==Sabretooth's Safe House== “Ouch, Stop it, Uncle!” Sabertooth was pinned beneath Ryan the two of them having a playful sparring match.
“You’re mocking me?” Ryan asked knowing very well that he was letting her win.
“What makes you say that? Maybe I just wanted to get you on top of me.” Sabertooth said with a smile.
____
~Outside the building.~
“Are you sure this is the right place?” Athena asked Cara doubtfully.
“Yeah if the tracking device Beast planted on Ryan works this is where they are.” Cara responded looked at the broken down building.
“I think maybe we should have called first…. I mean Creed isn’t the kind of guy you just want to drop in on.” Maria said “What if Ryan isn’t even there?”
“Well the tracking device says she is here…I say we go in.” Cara said with complete faith that Creed would not hurt them. The three girls entered the building.
__
~Inside the building.~
“So you wanted me on top of you? Now why would you want that?” Ryan responded playfully. A knock at the door interrupted the scene and Ryan got up to answer it.
“Hi, I hope were not interrupting anything we just wanted to make sure you’re ok and wanted to invite you to a party.” Cara said rather quickly eyeing the large growling man standing behind Ryan.
Ryan smiled “ Really, What kind of party?”
“It’s a costume party. I know this sounds kind of rude but you’re invited and he’s not.” Athena said motioning to Sabertooth. “You understand though with his history.”
“Alright what time?”
Le Fae
==X-Mansion== It was the night of the party, and all the girls were getting changed into their costumes. Most of them hadn't taken that long to change. Leilee, however was on the 6th hour of getting ready. Why had it taken so long? Well....."Hold on one sec. Just gotta.....done!" said Ryan with a grin. "It looks great! Not bad for an abstract artist."
Leilee inspected the snake that had been painted on her body. The tail had started on her ankle and wound up over her leg, up her hip, around her waist, up her spine to her shoulder, where the head rested. Combined with the green bikini that had been covered with shiny faux leaves, sequins and vines, she made the perfect Eve. She had left her long hair down and put on just a little makeup. In the mirror, well....it was perfect...
Leilee
“Leilee you look great!” Ryan was practically glowing. She had been painting for years and nothing she ever painted looked any good, but with Leilee’s help the costume looked incredible. “Oh No!” Ryan shouted.
“What’s wrong?” Leilee asked very worried. She was scared something didn’t come out right.
“I still have to get ready. I don’t know what I should be! I could go as Audrey Hepburn circa Roman Holiday or Breakfast at Tiffany’s? If I do Breakfast at Tiffany’s should I be Audrey with the big black hat with the whit scarf on it or Audrey with the diamond tiara? Or maybe I should just go as Tinkerbell?” Ryan was panicking. She was never really good at making decisions especially when it came to what to wear. “What should I do?”
Le Fae
/Well not bad,/ Athena thought, looking at herself in the mirror. /I really don't like costume parties, I can't believe it took me so long to decide what to wear. The Queen of Hearts, not the actual card, who would want to go around wearing a big piece of card board? Just the character, or a more modern version anyway. Certainly less clothing, I've never been the type for petticoats and hoop skirts. All the same, not bad. The only thing I regret, is that I don't have a special male to impress. I think this costume would certainly provoke more than a few "oohs" and "ahs" in a man if he cared to pay attention./
snowbaby
While Ryan was panicking over what to wear, Cara was having her own troubles...with Amanda!!! Amanda was having second thoughts about the genie costume that Cara had picked out for her...she would not put it on!!! They had been arguing about it for almost three hours now!
"Come on Amanda! It is really cute! The color is great for you! It goes really well with your dark hair...come on, please just try it...you'll fall in love with it, I'm sure...and if you still don't like it after you put it on, we'll try something else, okay? Please? Just try it?" Cara coaxed in her sweetest, most cajoling voice.
Amanda took a deep breath...and held up her hands.
"Alright! I'll try it...but I'm warning you...if I don't like it, I'm not wearing it!" Amanda said with a little bit of irritation in her voice.
Cara smiled, and held out the costume.
The costume consisted of a dark-blue leotard, with the midrif cut away from the front and back...long gauzy dark-blue pant legs that were kind of poofy...a dark-blue satin vest with velvet trim...and attached to the vest were dark-blue see-through gauzy long sleeves...
Amanda grabbed the costume and hurried to the bathroom to change. There was a sudden knock at the door; Cara answered it. It was Gambit!
"Hey Mon Petit'!" Gambit said as he smiled at the girl; but he seemed a bit flustered.
"Hi Gambit, what's up?" said Cara.
"Gambit is having just a little trouble with the Professor...he says he isn't coming...could you help?" Gambit said, his eyes were pleading.
/Oh, great! If the Professor doesn't show up, my whole matchmaking scheme will be ruined!/ thought Cara. /But if I leave Amanda now, she won't go to the party either...and it will still be ruined! Well, at least I can be in two places at one time.../ She thought.
"Alright Gambit...Just one minute..." Cara said, as she slammed a fist into the palm of her hand. Two Caras stood where one had stood before. One of the Caras grabbed Gambit by the arm, and pulled him down the corridor, while the other Cara shut the door, just as Amanda stepped out of the bathroom wearing the costume.
"I guess it will have to do...there really isn't all that much time left to get ready...can you help me with my hair?" she asked Cara.
Cara grinned, and went over to help Amanda with her hair.
*****
The other Cara and Gambit ran to the Professor's room...knocked on the door and went in. The Professor was sitting in his hover chair, looking out the window. Cara surveyed the discarded costume; a sultan's outfit with a turban, which Charles obviously hadn't liked too much.
"Hi Professor! What's this I hear about you not wanting to go to the party?" Cara asked as she walked over to him.
The Professor turned his hover chair around to face her; he looked at her accusingly...
"It isn't the party that I'm objecting to...It's your plans." He said.
Cara gasped...How had he known?
"Gambit didn't shield his thoughts well enough," the Professor said, reading Cara's thoughts, "I am a private person, and I don't like anyone poking their noses into my business. And my feelings for Amanda are certainly none of your business."
Cara straightened herself up to her full height, stuck out her chin, and raised her eyebrows. She looked at Gambit, then she looked back at the Professor.
"It is true that your relationship with Amanda is none of my business...but the feelings of my friend ARE my business! She cares a great deal for you, and your snippishness and high-handed ways are hurting her! You are allowing your insecurities to ruin a good thing...running away because you feel you are getting too close. All I am trying to do is to help you, because I happen to care a great deal for both Amanda, and for yourself! All I want if for both of you to be happy, and you make each other happy...at least when you're not second guessing what you feel about each other. You need help, whether or not you admit it...So I suggest you get off of your high horse and allow US to help you!" Cara finished, her red eyes flashing angrily.
Rainfall
While Athena surveyed herself in the mirror, there came a sudden knock at the door; Athena went to open it...It was Bobby! He was dressed as the king of hearts, complete with scepter. He was also grinning madly from ear to ear.
"You look GREAT!" he said; he couldn't take his eyes off of her.
Athena blushed and said, "Thanks, you look good too...wait a minute, the King of Hearts! Alright, who told!"
Bobby grinned even wider and said, "Cara did, but she told me not to tell you that it was her." "Oh, Cara, I am going to get you for this..." Athena mumbled to herself, as she took Bobby's arm and allowed herself to be led to the party.
Rainfall
On the way down stairs, Athena decided to clear the air about a few things. "I can't believe you are doing this, the King of Hearts. Remind me to thank Cara. I am surprised you are even talking to me. I have been just mortified about falling out of a tree and fainting. I just knew you and Hank would be so offended."
Bobby just smiled and said, "It's o-kay, it's not like you fell into somebody's bath tub."
Athena, stopped dead in her tracks and said, "That would have been terrible, I would have been the first person to ever actually die from embarrassment." Then she added, "You know, the funny thing is I really wasn't scared. It's just...no never mind, I can't say it."
"Come on," Bobby prodded.
"O-kay," Athena finally said, after a moments more hesitation. "My best friend has a three year old son, Amos. When she has plans to go out, I babysit. Amos loves Sesame Street. I have to watch it with him all the time. Right before I blacked out all I could think, was that I must have died. And wouldn't my minister be interested to know that God looks like Cookie Monster!"
"Hank would get a laugh out of this, but don't tell him. It might over inflate his ego if he knew you thought he was God." Bobby said laughing. "Hey, if Hank was God, who did you think I was?"
"Actually," Athena said looking down at her feet, "I thought maybe St. Peter."
This sent Bobby into fits of laughter. "If anyone around here knew you thought I was a saint, they would commit you," he finally managed to say.
snowbaby
Xavier's eyes widened in shock...then just as suddenly, narrowed in anger. A red tint rose in his cheeks. Gambit gulped.
"Gambit's got to finish getting ready petit', he's got to pick up Leilee soon..." Gambit stammered, as he backed up to the doorway. He turned, and exited the room quickly.
Cara stood her ground...her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were still flashing angrily. The Professor moved his hoverchair over to Cara, until he was face to face with her...both of them staring angrily and stubbornly into each other's eyes. They stayed there for several seconds, just staring...Cara was the first to look away.
Cara walked over to the window, took a deep breath, and turned back to face Xavier. Her eyes were no longer flashing, they just seemed to have a sad expression in them.
"I know I was out of line...your relationship with Amanda was no business of mine. I admit it...I went overboard. It's just that, back home, I saw a lot of people have something good going, and then they let insecurities or grudges get in the way; they parted ways and didn't realize what they had until it was too late. I didn't want that for the two of you. You have the kind of love for each other that most people only dream about. And, I've got this nagging feeling that we won't be here much longer...if you don't grab it while it's here, if you don't tell Amanda how you feel, you may never have the chance again." Cara said, earnestly and openly, no trace of her usual coaxing. If Xavier was to choose this, Cara wanted him to choose it on his own volition; without any coaxing or prodding. Cara waited in silence.
Xavier closed his eyes and put one hand to his forehead. He took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. What Cara had said made him think...he too felt that something was about to happen, and that he may never have this chance with Amanda again. He opened his eyes and looked thoughtfully at Cara.
"Alright, Cara. I will go through with it, on one condition...the next time you plan anything like this, ask me first?" the Professor said, with the faintest of smiles on his lips. He didn't want to encourage her TOO much...
Of course, Cara didn't really need encouraging...her eyes sparkled, and she grinned. She immediately ran over to the sultan costume and picked it up.
"Oh no...I am NOT wearing that." Charles said sternly.
"Oh, come on Professor, you'll look really cute in it...come on, just try it on...if you don't like it, you can always wear something else...please, just try it?" Cara said in her sweetest most cajoling voice.
*****
Back in Amanda's room, the other Cara had just finished fixing Amanda's hair...she had put it in a long twisted ponytail braid on the top of Amanda's head. Then she went to work on the makeup...just a little bit. After she was through, she attached the dark-blue see-through veil over Amanda's face...it covered the lower part of Amanda's face; Only Amanda's blue eyes showed. Cara had put glittering eyeshadow on Amanda's eyelids so they would stand out more. After she was through, Cara pulled out a shoe box; inside was a pair of dark-blue satin slippers, with the toes partially curled up.
"I forgot to hand these to you earlier," Cara explained as Amanda put them on.
Rainfall
Leilee descended the steps in a graceful gait. Standing next to her was a perfect replica of Audrey Hepburn, right down to tiara nestled in her think mass of hair.
"You look great, Ryan."
Ryan grinned back. "Thanks. Hold on a sec. You need something." She ran quickly into the kitchen and brought out the final touch to the costume.
Leilee squealed. "Bangin'! It's perfect." She accepted the object and held it as she walked into the party room.
Bobby and Athena were sitting in a corner, chatting amicably. ::Good. Now I wont have to hurt him.:: thought Leilee as she searched the room for her.....boyfriend, she guessed she'd call him. As she turned towards the door, she saw Gambit standing at the doorway staring in shock. Leilee grinned and walked over to him, holding up the apple.
"Want a bite?"
Leilee
Ryan looked down at her feet nervously. Suddenly she wasn’t sure if she should have come. She started at the room full of people and spotted Sammi and Jonas, the two people who Victor tried to kill not to long ago. Standing next to them was Logan and a man Ryan didn’t recognize. She really felt awkward being at a party with people who probably hated her.
“This isn’t going to be good.” Ryan said as she proceeded to walk down the rest of the steps and headed to the bar. /I need a drink,/ she thought to herself and clutching her long black cigarette holder like it was a security blanket.
------
Logan watched Ryan cross the room to the bar carefully. He was still wary of the girl and did not trust her at all. Anyone who thought Victor Creed was a good person was obviously crazy. Logan didn’t want anyone close to him getting hurt because of this girl.
Le Fae
"Hey, Bobby," Athena said. "How do you feel about giving people the benefit of the doubt?"
"Sure," was all he said. He was surprised by the sudden change of subject.
"You see that girl, 'Audrey Hepburn', her name is Ryan and I think she needs a friend."
He looked skeptical, personally he thought Ryan looked like she wanted to be left alone. Sensing Bobby's hesitation, Athena began tugging on his arm.
"Pleeeeeease Bobby-bear,” she cooed in his ear, and gave him her sweetest most innocent look. It worked.
“All right, she can't be all that bad if you like her," he smiled. "Bobby-bear huh? Just don't let anyone else hear that o-kay?" He warned playfully.
Athena just smiled and continued to lead him to the bar and Ryan. "Really, Bobby, you'll like her. She's my friend."
"Hi, Ryan," Athena smiled. "I'm so glad you're hear. We were just going for a walk in the garden, would you like to come? By the way, have you met my...uh Bobby?"
snowbaby
“Bobby Drake right?? Yeah my ex-boyfriend really hated you as a character… so that makes you number one in my book.” Ryan said shaking Bobby’s hand.
“Thanks, I think. “ Bobby said looking at Athena for help.
“I’m sorry I’m not trying to be mean or anything it’s just I don’t like my ex..... A walk in the garden sounds fairly romantic. I don’t think I should intrude.” Ryan said smiling at the couple. They look really cute together she thought to herself.
Le Fae
"Romantic?" Athena suddenly blushed. She hadn't thought of that. "Well, we don't have to walk in the garden. What would you like to do?"
snowbaby
“Wait, hold on Chere. Gambit have to pull his tongue back in his mouth. You make it hard to be suave, charming, cool and collected when you looked dat beautiful chere. Gambit tink dat paradise only half as beautiful as you Chere.” Gambit was shocked at the site before him and was amazed that someone this beautiful would want to be with him.
Le Fae
Ryan smiled at Athena “I don’t want to ruin your romantic evening. Really it’s cool with me I am going to be here a while and trust me I am much more fun when I am drunk. So you guys have a romantic walk in the garden and I’m going to make this bartender my best friend. When you come back I will be smashed enough that you guys can get me to do anything you want.”
Ryan was trying to be sarcastic and funny. She could tell that Athena was torn between hanging around with her and spending sometime alone with Bobby.
Athena looked concerned at Ryan. She was trying to figure out if Ryan was serious about the getting smashed part or if she was just joking.
Le Fae
Leilee smiled at the cajun's flattery. "You're sweet."
Remy grinned back. "Remy tries, Petite."
Leilee's smile faltered slightly as she looked into his eyes. "I need to talk to you. Can we go somewhere a little more quiet?"
Remy nodded, noticing the seriousness in her eyes. "Come on." He took her hand in his and led her into the garden. As they reached the bench, Remy sat as Leilee paced in front of him.
"I need to ask you something, and it's a little personal, but it's important to me."
Remy watched her pace, feeling a little apprehensive. "Allons-y, petite. You can ask me anything."
She stopped in front of him and looked into his eyes. "What's going on between you and Rouge?"
Remy looked a little surprised, but she continued on.
"I know this may seem a little weird, but you have to understand something. I was very shy back home. Especially around guys. My last boyfriend dated me to make his girlfriend jealous. Then he told me that I wasn't pretty enough to ever get a boy any other way. And I just want to know if you really like me or if you really like Rouge, and I'm just a substitute...Because I don't want to get hurt anymore." She finished her speech in a whisper as tears filled her eyes. She sniffed a little and looked up into his glowing red eyes. "So, do you really like me? Or am I a convenient substitute?”
Leilee
Teb and Angelo finally made it to the party. Teb was dressed in what Angelo was dressed in earlier and Angelo was dressed in what she was earlier. Sammi and Jonas were there dressed as a witch and a warlock. Their costumes were really elaborate.
"What? You guys didn’t dress up?" Sammi asked.
Teb smirked "I’m Ange, and he’s me."
Ange smiled and agreed. Sammi laughed,. those two were so cute together.
The doorbell rang and Teb ran to get it. Gen X walked in all dressed and ready to party.
"Jono!" Teb yelled and gave him a hug. "Glad you came.”
He was dressed like a guy from the movie The Matrix. It really suited him.
~Shouldn’t you be dressed up?~ he asked her.
"Si, she is." said Angelo answering for her and slipping his arm around her shoulder. "She is me and I am her."
~oohhh..~ said Jono, taking the hint Ange was giving him, ~Well, nice to see you guys again.~
Ange smiled and squeezed Teb’s shoulder tighter. Teb was at a loss. She felt like she was being paraded around the members of Gen X, and she didn’t mind at all.
teb
Gambit leapt up from where he was sitting, and was by her side in a flash. He gripped her shoulders firmly and looked deep into her eyes.
"Chere, Gambit t'ink you are beautiful. More important dan dat, you have a beautiful soul. Don't ever let anyone tell you differently, don't ever believe Gambit t'ink differently. Dat boy had no right to say doze t'ings Chere, non. He was a blind fool." He hoped that despite the red glow of his eyes, she would see the sincerity in them. He suddenly grabbed her in a fierce embrace and tenderly, said, "Gambit never let you go Chere."
snowbaby
Athena smiled, and gave Ryan a hug.
"You know, you really aren't so bad as you think. Some people around here really do like you. You were my first friend here." Athena confided, as she hugged Ryan again. "Now, I'm going to spend sometime with Bobby, and if you change your mind about joining us, we'll be in the garden. Otherwise, we won't stay gone long. I don't want to leave you here by yourself. Maria should be along any minute, and you know she likes you."
Athena slowly started walking to the door, led by Bobby. Then called back over her shoulder, "Drink as much as you want, just don't drink all the vodka. I expect to be able to have a nice cold metropolitan when I get back." She winked jokingly at Ryan and walked outside with Bobby.
snowbaby
Athena and Bobby walked out into the warm June night. It was a beautiful night. Then something caught her attention, it was the sound of voices. They seemed to be coming from around the other corner. Athena recognized the voices as belonging to Remy and Leilee. She guessed they were out here for the same reason she and Bobby were. Not wanting to intrude or eavesdrop, Athena and Bobby quickly strolled in the opposite direction. They had plans of their own anyway.
Silently, they made their way across the lawn and down to the lake. They sat down near the waters edge, and Athena rested her head on Bobby's shoulder. She thought to herself, that she would be content to just stay in this spot for the rest of her life.
snowbaby
Bobby and Athena sat by the lake neither saying a word for a long moment. Both of them just content to be in each other’s company not wanting the moment to end. Bobby had wanted to ask Athena out since he first met her but felt he didn’t have a chance. Now as he sat with her by the lake he thought what a fool he had been. He had wasted so much time already and he honestly didn’t know how much longer she would be with him. Suddenly a stab of pain went through his heart. She was going to be leaving him and he would be alone again.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Athena asked looking into Bobby’s beautiful eyes. I could get lost in those eyes, she thought.
“I just suddenly realized that you can’t stay forever. Sooner or later you’re going to have to go home. I’m going to miss you.”
Le Fae
~In the Ballroom~
Sammi, Jonas and Jamar were talking quietly to each other.
"Now, remember the plan...when Cara gives us the signal..." the rest of what Sammi said was in small whispers.
Jamar adjusted his mask so he could see better; he was dressed as the Lone Ranger.
*****
~Amanda and Maria's Room~
Maria ran in rather breathless; she had been out shopping for her costume...it was a last minute thing.
"Hi Amanda, hi Cara! You look nice Amanda! Sorry I can't talk now, I've got to change!" Maria said as she ran into the bathroom with her shopping bags.
Amanda and Cara just looked at each other and started laughing.
"Maria is beginning to act like you, Cara!" laughed Amanda.
Cara grinned, then looked down at her clothes...
"AACK!!! I've got to go get changed!!! I'll be back in a few minutes!" Cara said as she ran out of the room.
*****
~in Xavier's room~
"Okay...so you didn't like the sultan outfit..." the other Cara said as Xavier came out of the bathroom with the discarded costume, "Well, how about this?" she said, as she held up another costume...it was black, and had a cape, a mask, and a sword.
Xavier took it from Cara, gave her a look, and said, "Cara...wouldn't a regular tuxedo suffice?"
Cara shook her head adamantly...Xavier sighed, and went back into the bathroom to change.
Ten minutes later, Xavier came out of the bathroom...dressed as Zorro!
*****
~Cara and Leilee's room~
Cara ran into the room, grabbed her costume, and ran into the bathroom. Ten minutes later, she came out dressed in a Wonder Woman costume, complete with cape and lasso.
"Alright, time to get Amanda to the party...the matchmaking plan of the century is about to go into effect!" Cara said as she smiled, and walked out the door.
Rainfall
~Back at the bar. ~
Logan excused himself from Sammi‘s company and walked over to the bar. Ryan saw him coming and tensed up immediately. Victor had told her to stay away from him and to watch her back. She knew he was just being paranoid so she was not tense over the thought of Logan hurting her. She was tense over the thought of him telling her off. Ryan hated to be yelled at. When Logan got to the bar he ordered himself a beer and looked toward Ryan.
“You smell like Creed.” He stated rather bluntly. “Look I don’t want to cause trouble with you girlie but I want you to know that if you cause any of my friends harm I will cause you harm. “ “Look I don’t want to hurt anyone. I’m not here to cause trouble, I’m just here to have a good time.”
Le Fae
~Amanda and Maria's room~
Maria looked at herself in the mirror...she smiled, satisfied with her appearance. Then, she turned herself invisible, and walked out of the bathroom.
Amanda was sitting on her bed, playing with her veil...she didn't feel like going for some reason. She looked up when the bathroom door opened.
"Hi Maria...why are you invisible?" she asked, surprised at her friend.
Maria smiled to herself. "You'll see at the party...I feel like being a little mysterious right at the moment...see you later!" she said, as she went out the door.
*****
~in the ballroom~
Maria walked into the ballroom, still invisible. She surveyed her surroundings; she didn't see Leilee, Gambit, Bobby or Athena anywhere...what she did see however, was Ryan being bullied by Wolverine...at least, that's what it looked like to her. She got mad, and walked up to the two of them, still invisible.
"Excuse me, Wolverine? I would appreciate it if you didn't upset my friend...she is here as my, Cara and Athena's guest." she said, with as much control over her voice and emotions as she could manage.
Rainfall
Monet, as usual, was glaring at Teb. Paige was clinging all over Jono and Jubilee was trying to get Ev's attention. Teb and Angelo were attacking the music. They wanted something fun. Teb knew just the thing
"ALRIGHT YOU GUYS!" Teb yelled as the song started, "JUMP AROUND!"
House of Pain's Jump Around started to play EXTREMELY LOUDLY!!! Teb was jumping up and down singing, she knew all the words. Angelo looked like he was going to fall down laughing.
"Pack it up pack it in, let me begin. I came to win, bother me that’s sin...." Teb sang right in Monet’s face, trying to annoy her. "Freak it, funk it, amps in a trunk, and I got more rhymes then the cops at a Dunkin Donuts shop..." she continued and started to get the others to dance to the song as well. "I came to get down, I came to get down, so get out your seat and jump around.... jump around... jump up jump up and get down JUMP JUMP JUMP..." she sang loud and jumped up and down and made a ruckus.
teb
Athena thought her heart would break in two. She had such bad luck with men. Most seemed only interested in her money. The only other time she had really cared about one, he had been violent and abusive. She had a successful career, but nobody special. Her family might as well be non-existent for all the time they spent with her. She hadn't spoken to them since she was sixteen. Bobby and this place, these people were the first good things to happen to her in years.
"I don't want to leave you, Bobby." Athena said timidly. "I'm just so afraid that it's a decision that won't be up to me. I have a feeling our being here is some sort of mistake, and someone is going to fix it. If that happens, whether I stay or have to go, just remember this moment. Remember I love you, and where ever I am I'll still be loving you."
She hugged him tightly to her. Wishing it would last forever, but knowing it couldn't. "I hate to end this, but I feel horribly guilty about leaving Ryan. I was one of the people who invited her. Maybe we should go check on her? I would also like to introduce her to Teb and Gen-X. I think they would get along smashingly, and it might make her feel better to have more friends here."
snowbaby
Leilee hugged Remy back tightly, breathing in the scent that screamed his name in her head. It was a mixture of his cologne, cigarette smoke, and him that she could pick out anywhere. The tears were absorbed by Remy's white teeshirt. She smiled and moved back a bit, smiling up at him.
"You know, if I'm not careful, I could seriously fall for you."
Remy grinned back at her and kissed her softly, allowing her to come up for air only when she was breathless and trembling.
"That be the plan, cherie. That be the plan."
Leilee
Athena and Bobby made their way, hand in hand, back to the ballroom. Once inside, they spotted Ryan by the bar with Logan. They seemed to be talking to the wall. Athena decided, either they were both really drunk or Maria was there. She decided Maria was a better bet. Bobby wrapped his arm around her waist and they walked over to the bar.
"Hey there, yall," Athena said in her warmest southern belle voice. She had hoped to put them at ease. She could tell by the looks on Logan and Ryan things were tense. She couldn't see Maria, but she could almost swear she felt Maria's agitation.
"I hope we didn't miss anything," Bobby said trying to break the awkward silence.
"Maria, Logan, I hope y’all don't mind, but I really have to steal Ryan for a teensy little bit," Athena said in her most syrupy sweet voice. She had always been told when trouble arose to 'kill them with kindness'. To Ryan she added, "There are some people you just have to meet. I know you'll love them."
She then grabbed hold of Ryan's hand and drug her across the room to where Teb and Angelo where, Bobby still holding on around her waist.
As she approached, she said, "Teb, Angelo, I don't think you have met my friend Ryan. Ryan, this is Teb and Angelo, two of the most fascinatingly interesting people you will ever meet."
snowbaby
Jonas was not really enjoying himself, and he could feel that Sammi was bothered by the same thing, Ryan...
His suppressed Dragon instinct was screaming at him, frightening him... this was his enemy, his pray that had not yet fallen by his jaws.
He shook the thought away, when Athena was dragging Bobby over to Ryan and started to drag her over to the gathering of Gen X, his fist tightened.
Jonas always had problems holding a grudge and this person had once tried to kill his beloved, and her *friend* Creed almost succeeded.
At the same time he was angry with himself for what he did to her, he almost killed *her*.
"How can they fuss around with that nutcase." He said low, forgetting he was speaking.
Sammi looked at him, his face was so angry... so hurt.
Admiral
Athena and Bobby quickly headed back to their little corner, after making introductions. She just couldn't help wanting time alone with him. She was distracted by the way Jonas was glaring at Ryan. She had felt his anger as they walked across the room. She felt sorry for Ryan and Jonas. Both of them obviously hurting. Still she couldn't help but be a little annoyed. Most all the X-Men had done things they weren't proud of at sometime or another. Certainly, Jonas had to have made mistakes in the past, too. Still no one was holding past mistakes against any of them.
/If they were, we would all be in trouble,/ she thought to herself.
Ryan and Jonas had both acted out of fear and anger, certainly both had acted rashly. Sammi had survived, as had Ryan. Sure they could not be expected to be friends, but at least civil. Truly, they are both even. Creed had nearly killed Sammi, and Jonas had done just as much damage to Ryan. They had both inflicted pain, why couldn't they let it go? Obviously, Ryan was making an effort.
She didn't have to come. She chose to. That in itself had to be considered trying to mend things. It could not be easy for her to face the people, so rudely staring at her. Yet here she was. Ryan wasn't a bad person at heart. She had certainly been more friendly and welcoming to Athena than the 'so called good guys' had at first. Athena shuddered at the thought of how terribly isolated Ryan must feel, and tightened her grip on Bobby. She was thankful to have him here to keep her from feeling isolated.
snowbaby
Ryan smiled at the young couple standing before her. They seemed to have so much in common and Angelo seemed so respectful of Teb. The only people who ever gave Ryan respect were in this house. Except of course for Victor but she didn’t feel right even thinking his name in this house. These people hated him so much.
“So how long have you two known each other?” Ryan asked trying to make small talk.
“Not too long” Teb said eyeing the girl, she had heard about her involvement with Victor Creed and wasn’t sure if she like the girl yet.
“That’s cool… so what did you do for fun before you came here?”
Le Fae
Suddenly, Remy and Leilee walked into the room. He had his arm wrapped tightly around her waist and she was smiling happily.
"Hey isn't it time for the fashion contest?" Asked Leilee. "Amanda! Get down here so we can start!"
Leilee
