Hanging By A Moment

Hanging By A Moment
Chapter 35: The Party

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The time for preparations had come and gone as the final few days passed, officially ending the school year with the last of the exams. But for the majority of the students and teachers at the Xavier Academy…The year wouldn’t be over until the last big event was over. The day of the tenth anniversary of this prestigious university was now finally upon them and the whole campus was in a state of jubilation and celebration. Most of the vast student body partook in regional activities both on and off campus. There was a concert in the main field, a special dinner in the dining halls, and numerous parties in the many surrounding clubs throughout the city of Bayville.

It was a time of great optimism as hope for the future seemed limitless in the eyes of the students who had experienced life at the Xavier Academy. And of all the people celebrating this momentous occasion…None seemed to be happier than the man who put it all together…Professor Charles Xavier.

On the evening of the tenth anniversary of the day when the school officially opened its doors, the biggest gathering of them all took place in Alumni Hall. This was the party Professor Xavier himself attended and it was definitely the most formal of all the celebrations throughout the institute. In addition, this was where many of Xavier’s closest friends and colleagues gathered in support of their friend and mentor who had put together so much. They included people like Eric Lensherr, Raven Darkholme, and numerous other fellow teachers and friends whom had helped him achieve this wondrous dream. There were also many key business associates that the Academy worked with and a few major contributors to the school’s finances. And of course, there were a few students as well.

Even though this was mainly a gathering of adults, there were some students who were lucky enough to attend. Among them were Scott, Jean, Rogue, Remy, Betsy, Kurt, Wanda, Pietro, and even Pietro’s girlfriend Crystal…Who seemed to floor every guy who looked at her with the dress she was wearing. But then again, that’s pretty much what she had been going for and Pietro sure wasn’t complaining. In addition, Kitty and Piotr had made it at the last moment after his painting was placed among the top three contenders for the prestigious 5,000 dollar prize and the chance to adorn the newly complete administration building with their piece for many generations to see.

Overall, a mood of great excitement and optimism dominated throughout the hall. They all hung out, danced, and reminisced about past times, both distant and recent alike. But for them, this year held an even greater importance…For it had been a year of tremendous growth for them. Who they were at the beginning was quite different from who they were now. And through this celebration, it gave them a lot to think about in terms of where they had come from…And where they were going.

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With everybody finally present in Alumni Hall, the main event could finally take place. For the most part, everybody started simple by enjoying the vast collection of appetizers present along the many tables surrounding the hall. This was also when the Professor himself took some time to shake the hands of those who had come to congratulate them, which included both friends and business associates alike. Eric and Raven helped him with this for the most part while he shook hands with big names like Tony Stark of Stark Industries, Reed Richards and his wife Sue of the Baxter Building, and Matt Murdoc and his wife Elektra of Nelson and Murdoc Law, who had recently made great contributions to their law program.

There were so many people both friends and associates alike that it would have taken him all night to shake all their hands, but Xavier was just so happy at the moment that he would have been willing to do just that no matter how long it took or how tired his crippled body got. Thankfully, Eric and Raven were there to remind him of his limits and helped move things along as they got to the main event.

“Attention…Attention everyone,” said student elect teacher of the year, Hank McCoy as he spoke atop the main podium on the main stage of the hall, prompting a gradual lowering of the overall chatter among the many guests, “Thank you. It’s great to see so many big names here in this room…I feel as though I should have brought my autograph book.”

Such a joke didn’t get too many laughs, but thankfully that wasn’t what Hank was going for.

“Yes, I know…It’s a good thing I became a teacher instead of a comedian,” he said, laughing to himself slightly, “But witty banter aside, I feel it is time we shift our focus to the man of the hour himself. This whole party…This whole university…It is all a great testament to his work, his dedication, and his commitment to the ideals of education and enlightenment. I’ve talked to him many times after having taught here for nearly eight years and I know this man to be the kindest, smartest, and most generous individual I have ever met…Add to that…He’s one of the few men I just can’t seem to beat at chess.”

That comment got him a few more laughs then before, which helped keep the mood light hearted and spirited even though it was a very emotional time for many…For this was truly the end of one thing and the beginning of another.

“Okay, I can tell you’ve had enough of my sub par jokes,” said Hank with another laugh as he prepared to make his big finish, “And now…Without further adieu…I give you the man we’re all here to commemorate for so many of his wonderful deeds…Professor Charles Xavier.”

A loud round of applause erupted from the audience as Professor Xavier wheeled himself out on stage. His face was blaring with jubilation and happiness as he saw for himself the praise and adulation that his work had brought to so many people. Ten years and a lifetime of dreams seemed to culminate at this one moment for him and he couldn’t have been happier about it. To him, this was more than just a celebration…This was the grand zenith of everything he had worked for. For so long now, he had sought to enlighten the world…And now, in the presence of so many friends, students, and associates, he could finally say he succeeded.

“Thank you…Thank you all very much,” said Professor Xavier as everybody once again fell silent as he wheeled up to a special podium made specifically for him, “It is truly wonderful to see you all here on this most glorious of days. I’m glad you all have chosen to be a part of this truly magnificent celebration…A celebration that is much more than a mere mark of this Academy’s growing prestige. Fifteen years ago…An accident took my legs away from me. Fifteen years ago…My life was forever altered in the span of a single moment. The doctors told me I would never walk again…And I would be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of my life. It was a moment I wouldn’t soon forget…A moment that still resonates strongly in my mind to this day. You see…After that accident, I fell into a state of sorrow…Feeling as though I could accomplish nothing as a mere cripple. But through the support of wonderful friends like Eric and Raven, I came to realize that the loss of my legs wasn’t the end…It was merely the beginning.”

Such words resonated strongly for everybody, but for those like Scott, Jean, Rogue, Remy, Kitty, Piotr, Betsy, Wanda, Kurt, and Pietro…It struck them in a much more profound manner. For them, they knew all too well how much life could change in the span of a single moment. Views, goals, and emotions could evolve and change so quickly and oftentimes with such great magnitude that it was nothing short of overwhelming. Yet through such moments they had found things like love, honesty, and compassion…Helping them grow and evolve both as individuals and as friends.

Such words prompted Scott and Jean to hold hand and huddle closer together in a show of affection upon remembering just how far they had come. Rogue and Remy, Kurt and Wanda, and Kitty and Piotr soon followed. Even Pietro and Crystal were touched somewhat by those words as they found themselves taking a deeper look at what they had developed over the months they had been together. It was all just so amazing that they could find so much and experience something that left such an incredible impact on their lives. At one point, many of them didn’t even believe in love…Now they had come to cherish it. And all it took…Was a single moment.

“They say that when a man loses a part of himself…The remaining parts become stronger as a result,” continued Professor Charles Xavier as he spoke a with a great deal of emotion and passion, “I know there are a few people here who have experienced such loss…And I know that we all go through such stages in our lives when we feel as though we lose something precious that we often take for granted. But through such experiences, both tragic and joyous alike, we grow…We learn…And we develop into something that truly defines us. I know that through the tragedy that took my legs away from me gave me a lot to think about…And through such times of turmoil, I found the strength to pursue my hopes and dreams of enlightening the world. And all that strength came to ahead ten years ago…When I opened this glorious Academy.”

A round of applause broke out even though the Professor wasn’t finished and he gave them all a moment to soak up the moment. He couldn’t help but smile upon seeing just how much this Academy meant to all this people, for this wasn’t something that he alone cherished…This was something that had become a major part of so many lives.

“This academy is my dream…My vision…And despite my physical limitations, I poured my heart and soul into this place…Knowing that what I was doing would have a far reaching impact not just the students, but to the world in general. I believe that through education…Wars can be resolved, poverty can be alleviated, and society can advance into a state of greater harmony. And through places like this academy that bears my name…New generations can seek the enlightenment that I believe is at the core of human essence. And through years of struggle and triumph…The Xavier Academy has gone from a mere upstart to the seventh most prestigious university in the United States. It took a mere ten years…And already this university is in the same class as big name Ivy League schools and has become one of the most enjoyable experiences in the minds of the students who attend here.”

This brought another round of applause, for it was truly wonderful news to hear that the Xavier Academy was becoming so grand throughout the country and the world, but to Professor Xavier, there was more to it than just prestige.

“Yet even though this school is growing in rank…We must never forget that a rank is merely a number and it is up to the students and teachers who are a part of this wonderful facility to make it truly great to all those who pass through it’s doors. This is not a school of just my ideas…This is a school of all ideas. And I believe that it is through ideas that we as human beings learn and grow…Not just as individuals, but as a civilization. You see, I have always sought to enlighten the world, but I know that as a mortal man…One day, I will not be around to see other generations come through the doors of this Academy. But even when that day comes for me…I want to leave behind a legacy…A history…A true contribution to the world that can help so many. And with this Academy, I hope that such a legacy will hold true as long as people like you continue to dream and hope for a better tomorrow. And from the bottom of my heart…Both as an educator and as a man…I thank you all for helping me fulfill a dream…And leave my own mark on history for this and many generations to come. Ten years have passed since this school was opened…And I look forward to the next ten. Thank you all…And God bless.”

And with that, a round of great applause broke out as everybody stood before a man who wasn’t afraid to hold the weight of the world on his shoulders. He was a man with a dream…And even though it was still ongoing with no end in sight, already Professor Charles Xavier felt as though he had succeeded. Camera’s flashed and people cheered as the Professor wheeled himself off the stage, shaking hands with his two good friends, Eric and Raven, as he took in the sheer magnitude of what had been accomplished on this wonderful night. And like the day that had taken his legs away from him and helped him see things so differently…This moment would one he would remember for the rest of his life.

Back in the audience, the applause was still going strong as the words of the man who had made all this possible resonated strongly with all those present. And for many, such words practically summed up this whole amazing year for them. From the spectacular high points that they had come to treasure to the agonizing low points that they had to work though, it was truly a great time for them all…A time none of them would soon forget.

“Wow…I’ve never heard Professor Xavier speak before, but man…He’s the real deal,” said Scott as the applause died down and he turned back towards his friends and girlfriend.

“Yep, that’s my uncle! You can tell he definitely took some public speaking classes!” said Pietro, who stayed close to his girlfriend, Crystal, almost as if he was marking his territory to all those who kept looking at her ass.

“No kidding…” said Betsy, who had been spending most of her time at the buffet table since this whole thing started, giving all the couples room to be all lovey dovey, “But I have to say…Of all the people I’ve met in the past, Professor Charles Xavier is probably one of the few who doesn’t talk bullshit. The man is true to every word he says.”

“A trait that ain’t too common these days, mind you…” commented Rogue, who was by the side of Remy Lebeau, who had dressed up in a nice tux for the first time in his life.

The small group of friends continued to mingle as the celebration finally got underway with music, speeches, and dancing like any other fancy party. For some, such as Scott, Remy, and Piotr, a party like this was a bit overwhelming since they weren’t used to this kind of atmosphere. But they learned to manage it for the most part, simply treating this as if it were another outing together, which was pretty much the best way anybody could have gone about a party like this. Even though Professor Charles Xavier was a man of great wealth and prestige…For the most part, he wasn’t the stereotypical rich guy who adhered to the rules of formal gatherings. And for a guy in a wheelchair, he definitely knew how to have a good time.

“So ladies…And gentlemen…Another year here at the Academy has ended,” proclaimed Jean with a smile as everybody casually lofted around one of the tables adorned with appetizers, “And oh what a year it’s been!”

“Yeah, that’s for sure,” said Rogue in agreement, evoking a smile from Remy as she laced her arm with his at the most profound thing to have happened to her throughout the course of the year.

“As always, we’ve had our ups and downs…” continued Jean, “Yet in the end, we’re all still here…With another year behind us. We’ve experienced a lot of stress as any college student must…But we’ve also experienced plenty of life changing events. And as Xavier said, we learn and we grow through those moments and now we stand on the threshold of a new beginning!”

“Damn, looks like someone else took public speaking classes as well,” commented Pietro as he rolled his eyes, earning him an elbow to the gut from Wanda.

“And for that, I propose a toast…” said Jean with a wide smile as she held her beverage glass high, “To another year behind us…And a new beginning!”

“Here, here!” everybody said simultaneously as they all held their drinks high as well, capping off a truly profound year.

As they all took in the moment, Scott snaked his arm around his beautiful girlfriend’s waist and hugged her close, having known all too well the kind of profound moments that she had been referring to in her little speech. This year had brought with them so many great changes and through them they had undergone a truly amazing amount of growth. However, what stood out the most for them was what they found in each other through this amazing year. Together…They found something that they never thought they’d experience…They found something they had come to so deeply treasure. And all it took…Was one little moment for their whole world to change.

“You sure know how to give a speech,” said Scott with a smile as he smiled down at the beautiful, elegantly dressed redhead now standing so securely in his arms, “I think Xavier may have a little competition.”

“What can I say? I just happen to have a flare for the dramatic…” she said, smiling back at the man who had changed her life so much.

“No argument here, luv…” grinned Betsy, laughing somewhat at her friend’s words.

“But drama aside…I’d definitely have to agree with you, Jean,” said Wanda, “It really has been a hell of a year.”

“Like, totally!” said Kitty in her usual upbeat tone, “And best of all…Next year I won’t have to go through all the stigma of being a freshmen!”

“Yep, you’re in de big leagues now, petite,” commented Remy, “But trust me…It doesn’t get any easier.”

“When does it ever?” shrugged Kitty, not sounding too worried, evoking a few laughs from the others, namely Piotr who just smiled and shook his head in amazement at his ever exciting girlfriend.

Just then, a familiar face stepped out from the crowed, quickly drawing the attention of the group.

“My, my…Don’t you all look fancy tonight,” said Raven Darkholme as she smiled at her two children and their friends.

“Mother!” said Kurt as he gave her a hug along with Rogue, “Finally, ve get a chance to talk to you.”

“Yes, I know I’ve been busy helping Xavier ever since I arrived,” conceded the elder, redheaded woman, “But I’m here now, aren’t I?”

“Better late than never I guess,” grinned Rogue as she gave her adopted mother a hug.

“Must run in the family…” muttered Betsy to Scott and Jean, both of whom couldn’t help but chuckle a bit.

“And I see you’ve both brought dates along with you,” said Raven as the hug between her and her daughter broke and she turned to face Remy Lebeau, the young man she had only met a few months ago who had been involved with her daughter for some time now, “It’s nice to see you again, Remy.”

“Likewise, Ms. Darkholme,” said Remy as he kissed her hand in a formal gesture.

“Come on…Call me, Raven,” she said as she smiled approvingly at the young man, “Ms. Darkholme just makes me feel too damn old.”

“Oh come now, mother…” said Kurt, “You’ve practically defied age for years now.”

“Yeah! Hell, I can see some of the guys around campus hitting on you!” commented Pietro, earning him a slightly amused look from Raven and another elbow to the gut from Wanda.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence Pietro…” she said with a grin, “And thank you Wanda for saving me the hassle.”

“No problem Raven,” said Wanda as she gave her boyfriend’s mother a hug, “It’s great to see you again.”

“Yes, well I know being in college and dealing with a schedule like mine doesn’t leave me a lot of time to be a mother or spend time with the people who are now such a big part of their lives…” she made as she looked at her son and daughter while they stood alongside their respective lovers, “But I guess at my age, you can only take what you can get.”

“Hmm…So that’s where they get that mentality from,” said Scott, clearly seeing a few traits of this woman in both Kurt and Rogue.

“You don’t know the half of it…” said Jean under her breath, who knew Raven fairly well and had seen the impact she had left on her kids over the years.

“Well, I just dropped by because I had to see you guys before things got too hectic again,” said Raven, “And I promise you, I’ll treat you to dinner at some point before we leave.”

“Sure thing! Dat sounds nice Ms. Darkh…Uh, I mean Raven,” said Remy, quickly catching himself in mid sentence.

“And I look forward to it…” said Raven with a slight chuckle, “Well then…Mind if I get a quick picture before I get back to my duties?”

“Not at all…” said Wanda, as she enthusiastically threw her hand around her boyfriend’s neck, causing him to laugh playfully even as others chuckled a bit at their behavior, “Make sure you send a copy to me!”

“I most certainly will…” assured Raven as Kurt, Rogue, Remy, and Wanda all stood together and Raven snapped what she knew would be a momentous picture.

Then, as she left, Kurt and Rogue couldn’t help but smile, for they felt so lucky to have a woman like her to call their mother. She was truly unlike anybody else they had ever come across…And they were proud to be a part of such a wondrous family.

“Kurt, I know I say this too much…But your mom kicks ass!” said Wanda, causing her boyfriend to blush somewhat.

“Yeah…I know,” he said in full agreement.

“She’s definitely a femme like no other,” added Remy, “And I can see how she’s rubbed off on ya over the years.”

“Hey, I ain’t complaining,” shrugged Rogue.

“Ja, she’s an amazing voman,” said Kurt, “I doubt many people can say they have a mother like that.”

“Oh you’d be surprised, Kurt…” commented Scott, finding it uncanny how Kurt and Rogue’s relationship with their mother seemed to so closely resemble the one he had with his adopted mother, Ororo.

As things once again eased into a regular flow of words and conversation, the party settled into a state of greater ease. Even though it was still very formal, there was definitely a more casual background to it all, thanks in large part to how Xavier often went about gatherings like this. Because in his mind, just because this party was of a formal nature, it didn’t mean it couldn’t also be fun.

However, for some, the more the party progressed, the more tense everything seemed to get. And nowhere was this truer than in the case of Piotr Rasputin. As a peasant farm boy from Russia, this whole ordeal was a bit overwhelming to him since he had never been to a gathering like this. But that wasn’t what was truly bothering him…For he knew that with each passing moment, the announcement for the winner of the big art contest drew ever closer. He had made it all the way to the top three…Yet he was still nervous as hell. Everybody had told him that he was a shoe in for the grand prize, but being the artist he was, he didn’t necessarily share their confidence, for it was all up to the judges now.

“Hey Petey, you want some shrimp cocktail?” asked Kitty, the beautiful young woman who had helped inspire the painting he had submitted to this contest in the first place.

“No…I’m fine, thank you Katya,” he told her, not hiding the stress in his tone very well.

“Hey…Are you okay?” said Kitty, looking more worried as she stared back at her lover.

Piotr ran his hands over his crew cut hair as he let out a deep sigh as he checked the clock, noting each second that passed as the big moment drew ever nearer.

“Yes, yes…Of course,” he assured her, adjusting his suit, which he had bought at the last minute, “I guess I’m just a little nervous about the contest.”

“Oh man, you’re still tense about that?” exclaimed Kurt with a surprised look, “Dude…Vhy should you be nervous? I mean come on! There’s no vay you can lose!”

“Yeah, homme…I’ve seen what ya can do with dem paints,” added Remy, “And if those judges can’t see dat, den I’d question their sanity.”

“I wish I could share your confidence my friends,” said the Russian art, not feeling any less stressed about the whole situation, “But I guess I’m just nervous about real art judges looking at my work. After all…This is the first contest I’ve ever attempted.”

“And it’s sure to be one of many…” said Kitty as she gave him the warm, reassuring smile that he so often took comfort in, “You shouldn’t doubt yourself so much, Peter…I know you’re better than that. You have so much talent and so much heart…And I’m NOT going to let you forget that…Even if it means I have to pound it into that stubborn head of yours.”

Piotr just smiled at his girlfriend’s words, for she never ceased to amaze him. Through this, he actually managed to feel a little bit better, knowing that Kitty and his friends had all the faith in the world in him…But still, the contest wouldn’t be up to them and he would know for certain whether or not they were right soon enough.

“Thank you, Katya…” he told her, “I’m sure that as long as I have you, I will never forget.”

“That’s the spirit!” she chirped as she eagerly took his hand and dragged him way from the others and towards the crowd at the center of the vast hall, “Now come on…Dance with me big boy! I’m going to help you loosen up whether you like it or not!”

Not giving him time to argue, Kitty Pryde dragged her strong Russian boyfriend out on the dance floor. He wasn’t exactly the dancing type, but he just couldn’t say no to Kitty as she pretty much guided him and helped him relax a bit for the most part. To the others, it was quite a humorous sight to see how Kitty and her lover went about a party like this, but that didn’t seem to bother them in the slightest.

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Back on the sidelines of the dance floor, some couples had chosen to separate from the group and take in the party in their own way. For Rogue and Remy, two people who were far from traditional when it came to most things, they felt a bit out of place. Remy, being a guy who had come from a very poor background, didn’t quite know how to handle himself at a party like this. And even though Rogue had been lucky to be a part of a more affluent background thanks to her adopted mother, her somewhat rebellious nature made it hard for her to really fit in. But then again, that had never bothered her in the past and now that she had Remy with her, she was confident they could find their own ways of enjoying the party.

“Looks like Kitty and Peter are already livin’ it up,” said Remy as watched his friends dance to some of the music.

“Yep, Kitty always had a knack for dancing,” added Rogue as she stood beside her boyfriend and watched the others have a good time, “She tried to show me once, but I guess I just ain’t the dancing type. I can go clubbin’, sure, but dancing in a place like this is another story.”

“Tell me about it…” said Remy with a sigh, “But it was nice seein’ your mere here tonight. Remy still can’t believe she’s lettin’ me come back down to Mississippi with y’all for a month. She’s a great femme…And I’m glad she’s been so supportive of us bein’ together.”

“Yeah…So am I,” said Rogue in full agreement as she enlaced her arm with that of her lover, “It’s times like this I feel lucky to have a mother like her. And don’t worry…I promise ya we’ll all have a good time together.”

“I’ll take your word for it, ma cherè,” he said with a husky grin.

The young couple continued to simply watch as Scott, Jean, Wanda, Kurt, and Betsy continued to chat amongst themselves while Piotr, Kitty, Pietro, and Crystal continued to have their fun out on the dance floor. Neither of them was sure what to do now since the night was still young and there was still plenty of life left in the party. But for them, they weren’t quite sure how to spend it.

“So what else do people do at parties like dis?” asked Remy as he looked around and continued to see people chatting and having a good time in their own way.

“Beats me…” shrugged Rogue, “I ain’t ever been too big on parties like this. Usually whenever I got dragged to one, I’d either fake a stomach ache to get out or grab the cutest guy there and split.”

Remy couldn’t help but laugh a bit at her response, which seemed very much like the Rogue he knew and loved. But then, as he continued to hug her close to his body with his arm, he started to get a few ideas as to how they could spend the rest of the night.

“Hmm…Now dat definitely sounds like de Rogue, I know,” he grinned as he kissed her cheek and began trailing kisses down her face and neck, “So are you gonna handle a party like this?”

Rogue could only moan a bit as she felt Remy’s lips upon her skin, which gave her a hot feeling all throughout her body. Even though every logical part of her brain told her that this was definitely not the place or the time for something like that, she was never really good at listening to that part of her brain anyhow and began to kiss back as Remy’s arms found their way down to her waist.

“Mmm…” moaned Rogue in delight as she smiled back at her sexy Cajun boyfriend, “I think we can find a way…”

“I like de sound of that…” he said in a deeper, more sensuous tone, “What better way to celebrate a night like dis than with a little thrill…”

“Always the adventurer, aren’t ya swamp rat?” she grinned at him.

“Ain’t dat one of de things about Remy dat ya like though?” he quipped in response.

“No…It’s one of the things I love,” she told him, which seemed to only fuel his desire.

And with those final words, Rogue and Remy once again disappeared from the crowd to find a little privacy where they could do some ‘celebrating’ of their own. However, unknown to either of them, Rogue’s mother, Raven Darkholme, had seen them slip out of the area from afar and only grinned…For she knew what this was going to lead to and she would handle it in a way only a woman like her could.

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Back with the others, the conversation was kept lively even as more people chose to go out on the dance floor to celebrate this momentous night. Charles Xavier continued to converse and shake hands with old friends and business partners, but for the most part, those who weren’t dancing were using this time to simply be around good friends that they probably weren’t going to get a chance to talk with much over the summer. Yet unlike previous years, this year would end on a much higher note for them given such a grand party and because of just how big an impact all this year had left on them. A night like this was a hell of a way to cap such a life changing year…And they all sought to make it truly memorable in their own special way.

“Hey, vhere did mien sister go?” asked Kurt as he abruptly stopped the conversation and began looking around, noticing that Rogue and her Cajun boyfriend were no longer anywhere to be seen.

“I don’t know,” said Jean as she looked around as well, “They were over by dance floor just a minute ago…”

“Oh boy…I think we all know what THIS could mean,” said Betsy, rolling her eyes at what she knew was probably going on with the ever promiscuous couple.

“Vhat?!” exclaimed Kurt, “No, no…Rogue vouldn’t do something like that in a place like this at a time like this! Maybe they just disappeared onto the dance floor or something…”

“Kurt…Since when have you ever known your sister to be the dancing type?” said Wanda with a smirk, thinking he was just in denial.

Kurt mentally slapped himself, still not wanting to believe that Rogue would go for something like thrill sex at a big party like this, but then again…This was Rogue he was talking about. And ever since she hooked up with Remy, her appetite for thrills seemed to only grow with each opportunity and this was no exception.

“Ugh…Vhat vas I thinking?” he groaned, shaking his head at his own stupidity, “I swear…Those two are going to get caught one day. Haven’t they ever heard of the law of averages?”

“Meh, doesn’t seem to bother them,” shrugged Scott, who could only laugh somewhat at the notion of somebody trying to get a little action during a party like this.

“No kidding…” said Kurt, not knowing how he was going to deal with this.

“Hey, come on, Kurt,” said Wanda as she grabbed his arm and moved in closer to him, “Don’t let it get to you. Just let Rogue and Remy have their own fun while we have ours.”

Not wanting to give him a chance to think twice about this, Wanda dragged him out onto the dance floor, making it clear that they were going to have a good time with or without Rogue and Remy. At first Kurt was a little hesitant, but when Wanda dragged him into a close embrace and hitched a leg up along his side, he began to forget about it as he simply smiled back at the amazing woman he now had in his arms. As much as he worried for Rogue at times, Wanda always had a way of balancing out his anxieties and as his body slowly moved with hers, he once again started to enjoy himself…For what better way to spend the night than by holding in his arms the woman he loved?

With Kurt and Wanda now out on the dance floor as well, that left only Betsy, Jean, and Scott together as they watched the group continue to splinter as each couple began having their own little fun together. It was times like this that Betsy Braddock was reminded that she was the only one at this party without a date. She still felt left out in many ways since so many of her friends had found love over the course of this profound year. This night signified the end in many ways, yet she was still single. It had been somewhat lonely at times for her and it still bothered her to this day, but after what she had learned about the power of love from her friends and how it had changed them…She was hopeful that one day she would have her chance…She just wished it would happen soon, because being alone at a time like this just plain sucked to her.

“Well, there goes another oh so wonderful couple onto the dance floor…” said Betsy with a sigh, sounding a bit more grumpy now that it left her out in the cold, “I guess that leaves only you two…”

“Hey, don’t worry Betsy. We’re not going to leave you hanging,” assured Jean.

“Bullshit…” she scoffed, “You two came here to have a good time, so don’t let me hold you up. I’ll find my own way of having fun here all by myself.”

“Hey, you’re not holding us up, Betsy,” said Scott, “And besides, the night is still young. You never know what may happen before all is said and done.”

“Yeah right…” she said skeptically, “Since when has shit like that ever happened to me?”

“Well it isn’t going to happen if you’re going to have an attitude like that…” said Jean with a slight laugh, “I mean, come on…How do you expect to experience real change if you…”

Then suddenly, Jean saw something out of the corner of her eye that made her freeze in mid sentence…Or accurately…She saw someone.

“Jean?” said Scott as he noticed the sudden shift in her demeanor, “Jean…Hey Jean! Are you okay?”

“Oh God, you’ve got to be fucking kidding me…” she said in a deadpanned tone that only further worried both Scott and Betsy.

“What?” said Scott, growing all the more concerned, thinking that it was something severe, “What is it?”

“It’s him…” she told him, still in a state of shock.

“Him?” said Betsy, still confused, “Him who?”

“I mean him!” she said, pointing to a man that just walked in through the entryway with long flowing blond hair and a fancy suit that looked ridiculously overpriced, “My ex-boyfriend…Warren.”

“Warren?” said Scott in a surprised manner as he looked back over towards the man he had only heard stories about from Jean before, “Warren Worthington III?”

“The very same…” affirmed Jean, not sounding all that enthused by his sudden presence, “I should have known he was going to show up at this party. His family has only been doing business with Xavier for over a decade.”

“But I thought he was going to some prep school in Manhattan?” said Betsy, who for some reason, couldn’t tear her gaze away from the handsome young man, who seemed a bit lost as he wandered about the area.

“He was…” confirmed Jean, “But I haven’t so much as spoken to the guy in three years. And bear in mind, we didn’t exactly break up on the greatest of terms.”

Jean was getting a little exacerbated by the presence of her ex. Even though she and Warren hadn’t parted on the best of terms and years had passed since they last talked, it was still a bit overwhelming to her since she hadn’t expected to see him again. Things between them had been so complicated and messy that the stress it caused her was nothing short of paralyzing and she didn’t want to relive any of it, especially on a night like this.

Jean found herself huddling closer to Scott, who responded by simply slipping an arm around her waist to help ease her tension. But as Warren suddenly began to make his way over towards the buffet tables near where they were standing, she began to get a bit more nervous.

“Oh shit, he’s coming this way…” said Jean, not knowing if she would be able to face him again after their breakup.

“Hey, don’t worry, Jean,” said Scott as he gave her a reassuring hug, “It’ll be okay. You said it yourself, he’s not a terrible guy…So what’s to worry about.”

“No, it’s not that…” she told him, “I just don’t think I can face him again after all the shit we had to go through…”

“So what?” said Betsy, thinking she was just overreacting, “I mean he’s just an ex for crying out loud!”

“In that case…” said Jean as an idea suddenly came to her, “Why don’t you go over and talk to him?”

“What?!” exclaimed the purple haired teen as she finally tore her gaze away from the handsome blonde haired man.

“I’m serious…” said Jean as she tried to keep her cool despite Betsy’s reaction, “Just go over there and talk to him…You know, keep him busy.”

“Are you fucking insane?!” said the bewildered young woman in response, “You want me to just go over there and mingle with your ex?”

“Well you did say you always thought he was sexy…” quipped Jean as her tone now shifted to one of near pleading, “Just…Think of him as another guy in a bar…A guy who just happens to be my ex-boyfriend.”

Betsy continued to look at her redheaded friend as if she had a screw loose, but Jean gave her a pleading looking that quickly began to wane on the purple haired woman’s psyche. For as long as she had known Jean, Betsy had come to see that she was a pretty persuasive woman when it came to the art of convincing and that desperate look in her eyes was just too damn hard not to look at.

“Forget it…I’m not doing it,” she told her defiantly.

“Oh come on Betsy…Pretty please?” said Jean, giving her the same puppy eyed look she often gave Scott, “I’ll make it up to you…I promise. I’ll take you to see that new Brad Pitt movie next week! My treat!”

“Oh bloody hell…” said Betsy as she shook her head in a fit of frustration.

Then, as she looked back at Warren and saw him continue to loft about in a manner that hinted that he wasn’t exactly too thrilled to be here, Betsy once again found herself lost in the sight of the man who had once dated her best friend. She had heard Jean complain about him in the past when they were dating and Betsy honestly thought she was always exaggerating with how she described it…But she never truly got a chance to meet the guy on a personal level. And a part of her had always been curious about him…For even though he was her best friend’s ex…She had to admit, she always found him attractive and envied Jean for having someone like him. But now he wasn’t with Jean…Now he was all on his own, no longer classifying him as being so ‘off limits.’

Betsy soon found herself in a daze as she continued watching the blonde haired man walk about the party room, looking both lost and frustrated. At some point, Jean began saying something to her, but it just went in one ear and out the other. She wasn’t sure what it was, but she really didn’t seem to care as her focus was pretty much set.

“Betsy…Betsy! Hey Betsy!” yelled Jean, thinking she was ignoring her.

“What?!” she said, finally snapping out of her daze.

“What happened there? Did your brain turn off or something?” said Jean, knowing that was very unlike her.

“No…I was just…” she stammered as her gaze shifted back towards Warren.

Then suddenly, a slow smile spread across the purple haired woman’s face. The more she looked at the seemingly lost Warren, the more enticed she became with the notion of ‘distracting’ him for her friend. Ex or not, he was still a very attractive man who Betsy had always thought was a decent guy who Jean just overanalyzed way too much and her curiosity was definitely starting to get the better of her the more she looked at him.

“Tell you what Jean…” said Betsy as she turned back to her friend, “If it means that much to you…I’ll go over and keep your ex occupied.”

“Really?” said Jean, sounding a bit surprised given Betsy’s initial reaction, “You mean it?”

“Of course, luv…What are friends for?” she smiled as she put her drink down and began to make her way over to him, “Wish me luck.”

Jean was definitely a bit deadpanned at Betsy’s sudden change of heart as she looked back at Scott, who had seen the whole thing. He simply shrugged, not knowing what changed her mind either, for such actions were definitely uncharacteristic of the usually stubborn Betsy Braddock.

“Well…That was weird,” said Jean as she and Scott kept their distance while Betsy worked her skills, “I wonder what got her to change her mind.”

“I don’t know,” shrugged Scott, “Whenever it concerns Betsy…We can only guess.”

That notion usually held true for anybody that knew Betsy in the slightest, but something about this situation definitely seemed a bit different. But different or not, it would only continue to manifest as Betsy worked her way to the rich handsome man that so many women would have thrown themselves at. Only Betsy wasn’t the type to merely swoon at the sight of a good looking guy…She was more the kind of girl to play around a little. And hopefully…Warren would know how to play back.

For Warren Worthington III, playing was the last thing on his mind as he wandered about the elaborate hall, looking lost and frustrated. Originally, he didn’t want to come here, but his parents forced him to. He was still a Worthington and since the Worthingtons had done business with Xavier for so long, they were obligated to be there at least in some form and he was the unlucky guy who just happened to be transferring there for next year.

There were definitely other places Warren would rather be. As much as he enjoyed being social, there were just certain settings that made him uncomfortable and this was definitely one of them. He didn’t know a single person here other than Xavier and he had only been in Bayville for a few days. It made him feel a bit out of place, given that he had just arrived and already he was attending one of the most important events of the year for this school. He didn’t know the place, he didn’t know the people, and he didn’t even know where the food was…Definitely not a comfortable setting no matter how rich or social one was.

Then, suddenly, he was brought out of his train of thought by a distinctly British voice…One that, to his surprise, he recognized.

“My, my…Don’t you look happy to be here,” said Betsy in a playful tone as she approached the somewhat dazed young man, “Of all the people to come to this party, who would have thought I’d come across the legendary Warren Worthington III.”

Warren’s attention was quickly taken by the sight of a beautiful, elegantly, and not to mention quite sexy young woman bearing a graceful, yet still a bit risqué, purple dress to match her unique hair color. For a moment, Warren’s brain forgot how to form words as his mouth hang slightly open at the sight before him…But he quickly managed to regain his composure as his brain finally caught up with him and he recognized the distinctive look of the woman who so frequently stood out in a crowd.

“Hey…You’re Elizabeth Braddock,” he said as a smile spread across his face, glad to finally meet somebody he knew.

“The one and only, luv…And please, call me Betsy,” she told him.

“Ah yes…Sorry, I must have forgot,” said Warren, still a bit taken by her appearance, but keeping his cool like he so frequently did around beautiful women for the most part, “It’s been quite a while.”

“No kidding,” she said in agreement, “What’s it been? Three years? Although we never did talk much…”

“Hey, you’re the first person I’ve seen here that I actually know, so I’ll take it!” said Warren with a more enthusiastic tone, feeling as though this night just got a whole lot better.

“I guess I should feel honored,” said Betsy with a grin, finding his demeanor to be a little more playful than she expected, “I mean me…Humble young Betsy…Brightening up a man who could probably buy half the city.”

“Hey, come on…It’s not like your parents aren’t rich as well,” said Warren in response.

“It was a joke rich boy, lighten up!” she said with a laugh.

“Oh…I knew that,” said Warren, finding it odd that she had caught him off guard since that usually didn’t happen with him around women.

“Sure you did…” said Betsy skeptically, “So what brings you here? I take it from the way you were wandering around you’re not here by choice.”

“Smart girl…” grinned Warren in a way that made Betsy blush a bit, “You’re right…I didn’t come here by choice. Originally, my folks were supposed to be here, but they got tied up with a big business deal back in Europe and since I was moving into Bayville anyways, I was the likely candidate to take their place as the ambassador to the Worthington name.”

“I see…” said Betsy, now understanding his reasons for looking so lost, when suddenly she remembered something else he had said, “Wait! You mean you’re moving here?”

“Indeed I am…” affirmed Warren, “You’re looking at the man who’s going to be the first Worthington to attend the Xavier Academy starting next year. I just wanted to move here early so I could get away from the craziness that is Manhattan.”

The smile on Betsy’s face only grew wider upon learning that this man was going to be attending the Academy as well, for the thought definitely seemed a bit appealing to her…Although she wasn’t quite sure why. Maybe it was because there were just so few others besides Jean who she could relate with in regards to background…Or maybe it was that and the fact that he was an attractive and handsome man who seemed to be eyeing her in more ways than one.

“Wow…So you’re going to be a student here next year?” said Betsy with a hint of great intrigue in her voice, “But why the Xavier Academy? I thought you were going to some rich prep school?”

“I was…But I hated it,” said Warren simply, “That school wasn’t for me and my parents knew it. Now don’t get me wrong, it was a nice place…But it just wasn’t me. I wanted to go someplace a little more down to Earth…A place that had more…Balance. You know what I mean?”

“Oh believe me…I understand,” said Betsy, “At one point, my parents wanted me to go to a prep school as well. But given that those prissy prep schools are nothing but fascist hell holes, brimming with narrow minded pricks, I knew a place like that wasn’t for me. So when faced with a choice between a prep school and the Xavier Academy…Naturally, I chose the Xavier Academy.”

“And do you think you made the right choice?” asked Warren, having harbored many high hopes for this place despite not really knowing what a school like this would be like.

“Definitely, luv…” she said with a confident grin, “And believe me…You’re going to love it here as well.”

“Well I have to say…I’m already starting to like it,” he said in a somewhat flirtations tone, which only further encouraged Betsy as she continued to gaze back into those alluring eyes of his, which seemed to be drawing her in more with each passing second…But that didn’t seem to bother her in the slightest.

“Well trust me rich boy…You ain’t seen nothing yet,” she said back in an equally flirtatious tone, matching him move for move as she flashed him a sexy smile, “Now come on…What do you say we get some food?”

That was all Warren needed to hear for him to become completely hooked. He came her not expecting to find anything too exciting…But he had been pleasantly surprised to be proven wrong thanks to a very sassy, not to mention drop dead gorgeous, purple haired woman. And the more he looked back at her, taking in the alluring aura that seemed to entice him more with each passing moment, the more curious he became as his night continued to take a turn for the better.

“All I can say is…Lead the way Ms. Braddock,” said Warren in a tone fit for the gentleman he was, which only seemed to sweeten the deal for Betsy since she hadn’t often associated men with manners.

“Wonderful, luv…” she said as she eagerly grabbed his strong arm and began guiding him through the crowd, “Just stick with me handsome…And you’ll experience the best that Bayville has to offer.”

“I can’t wait…” said Warren with a grin as the enticing Betsy Braddock continued to lead his night down a new, yet exciting path.

With large smiles on their faces, both Betsy and Warren felt as though the night just got a lot better for the both of them. However, such an unexpected development did not go unnoticed by Scott and Jean, who could only watch in amazement at what they had just seen.

“Well would you look at that?” said Scott with an amazed look.

“I know. That was just…” began Jean, but soon found herself at a loss for words, for what she had just seen had been beyond description, “What do you think it could mean?”

“I’m…Not sure,” said Scott, who couldn’t help but laugh at how things had worked out, “But I think this night just got a whole lot more interesting.”

Looking back at Betsy and Warren and seeing how they were interacting, Scott couldn’t help but notice a few eerie similarities that reminded him of another fateful night when two people came together in a way that went beyond words. It was night he now treasured as he found himself slipping his arm around his lover’s waist and hugging her close.

Jean quickly found herself reciprocating in Scott’s gesture as she began to see it as well. She didn’t believing it at first, but now she was unable to deny it’s presence. It was strange how things worked out sometimes…Strange, yet profound. Already, this night had taken some interesting turns and from the looks of it, there were still plenty more to come.

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AN: And so the party begins! And man, what a beginning it was! Did you all catch some of the other little hints earlier? I felt as long as this was a No Powers AU, why not add a few more Marvel characters to sweeten the mix! And stay tuned, because there’s still plenty more to come with this party! And as for characters, there’s still a few more surprise guests to come! Stay tuned for the next chapter to see just who it is! So what do you all think? This story is getting closer and closer to the end and I urge you all to REVIEW before it’s too late! Send them to me via email at slickboy444@aol.com or post them on the fanfiction website! Thanks a ton for reading everybody and I wish you all the best!