchemic energies to extreme new heights. Ever since the new year started, Jason had met with Dr. Strange periodically to test out his new alchemic prowess.

Jason hadn't taken two steps when he ran into Wong, Dr. Strange's apprentice. Wong greeted him cordially. "Greetings, Master Downs."

Jason blushed slightly. "You know you can call me 'Jason', Wong."

"I know, but I choose not to. You are a fellow student of the Doctor, and it is a matter of courtesy."

"So should I call you Mister Wong then?"

"No, because I am just Wong."

That took Jason by surprise. "Wait, that's your name…like your entire name?"

Wong only stared at him.

"Like Adele?"

Wong's stare remained unwavered.

Jason grew more and more awkward, but wasn't able to stop himself. "Or rather Aristotle? Plato?" Jason pursed his lips, and then mumbled, "Eminem?"

The doors opened, and Dr. Strange entered the room. "Ah, good, you are both here."

"Oh, thank god," Jason thought. Aloud, he continued. "Sorry if I'm a little late; things have been a little crazy at the start of term."

"Understandably so," Dr. Strange said.

Jason rubbed his hands together. "So what's up for me today?"

"Combat practice."

Jason looked a little confused. "Don't I already get that with the X-Men?"

"Not quite in the way I'm planning," Dr. Strange said, and then looked at Wong.

Jason got the implication. "With Wong?"

"Don't be too surprised," Wong said.

"Wong is among the best physical fighters I've seen," Dr. Strange explained. "and he has been trained by my own teachers at Kamar-Taj. You may have learned much from Wolverine, but you haven't learned much respectfully."

"I'll be sure not to mention that to Logan," Jason said.

"Probably for the best," Dr. Strange said, smiling. Sobering up, he continued. "At the risk of gross understatement, your alchemic skills have grown. In the few months you've attended the Xavier Institute, you've learned how to channel your power into your strategies, but you haven't truly used your full power to fight when your life depended on it. For much of this year, you and Wong will be training together, and you must stand against him using a combination of your power and your skills."

"Sounds simple enough," Jason said. "And while I haven't been everywhere in this place, I assume that we aren't doing it here?"

"In a sense," Dr. Strange said.

Dr. Strange suddenly threw his hands downwards, his palms outwards. Jason jumped when he saw the world around him break like glass. All around him, it looked like he just walked into a mirror maze and every pane was broken but still together. It then faded away and the world once again looked normal. "What happened?" he asked.

"We are in the Mirror Dimension," Dr. Strange. "Here, anyone can practice their mystical arts without harming the real world, as nothing done here affects the physical realm."

Jason looked around, trying to see if he could see any indicator that he was in another dimension. "Convenient."

"Indeed, which allows you and Wong to have no reservations."

Jason barely registered the implication when Wong flashed forward like a force of nature. Wong delivered a savage kick into Jason's center, knocking him right off his feet. Jason was barely recovering when Wong kicked at his sides. "Do not be distracted from your objective. In a real battle, the first move can finish the battle!"

Wong aimed another kick, but Jason caught it in his arms. They locked eyes briefly, and Jason shoved Wong's leg aside. Jason immediately took advantage of the opening and threw his legs over his head in a back somersault, instantly back on his feet. Jason took a prefight stance, arms stretched out and hands cupped like claws.

"Tiger," Wong recognized.

Jason struck out a hand, which Wong parried, but Jason quickly followed up with pulling Wong's arm behind Wong. Wong read the attack and twisted around, taking Jason with him and sending him sprawling. "Jiu-jitsu." Wong said, reading the style and just as quickly chopped right at Jason's unprotected back, breaking his hold.

Jason shook off the pain and sized up Wong. He was fast and seemed to predict Jason's own moves. If he was going to have any advantage, he would have to improvise. He darted forward, and Wong struck with a fist. Before it met Jason, Jason dropped in a sliding kick, aiming for Wong's legs. Wong stepped aside, but Jason twisted around and he was just as quickly on his feet and hands, crouched. Wong struck with a foot to Jason's face, but Jason rose up on his hands, causing Wong to miss, but find his own head trapped within Jason's feet. Jason then threw his body into a twist, causing Wong to be thrown off of his feet. His head would have been smashed into the ground had Wong not caught himself with a hand against the ground, but it was enough for Jason. Releasing Wong's head, he spun around on his hands and was on top of Wong, grabbing his planted hand and attempted to transmute the floor to trap it, but no transmutation came.

Before he could work out what went wrong, Wong somehow had managed to get his other arm free, elbowing Jason's unprotected side. Jason tumbled off and Wong was back on his feet as if nothing happened. "You're learning improvisation in combat, very good, but don't think you can depend on your usual tricks to win a battle. Haste over cleverness…"

That was a lesson that Jason learned from a retired sergeant he knew back in Red Rock; he had even used that lesson against Quicksilver earlier that year. That wasn't the issue in Jason's mind. His transmutation failed. That never happened to him before unless he had guessed the molecular makeup completely incorrectly.

His eyes bulged as he remembered his mentor's words: "Here, anyone can practice their mystical arts without harming the real world, as nothing done here affects the physical realm." He gritted his teeth. Of course; he was cut off from all physical matter in this pocket dimension. The only thing he could manipulate was within the dimension itself, which was only two human bodies…

Jason grinned slightly as he got an idea, because there being only two human bodies wasn't entirely true.

Wong noticed immediately that Jason was up to something but didn't have the chance to react as Jason preemptively attacked. A flash of alchemic energy erupted from Jason's right hand, and he threw it right at Wong. It takes a moment to say this, but it was less than a second when a flash of bright light blew up, blinding Wong. Jason, having anticipated the light and was able to avoid blindness, rush forward and dropkick Wong.

Wong recovered from both the blinding and the attack quite quickly, and he looked at Jason and smiled. "Excellent, although don't expect to use such a trick all the time."

"I don't expect to," Jason stood up. "Another round?"

"I'm afraid not," chimed in Dr. Strange. "You both have fought well, but that concludes the lesson for today. If you two would…" Dr. Strange turned around and traced a circle in the air over and over. Jason watched as sparks lined up in a ring, the ring itself growing bigger until it was big enough to walk through. Dr. Strange turned to Jason. "After you…"

Jason looked at Dr. Strange a little strangely, per se, for all he saw was a ring of sparks around nothing. He knew better than to question Dr. Strange though; he had spent the last several months honing his alchemical skills off and on. The Sanctum Santorum was a place of weirdness, to be sure. He stepped through the ring, and to his surprise, nothing seemed to happen. He turned around to see Dr. Strange and Wong stepping through the ring. As the ring dissipated, Jason had to ask. "Uh, was that supposed to do something?"

Dr. Strange turned to Wong. "Thank you, Wong. You may go."

"As you wish, Doctor." Wong promptly left them alone.

Dr. Strange turned back to Jason, smiling slightly. "We simply stepped out of the Mirror Dimension and back into our home dimension."

"Oh," Jason said. "Well, that makes sense."

"The Mirror Dimension is a handy place to be when monitoring the world unseen, but it's also a trap. There's no way to get out of the Mirror Dimension if you don't have a sling ring." Dr. Strange held up his hand, and Jason saw a golden double-finger ring with ornate designs on the top. "Needless to say, the sling ring is something of a staple for us sorcerers."

"And I'm glad I don't have to worry about that since I don't use magic."

"On the contrary;" Dr. Strange raised a gloved hand. "You could enter the Mirror Dimension using alchemy, although it's a very advanced technique for alchemists, mainly because they create it using a different pathway than the paths of magic I use to enter it."

"And I imagine that it's very different than magic since it's more scientific than mystical."

"Not necessarily. Alchemy is the bridge between the physical and the mystical. The energies that you summon aren't that different than magical energies. Consider the transmutation circles…" Dr. Strange swept his hands around, and Jason watched as orange-colored light circle around to create a circle. "Alchemists and sorcerers draw upon the energies of worlds both here and elsewhere through a variety of methods. The language of both alchemy and sorcery is as old as civilization itself. Sorcerers call them spells, while alchemists preferred the term formulas. What they did agree on was that we both drew upon the energy from the various dimensions of the multiverse to do as we desired." Another wave of the hand summoned lines to appear circumscribed in the circle, converging and joining in very specific angles until it created a diagram that Jason recognized as a simple transmutation circle.

Just as quickly as it appeared, it evaporated at Dr. Strange's bidding. "I studied with other mystics before I became the Sorceror Supreme, and I began with no knowledge of the mystic arts as most do. The difference between you and me is that you are already attuned to the energies necessary naturally. For the rest of us, we had to study and exercise discipline to even start to use magic."

Jason shrugged. "Well, I can't really help that."

"'Tis true, but it only increases the responsibility to study wisely. As I've stressed before, alchemy is a tool that is so often abused, as is magic. It must be used just as wisely as it is taught."

Jason nodded. "I understand, but I hope it's not presumptuous of me to ask when I can learn more." Jason paused to consider his next words. "Maybe even learn a bit of what you can do."

Dr. Strange chuckled. "Perhaps in time, but studies should be focused. As for when your alchemy lessons will further advance, it may be sooner than you think. Patience."

Jason nodded, not feeling rebuffed. "I figured, but it doesn't hurt to ask anyway." Looking back up at Dr. Strange, he said, "Is there anything else I should do today?"

"Simply consider what you've learned today. Next lesson, we will try a different approach."

Jason looked puzzled at what that could imply but decided that he would learn soon enough. "Thank you, master." Jason took a hold of the Amulet of Agamotto on his neck and spoke into it. "Peto locus."

Dr. Strange watched him disappear in a flash of blue smoke, and then considered the conversation he had. Jason was learning fast, even faster than he anticipated. He very well could learn the mystical arts beyond alchemy, and that was a sobering idea. If Jason learned those arts as fast as he did the alchemic sciences, he could potentially surpass Dr. Strange himself. It was both an amazing and scary thought; Jason could potentially be the most powerful being on the earth…

…and that could spell trouble very soon, he feared.

XXXXXXXXXX

Xavier Institute for Gifted Children

Jason reappeared in his bedroom back in the Xavier Institute, feeling rather tired from today's exercise. He hoped that Logan wouldn't pull a surprise training exercise today, but he wouldn't put it past him. If that was going to happen, he surmised that he'd better get some rest before it potentially happened.

He had just barely thrown himself on the bed—still in uniform as well—when the door opened as Piotr came in, holding a parcel. He saw Jason and jumped slightly. "Oh, J-Jason!" He slightly stammered from surprise. "I am not expecting you."

Jason smiled a little. "Well, in all fairness, I wasn't quite expecting to be back so soon either. I just got here."

Piotr stepped further into the room, making for his own bed. "Was something wrong with your class?"

"No," Jason sat up. "It wasn't bad; it was quick but also a little exhausting. I had combat training with Dr. Strange's protégé, Wong, who could probably give Logan a run for his money—don't tell him I said that—and I had to figure out how to use alchemy while in something called the Mirror Dimension."

"The what?"

"The Mirror Dimension. Apparently, it's a pocket dimension that cuts off anyone inside it from the physical world, although they can still see everything going on from inside it. I couldn't use my alchemy while inside it, unless it was something else already inside, like the air we were breathing."

Piotr wasn't sure it was comforting that there was a dimension so like the every-day one. "What was the purpose?"

"Of that exercise?" Jason asked. "Probably to test how resourceful I could be if cut off from my normal materials, or if I was unfamiliar with the materials I was given. It does keep my skills sharp."

Piotr couldn't wrap his head around the alchemic abilities his best friend had, if he was honest with himself. All he could do is nod.

"So what do you got there?" Jason motioned to the parcel.

Piotr looked at the parcel. "Oh, uh, da, it is addressed to you."

"To me?" Jason said.

"Da," Piotr handed Jason the parcel.

Jason took it and was surprised how heavy it was. "What the hell is in here?"

"Ya ne znayu," Piotr shrugged.

Jason looked the parcel over, wondering what it could be. "Did this just come to the Institute?"

"Da," Piotr said. "I was getting mail and I am seeing this with everything else."

"Hmm," Jason said, looking it over again. "No return label either. This is getting weird."

"What are you wanting to do?"

"Well, part of me thinks opening it is a bad idea," Jason said. "But another part of me is dying with curiosity." Jason let the parcel lay on his lap. "It doesn't make sense if it was anything insidious. I mean, nobody in school has it out for me, unless you count Pietro, and even he's been leaving me alone lately, not that I miss the abuse, let me be clear."

Piotr nodded, but chose not to speak.

Jason pursed his lips. "God damn it, the suspense is killing me. I'm doing it, but just for safety side, open that window in case I need to throw it out very quickly."

Piotr's eyes widened. "Are you sure?"

"Hey, weirder shit has happened to me," Jason said. "I know it's cold outside still, but I'll be quick, I promise."

Piotr looked apprehensive but decided to trust Jason. "Okay…"

"You're a gentleman and a scholar, Peter."

Piotr got up, slid open the window, and stayed next to it in case he had to shut it quickly. Jason tore off the paper quickly and saw the contents. "Books?"

"That is it?" Piotr almost sounded disappointed.

Jason took out each book without looking at them at first, looking for any sign of a sender. Finally, he found a note. "Wait, there's a note." Unfolding it, the handwriting was almost flawlessly lined up, and quite formal looking. "It says, 'It's time that you've begun to advance your studies in your alchemy. Study these books and learn them by heart. Only until then will you understand the true power you possess.'" Jason looked up. "Cryptic."

Piotr looked confused, and it took a draft of cold air to let him know that the window was still open. Shutting it, he came to Jason's bed and picked up a book. "What is this?"

Jason tossed the note aside and picked up the nearest book. "Wait a minute…this is no ordinary book." He looked it over more closely. It was a handbound codex with a hardback cover made of something he couldn't immediately identify. There was nothing on the outside cover to indicate what it was, but when he opened it and flipped through the pages, he saw handwritten notes and diagrams that Jason recognized. "Oh my god…these are notes on alchemy." Jason flipped back to the first page. "The Notes of Khalid?" He looked at another book and flipped it open. "The Corpus Hermeticum?" He then looked at the book in Piotr's hand. "And that's…L'Alchimie de Flamel. I recognize that book from Dr. Strange's books. I didn't read it myself, but I don't have a doubt."

Piotr looked up from the book. He flipped through a few pages himself of L'Alchimie, but needless to say couldn't make heads or tails of it, although he had to admit, the arrays in the diagrams were quite beautiful. "Are you thinking Dr. Strange is giving you these?"

"More like he's letting me borrow them," Jason said. "I couldn't imagine him simply giving me these at this stage, but what's weirder still is that he did at all. We were just talking about advancing my studies in alchemy, but these would have to have arrived before we talked about this. Did he already determine that I was ready before today?"

Piotr shrugged. "You are a very smart man, Jason. I am thinking that he is thinking that you are being ready."

"I suppose so," Jason said quietly. He closed a book. "Well, I guess I should do as he says. There's quite a lot of material to cover here…" His eyes flicked back and forth between the modest pile of books. "Although admittedly, I don't have a clue where to start."

"Attention, students," came Professor Xavier's mental voice in both their heads. "Logan has requested a training session with the senior members of the Institute. Please suit up and report to the Danger Room."

Jason and Piotr moaned. "Well," Jason said. "I guess that answers that question: none of them." Looking down at himself. "Good thing I'm still in uniform."

"I will be meeting you at Danger Room then?" Piotr said.

"Eh, I'll just come with you. I'll get bored if I just head down there." He looked at his new books. "I guess I'll start on these after homework is over."

Piotr looked at the books, feeling conflicted about how much Jason would be studying. "Will this be being too much?"

Jason shrugged. "Well, it won't be any tougher than college will be, or at least, I hope. I'll have to remember to thank Dr. Strange next time I see him." Jason winced. "Although Logan won't be thanking us if we dawdle any longer. We better get going."

On that, Piotr could agree.

XXXXXXXXXX

Sadly, Jason never got around to thanking Dr. Strange for the books. Post-midterm school had kept Jason and the rest of the Institute students quite busy, whether they liked it or not. Every student was trying to get as much as they could, for this Friday was the fundraiser for the local community center at the Sunland's Fun Center. While the purpose of the fundraiser was definitely worthy, any of the students would be lying if they said that they weren't going to enjoy themselves primarily. Helping raise funds for the local community center was just a bonus.

Friday night finally arrived, and most of the Institute students got into various vehicles to head into Bayville proper so they could hopefully beat the crowds that would likely be there at this point. Fundraiser notwithstanding, the fun center was a popular destination for families and students alike, even if it sometimes got a little rowdy. The fun center was open fairly late into the night, and since it was the weekend, the students saw no reason to not enjoy themselves, although the Professor did warn them to be on their best behavior, if not practice moderation.

Kurt Wagner looked despondently from his windowsill towards the New York skyline awash with lights and glow. Because of his behavior in the Danger Room earlier that week, he was not allowed to go with the others. He understood and accepted the punishment, but that doesn't mean it stung any less. Jason told him that there were plenty of times to visit the place again. Still, this was a night most of the gang was going, so it was bound to be awesome. Kurt sighed to himself; maybe he should just focus on schoolwork instead of moping. It's not like he was going anyway.

"Hey, Wonder Boy!"

A face popped up right in front of his window, startling Kurt almost to the point of teleporting to the moon had he been capable, but he still fell on his own tail, almost literally. He recovered to see who it was: Tabitha.

"What's up?" she asked, clearly unperturbed by the fact she had scared poor Kurt.

Sitting back up, Kurt had to breath a few times. "My heartrate for one. What are you doing here, Tabitha? Shouldn't you be in your room?"

"Eh, I don't coop up easily," Tabitha said. "so I'm sneaking out of here. Wanna come along?"

"What?!" Kurt exclaimed. "We already gotten into trouble for misbehaving, and you want to do it again?!"

"Come on, it's no big deal. I know you're bored out of your mind, so let's go!"

Kurt was incredulous. "Where would we even go?"

"Duh, the fun center, of course!"

Kurt bit his lip. He knew that it was definitely against his punishment to sneak out, but he did want to go the fun center. "I don't know, Tabitha…," he said reluctantly.

"Come on! You're the best to zip out and zip right back! We'd be back before any one is the wiser."

Kurt still seemed reluctant and wasn't sure what to say.

"Just one or two games there, and we'll be right back. What do you say?"

Kurt was squirming between his conscience and his desires. He really did want to go really badly, but the Professor was very clear in his instructions. Still, it wouldn't be that long…and he was able to be quick…

"No!" Kurt blurted out before he could stop himself. "No can do!"

Flash forward a few moments, Kurt and Tabitha were having a blast at the Sunland Fun Center, despite Kurt's best efforts. There were so many people here that it was next to impossible to see any of the rest of the Institute people, so it was unlikely anyone was going to notice them. Kurt and Tabitha were racing each other in a virtual racing cart game, and despite Kurt's skills, Tabitha was the clear winner.

Kurt and Tabitha couldn't stick around at this particular game long as there was a queue beginning to form with other perspective players, but that didn't dampen their mood at all.

"I don't know how you always beat me, but you're too good at that game," Kurt said.

"Who cares?!" Tabitha said as she wrapped her arms around one of Kurt's. "Hey, I have an idea. This place is prime for a few pranks. You in?"

"Sure!" Kurt said, his elation overriding the sense to refuse. "What do you have in mind?"

The next several moments were punctuated with carefully aimed teleportation behind unwitting victims, while Tabitha laid a few cherry-bomb like charges at their feet…or inside food dispensers…or even inside a freshly won stuffed bear or two. There were plenty of kids carrying freshly won toys though, but Tabitha steered clear of them. They were just kids after all.

After about thirty minutes of this, Kurt and Tabitha took a break in the nearby food service area. "Man, I love teleporting!" Tabitha exclaimed. "You can just zip in and zip out of any jam whenever you want! You are so lucky!"

Kurt was thankful that his hologram hid blushing, blue fur underneath notwithstanding. "Hey, throwing little firecrackers around like you can is pretty cool too!"

"You're too sweet, Wonder Boy…" Tabitha looked around, and saw a pair of familiar faces at a hot dog stand. "Hey, look who's crashing the party!"

Kurt looked to where Tabitha was pointed and saw the massive form of Fred "The Blob" Dukes, and the more slender but no less familiar figure of Lance "Avalanche" Alvers. "Hey, what are those creeps doing here?"

"Maybe they took some poor kid's money at school today," Tabitha surmised.

"Or they took it from somewhere else," Kurt said. "I heard a vending machine was smashed at school a few days ago. Maybe they took some change from that."

Tabitha knew which one he was talking about but decided not to admit that one was on her. Still, it would explain how they were able to show their faces here at all. "Hey, I'm game for one more prank, and that loaded hot dog Blob's getting is looking particularly juicy. I'll be right back."

"Ok, but be careful," Kurt said.

"Hey, it's me!" Tabitha said, and then stealthily positioned herself within range of Fred's incoming hot dog, loaded with more condiments than dog. Both Lance and Fred had their backs turned to her, so and she had to do was wait patiently, and then toss a charge with expert skill. Fred picked up the loaded dog and it was approaching his mouth as Tabitha created a charge and flicked it with the precision of a pro. The charge sailed through the air and landed on the hotdog, just inches from Fred's mouth. Fred was about to chomp down on the hotdog when he saw the charge land. All he could was watch as it detonated, sending ketchup, cheese, relish and onion everywhere.

"Hey!" Fred protested, wiping the mess from his face. "When I said 'loaded', that isn't what I meant!"

Lance, having heard the pop of Tabitha's charge, turned around and barely evaded the mess of food. He was about to tell Fred to shove it, but saw two figures departing the scene, and one of them was the girl he saw earlier that week busting the soda machine.

"Hey, it's that girl from before!" Lance pointed towards the two fleeing the scene. "I bet she did that to you. Let's find out what they're up to."

"Yeah," Fred said. "and then give them a pounding!"

Lance and Fred nodded and took off after the two practical jokers.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Have you ever played skee-ball before?" Jason asked Piotr.

"No," Piotr said.

Jason and Piotr were at the skee-ball machines and had been joined by Kyle and Jean-Paul—whom they had encountered earlier. While they waited for their turn at the game, Jason had been trying to get Piotr to try some of the games. Being from the frigid and often-forgotten lands in Siberia, Piotr had not much exposure to the frivolities of modern society. For the last few months, Jason had been taking Piotr out to try out new things like bowling and haunted houses. The arcade section was just one of many places Jason had hoped to take Piotr. Although Piotr found the noise jarring, he had to admit that he was having fun.

"Sounds like it's high time to try," Jason said. "Don't worry, it's easy as pie."

"Which I hear isn't that easy to make," Jean-Paul interjected.

"Very helpful, Jean-Paul," Jason said, scowling at Jean-Paul.

"I aim to please!"

"Anyway," Jason said. "I'll give you a rundown on how to play. You're given nine balls to use. You have to get the balls into the hole."

"Giggity," came Jean-Paul's voice again.

Jason ignored Jean-Paul, although he did have to stifle a laugh. "As you can see there are several holes in the scoring area, and each one has a point value based on difficulty. Even if you miss the higher value holes, the ball will typically roll down and fall into a lower value hole, so it really doesn't punish you for having bad aim, although you will do need to aim for at least 100 points to get a prize ticket. The more you get, the more tickets you get, obviously."

Piotr nodded like he understood.

"It's only the easiest thing to do, Jean-Paul."

Jason turned to Jean-Paul. "We all got to start somewhere. Besides, if you really want to go lightning round with us, let's do at least a warm-up session."

"Yeah, yeah…"

"Let's just hope for your sake that your skills in skee-ball are just as good as your bowling skills," Kyle said, his game face starting to form. "Wanna take a bet?"

"Oh no," Jason said. "No more embarrassing bets for the uninvolved."

"I was going to suggest the loser buys the winner a soda," Kyle said.

Jason bobbed his head a little. "Ok, fine, that sounds like a bet."

"Looks like the game just got serious," Jean-Paul said.

"Well, I have to find some worthy competition in these kinds of things," Kyle said. "Sorry about it."

"Sorry, not sorry," Jean-Paul said. "You're lucky I'm dating you."

"All right, you two kitties," Jason said. "Time out before I sic the dog on you."

"Well, I'm certainly not against a puppy," Jean-Paul said.

"Oh," Jason moaned. "You are perfectly incorrigible."

"Thank you, I try!"

Piotr looked completely lost. "What are you two talking about?"

"See what you've done, Jean-Paul?" Jason said, before turning to Piotr. "It's a form of animal roleplay where they dress up as dogs and act a lot like dogs. It can be innocent, but it can be sexual as well. Not into it myself, but hey, it's out there."

Piotr looked a little disturbed by the prospect. "Why?"

"Why not?" Jean-Paul said.

"What he said," Jason said. "Everyone has their reasons for doing what they do, and as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else, go ahead."

Piotr had to concede that point. He often tried to stay out of people's business often mainly because he didn't understand it. He didn't have to understand why people do things as long as it wasn't hurting anyone."

"My question is how in the world do you know about this stuff?" Jean-Paul asked.

"Yeah, mine too," Kyle looked suspiciously at Jason.

Jason didn't seem bothered. "It's something you both might have heard of, called the internet. That's not even the craziest things I've seen."

"Oh," Jean-Paul looked intrigued. "Wanna share?"

"No," Jason said, his tone very clearly saying this was the end of this conversation.

In due time, it was their turn at the skee-ball machines. While Jean-Paul and Kyle started their own round, Jason and Piotr started their own. Jason put a token into the machine and received nine wooden balls. "There's no time limit to this technically, so if you want to take your time and aim, that's fine as well." Jason demonstrated with a graceful roll, and the ball went up the ramp at a solid clip, finally sinking in the forty-point hole. "See? Just like that. It takes a little skill to get high scores, but whatever."

Piotr nodded as he picked up his own ball and gave it a solid roll…only for it to go up the ramp so fast that it had smacked against the protective screen hard enough to deflect, bounce out and back down the ramp.

Jason winced at the sound the ball had made, and saw it roll back down. "Ooh, maybe not so hard on the rolls."

Piotr looked apologetic. "It was an accident."

"Hey, it's all right. At least you got to try again with the same ball. It takes some practice and some finesse, but it's an easy game, really. Just relax and adjust your strength a bit. You're just not quite aware how strong you are in this game."

Piotr nodded and tried again, and this time was more successful. The ball dinged off the forty-point circle, but managed to roll into the twenty-point hole.

"See? You're doing fine! Just eight more balls to go."

Piotr smiled.

Jason finished his game before Piotr did, being a little more experienced in skee-ball than Piotr, but Piotr finished soon after. "Well, you got two tickets out of that," Jason said. "That's not a bad start."

Piotr had plucked the two tickets he had won from the machine, while Jason had earned eight. "You are right. This is fun."

"I'm glad you think so," Jason said. "Because it's time for lightning round."

"What?"

"Lightning round," Jason repeated. Looking at Jean-Paul and Kyle, who were restarting their games to participate. "Lightning round is where we all start at the same time and try to get as many points in as fast as possible. The player who earns the most in the least amount of time wins." Jason inserted another token, reloading his nine balls. "It's fast, it's fun, and it can get a little competitive." Jason eyed Kyle, who nodded.

Piotr wasn't the most competitive person, but he inserted a token for his own machine.

"Right," Jason said. "First ball, gents!" He picked up his ball. Kyle and Jean-Paul followed suit while Piotr slowly got his. "On my mark, go as fast and accurately as you can! Or just go nuts! Ready?"

All rose their balls up.

"Get set!"

Everyone tensed.

"Roll!"

Everyone started rolling their balls up their ramps like there was no tomorrow. Jason and Jean-Paul were laughing as they fudged a few shots, but kept the balls rolling, so to speak. In just over ten seconds, it was over.

"I can't believe it!" Jean-Paul said. "You and Kyle tied at 370 points!"

"Hey, I'm good," Jason said.

"I call for a rematch," Kyle said. "A free soda depends on it!"

Jason cracked his knuckles. "Game on."

Jean-Paul and Piotr retreated a short distance from Jason and Kyle as they set up another round of skee-ball. As they watched the two players race, Jean-Paul turned to Piotr. "You know, lately I've seen you happier than I ever saw you."

Piotr looked at Jean-Paul. "I am hoping so."

"See? You're smiling even right now."

Piotr tried not to blush, but he was bad at having a poker face. "You are teasing me."

"Hey, I mean it! That's been true for Jason as well. If it's not too personal, what had happened?"

Piotr had to think a little bit before answering. There were elements of the story that he couldn't reveal because it would mean confessing that he was a mutant. As much as he wanted to tell Jean-Paul the truth, the Professor warned Piotr—in addition to everyone else—that it's imperative to keep mutant existence secret for now. In situations like this, Piotr chafed at that rule, but he remembered that he wasn't alone in that situation. Piotr could take any blow-back, but what about his friends?

Piotr looked at Jason, who had just tied another game with Kyle, start up another game to settle the tiebreaker. Jason had been through hell and back more than once, and Piotr would hate himself forever if by his rash actions Jason would come to harm. Piotr understood why he had to keep his being a mutant a secret, for now anyway. He couldn't hurt his friends, or the person he cared about more than anyone else. "It is a long story, Jean-Paul," Piotr began. "I am sorry, but I am not ready to be telling it yet. Maybe one day, I will be telling you it."

"I understand," Jean-Paul said. "It's killing me that I don't know that much about you, but you have your reasons, as much as Jason has his for his own secrets."

"I cannot be speaking for Jason," Piotr said. "but he is seeing that you are good friend. I am hoping he can talk to you as well."

"Has he to you?" Jean-Paul asked. "I don't mean to be nosy, but I'm hoping he at least told you since you're probably his best friend in the world, and I'm not exaggerating."

Piotr smiled at that. "He is my best friend." Piotr's heart fluttered a little bit, chiding him that he really hoped it would be more than that. "He does not have to talk to me about it."

That got Jean-Paul's full attention. "What does that mean?"

Piotr looked at Jean-Paul, then back at Jason, considering if what he was possibly too much. He didn't want to hurt Jason or betray Jason's feelings by mentioning their past, or how they met. Still, maybe just an acknowledgement and nothing else shouldn't hurt.

"Because I was there," Piotr said, a little remorsefully.

Jean-Paul looked like he had to know more, but Piotr's tone was not lost on his part. However Jason and Piotr had met, it sounded like it was under less than ideal circumstances; whatever it was though, it shaped their friendship to a level that made Jean-Paul both a little jealous and a little intimidated. It was the kind of friendship that was forged in adversity and it was the strongest bond of all. "Whoa, that sounded heavy."

Piotr nodded, but wished to say no more.

"I get it, so I won't pry any further. It definitely sounds like it's really personal."

"It is."

"Then perhaps you should wait until both you and Jason are ready, because it sounds like a story you both should be telling."

Piotr looked at Jean-Paul. Despite Jean-Paul's sometimes-annoying need to know things, he cared enough for his friends to not dig too deep. It was probably learned back in Tapoe Caves after an unfortunate interaction between Jason and Jean-Paul, which lead to a month of depression for Jason. "Thank you, Jean-Paul."

By this time, Jason and Kyle had rejoined Piotr and Jean-Paul. "Hey, did I miss something?" Jason asked.

"Not really," Jean-Paul said. "So how did it go? I stopped paying attention."

"We tied," Jason said. "Again."

"What are the odds?!" Kyle said.

"I care less about the odds and care more about how to settle the bet now," Jason said. "Do we or do we not get each other a soda?"

"How about we just go get ourselves a round of sodas and call it even?" Jean-Paul offered.

Jason and Kyle looked at Jean-Paul, then at each other. Jason shrugged. "It would be easier."

"Yeah, you're right," Kyle said.

"That wasn't hard at all," Jean-Paul said.

"All right, then," Jason said. "I am getting a little parched from all that, so let's—" Jason looked towards where the food area was, and instead espied two very familiar figures—they appeared to be Tabitha and Hurt-trying to dodge the attention of two more familiar figures, whom Jason recognized as Lance and Fred. "Shit…" Jason hissed.

"Jason?" Piotr asked. "What is wrong?"

Jason was about to let Piotr know, but sadly they were among mixed company. "I thought I saw two people who shouldn't even be here. I smell trouble."

"Hey," Jean-Paul said. "Don't worry about it. It's not our business, so let's just go get our sodas and get back to having fun."

Jason looked at Jean-Paul, knowing that the latter had no idea what he was talking about really, but he couldn't divulge why. While Piotr would understand, he couldn't tell him in front of Jean-Paul and Kyle. Pursing his lips and feeling conflicted, he had to do what was best in the moment. He'd have to deal with what he saw later. "You're right, let's go." Jason's mood brightened. "How about I meet you there? I got to hit the restroom first."

Jean-Paul looked suspicious. "Be there, Jason."

"I will, I will!" Jason said. "Trust me, I will be there."

"Good," Jean-Paul said. "Come on, Kyle. Let's at least get our drink on."

"If only that were right," Kyle said.

As Jean-Paul took Kyle by the hand away, Piotr made as if to follow, but Jason stopped him. Piotr looked at Jason. "What is wrong?"

"I'm very sure I just saw Tabitha and Kurt here."

Piotr looked shocked. "Are you sure?"

"I wish I wasn't, but I'm positive I saw them, and it looks like they attracted the attention of Lance and Fred, and you know you can't miss Fred in a crowd."

Piotr looked around but saw none of the people Jason identified. "It is looking that they are gone now." He looked back at Jason. "What do we do?"

Jason sighed. "I don't know, really. I don't know what possessed Kurt to break curfew. Tabitha makes perfect sense, but Kurt? I smell something rotten and it's not the garbage we're standing next to. And Fred and Lance are involved somehow? This is bad, really bad."

Piotr looked stuck himself. "Should we be finding Scott?"

"In this mess?" Jason said, motioning to the crowd. "It'd take too long." Jason reached into his pocket. "The best we can do is text him, but I don't know if he will even get the message in here, or even acknowledge receipt of it. In the meantime, let's go meet up with Jean-Paul and await further instructions."

Piotr had to agree. It would take far too long to find Scott in just one room, let alone the entire building. Still, he was uncomfortable. "I am worried, Jason."

"So am I, Piotr, but honestly I'm more annoyed than anything else, but my hands are tied until something else happens. Let's hope nothing does."

Piotr looked bemused. "I am sorry to say that something will happen."

Jason pursed his lips. "Yeah, that definitely seems to be our lot in life."

XXXXXXXXXX

In the skating rink room, Scott sat rueful and despondent in the seating area. He was watching Jean skate with her boyfriend, Duncan Matthews, the local football star of their school. Scott had arrived here with the rest of the X-Men, while Jean had hung out with Duncan all afternoon and arrived here together, a fact that made Scott seethe. Scott had originally elected to stay home to avoid this altogether, but being a senior member of the X-Men, with the rest of the X-Men here having a good time, he felt that it was his duty to be here, if at least to supervise. That wasn't happening though, as he instead stuck to the skating rink in view of Jean.

Duncan and Jean had been dating for over a year, and Scott was torn about that. While he couldn't stand Duncan as a person, he also didn't want to ruin anything that made Jean happy. Scott and Jean were best friends, and Jean would always treasure Scott as a friend. That being said, Scott would be lying to himself if he didn't wish Jean to dump Duncan and form a relationship with him instead.

Scott and Jean were among the highest-tenured students at the Institute, Jean arriving first and Scott arriving shortly afterwards, both in their freshman years two years ago. For the most part, they were the only two mutants at Bayville High until everyone else started showing up during their sophomore year. Between the time they first met and then, they formed a friendship forged with mutual loneliness and understanding of each other's struggles. Jean wanted a sense of normalcy above anything else, while Scott just wanted to be able to look at someone without needing the glasses he was given. Jean's longing for a normal life somehow ended up in her falling for the jock in high school, and she became the most popular girl in school as a result. All Scott could do was fade into the background and be a supportive friend, but he certainly didn't like it. Scott had fallen for Jean, but it was unrequited, and it sucked.

"Hey, Scott!"

Scott looked up to see Jean's friend, Taryn who was also a junior, come up to him. "Oh, hey, Taryn." Scott found it odd that she was alone. "What are you doing here?"

"Yeah, I know," Taryn said. "I normally hang with Jean, and I was, but 'three's a crowd', if you know what I mean."

Scott winced. "Yeah, I actually do."

"I mean, I can't blame them, but a girl can only play third wheel for so long before she feels unwelcome."

"I'm sorry; I don't think they meant it that way."

"Scott, you are so nice to say that," Taryn said. "I know Jean doesn't, or at least I think so, but Duncan? Yeah, I don't know what Jean sees in him, but hey, not my problem."

"Yeah, tell me about it."

"So…," Taryn leaned in towards Scott. "Wanna go skating with me?"

Scott did not expect that. "Wait, you and me?"

"Duh!" Taryn said. "A guy like you shouldn't be a wallflower anywhere, so let's go!"

Scott felt himself pulled from his seat and towards the desk to pick up two pairs of skates. Scott knew Taryn mainly through Jean, and Taryn was definitely a cool girl, but they never hung out properly, mainly due to the difference in their social circles, but somehow Taryn seemed to have taken a shine to him tonight, and definitely wanted to hang out with him. Scott wasn't sure how to feel due to this shift of interest, especially since he had spent half the evening moping about Jean. Still, if someone wanted to hang out with him and have fun, and if he did end up having fun itself, what was the harm really?

He was so distracted that he didn't feel the buzzing from an incoming message in his jacket pocket.

XXXXXXXXXX

Some moments later, Jean and Duncan had left the skating rink. Somewhere between getting the skates at the counter and actually skating, Jean had lost her friend Taryn. While she had wondered where she disappeared to, she was too distracted by her good time with Duncan. Duncan may be a knucklehead sometimes, but she couldn't deny that he was fun to be around. If only her best friend, Scott, could loosen up a little bit and see Duncan in this light rather than his own preconceptions.

Jean and Duncan had sat down at a nearby table, when Jean finally espied Taryn in the skating rink. "Oh, there she is! I was wondering where—" Jean cut herself off when she noticed that she was skating, hand-in-hand, with Scott. "…she's with Scott?"

Duncan didn't seem to care too much about Jean's missing friend, but perked up a bit upon Jean's statement. "Really now? Well, maybe Summers will finally leave us alone. It's about time he found someone else to be with."

Jean suppressed a frown. It was no secret that Duncan and Scott had a not-so-quiet rivalry, partly because Duncan didn't care to have Scott hanging out with Jean so much, despite that they were best friends. On the flip side, Scott seemed to have a chip on his shoulder regarding how much Jean hangs with Duncan, despite the fact Duncan is her boyfriend. Jean had to sigh internally; she was definitely going to have to give both of them a major talking to. If this wasn't headed off soon, it could potentially lead her to choose between Scott or Duncan, and that's not a decision anyone should have to make.

Jean sighed to herself. With Valentine's Day not too far away, she can see why it was easier to be single.

XXXXXXXXXX

Kurt and Tabitha had managed to give Lance and Fred the slip, although it took a little too long for Kurt's liking. He was already out here breaking the rules, and it was a miracle he hadn't run into any of the other Institute students. He had a feeling that his luck was running out, and that he needed to get both Tabitha had himself back to the Institute before anyone was the wiser. He had to wonder if Tabitha would be willing, and if she wasn't, what was he supposed to do?

At that moment, Tabitha seemed to stall, like she saw something that she hoped she wouldn't see. Kurt wasn't sure what, but this was definitely not something she'd normally do. "Tabitha? What is it?"

"Oh," Tabitha jumped. "N-nothing, Wonder boy."

Kurt was shocked. Tabitha was always so put together. Seeing her fidget now? Something was definitely up.

"Hey, listen," Tabitha said. "Why don't you meet me at the skee-ball machines? I'll be right there."

"What?" Kurt exclaimed. "No way, Tabitha! We have to leave before we're seen! It's already been…" Kurt trailed off to look at his watch, and his eyes nearly fell out of his head. "Whoa! It's been two hours!"

"Just add five more minutes to that, and we can go. I promise!" Tabitha gave a firm shove to Kurt.

Kurt nearly lost his balance as he was pushed towards a more crowded part of the arcade. Kurt was about to return and grab Tabitha and port right there and then, but Tabitha ducked behind an arcade machine, and he saw someone approach her. Kurt recognized the figure from earlier that week: Tabitha's father.

Suspicious at once, Kurt practically slithered his way towards Tabitha and her approaching father, all the while trying to keep out of sight. His mutation allowed him to see very well, although he never measured his hearing. He only hoped that it would not fail him now, the din of the arcade notwithstanding.

Staying on the opposite side of the arcade machine, he listened as Tabitha pleaded with his father.

"I was thinking maybe I could blow the token dispensers, or maybe the payphones outside."

"Chump change," dismissed Tabitha's father. "Besides, there are too many eyes here. Besides, much of the cash isn't kept here tonight, but is kept near the principal's office at your school."

"Wha—?" Tabitha said. "How do you know?"

"I overheard Principal Kelly and his assistant talk about it. It doesn't matter how I learned, but I know it's there. They take an amount of the earnings from here to there, and they do it hourly. They just returned from their last deposit, which means we have about fifty minutes to go there, blow the safe, and take off. They won't know what hit them."

Tabitha sounded reluctant. "Dad…this could get us into really big trouble."

"How? We go now, we grab the bag and I'm gone, like we agreed. I wouldn't suggest we do this if it wasn't for your mom."

Kurt listened as Tabitha didn't say anything at first. "Ok, fine. We do this, and you go, and I mean it!"

"That's my girl. We'd best go now."

"Fine, let's get this over with."

Kurt stayed out of sight as he watched Tabitha and her father make their way towards the doors. He thought about following them to where they were going, and intercept them, but he espied two familiat figures following them: Lance and Fred. They must have spotted Tabitha, and if they followed Tabitha back to the school, this could go sideways.

"Oh no," Kurt thought to himself. "Tabitha is in really big trouble now, and I can't help!" Kurt bit his lip, trying to think without panicking. "I can't do this by myself. I need to find help, even if it means I get into really big trouble."

Kurt knew that if he found someone from the Institute here to help, it would eventually mean that his punishment at the Institute could be extended. It was not a comfortable thought, but what was a bigger punishment in the face of the alternative? If he did nothing, Tabitha could get seriously hurt. Kurt gulped; he had to get help, even if it meant being grounded for a year.

Kurt looked around in the crowds to find anyone, but he couldn't see anyone familiar. Kurt had to keep looking, and he had to be fast. He had to think: where would be a likely place for anyone else to be? The fun center had several areas to have fun, but if you needed a breather, everyone always went to where the food and drinks were. That's it! Someone had to be at the food court!

Kurt almost ported right there and then to save the time, but there were far too many people. He already had one big problem and being reckless wasn't going to help. He had to fight his way through the crowd. He just hoped that he wasn't too late.

It took an agonizing five minutes to reach the food area, and Kurt stayed outside the entry way so he could hopefully spot any familiar faces from there. It took longer than Kurt would have liked, but he spotted two of them near the edge of the room, enjoying drinks with at least one other face Kurt recognized from school. Jason and Piotr were sitting with their friend Jean-Paul along with someone else Kurt didn't recognize. Kurt gulped; Jason wasn't the most even-tempered choice he could make, but there was no time to be picky. Kurt made his way towards Jason's table, telling himself that he had to do this. Jason had not noticed Kurt's approach, but Kurt knew that Jason wasn't going to be happy seeing him, for sure.

Kurt reached Jason's table and didn't hesitate. He laid a hand on Jason's shoulder. "Jason, I need your help!"

Jason was a little startled at first, but as soon as he saw Kurt's face, his face soured. "Yeah, I'll say you do! Damn it, Kurt! What are you even doing here?!"

Kurt clasped his hands together, pleadingly. "Please, this is no time for a lecture! It's Tabitha. I think she's about to do something dangerous!"

Piotr had noticed Kurt's arrival after Kurt's original plea, and while he was as upset as Jason at Kurt's brazen breaking of curfew, he saw Kurt's face and his frustrations vanished instantly. "What is wrong?"

Jason had his head in his hands, trying to manage his aggravation with Kurt. "We have two AWOLs, that's what!" Jason groaned. "I so don't need this tonight."

"Please, Jason!" Kurt pleased harder. "I know I messed up big time tonight, but I need your help now! You can chew me out later and I deserve it, but now, I need you and Piotr's help! Please, meine freunde!

Jason looked back at Kurt and was about to chew him out right there and the; however, he saw something in Kurt's eyes that stopped him. Whatever Kurt was asking, it was serious. Kurt wasn't very serious most of the time, so when he was, it was very evident on his face. Jason's anger faded away instantly, and was replaced with determination. "Ok, lead the way."

"Should we be finding Scott?" Piotr asked.

"There's no time!" Kurt said.

Jason pursed his lips. "I think I have to agree. It's too much of a mess to find him now, or try to reach him."

Jean-Paul had watched the entire exchange, and piped up. "Do you guys need our help?"

Jason looked at Jean-Paul, nearly forgetting he was here. "Ah, no. I can't tell what's going to happen, and I don't want all our nights ruined. We'll be fine."

Jean-Paul didn't look convinced, but he thought better than to press. "Ok, but you'd better let me know, or else I'm going to have a hissy."

"God forbid," Jason quipped. "We will." He turned to Kurt and Piotr. "Let's go, and hope this isn't going to be a disaster. Let's get to the van."

XXXXXXXXXX

Some time later, Tabitha and Mr. Smith had arrived at the school. Tabitha wasn't the kind of person to be nervous, but looking at the dark school on top of her guilty conscience, she definitely did not want to be here. Mr. Smith in a stark contrast seemed oblivious to the atmosphere as well as her daughter's misgivings. He made his way to the door, and Tabitha was just behind him, hating herself all the way. When they reached the double doors, Mr. Smith looked around to make sure they're were alone. Satisfied, he turned to Tabitha. "Do your thing, Tabs."

Tabitha sighed in resignation, creating a small charge in her hands. She slid it between the cracks of the door as if it were a quarter for a slot machine. Both stepped back, and just in time as the charge detonated with a loud pop, throwing the doors opened and even breaking the glass. Had the situation not been so serious, Tabitha would have noted that she might have overdone the charge a bit.

Her father seemed a lot less caring. "The alarm may have been tripped. We'd better get moving."

"Right," Tabitha said quietly.

Mr. Smith didn't acknowledge the tone of Tabitha's response, and merely led the way down the halls towards the principal's office. It wasn't far from the front doors, but to Tabitha, every step felt like a drudge. She used whom she considered her best friend at the Institute to break their curfew—which Tabitha had to admit didn't bother her in itself—but it was why she did it that bothered her. Kurt deserved so much better, and here she was, likely getting him into more trouble. Tabitha thought there was nothing she could do to make this right.

Finally, they arrived at the secretary's desk in front of the office. Mr. Smith eyed the painting on the back wall, and studied its frame a little bit before finding what he was looking for. Pulling on one side, the painting opened up to the side to reveal a non-descript safe, nothing terribly impressive.

"Here we are," Mr. Smith said. "Make it a big one, Tabs!"

Tabitha looked wordlessly at her father, and then sighed. Here goes nothing. She rubbed her hands together to create the charge she needed to blow open a safe. The charge was barely the size of a nickel, but she knew it would do the trick. Stepping back, both watched as the safe door blew open loudly, revealing a stuffed cash bag inside, barely fitting the inside of the safe.

Mr. Smith's eyes took on a rather greedy gleam, and it always disturbed Tabitha when she saw it. Mr. Smith almost couldn't wait to pull the bag out of the safe. "All right, let's get out of here."

Before they could get far, something leaped up and snatched the bag right out of Mr. Smith's hands.

"Thank you, pops!" it said as it hopped away.

Tabitha recognized the thieving form, despite the darkness, as Todd Tolanski, otherwise known as "Toad." Mr. Smith was enraged. "Get back here!" He ran after the fleeing frog-like fiend.

"Dad, wait!" Tabitha said as she gave chase.

Toad led the two would-be thieves through the hallways and towards the gymnasium. Tabitha found that odd; there wasn't any good way out that direction. It was easier to leave the way they came. It wasn't until they arrived when Tabitha realized Toad's reasons, for sitting on the bleachers were Toad's pals: Avalanche and Blob, the members of the Brotherhood.

Toad joined his pals on the bleachers. Avalanche sneered at Tabitha. "What do you think of my technique now, Tabby?"

Tabitha merely waved them off. "Not impressed."

"Don't just stand there, Tabitha!" Mr. Smith barked. "Get it back!"

"Even Tabby is smarter than going three-against-one," Avalanche said. "and I don't think the odds are going to change anytime soon, so just get lost, old man."

Mr. Smith looked enraged. "If you think I'm going to let you take what's rightfully mine, I'll break every bone in your body!" Enraged, he charged.

"Dad, no!" Tabitha screamed.

Toad, leaving the cash behind, leaped up and dropkicked Mr. Smith, gracefully landing while Mr. Smith slid across the floor. "And the Toad scores!"

"Hey!" Tabitha shouted. "That wasn't a good idea, Toad!" She hurled a handful of charges towards the hopper.

Toad wasn't sure what those charges were supposed to do, but he didn't want to stick around and find out. Hopping away as fast as he could, charge after charge detonated loudly. One found its way onto Toad's back, and sent him flying face-first into the bleachers.

"Big mistake, Tabby," Avalanche said, as he gestured towards the ground. At once, the entire gymnasium started shaking as the earth tremor started to intensify. It was all Tabitha could do to stand up, and her father was having the same trouble.

Suddenly, a suspended acoustic panel above snapped loose from its supports, falling straight towards Tabitha. She looked up and saw the panel come right at here. There was no time for her to dodge, and it was all she could do to brace herself.

The panel suddenly stopped its deadly descent, hovering inches away from Tabitha's head. Tabitha didn't dare move, but was relieved to see something stop it. The tremors stopped as well; Lance was apparently just as surprised by the invisible interception. Tabitha then noticed that the broken chains on the panel were sparkling with green energy. She recognized that discharge. Looking around, she at once spotted a new presence in the doorways, flanked by a large solid form and a contrasting lithe form, all three garbed in black-and-gold.

Alchemist and the rest of the X-Men present had just barely entered the gymnasium and barely steadied themselves during Avalanche's tremors when he saw the falling panel. Alchemist signed a breath of relief. "It's a good thing I learned how to copy Magneto a few weeks ago," he gasped. "That was too close."

Tabitha didn't want to appear ungrateful, but she was more surprised to see them here. "What are you doing here?"

"Saving your sorry ass, that's what!" Alchemist snapped. "You're welcome!"

Tabitha couldn't blame Alchemist for being cross, but the sad look Nightcrawler had on his face was the worst part. Kurt must have found out what she was up to, and that look of betrayal was the worst thing she had ever dealt with.

She didn't have long to dwell on that fact, because Avalanche was livid at the interruption. "Looking to get hurt, Scarhead? Fine, let's play this rough!" He turned to Toad. "Grab the cash and get back to the hideout!"

Toad was still shaking off the headache he got from being blasted into the bleachers. "Ok, ok!" He said, and grabbed the heavy bag, hopping towards the exit.

"Not happening, Tolanski!" Alchemist exclaimed before making a peculiar motion with his sparkling hands.

The suspended panel Alchemist had caught using alchemic magnetism shot towards Toad like a jet. Toad had heard Alchemist's exclamation and turned, only to see the panel shoot right at him. Shrieking, he ducked and it soared over him. It wasn't even close to hitting him, but it slapped against the open doorway Toad was hopping towards, effectively blocking the exit.

Toad recovered and looked at his exit being blocked. "That ain't going to stop me, Scarhead!" He shot his sticky tongue towards the panel, sticking to it easily.

Alchemist smiled. "It wasn't intended to." He made a motion as if he beckoned the panel back to him.

The panel shot towards Toad, his tongue still attached. "Oh cra—" was all he could managed before he got smacked. He dropped the bag, but he was effectively slapped against the gymnasium wall. He slumped to the ground, stunned.

Colossus saw the bag fall, and raced towards it.

"Let's see you try!" Blob challenged as he rushed between Colossus and the bag.

Colossus frowned, but undeterred, he skidded to a halt and raised his fist. "Back away, comrade. I am not wishing to fight you."

"Oh, really?" Blob said. "Because I am!" He charged himself.

Colossus braced himself as Blob smashed into him. Colossus slid back a few feet as Blob continued to push.

Avalanche saw an opportunity to knock Colossus off his feet, but before he could, Nightcrawler ported away and reappeared with the bag in hand. "I got the bag!" he exclaimed.

Avalanche diverted his attention to Nightcrawler, and summoned a tremor to knock Nightcrawler right off his feet. Nightcrawler didn't see it coming, but did feel the ground beneath his feet shoot upwards from the tremor and throw him off balance. The bag went flying and fell right near Mr. Smith. Not hesitating, he scooped it up and ran for the doors.

Nightcrawler had just barely recovered when he saw Mr. Smith run for a door that lead to the locker rooms. "He's getting away!" he exclaimed.

Alchemist was looking for an opening to help Colossus when he heard Nightcrawler. Turning, he saw Mr. Smith running for the doors that lead to the locker rooms. "I got him!" he declared, but not before being intercepted by Tabitha.

"No, Jason," Tabitha said. "I got him."

Alchemist pursed his lips. "With all due respect—"

"With all due respect," Tabitha interrupted more forcefully. "He's my responsibility, and I have to do this."

Before Alchemist could say anything else, Tabitha ran off after her father. Alchemist almost made after her, but was interrupted by a smashing noise behind him. Turning, he saw Colossus had managed to throw Blob into the bleachers, smashing them. Despite the seriousness of the situation, Alchemist couldn't help but be impressed.

Blob recovered quickly though, his natural toughness proving to be a great asset. "No one puts me in a corner and lives!" He leaped upwards, making as if to smash Colossus through the floor.

"Peter! Jump back!"

Colossus was about to brace himself, but Alchemist's warning shot right into his impulses and he obeyed.

Alchemist had slapped his hand against the ground at the same time he warned Colossus, and the floor surged with alchemic energy, transmuting a gaping hole right where Colossus was standing. All Blob could do was scream in surprise as he shot into the hole like a giant basketball. The hole shut as fast as it opened, although not fast enough to muffle the crashing below.

Satisfied, Alchemist brushed his hands together. "Well, I wonder how many points that will give me?" He turned to Avalanche. "Now, where were we?"

Avalanche glowered at Alchemist and Colossus, but even he knew that he was not going to win this fight. "Gloat all you want, Scarhead, but next time, you won't be so lucky!" He took off for the exit.

Alchemist watched him go, and noted that at some point, Toad seemed to have made an exit as well. "Well, now that they're taken care of, I'd better fix this room before security gets here. Shouldn't take long."

"What about Tabitha?" Colossus asked.

"They took the door to the locker rooms. There is an exit, but it goes to the roof."

"Wait, the roof?" Nightcrawler repeated, his yellow eyes widening.

Alchemist noted Nightcrawler's alarm, but wasn't sure why. "Yes…why?"

"Didn't they fix the roof damage from the hurricane up there yet?"

Now Alchemist blanched. "Oh, shit, you're right!"

XXXXXXXXXX

Mr. Smith was lost, but he kept on running. He was sure one of the mutie-freaks as he thought was after him, but wasn't going to turn to look. He nearly got trapped in the locker rooms, but found a stairwell that led upwards. He didn't know where it went, but if it was anywhere but back in the gymnasium, he didn't care.

Three flights of stairs later, he emerged on the rooftop of the school. Not even stopping, he took off over the roof, hoping to find a fire escape ladder or anything like it. He needed to be gone from here now, and he didn't care how.

Suddenly, his foot fell clean through the roof. The fall made him drop the bag and just out of reach. Swearing, he tried to lift himself towards the bag, but the cracks on the roof started to spread. More of the roof fell away, and he barely caught himself from falling through completely. Hoisting himself up partially, he reached for the bag. If he wasn't quick, he was about to fall a good forty feet.

"Daddy!" came a familiar voice.

He turned to see Tabitha behind him, looking scared.

"Tabs! Just keep those other assholes off me! I'll be ok!"

Tabitha got down on her hands and knees, and crept towards her imperiled father, all the while ignoring the creaking and cracking of wood underneath her. "Daddy, come on! Just give me your hand!"

Mr. Smith disregarded her pleading daughter, but was distracted by another round of cracking wood that sounded a lot louder than it should.

Tabitha knew she was running out of time. "Daddy, please! Forget the money! Take my hand, please!"

Mr. Smith had never heard Tabitha sound so distressed in all his life. Granted, he hadn't spent a lot of time with her daughter up until her powers emerged, but it actually made him pause. Tabitha was risking her life to save her father, despite their history. He turned to look at her daughter, her hand reaching out to him, and he could see a ring of tears in her eyes.

The cracking grew worse, and he knew that one move would finally cause the roof to collapse. He had to choose and choose now.

Hardening himself, he turned his back on his daughter and reached for the bag. He managed to get his hand on it, just as the roof fell in. Tabitha and Mr. Smith fell towards the ground, screaming as they did. Suddenly, a third figure teleported into the debris, grabbed Mr. Smith and Tabitha, and teleported away, allowing the debris to ball harmlessly.

Nightcrawler re-emerged from his token cloud of brimstone fumes with Tabitha and Mr. Smith in tow. "Whew, that was a close o—"

Mr. Smith took the bag of cash and plowed it into Nightcrawler's chest, and ran off.

"Dad, no!" Tabitha said, and ran after him.

The other two X-Men present had witnessed the whole thing. "Wait!" said Colossus and made as if to follow them, but Alchemist stopped him.

"Let them go, Peter."

Colossus turned to Alchemist. "They are escaping!"

"No, they aren't," Alchemist said, a resigned tone to his voice. He raised a hand to his ear. "Do you hear that?"

Colossus paused to listen, and then heard a very familiar sound gaining strength. "Is that—?"

"It's our cue to get out of here," Alchemist finished. "Nightcrawler, are you ok?"

Nightcrawler was picking himself up, slightly winded from the bag. "Uh, yeah, I think so." He looked around. "Where's Tabitha?"

"She ran off, but we need to leave, now."

"But—"

"Kurt," Alchemist said. "It's out of our hands now. We need to get back to the Institute."

Nightcrawler was about to protest, but then heard what Alchemist and Colossus were hearing. "Oh no…"

"Kurt," Alchemist said.

Nightcrawler looked back at Alchemist, warring between his gut and his brain. Finally, he relented. "I messed up, didn't I?"

Alchemist laid a hand on Nightcrawler's shoulder. "We did our best, but we can still help Tabitha if we move now. Let's go."

Nightcrawler nodded, and he took Alchemist and Colossus by the hand, and ported them away from the gymnasium.

XXXXXXXXXX

Tabitha was not sure what she could do to stop her father, but her father had just hurt her best friend at the Institute, and in the very least, he was going to pay for that. She was hot on his heels, but Mr. Smith hadn't spent a lot of time running from the law for nothing. He was quite good at sprinting, despite his age and being burdened by a heavy bag of loot.

Before either of them knew it, they emerged from the school the same way they came in. Instead of a calm, peaceful winter nightscape, they were assaulted by a barrage of red-and-blue flashing lights, as well as what felt like every spotlight in town.

"This is the police! Put your hands in the air!" came a voice over a loudspeaker.

Mr. Smith looked ready to pop, and looked rebellious. Tabitha looked at her father. "Dad, please! Don't make this worse!"

Mr. Smith scowled at her daughter, but he knew she was right. There was only one place to go now, and he knew it. Dropping the loot, he raised his hands into the air. Tabitha sighed, and did the same, knowing full well that she was likely going to get her own jail cell for this.

As the police approached, Tabitha heard her father say something that she wished she didn't hear.

"This is what I get for giving birth to a mutie through a bitch…"

Tabitha suppressed her tears as two officers separated them, read them their rights, cuffed them and placed them in separate vehicles. Tabitha didn't think she cared what her father thought, but the way she felt right now, she felt she deserved being treated this way for going along with this plan. All she could do was hope that her real family could forgive her, even if it meant her doing something that might hurt them already.

XXXXXXXXXX

A few hours later…

Tabitha stepped out of the police station, unsure of what to feel. The police chose not to pursue charges against her, but she felt that the Professor had something to do with that. She wasn't sure if she should feel thankful or ashamed. Looking up, she looked to see the Professor sitting in his wheelchair, flanked by his limousine as well as Jason, who had since swapped out his X-Men uniform for street clothes. She half-expected them to look sour at them, but the look of disappointment on their faces felt worse.

Tabitha walked towards them, unsure of what to say. Looking down at the ground, it was all she could do was to say, "So…what's going to happen to my Dad?"

The Professor wove his hands together. "They've detained him for now, and will likely remain that way until a parole hearing." The Professor sighed. "With his priors, as well as violating both his parole and a restraining order to stay away from you, it's very likely that he will return to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence. As for you, the police determined that you were an unwilling participant in his crimes this time since they believe you were coerced into acting, so they've elected to not pursue charges this time."

Jason crossed his arms. "It's quite fortunate, actually. I'm just sorry that this had to happen, Tabby."

"Yeah, me too…" Tabitha sighed. "Where's Blue?"

"He's back at the Institute," the Professor said. "We still need to decide how to address his disobedience, as well as yours."

"Yeah, about that," Tabitha said. "I'll be by soon and get my things."

Jason looked shocked. "What? You're leaving?"

"Yeah, I should," Tabitha said. "You've all been so amazing to me, and I've been absolutely terrible to you. Don't think I don't know what people are saying, Jase. I do have ears…"

Jason looked properly admonished, since he was the source of many disgruntled talks about Tabitha.

Tabitha looked down. "But you were right though. I'm…I'm just not a good fit right now. Maybe later once I figure out some things, but right now?" Tabitha sighed. "It's better if I go it alone for now."

The Professor sighed himself. "I won't force you to do anything, Tabitha, but know that you will always have a home with us."

"Thank you, Prof."

Jason looked up. "Come on, Tabs, you don't have to do this!"

"Yes, Jase, I do," Tabitha said. "Before I can ask you to trust me to be there for you, I need to do the same for myself, and right now, I can't. Once I get my head right, I'll be back. Just two things before I go: try to loosen up a have a little fun once in a while, Jase, and take a risk once in a while."

Jason looked like he was going to cry himself. "Tabitha…"

"Two…tell Wonder Boy…" Tabitha paused to try to keep herself from crying herself. "Tell Wonder Boy that he's amazing and that I'm sorry for what I did to him, and one day I hope he'll have it in his heart to forgive me." She turned to leave. "I'll see you around, ok?"

Jason sighed. "Yeah, I will…"

Tabitha weakly smiled, and then turned to leave. Jason and the Professor watched her disappear into the night. The Professor turned to Jason. "Are you all right, Jason?"

Jason sighed. "No. Why do I feel like this was partly my fault?"

The Professor sighed. "You shouldn't because it isn't."

"But she was right about me! I did voice my concerns to a couple others that I felt that her time was going to get cut short. Either she overheard, or someone else told her. Either way, I said something I shouldn't have, and it may have played a role here."

The Professor sighed. "Remember back during the days before the hurricane, our conversation within the Danger Room?"

Jason nodded, despite it not being a comfortable memory.

"Just as we should stand by our choices, we also must take responsibility for them, however they affect those around us. Perhaps you are right that what you said about Tabitha may have played a role in her voluntary withdrawal from us, but at the same, Tabitha is also responsible for her decision. Her actions are her own, as are yours."

Jason sighed, not feeling consoled at all. "Maybe, but I don't feel any better about this."

"We've experienced a loss, it is true, but there's no wisdom to be found in regretting the past; only in learning from it."

Jason nodded. "I guess we're already learning something, right?"

"You've said as much after the unfortunate events in the cave."

Jason winced at the memory.

"Yet those words have never lost their truth."

Jason nodded again, digesting everything he was told. He looked after where Tabitha had disappeared. "You think she'll come back?"

"I won't pretend to know the future, Jason," the Professor said. "But the best we can do is make sure the door is open to her once she does."

"Yeah," Jason sighed. "That really is all we can do."

"Take heart, Jason. The lessons she's learned by being in our company aren't so lightly tossed aside." The Professor folded his hands. "For now, we should return to the Institute. There is more business to discuss tonight."

XXXXXXXXXX

Former Bayville Boarding House

"Hey!" Todd exclaimed. "What's up with the water, yo?" He had just tried in vain to get water from a faucet in the filthy kitchen.

"City likely shut it off," Lance said, taking a swig from a water bottle. "Makes me thirsty just thinking about it."

"Man, this bombs," Todd said. "Why did the X-Men have to mess up everything? We gotta do what we gotta do!"

"Yeah!" Fred said. "How the heck am I going to find enough to eat without any cash?"

"What am I supposed to do about it?!" Lance said. "Do I look like I have a mountain of cash tucked away somewhere?"

"Geez," Pietro said, flashing into the kitchen. "I leave this place for a couple days and it's already gone more down the tube!"

"Maybe if you were there," Fred said. "We'd have money!"

"That's not my fault, Blob!" Pietro said. "Maybe if you guys weren't so pitiful to get your asses kicked by the newbie X-Men…"

The four went into a full-scale argument that went on for a couple minutes, until they all heard a knock on the door.

"Who could that be?" Pietro said.

"Maybe someone ordered us a pizza!" Todd said.

"Keep dreaming, Toad," Lance said, getting up to answer a door.

"Aww, I would love a pizza right now," Fred sighed.

"Just one?" Pietro quipped.

"Shut up, guys!" Lance said, as he reached the door. "This better not be some stupid prank or I'm gonna—" The words died on his lips as he opened the door, and saw who was on the other side.

"Hey, guys!" Tabitha said, and saw the water bottle in Lance's hands. "Ooh! I'm dying of thirst." She took the water bottle right out of his dumbfounded hands. "Listen, I need a place to crash. Got a room?"

Lance blinked. "Uh…"

"Cool, thanks, Shaker!" She stepped right around the confused Lance and looked around. "Yeah, not the greatest place, but hey, I've had worse."

Toad, Fred and Pietro had entered the living room, and saw Tabitha walking towards the stairwell, each with their own dumbfounded looks.

Tabitha walked up to Fred. "Hey, big guy. The room upstairs?"

"Uh…" Fred started.

"Awesome, you guys rock. I have no idea why the X-nerds don't think so." Tabitha walked up the stairs.

The four Brotherhood boys looked after her, still trying to figure out what is going on.

"What's she doing here?" Todd asked. "No chicks allowed in the Brotherhood House, don't she know that?"

"Then go stop her!" Pietro hissed.

Todd gulped. "Uh, why don't you?"

"Hey!" came Tabitha's voice. "This one is locked! Well, there's only one thing to do…"

"Oh no…" voiced Lance.

A sharp bang that knocked some of the dust and dirt from the ceiling almost shook the house. Once it faded, Todd hopped up the stairs, followed by the others. They looked to see that Tabitha had blown open the locked door Todd had repeatedly failed to break down, and could only stare.

Inside the room was a stark contrast to the dilapidated condition of the rest of the house. While it was still a little dusty from lack of attention, it was tidy, furnished, and even a little extravagant with a full-sized bed, drapes and silken blankets.

Tabitha sized the whole thing up with a dismissive eye. "Hmm, yeah, I guess I can work with this." She placed her backpack on the bed, and turned to see that the Brotherhood boys were practically staring agape into the room. "Need something, boys?"

"Uh…" came the chorused confusion from the boys.

"Good," Tabitha walked towards them. "Now stay out of my room." She shut the door on their faces.

XXXXXXXXXX

Back at the Institute, Kurt was sitting on the bed in his room, feeling particularly blue. He broke curfew, almost was complicit in grand larceny, got a bigger punishment than ever, and even lost a friend. Of all those things to happen tonight, hearing that Tabitha had chosen to leave the Institute was the one that hurt the most. Kurt really liked her perky and fun personality, despite her rambunctiousness and dismissiveness. It was something he secretly envied, since it was a luxury he denied himself for being blue and furry. Hanging around Tabitha made him feel human again, despite the rest of the students making him feel welcome. From Tabitha, there was no judgment, reservation, or hesitation. She genuinely found him cool. Now that voice was gone from his life, and he felt alone all over again.

A knock on the door interrupted his depressed thoughts. Normally, he would teleport to the other side of the door, both seeing who it was and startling whoever was there. Tonight, his heart wasn't in it. He simply answered. "Who is it?"

"It's me," came a voice. "Jason. Can I come in?"

Kurt wasn't sure how he felt being visited by someone on the exact opposite of the spectrum Tabitha could be placed on, but Jason did step up and help Kurt out of a fix. He at least owed Jason for that. "It's unlocked…"

The door opened, and Jason looked in. "Hey, Kurt."

"Hey."

Jason walked in towards Kurt. "Mind if I sit down?" He motioned to the space on the bed beside Kurt.

"Go ahead."

Jason sat down, and Kurt could feel his energy enough to know that he was a little uncomfortable. Kurt knew that it wasn't because of how he looked, but it still saddened him that Jason still wasn't the most natural around him for whatever reason.

"So…" Jason started. "…what's the damage?"

Kurt's response was automatic. "I have to wash all our uniforms, wax both of the jets, and clean out the Danger Room every day for a month."

Jason pursed his lips, trying to be encouraging. "Well, it could have been worse, I guess…"

"After Logan's sessions, Jason…" Kurt added.

Jason winced. "Ok, ouch. Yeah, that sucks."

"Yeah."

Jason sighed, and looked at Kurt. "Yet that doesn't seem to be what's really bugging you…"

Kurt looked down, and sighed himself. "Yeah, it's not. I just don't understand why Tabitha decided to leave."

Jason gulped a bit. "She said that this wasn't a good fit for her…and that she felt that the rest of us weren't feeling it either."

"Maybe you thought that," Kurt said, remember their lunch argument from earlier in the week. "But I didn't."

Jason nodded. "Yeah, you're right. I certainly had a chip on my shoulder for a while, didn't I?"

Kurt only sighed. He didn't mean to be as harsh as he sounded, but it was still a little sensitive for him to talk about it.

"All I can say is that I'm sorry for saying what I said, and I take responsibility for it." Jason dared to look at Kurt, who had looked away him. "I may have said that I wasn't sure if she belonged here, but I certainly didn't want her to leave. I actually tried to convince her to stay…"

"That turned out well," Kurt said.

Jason knew that Kurt had every reason to be a little spiteful to him, and so tolerated it. "And she did say that once she's ready, she will come back to us."

Kurt sighed. "Yeah, I know. I really am not mad at you, Jason. I'm just…well…"

"She was your friend, probably your best friend," Jason finished.

Kurt gulped, and nodded.

Jason's heart ached for Kurt. This was a kind of pain no man should have to endure. "I can't fathom the kind of pain you're in, Kurt, and I'm sorry we're not closer as friends for me to try. I probably don't deserve to be after this, but just know that if you ever want to talk, I'm at least a good listener."

Kurt's face softened a little, and he looked at Jason. "Danke schon, mein freund."

Jason offered a hand. Kurt looked at it briefly, and took it in his own tridactyl hand.

Kurt looked out the window. "Do you think she'll really come back?"

"The Professor seems to think so," Jason said, following his gaze. "And I think so too. It might even be sooner than we think. Perhaps once she sees how life outside these walls is, she'll be back."

Kurt looked at Jason. "Maybe, but I have a feeling she already knows how it's like out there."

Jason had to concede that observation. "Yeah, maybe you're right, but there's one thing that she has here that she doesn't out there."

"What's that?"

"You as a friend."

Kurt's eyes widened just a little.

"She thinks you're the coolest person here, Kurt. She told me herself before she left."

Kurt wasn't sure if that was true, but Jason had no reason to lie beyond making him feel better. "What else did she say?"

Jason looked away. "Well, she told me I could stand to loosen up a bit."

Kurt had to laugh. "Well, she's got one thing right."

"Laugh it up, fuzzball."

"She really thought I was the coolest?"

Jason nodded. "She did."

Kurt smiled. "Thank you, Jason."

"Anytime, fuzzy."

"You really could loosen up a bit though."

"I know, I know…I'll work on that."

Jason and Kurt continued to talk for some time afterwards, unsure what the future had for Tabitha, but each took heart that Tabitha would soon be back and hopefully doesn't change too much. For now, though, all they could do was wait.

XXXXXXXXXX

I guess nothing I could say could make up for the wait this time, only to say I'm sorry. School, marriage and job hunting is a real bear sometimes, and while I don't regret anything, I do regret not staying on top of this. It's not fair to you all. All I can say is thank you for sticking around, and I hope to keep going as we still have a long ways to go! Speaking of, here's the next chapter hint!

When Juggernaut's unit begins the fail, the Professor entrusts the Institute in the hands of the senior X-Men. For a while, everything is great, until an unwelcome guest infiltrates the Institute. A relaxing night turns into a living nightmare as the X-Men must survive their infiltrator, and this infiltrator seems intent to kill. Can they do what they must? Find out more in Chapter 4: Survival.