Foreign X-Change
Thousands of people stormed through the airport, frantically, checking their watches as they rushed to the gates to board their planes. Among the chaos was a small group that overtime had become very much like a family. With bags in tow, Kurt Wagner, Kitty Pryde and Rahne Sinclair said their good-byes to their friends.
“I’m gonna miss you man,” said Scott as he and Kurt gave each other five.
“Hey, don’t sweat it man,” replied Kurt. “It’s only for a few veeks. Ve’ll be back in no time. I just vish you and the others vere coming back to Europe vith me. The things I could have shown you…”
Scott smiled. “Well, take plenty of pictures, 'cause I want to hear all about it.”
“Vill do,” said Kurt.
“See you later, Kitty,” said Jean. The two girls embraced. “Send me an e-mail when you get on the plane, and after you land, okay?”
“Hey, I’ll chat with you through the whole flight!” said Kitty cheerfully. “I totally charged the battery for my laptop last night! It should last for hours.” Jean smiled and hugged her friend again.
“Well, I’m really going to miss you. See you in a few weeks,” said Jean.
Kitty pulled away from the embrace and turned to face Logan. “See you later, Mr. Logan,” said Kitty. Logan looked at her for a moment. Kitty started to feel that she probably would have been better off saying nothing.
Suddenly, the grim expression was replaced with a thin smile. “Catch you later, Squirt. Be good,” said Logan. Kitty quickly wrapped her arms around Logan, and broke the embrace before he could protest. The grunt that slipped from his lips was the only sign of acknowledgement that Logan gave Kitty.
“Tell, you mother to call me as soon as you all get back to the school Rahne,” said Professor Xavier.
“O’ course, Professor,” said Rahne. “I’ll make sure me mum gets the message.”
Kitty, Kurt and Rahne said their last good-byes. As they waved, Kitty started taking a few steps back. She suddenly felt herself back into someone. Shocked, Kitty quickly spun around and started apologizing. “Oh, I am so sorry! I didn’t see you! I should have been watching where I was… I was….”
When Kitty turned around, she found herself staring at the bottom of a massive, muscular chest. She might as well have been staring at a brick wall. Kitty slowly allowed her eyes to follow the body up until she met a pair of dark gentle eyes. The young man’s face was topped with black hair, a perfectly chiseled chin, and a smile that made Kitty’s knees go weak. Kitty quickly examined the rest of the boy, he was pure muscle in her opinion. His body fat appeared to be a negative percentage!
“Please, there is no need to apologize,” he said. Kitty quickly catalogued his accent as Russian. “It was my fault. I should have been more considerate. Please forgive me.”
Kitty found herself unable to say anything. “Yeah… uh, sure… whatever you say.” Kitty winced her eyes as she finally realized what had come out of her mouth. “I mean….” Kitty’s eyes fell on his smile again. It was a crime that this guy looked this good. It was a total disaster that she couldn’t think of anything to say.
“Piotr!” cried Rahne. She quickly ran up and leaped into the air, wrapping her hands around the massive teen. He obviously stood a foot and a half taller than Rahne and nearly everyone else in sight. “It’s been so long!”
“Little Rahne! How have you been?” asked Piotr as he gently sat the girl on the floor.
“Fine,” Rahne replied. “I see ye’ve met me friend, Kitty.” Piotr’s eyes fell upon Kitty and he smiled. Kitty returned the smile with an awkward one of her own. “And this is Kurt. They’re both going to Muir Island with me.”
Kurt stepped forward and nodded at Piotr. “Vow! You’re huge!”
Piotr let a small laugh slip from his lips at Kurt’s astonishment. “Where’s Betsy?” asked Rahne. “I thought she was comin’ with ye?”
“I’m here, Rahne,” said another girl stepping forward. She had long purple hair that gently lay on her bare shoulders. She wore a dark blue midriff slip and a pair of black pants that nestled closely against figure. Rahne’s eyes widened as she recognized her old friend. She quickly ran over to Betsy and wrapped her arms around her. “Come here, both of ye! I want to introduce ye to the Professor!”
Rahne seized Betsy’s hand and led her over to the Professor. “Professor, it’s them! This is Betsy Braddock and Piotr Rasputin! They’re me mum’s students from Muir Island!”
Professor Xavier smiled and extended his hand to each of the students one at a time. “Well, Betsy… Piotr… welcome to the United States. I hope that we can make your stay here an enjoyable one.”
Piotr nodded. “Thank you, Professor. Please, call me Peter. Dr. MacTaggert and I discussed it before I left. She felt that it would be easier for everyone else to pronounce my name that way.” Professor Xavier nodded. Betsy on the other hand had found something else that caught her interest.
“Well, hello,” she said as she walked over next to Scott. “And you are?” Betsy wasted no time. She placed her hand on Scott’s chest, and leaned in very closely. A small gasp escaped her lips. “So, you’re Scott.”
Scott’s eyes widened. “Yeah. But how did you…?”
Betsy smiled and tapped her head. “I’ve got my ways… much like your own Professor Xavier.” Betsy smiled and allowed her hand to trace some Scott’s chest. Suddenly, the moment was interrupted as Jean cleared her throat. Scott managed to tear his attention away from Betsy and looked over at Jean.
“Here, Scott, why don’t you carry her bags!” Jean drove Betsy’s bag into Scott’s stomach. Jean then turned around and got behind Professor Xavier’s wheelchair, prepared to push him back to the van.
Betsy gave a little chuckle. “Mm, I love a little competition,” said Betsy. She glared at Jean who stared coldly back at her. Betsy smiled wildly at Jean, teasing her. Jean simply ignored the girl as she continued to stare at Betsy with somewhat of a disgusted look. Betsy only reveled in the joy of being able to press Jean’s buttons like this.
“What did you say?” asked Scott.
“I said, ‘you’re such a gentlemen,’” replied Betsy quickly.
“Well, we better get going,” said Kitty. “I would hate to miss our flight. Good-bye everyone!” Everyone waved good-bye as Kurt, Rahne and Kitty turned and headed towards the flight gate.
As the three young mutants disappeared through the flight gate, Betsy moved closer to Scott. She wrapped her hands around his arm and leaned close. Her violet strands of hair draped over his shoulder and down his arm. “So, Scott,” began Betsy, “tell me all about Lakeville.”
As the Scott turned and headed away from the flight gate with Betsy in two, he chuckled nervously. “Uh, actually, it’s Bayville… not Lakeville,” corrected Scott.
“Right,” said Betsy dreamily, her English accent flowing gracefully. Her grip around Scott’s arm tightened as she sighed softly. “Yes, tell me all about it.” Upon seeing the sight, Jean scoffed and disbelief and began to push the Professor’s wheelchair after the couple.
Logan stood next to Peter. Both of the mutants stared after the others as they headed towards the exit. Logan glanced up at the large Russian teen. “So, your friend always this determined?”
“Comrade, nothing stops Betsy Braddock from getting what she wants,” said Peter. He picked up his bags and began to follow the others. “Especially, when what she wants is a boy.”