"A Simple Twist of Fate"
by Ali

"This is a big mistake."

"It's going to be fine. Just remember, I'm right here with you, no matter what."

"I appreciate that, but you don't understand. I don't belong here. I'll be lucky if they don't throw me half way across the planet for showing up here."

He reached down and firmly took hold of her hand. "Everything's going to be all right. I promise."

***************

Kurt opened the refrigerator, the light casting an odd reflection on his dark blue fur. He examined some of the foods inside, then shut the door again, disappointed. He moved to sit at the table, where someone had placed a bowl of fruit, and picked up an apple. Rather than sinking his fang-like teeth into it, however, he merely held it in his hands and looked around at his quiet surroundings.

Funny, he mused to himself. Not that long ago, this place felt like home, a warm and protected place where he was free to be himself. It was different somehow now, as though someone had opened a window and let all the warm air out of it. When he first arrived, he had blamed the coldness on Bastion, the madman who had taken all of their possessions and left them with nothing but memories. But as time went on, even as they had brought in new items to replace those that had been taken, the coldness remained.

Kurt looked at the clock on the wall: 4:23AM. Marrow would be coming home soon from her "nightly hunt," as she called it. Kurt did not bother to inquire what she was hunting for. He was sure he wouldn't like the answer.

Finally biting into the apple, he once again cursed his inability to sleep. He had gone on as best he could, but pretty soon the others would begin to notice how tired he was. The truth is, he hadn't gotten a decent night's sleep since he returned to America. Lord knows he tried, but even under piles of blankets, the chill always came seeping through. Perhaps, he thought, I should talk to Kitty about this. She may be suffering something similar...

Suddenly, the light clicked on, and the kitchen was flooded with bright light. Kurt, accustomed to the darkness, closed his eyes, in an effort to shield them. Even as they began to clear, he could make out the shape of someone coming to sit by his side.

"Well, well, well," came Logan's voice. "Having a bit of trouble sleeping, Elf?"

"Wolverine," said Kurt, trying his best to sound angry, "what are you doing up so early?"

"I heard you get up again, and thought you could use some company. Besides, that "stew" Rogue decided to fix for dinner last night didn't sit too well with me. I could use some real food for a change."

"It was pretty spi...hey, wait a minute. Again? You've heard me wake up this early before?"

Logan reached up and tapped his right ear. "Heightened senses, remember? Quiet as you were, I could still hear your footsteps. What's troubling you, Kurt?"

Kurt shook his head. "I wish I knew my friend. This place...I just feel like I don't belong here anymore. Like there is something missing."

"Eh, it's just from being away for so long. You'll get used to it again. Just give it some time to grow on you."

"I hope you are right my friend," said Kurt, rising to throw his barely touched apple in the trash. "I really do."

The man known as Logan watched him go, his appearance finally revealing his concern. His senses practically screamed to him that something was about to happen, something that would change their lives forever.

Involuntarily, he shivered.

***************

Kurt spent the rest of the day tinkering with some equipment the Moira had sent to him. They had managed to hook up at least some technology in the mansion, but nowhere near what they had before. Ever since his conversation with Logan that morning, he felt angry and on edge, like he was ready to punch something. Instead, his fingers slipped on the screwdriver he was using and he ended up slicing his hand open.

"Damn!" he cursed, looking for something to stop the bleeding. Finding nothing there, he headed towards the infirmary, making sure to kick the doorway as he left. Turning the corner, he nearly ran into Ororo, who was obviously dressed for a day off, wearing a white cotton dress and sandals. Suddenly, he felt rather silly for being in uniform already.

"Kurt, are you all right my friend?" asked Storm, taking his bleeding hand in her own.

"I'm fine Ororo, I just need to get this bandaged. Be careful, I don't want to get any blood on you."

Storm looked at him, her eyes firmly locked on his. She seemed to sense that something was wrong, but from the time he first knew her, she had always had a sense for when people were troubled. He wondered if he should tell her how he was feeling. After all, if anyone would understand, it would be she. Having gone through so many changes herself since joining the X-Men, she might have a better understanding than some of the others. But instead he moved on past her, not bothering to look back.

***************

After his hand was properly cleaned and bandaged, Kurt began heading back towards his room. As he passed the window, however, he paused. Moving back that way, he caught sight of a taxi making its way towards the house. Suddenly, he was on full alert. He teleported down to the front hall, only to find Peter already there.

"I have seen it too, Kurt," the large Russian said. Peter was covered in paint, but Kurt didn't have time to question him about it now. The doorbell rang, the sound chiming throughout the house.

"Answer the door, Peter. Although it may not seem like it at times, most people don't know that we live here. We need someone 'normal' looking to answer the door." Kurt almost spat the word "normal," but if Peter noticed, he gave no indication of it. Instead, he pulled open the door far enough to get his head and shoulders though, but not far enough to let anyone see inside.

"May I help you?" he heard Peter ask, but was unable to hear the response. Kurt heard the others coming in response to the bell, and apparently so did Peter, for he stepped completely out the door and shut it behind him. Now Kurt could no longer hear either side of the conversation.

He turned in time to see Kitty phasing through the roof. She wasn't in costume either. In fact, she was still in her pajamas. Ever since her return, she had gone back to spending a lot of time on her computer, so was rarely dressed until late afternoon.

"What's going on?" she asked. "Who's here?"

He started to explain that he didn't know, when suddenly the others began to arrive. Storm ran made her way down the hallway, followed by Gambit and Rogue. Marrow, never one to be social, was nowhere in site. He had no idea where Logan was.

"Wolverine has been in the Danger Room all morning," said Storm, reading his thoughts. "I was on my way to check on him when the bell rang. Any idea who it is?"

"Nein," he replied, turning again towards the door. "Peter is out there talking to whoever it is right now."

The door opened and Peter once again moved through it, this time with an odd expression on his face. It looked like a mix between uncertainty and shock.

"Petey, what's wrong?" asked Rogue, concerned. Kurt thought he heard one of Gambit's cards charging, but couldn't be sure. He doubted there was danger, however, because Peter remained flesh, rather than metal.

"I think this is something you should see for yourself," replied Peter, opening the door fully so that Kurt got a clear view of their visitor.

Visitors, Kurt corrected himself. Before him stood a young couple, their hands linked as though their lives depended on it. The young man was tall, with a sturdy build and dark brown hair. Kurt barely gave him a second glance, however, as his eyes moved to the young man's companion.

The young woman was lean, but her stance made Kurt believe she was well capable of taking care of herself. She stood tall, her feet planted so firmly he wondered if she were waiting for them to attack her. But it was her face that had him captivated, and he heard Rogue gasp as she noticed the same thing.

The girl's hair was dark brown, with only two stripes of white that framed her face. Seeing it made Kurt think of Nate Grey. But as he looked into her eyes, all that was forgotten, as red pupils set on black looked back at him.

To Be Continued...