With Friends Like These

Xavier Institute, October 4, 2007
It had been a couple of days since the incident with the Phoenix, and the damage done to the Danger Room still hadn't been repaired, forcing Superman and the New Mutants to conduct their training session outside, on the rear cliff overlooking the sea. Thunderbird was overseeing the session as well.
It was currently early Friday morning, and Superman, in uniform, was instructing the New Mutants, also in uniform, in rescue procedures, with Nightcrawler's assistance. The objective was for each of them to repel down the cliff, safely strap the victim - namely Nightcrawler - into a stretcher, and lift him to safety.
So far, it was going well.
Superman hovered a few feet from the cliff, watching as Iceman repelled down the cliff with the stretcher, stopping where the "unconscious" Nightcrawler lay. Iceman quickly and carefully moved Nightcrawler to the stretcher and strapped him in, before tugging on the line, signaling the others to start pulling them up. The rest of the team responded and Iceman and the stretcher began to rise, bumping into the cliff side lightly, before Iceman could grab the ledge and pull the stretcher up.
The exercise complete, Superman touched down next to Iceman. 
"Not bad, Bobby." He appraised. "But you did nudge the cliff wall; an impact like that could complicate things if the victim has an neck injury." He smiled. "But the impact wasn't too serious, and it was the only mistake you made, so you only lost 5 points, for a score of 95. Well done!"
"Yes!" Iceman exclaimed.
"Uh, Superman?" Multiple asked. "Couldn't you have saved Nightcrawler?"
"Yeah, he could have. But the point of this is for you guys to figure out how to save someone." Thunderbird explained.
"Besides, there are times I may not be around, like when I'm on the other side of the world helping people." Superman nodded.
"Or when you go into outer space with your spaceship!" Nightcrawler added, his eyes still closed, but with a smile on his face.
Superman sighed. "Thank you, Kurt."
"You have a spaceship?!" Jubilee exclaimed.
Iceman smiled. "Could we...?"
"No."
Berzerker grinned. "But couldn't we just...?"
"No."
Multiple asked. "Not even...?"
"No." Superman said firmly. "That ship is a Trans-Warp spaceship, the only one ever produced on Krypton...and it is not for joy-riding." To Nightcrawler, he added. "Best port down again, Kurt."
"Jawoh!" Kurt agreed, as he unstrapped himself, before porting away with a bamf!
"Okay, Boom-Boom, it's your turn." Superman said...but he got no response.
"Boom-Boom?" He repeated, looking around...and sighed, as he walked over to Tabitha, who was sitting on a rock, listening to her CD player. Superman simply lifted the headphones away from her ears.
"Huh? What the..." Boom-Boom exclaimed, and then smiled as she saw who it was. "Oh, hey, Super-Cutie. What's up?"
"Tabitha, this is the third time this week that I've had to do this." Superman said sternly. "I'm afraid, that there will have to be consequences this time." 
"Sorry, sorry!" Boom-Boom laughed, saluting. "I'm going! Don't get your cape in a twist!" With that, she started to get ready.
Superman floated back into the air, hovering down to talk to Nightcrawler.
"Hang in there, only one left." He said.
"Who?" Nightcrawler asked, his eyes staying closed.
"Tabitha."
Nightcrawler's eyes opened in horror. 
"Boom-Boom!?!" He cried. "She's crazy! I'm a dead man!"
Superman lightly chuckled. "Hey, she's not that bad..."
"Look out, everybody!" Tabitha called from the top of the cliff, as she started her descent. "Boom-Boom is bombin in! Whooohooo!"
"Mutter of Gott, I'm going to die!" Nightcrawler moaned.
Superman groaned. "Of course, I could be wrong."
Boom-Boom grinned as she came to a stop before Nightcrawler. "Hiya, cutie." Nightcrawler grimaced.
"Hi." He replied. "Listen, I have to know: are you insane?"
Tabitha grinned. 
"Last time I checked." She replied, as she started loading Kurt into the stretcher. "Anyway what's up with the codename? Nightcrawler? Why not something cool, like 'Wild Blue Yonder Boy'?" Then, she called out. "Okay, we're good to go!" At that, the rest of the team started to pull them up...
...and Nightcrawler promptly rolled of the stretcher, plummeting towards the sea...before he ported back onto the cliff. Superman frowned.
"The victim wasn't secure, Tabitha; you didn't strap him in." He said. "You just lost 15 points. You'd better be careful on the ascent."
"Fine, fine!" Boom-Boom said cheerfully, as she looked up. "Well, those rocks look tough to navigate...so I'll just boom em out of the way!" She quickly formed one of her explosives...
...attracting Thunderbird's attention. 
"Tabitha, don't." The Native American mutant warned her, but it was too late; Boom-Boom threw her charge, and it exploded in an impressive blast of moderate size...causing numerous rocks to break off the cliff, raining down on them, causing Nightcrawler to fall off the cliff, knocking him out, as he plummeted towards the water.
Instantly, Superman darted down, catching his teammate and carrying him over his shoulder, before flying up and grasping the stretcher cable, towing it and Boom-Boom, landing on solid ground. As Superman set Tabitha down, Nightcrawler started waking up.
"You okay, Little Blue?" Superman asked.
"Ugh...I zhink so." Nightcrawler replied. "Zhanks, Big Blue."
Thunderbird then stepped forward.
"This training session is over. The rest of you head towards the infirmary, Kurt needs to be checked out." He addressed the New Mutants, before looking at Tabitha. "We need to talk."
With that, they all headed to the infirmary, Superman carrying his still-dazed friend over his shoulder.
At the infirmary, Ororo was waiting for them; once Superman had set Kurt down on a medical bed, Ororo looked him over.
"Well, Kurt, it doesn't look like you have a concussion." She reported, with a relieved smile. "Except for a few bumps and bruises, you seem to be fine, but just let us know if you start feeling drowsy, okay?"
"Okay." Nightcrawler agreed.
"Sorry about this, Kurt." Superman said. To the New Mutants, he said. "You're dismissed." 
"Follow us." Thunderbird instructed. He walked out the door with Superman, and Tabitha followed, as the rest of the New Mutants headed on their way.
Superman and Thunderbird walked down the hallway a few feet, before stopping to lean against the wall. Tabitha caught up, looking nervous.
"Okay, okay." She said softly. "I admit it; I goofed."
"You did more than just goof. You came dangerously close to killing one of the X-Men." Thunderbird informed her. Tabitha flinched. 
"I didn't mean for that to happen." She said. "I was just having a little fun..."
"Training is not the time for fun!" Superman said. "You can have fun on your own time, but on the team's time, you will conduct yourself appropriately!" 
Tabitha frowned. "Okay, big guy, no offense, but your shorts are on way too tight." She said. Smiling flirtatiously, she added. "Which, in your case, isn't a bad thing."
"Can you please take our conversation seriously." Thunderbird replied, cutting her off. "It isn't the first time you've done something like this."
"Exactly. As of now, you're confined to Institute ground; except for school hours, you are to stay on campus until further notice."
"God, what's the big deal?! Kurt's okay, isn't he?!" Tabitha shouted. "You're bugging just because I goofed with my powers?! They're just cherry-bombs!"
"For now, yes." Thunderbird agreed, before adding. "But what happens when they evolve. Will you be as careless when your cherry-bombs turn into TNT." 
After hearing that, Tabitha froze, as she looked at her hands, considering what Thunderbird was telling her. Superman pointed to his head, adding. "That, Tabitha, is why you have to use this before you ever use your powers!" He frowned. 
"Tabitha, the whole point of the Institute is to gain control, to use our powers for good." He said. "To do that, we all have to use them responsibly...something that you haven't been doing. I suggest you use this little grounding to think about that, because if you're not willing to learn...why are you even here?" His eyes narrowed. "Dismissed." At that, Tabitha lowered her head and walked away. Superman groaned to himself.
'Well, I sure made a mess of that.' He thought.
"Hey."
Looking up, Superman half-smiled as Scott, in his street clothes, walked up, leaning on the wall next to them.
"Rough sessions?" He inquired.
"You could say that." Thunderbird commented. "Tabitha was screwing around."
Scott's eyes widened. "Again?" Superman nodded. 
"I had to confine her to Institute grounds; Kurt could have been seriously hurt." He replied.
Scott frowned. "Well, based on that, I don't think you were out of line; I would have done the same." Superman sighed. 
"Why did the Professor give me this job?" He asked aloud. "I'm not sure if I'm cut out for this." Scott chuckled.
"I didn't think I was at first, either." He admitted. Superman smiled.
"How do you do it, Scott?" He asked. "You make it look easy." Scott laughed.
"Trust me, it's not!" He said. "You learn tough lessons every single day, and just when you think you have everything figured out, something happens to throw you for a loop!" He smiled. "Trust me, Clark; you're doing fine, after your first session with the New Mutants - after you had to leave - the Professor said, and I quote: "It's as if he was born for this." You have nothing to worry about." Superman smiled.
"Really?" He asked. "Because it sure doesn't feel like I'm doing fine!" Scott chuckled.
"It never does." He replied. "You have to inspire the rest of your team, make them want to do better, to be better, and then just show them how." Smilling, he added. "And I don't think that will be a big problem for you, big guy. Most of the New Mutants already look up to you."
Chuckling, Superman asked, "Well then, what's the problem with Tabitha?"
"The problem is that they have to want to be inspired." Scott replied.
Superman smiled. "Well, I guess that's something that I'll have to help her work on!"
"Now, you see? That's exactly what a good leader would say!" Scott laughed. "You'll figure it out, Clark; I'm sure of it." Superman smiled.
"Thanks." He said. Grinning, he added. "So, you psyched for your big date with Jean tonight?" Scott smiled sheepishly. 
"A little nervous." He admitted. "I don't want to screw this up, Clark; Jean's been my best friend since I came to the Institute. I can't lose her..."
"You won't, Chief. She likes you; I can tell." Superman assured his friend. Scott grinned.
"Thanks." He said. "And what about you? Any cute girls at Bayville University that have caught the Man of Steel's eye? The carnival is supposed to be a great place to bring a date!"
Superman laughed. 
"Sorry, Fearless. The only date I'll be bringing to the carnival tonight is a pen and notepad; I'm covering the carnival for a Journalism assignment!" He said. "Besides, you know I'm married to my work." Scott chuckled.
"You know how things can happen to throw you for a loop." He commented. "That especially applies to girls! I'd be careful if I were you, big guy!" Then, he added. "Anyway, the others and I need to get to school." Superman nodded. 
"And I was going to do my morning patrol before I head to the University." He said. "Well, I'll see you all later." Then, Scott headed off, to head to school with the others, as Superman headed for the nearest window, opening it and flying off, starting his patrol.
Brotherhood of Bayville Boarding House.
Pietro, in his street clothes, was zipping through the kitchen, opening one cupboard after another, looking for something, anything to eat and finding zip. Sitting on the couch, catching flies with his tongue, was Todd. 
"Hey, Pietro, I told ya; there ain't nothing to eat, here, yo." Todd said, snapping up another fly.
"Fred! Did you forget to get groceries, again?!" Pietro shouted.
Fred walked into the kitchen.
"No, Pietro; I don't have any money." He said, softly...as his stomach rumbled. "I'm starving!"
"Hey, don't look at me; I'm broke, too!" Todd said, snapping another fly. "If I did, do you think I'd be gulping down flies? Delicious though they are, I need a balanced meal, too!"
"You mean none of us has any money?!" Pietro cried. "How are we gonna eat?!"
"Well...we could ask Siryn for a loan." Fred suggested. 
"No way!" Pietro declared. "I may be starving, but I still have some pride! No way am I going to beg Little-Miss-Boss Around for cash!" 
"Hey...where is Siryn, anyway?" Todd asked. "She hasn't contacted us since the last time we faced the X-Geeks, yo."
"I think she's doing research, or something." Pietro said. "That's the thing about magic, I guess; to get stronger at it, you have to have your nose stuck in a book, half the time."
Then, Fred's stomach rumbled again. 
"Hey, can we go to school, now?" He asked. "I think they have free cooked lunches on Friday."
Pietro sighed. "Fine, fine, you big babies. Let's go." With that, they headed for school.
Bayville High
As the office secretary typed at her computer, a fairly tall man, of average build, in his forties, with short brown hair, blue eyes, clad in blue jeans and an orange T-shirt walked up to the desk.
"Excuse me?" He asked. "I'm Michael Smith, and I'm looking for my daughter, Tabitha Smith; I'd like to talk to her."
The secretary tapped a few keys. "I'm sorry, but Tabitha has a restricted guest list; if you want to see her, you'll have to clear it with Professor Xavier at the Xavier Institute." She replied. Michael nodded.
"Thanks, I will." He said, as he turned to leave...
Just then, Principal Kelly walked into the office. 
"Carol." He said to the secretary. "When the carnival gets going, tonight, I want the money from the attractions deposited into the office safe every hour."
"Yes, sir." Carol replied, resuming her typing. Smiling to himself, Michael headed off.
In the hallways of the school, Tabitha, in her street clothes, was struggling with her perpetually stubborn locker. Finally, she'd had enough.
'Okay, you stupid hunk of junk, I tried playing nice!' She thought angrily. She looked around, making sure no-one was watching, before she formed a tiny charge and slipped it into the lock.
Pop!
The charge blasted the lock open, revealing books, notebooks, and a...cheerleader's uniform.
'Whoops!' Tabitha thought, grinning sheepishly. 'I guess this isn't' my locker. She quietly closed the locker, and turned to go...
"Are you sure you should be using your power like zhat?"
Tabitha flinched, as she turned to find Kurt, in his street clothes, his image-inducer running, carrying his Geography textbook. 
"I don't zhink zhat Professor Xavier would approve of zhat." He cautioned.
Tabitha rolled her eyes. "God, you sound just like Big Blue."
Kurt smiled.
"Danke." He said. "But he's right, you know, and so is zhe Professor." 
"Maybe he is." Tabitha said. "But the Professor also needs to seriously loosen his necktie, Blue. Doing good is fine, but what's the point of having these powers if you can't have a little fun, once in a while?"
Just then, the class bell rang. 
"Oh, damn, I don't have time to get my Geography textbook." Tabitha muttered. "Can I borrow yours, Blue?"
Kurt paused. "Uh..."
"Thanks, Blue! I owe you one!" Tabitha exclaimed, taking the book. "Later!" With that, she hurried to class, darting around the corner...
...and came face to face with her father. Michael Smith smiled.
"Hi, Tabitha." He said softly. "It's taken me two months, but I finally found you."
Tabitha backed up in horror. 
"W-What are you doing here?!" She cried. "You're not supposed to be here! Just leave me alone!" She started to go.
"Tabitha, wait!" Her father called. 
"Your mother and I, we're trying to work things out; really, we are!" He said. "But we need your help..."
"To do what, Dad?! Bust open another cash register?! Blast open another parking meter?!" Tabitha snapped. "Forget it! Go away!"
"Sweetheart, please, we really need your help." Her father said. "We can't do this without you..."
"Try!" Tabitha yelled, and with that, she walked off.
It was about mid-afternoon when Clark, in his bumbling persona, got back to the Institute. Once he was inside, he switched off his inducer, the illusion fading, revealing his powerful frame, as he got rid of of the part in his hair. At that point, Logan had walked up to him.
"Hey, Flyboy, ya got mail." He said, handing Clark an envelope with the University's insignia on it, before walking off.
Clark opened the envelope, and read the letter.
"Yes!" He declared; the letter was sent to inform him that he'd been selected for the intern program; in the next week or two, he'd be notified which newspaper he would intern at. He folded up the letter, tucking it into his pocket, as he headed to his room, to get his things ready for his assignment, tonight...
...and then he stopped as he heard voices in the living room. He followed them and found Professor Xavier in the living room, talking to a man he didn't recognize, in a orange t-shirt and blue jeans. 
"I'm sorry, Mr. Smith, but I'm afraid that I cannot allow you to see Tabitha." The Professor said. "The visitation agreement is quite clear, and I must abide by it, as must you. Your presence alone could be a serious offense."
"Really." Mr. Smith growled, as he gripped the Professor's collar. "As serious an offense as what you're doing, Xavier?! Maybe I ought to call the press and tell them about the little freak show you're running...!"
"Leave him alone." Clark said firmly, walking into the room.
Mr. Smith glared at Clark. "Mind your own business, punk." 
"I'd listen to him, if I were you, bub." Logan said, as he walked into the room. "I think you'd rather deal with him than me; yeah, he'd kick your ass a lot better and a lot harder than I probably can, but he'd have to be provoked." He grinned savagely, and popped out his claws. "Me, I don't need much convincing. I'd take your hands off Xavier, bub, or I might just use 'em for hood ornaments."
Mr. Smith backed off.
"This isn't over." He muttered, as he left the Institute.
Clark turned to the Professor.
"Who was that?" He asked.
"Michael Smith, Tabitha's father." The Professor explained. "He's been released on parole for larceny, and now he wants to see Tabitha, for some reason."
"The guy's a real piece of garbage." Thunderbird commented as he entered the living room. "If I'm being honest, he should stay out of Tabitha's life."
Clark nodded; now, he understood her a bit better. Her situation...her childhood.
It could have been him. It had been sheer luck of the draw that he'd landed with the loving Kent family; there were all too many parents like Michael Smith in the world.
The Professor smiled.
"We'll make sure that Mr. Smith stays away." He said. "Now Clark, what were you shouting about?"
Clark smiled. "I've been accepted for an intern position at a New York newspaper; I'll receive more information about it in the next few weeks!"
"Why, Clark! That's wonderful! Congratulations!" The Professor exclaimed.
"Thanks!" Clark replied. "Anyway, I'd better get ready for tonight; I have to do a report on the carnival for my class." With that, he headed off, to get his things together.
"I'm heading to the carnival to make sure Mr. Smith doesn't try to pull one of his capers this evening."
Evening quickly came to the Institute, and Scott was waiting outside, next to his car, wearing his usual khakis, but with a black t-shirt and his brown coat over it. He couldn't believe this was happening; he was going on a date with Jean.
He was both thrilled and terrified all at once.
Just then, the others started to dart through the doors. 
"All ready for the big date, Scott?" Kitty giggled.
"Gawd, it's about tahme." Rogue said, half-smiling. "Ah thought the two of ya would neva get together; Ah've been getting sick of this 'will they/won't they' crap!"
Remy grinned, as he donned his own shades. "If y' want any ideas 'bout what t' do, Fearless, Remy got a few suggestions."
Scott smiled. "Thanks, Remy, but I'd like to show Jean a nice time without getting arrested." 
Remy shrugged.
"Suit y'self." He said. He grinned at Rogue, adding. "Y' want t' ride with Remy on 'is bike, Chere?"
"Not a chance!" Rogue snapped. "Ah'll go with Kitty and Lance in Lance's jeep, thank ya very much."
Remy shrugged.
"If y' scared o' bikes, that's okay." He said.
Rogue glared at Remy. 
"Ah am not scared of bikes, Swamp-Rat!" She snapped. "And Ah will go on yer damn bike!" Remy just grinned. Rogue paused. "Wait...did Ah just agree ta...oh, damn!"
Lance laughed. "Nice one, LeBeau."
Remy smiled. "Works ev'ry time."
"Hey, isn't CK coming?" Evan asked. "And what about Kurt?"
"Kurt has Geography homework. And Clark's already gone up." Scott said. "He has an assignment to do on the fair."
Kitty sighed.
"He never takes a break!" She exclaimed. "I swear, the first chance I get, I am so fixing him up with someone nice, someone who'll be good for him!"
Scott chuckled. "Good luck with that." He began, but his voice trailed off as Jean walked into view. She was wearing a light blue, button up, long sleeved blouse, with a deep blue miniskirt, tastefully showing her slender legs. Scott could only think of one thing.
'Wow.'
Jean smiled shyly, as if she heard his thoughts...not that Scott would have minded. 
"Wow Jean...you look really nice." Scott managed to say.
"Thanks, Scott. You look...really handsome." Jean replied. 
'Are we ready for this?' She sent to him telepathically.
'I hope so.' Scott sent back.
"Well, shall we?" He asked, extending his arm to Jean.
Jean smiled, lacing her arm through his elbow.
"Let's!" She replied. Scott grinned, as he opened the passenger door for Jean, letting her sit down, before closing the door and getting into the driver's seat, starting the ignition and driving off, the others driving behind him.
Kurt sighed as he watched the others go off. Thanks to Tabitha borrowing his "textbook", he had to do the work assigned in class tonight, causing him to miss the carnival...
"Hey, Blue."
Kurt groaned, as he saw Tabitha in his doorway.
"Tabitha, I'm kind of busy...vith Geography." He said.
Tabitha had the grace to look apologetic. 
"Sorry." She said. "Hey, do you think that maybe we can go to the carnival?"
"Vat?!" Kurt cried. "How?!"
"You could do it!" Tabitha exclaimed. "Your powers could get us there!"
"But Clark said you're not supposed to leave..." Kurt began.
"Oh, come on, Blue! What he doesn't know won't hurt him!" Tabitha said. "With you, we can be out and back before even he can hear us!"
Kurt thought about it.
"Vell...okay, but five minutes, tops!" He said.
"Great!" Tabitha said, hugging him. 
"Let's go!" Kurt smiled, as he took Tabitha's hand and ported them away.
The carnival was set up in the soccer field, and it was in full swing; the roller-coaster was roaring along it's tracks, the rides were packed and the concessions were lined up for miles.
"So?" Scott asked Jean nervously. "Where to, first?"
Jean smiled.
"I don't know." She said, equally nervous. "What do you want to do?"
They've been stuck in that awkwardness ever since they'd arrived, and it was driving Scott nuts. 
"This is ridiculous." He said.
Jean blinked. "What?"
"This! This tension!" Scott said. "We've done things like this before, but the second we call it a date, this happens!" 
Jean blinked.
"You're right." She said. 
"Do you...want to call it off?" She softly asked.
"No, no." Scott assured her. "It's just something we need to get past, that's all."
Jean nodded.
"I guess we just have to apply the 'date rules' to ourselves." She agreed. Scott smiled. 
"I'll be on my best behavior, I promise." He said, raising his hand in a Boy-Scout-esque salute.
Jean smiled coyly.
"Now where would be the fun in that?" She cooed.
Scott froze, smiling at the fact that Jean was actually flirting with him.
Jean buried her head in her hands, laughing. "I can't believe I just said that."
Scott laughed, the tension broke, as he spied something. 
"I think I know where we can go." He said. He gently took Jean's hand - which was a thrill to both of them - as he led them to their first stop.
Scott led Jean to a carnival game that involved throwing a ring around a cone to win a prize...which was a snap compared to Danger Room drills. He took a ring, aimed and tossed...landing the ring around the cone perfectly, winning a stuffed bear, which he gave to Jean.
"For you." He said, smiling.
Jean smiled warmly, hugging the toy.
"You're so sweet." She cooed. 'And you're pretty good at this.'
'Hey, with my powers, accuracy is a must'. Scott thought back. Suddenly, he spied trouble: an angry-looking Duncan, who'd just spied them from a few feet away, with a few of his pals. 
"Uh oh." He said. "Looks like Dunc's not too happy about me going on a date with 'his girl'."
Jean frowned. 
"Well, it looks like he's going to try and intimidate you away from me." She muttered. "Don't worry about him."
Scott grinned. "We could just ditch him."
Jean's eyes widened...and then she smiled.
"I'd love to!" She exclaimed. Then, they both darted away, holding hands.
Scott and Jean darted between stands, evading Duncan and his pals, who were hot on their trail. Scott and Jean ducked behind a popcorn stand, as Duncan and his pals ran past them, allowing the couple to double back, but Duncan spotted them and ran after them, his pals following.
Scott led Jean past a bungee-jumping ride, hoping he'd timed this right, as a furious Duncan closed in on them.
"Scott, what now?" Jean asked, still thrilled.
"Wait for it." Scott said, grinning.
"For what?" Jean giggled.
"For the reason that this ride is called 'The Barfy Bungee'!" Scott laughed. By then, Duncan was a few feet away, with murder in his eyes...when it happened.
"BLLLEEAAAGGHHH!" 
The people on the ride let loose, unleashing a multi-colored stream of spew...drenching Duncan and his cronies, stopping them in their tracks, allowing Scott and Jean to slip away.
When Scott and Jean stopped, they were both still laughing.
"Scott, that was priceless!" Jean giggled, tears of laughter in her eyes.
Scott smiled.
"Nobody insults my girl and gets away with it!" He declared...and then he froze, as what he'd just said registered with his brain, and at how offended Jean must have been...
Jean just smiled.
"You are just too sweet." She cooed. "So, where to next?"
Scott looked around, and spied something. "Uh...how about...that one?"
Jean followed his gaze. "The Tunnel of Love?"
Scott paused. "Well, if you don't want to, that's fine..."
"I'd love to."
Scott's brain almost seized up.
"Okay!" He said. "Let's go, then!" With that, they headed for the Tunnel and hopped in one of the boats, heading in.
The Tunnel was quiet, and dark, and all Scott was aware of was Jean, sitting next to him. Slowly, she turned to him, smiling, and all Scott could see were those emerald eyes. She was the most important person in his life; he didn't know what he would do without her...
Very slowly, he leaned in closer to her; Jean seemed to sense his intent, but she didn't pull away...in fact, she moved closer, her eyes closing...
Their lips met in a soft kiss. The kiss started slow, the sweetest tasting of each other, and progressed to deeper passion, never losing that sweet tenderness. Then, the thoughts began to flow into Scott's mind, until he couldn't differentiate his thoughts from hers...and frankly, he didn't care. 
'Oh my god...so beautiful...never thought...perfect...completes me...wanted this forever...don't stop...more.'
Then, the kiss ended, as Scott and Jean simply gazed at each other, in wonder, as if they were truly seeing each other, as if for the first time.
'Wow.' Jean thought, smiling happily.
"Yeah, wow." Scott agreed. "So...are we...together, now?"
Jean giggled. 
"Scott Summers, even you can't be that clueless!" She teased. She sweetly kissed his cheek. "Of course we are!" 
By then, the ride had ended, and Scott and Jean hopped out. Spying the Ferris Wheel, Scott led Jean - his girlfriend - to the line, and they got in one booth. for a ride high above the carnival. As they ascended, Jean just leaned into his shoulder, as Scott looped his arm around her, holding her close. Soon, they were at the height of the ride, and they could see the entire carnival...
...including the occasional flashes of brimstone smoke, immediately following shouts and mayhem.
'Kurt, you dummy!' Scott thought; it looked like Tabitha had conned Kurt into taking her to the carnival. Jean sensed his thoughts. 
'Kurt's gotten himself into trouble, hasn't he?' She sent to him. 'We'd better go after him.'
'Yeah.' Scott agreed. 'Sorry...'
Jean smiled coyly. 
'We can always go on a second date, right?' She thought. 'Let's go.' Then, as the ride ended, a now-grinning Scott headed after Kurt, with his girlfriend beside him.
Kurt laughed as he and Tabitha got off the roller-coaster.
"See, Blue? Isn't this loads more fun than Geography?" Tabitha exclaimed. Then she smiled slyly.
"Hey, aren't those the Brotherhood boys, over there?" She asked. "Be ready to port us, Blue!" With that, she sneaked over, formed a tiny bomb, and flicked it into the hot dog of the unsuspecting Fred Dukes, before she ran back, as Kurt 'ported them away, to watch as Fred's snack exploded, coating his face with mustard.
Tabitha and Kurt burst out laughing.
"Blue, your powers rock!" Tabitha exclaimed. Then, she saw something she hoped she wouldn't.
"Uh, Blue?" She said. "I'm a little thirsty, so could you just get us both a soda?"
"Sure!" Kurt agreed, as he darted off.
With Kurt gone, Tabitha walked over to her father.
"Okay." She said. "This is it; the absolute last time! After this, you leave me alone!"
"Of course, honey." Her father said. "This is the last time."
Tabitha sighed. "Okay."
Her father smiled.
"That's my girl." He said. "Follow me." With that, he headed off and Tabitha followed.
They failed to notice Thunderbird looking down at them from the roller-coaster. He opened his safety harness and jumped down to look for Scott or Jean.
Tabitha followed her father to the high school, heading right into the office...where the safe was.
"Work your magic, sweetheart." Her father prompted.
Tabitha frowned, as she formed a bomb, put it to the lock, and blasted the safe open, revealing the money inside. Her father grinned as he took out a duffel bag and began stuffing the money into it. When the bag was full, he zipped it up and said. "Okay, honey, let's get out of here!" With that, he darted out of the school and Tabitha could only follow.
Pietro and the Brotherhood had followed that blond X-Geek to the school, after seeing her stuff a bomb in Fred's hot dog. Pietro had zipped to the window...and had seen the girl blast open the safe, allowing that other guy to steal the money inside. Pietro grinned, as he turned to his pals.
"Guys." He said. "I think our financial troubles are over!"
Clark had been taking notes as he walked about the carnival, briefly interviewing school staff about the carnival's success, including Principal Kelly. Before long, he felt he'd gotten enough to do a good report. Putting his pen and notepad away, he decided to just enjoy the rest of the evening...
...until he saw Tabitha and her father running away from the school, her father carrying a duffel bag. Clark promptly used his X-Ray vision...and saw that the bag was full of money.
Then, he saw the Brotherhood sneaking after Tabitha and her father. Frowning, Clark darted into a dark alley, out of sight, where he could shed his clumsy persona and don his uniform.
Tabitha had only just heard Pietro as he zipped towards her father, snatching the bag from him.
"Thanks, pops!" He said. "We've gotten a little low on cash! Mighty generous of ya!" Then, he zipped away, into an old abandoned house across from the school, followed by his pals.
"You get back here, you little freak!" Tabitha's father roared, as he ran after Pietro, into the old house.
"No, Dad!" Tabitha cried, about to run after her father...
"Tabitha!"
Tabitha stopped, and turned to see all the X-Men there, except Superman.
"I was watching you head to the school, so I told the other X-Men about this."
Kurt looked hurt. "Ve saw you und your father...rob zhe safe." he said.
"It was his idea! He said that he'd leave alone after this!" Tabitha cried.
"We'll sort this out later." Scott said. "Kurt, Jean, you're with me; we go inside and stop the Brotherhood. Everyone else, cover the exits."
"I'm going, too!" Tabitha declared. "My father is in there!"
"Alright, but stay back." Scott instructed. "We should have backup pretty soon, knowing Clark." Then, they headed inside, as the others surrounded the building.
Inside, Scott and the others came across Mr. Smith, who was trying to wrestle the bag away from Pietro. "That's mine, you little freak!" Mr. Smith roared.
Pietro managed to pull the bag away. "Ha! Too slow, old man!" he mocked, as he started to run off.
Quickly, Scott fired his optic-blasts, stunning Pietro, allowing Mr. Smith to tackle him and knock the bag away. As Mr. Smith ran for the bag, Todd grabbed it with his tongue, and started to hop away, but Jean caught him with her TK, allowing Kurt to 'port in and kick it out of his hands.
Mr. Smith ran for the bag, and grabbed it, running upstairs. "Dad, no!" Tabitha cried, as she ran after her father.
"Tabitha, don't!" Scott cried, as he moved to run after her, but his path was blocked by Pietro and Todd, as Fred lumbered up the stairs after her. "Kurt!"
"On it!" Kurt said, as he 'ported after them. Then, a sonic boom echoed above their heads, and Scott smiled, as their backup arrived.
Kurt 'ported into the upper floor, just as Fred had arrived, trying to take the bag from Mr. Smith...and he was in time to see the floor under Fred's feet started to collapse. 
"Look out!" He cried, hopefully loud enough to warn everyone in the floor below.
Then, Fred fell through, and Tabitha and Mr. Smith went flying, the bag of money flying over to Kurt's side. As he recovered, Mr. Smith roared in fury, drew a knife, and grabbed Tabitha, holding the blade to her throat. 
"I've had enough!" He roared. "Now you listen here, freak-boy; you toss that money to me right now, or I'll cut her!"
Kurt froze in horror. "But...s-she's your daughter..!"
"A fact that has plagued me to no end!" Mr. Smith snarled, causing tears to form in Tabitha's eyes. "Hand that money over now!"
Thunderbird took the opportunity produced by the distraction to pick up a chair and throw it in Mr. Smith's direction, which struck him knocking the knife out of his hand. 
"Kurt, now!" Superman ordered, and Kurt quickly complied; he ran over, grabbed Tabitha, and 'ported them both away from Mr. Smith, to the other side of the room, as Superman unleashed a fraction of his gale-breath, sending Mr. Smith flying, knocking him out cold. 
"We'd better go." Superman instructed, and Kurt nodded in agreement. He quickly 'ported himself and Tabitha away, as Superman darted out the window, flying off, as the rest of the X-Men ran away, leaving Mr. Smith for the authorities.
Professor Xavier and Tabitha both had to go to the police station, that evening, and Scott had decided to tag along. Mr. Smith had been charged with grand larceny, and Tabitha had simply been put on probation, since she hadn't been an entirely willing accomplice.
As the three of them walked out of the station, Tabitha started walking away. "I'll get my stuff and leave as soon as I get back." she said softly. "I'll just get the bus home."
"Tabitha." Charles said, "You don't have to leave."
"Yes, I do." Tabitha murmured. "I don't think the Institute is a right fit for me, right now." She turned to go. "Tell Kurt...I'm so sorry." With that, she started to walk away.
Scott frowned. "We lost one today, didn't we." he murmured.
Charles happened to look overhead...and smiled. "Maybe not." he whispered.
Tabitha walked to the nearest bus stop, completely alone; there was no-one else on the street. She hugged her arms around herself, as she sat on the bench, pondering her next move.
Where could she go, now? There sure weren't any homes for pyrotechnic mutants, anywhere nearby. There wasn't any safe-house that would want her, not after they learned what she could do. The only place left was the Brotherhood...
"Hey."
Tabitha groaned as Superman floated down, sitting on the bench next to her. 
"Look, just go away!" She said, fighting tears. "Don't try to talk me out of it! You were right, okay?! I don't belong there!"
Superman arched an eyebrow. 
"Why would you think that?" He asked. "I sure don't!"
Tabitha sniffled. 
"I just...I'm not the right kind of person who can be there, okay?!" She wailed. "I'm not like you! My Dad's a total sleazeball, and my Mom is in alcohol rehab! My family values have been shot to hell! I'm the last one you want on your team!"
Superman just smiled gently. 
"Tabitha, for four years before the Professor found me, I learned from a computer designed by my father, Jor-El." He said. "One of his lessons was, 'Though you live among them, you are not one of them.' If I had let my father's teaching limit me – no matter how well-intentioned it was – I would never have met everyone at the Institute. Your parents can only guide you, Tabitha...but where your life goes is up to you."
Tabitha lightly sniffled. "Well, I don't know where my life is going." she said. "I'm just too messed-up to know!"
Superman lightly smiled. "Tabitha, no-one knows where their life is going!" he said. "Everyone has problems, Tabitha; everybody has a story, has something that's hurt them in their lives. And everyone has a choice; you can choose to let it keep you down, and then it becomes your excuse, your reason for why everything goes wrong in your life."
"Or you can choose to rise above it, and then it makes you stronger."
Those words made Tabitha stop crying, as she looked up at him. "R-Really?" she murmured.
Superman nodded. 
"That choice is yours, Tabitha." He said. "I can't make it for you, and neither can Professor Xavier; only you can." He stood up. "Whatever you choose, I hope it makes you happy." Then, with that, he flew off.
Tabitha was alone once more, as she saw the bus driving up to her, with Superman's words echoing in her mind. The bus stopped, and the doors opened.
Tabitha stood up...and made her choice.
Kurt was just sitting on the balcony in his room by the time the Professor and Scott got back; he'd been put on vehicle-cleaning detail for a month as punishment. He figured he'd gotten off relatively light.
"Hey."
Kurt half-smiled as Superman touched down on the balcony next to him. "Hey." Kurt greeted. "So...vat happened?"
Superman sighed. "It's her decision, now, Kurt." he said. "If she's going to come back, she has to want to come back. We've done all we can."
Kurt sighed. "Zhanks, Big Blue." he said. Smiling, he added, "How do you know so much about girls?"
Superman laughed. 
"I don't!" He said. "There have only been – at most – two girls I've really known when I was around your age. The first was Lana Lang, and I was crazy about her, but I never told her about...my secret. To this day, I still wonder what might have happened between the two of us if I had told her." He chuckled. "And the other was my slightly younger neighbor, who came to visit Smallville with her aunt during summer. I think she may have had a crush on me, but I never picked up on it." He smiled at Kurt. "Believe me, Kurt, I'm just as clueless as any guy when it comes to girls."
Kurt chuckled. "Vell, I have to go clean zhe Blackbird, now." he said. "Zhanks for zhe talk, Big Blue."
Superman smiled. 
"Any time, Little Blue." He replied. "And I've got patrol, now." Then, Kurt headed off, as Superman took to the sky.
Within the hour, Kurt was in the vehicle hangar, cleaning the massive Blackbird stealth-jet that the X-Men used...when he heard the door open.
"Hey, Blue."
Looking down, Kurt saw Tabitha standing next to the ladder he was using. He hopped down. "Hey." he replied. "I didn't know if you vere going to come back."
Tabitha smiled weakly. "Superman had a talk with me." she said. "He really knows how to inspire people."
Kurt smiled. "Zat he does."
Tabitha's expression became sad. "Oh, God, Blue, I am so sorry." she said. "For everything." She lightly smiled. "Friends?"
Kurt grinned. "Sure!"
Tabitha smiled. "Need any help with that plane?"
Kurt chuckled. "Tabitha, I zhink I'm going to need a miracle!"
Tabitha laughed. 
"Sorry; can't help ya there!" She said. "All I've got is good ol'-fashioned elbow-grease!"
Kurt smiled. 
"Close enough!" He said. "Pull up a ladder, und let's clean zhis plane!" With that, the two friends got to work.
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