I've been good.  I've been really good.  Came right back, only gone three weeks.  Didn't find out shit, didn't really care after 'bout the first week.  All I could think . bout was her.  All day, all night ... shit, let's not even go into the nighttime thoughts 'bout Marie.  That's bound to lead to trouble.  My point is ... I've been good.

When I came back, she was still seventeen and still in school, so I waited.  I didn't go out tomcattin' around, I stopped chasin' Jeannie, I spent all the
time I could with Marie.  We actually dated .. now there's somethin' I thought I' d never do in a million years.  We actually held hands and talked and went places.  God help me, I even enjoyed that.

I took my time, made sure she was ready before I tried anythin' heavy.  It was nine months, three weeks, and four days after I came back before I really even laid a hand on her.  I waited.  I was good.  I took it slow and went at her pace, and when we were finally together, the wait had been worth it.  Never experienced nothin. like that before in my whole life.
Beautiful.  It was just beautiful.

But back to my point ... me bein' good.  When it became clear that Marie and me were a thing, you know, a couple, I didn. t say nothin' to her little friends when they teased me 'bout robbin' the cradle.   I didn't say nothin' to Scooter when he kept givin' me long lectures 'bout how Marie deserved someone who was gonna treat her right.  Hell, I didn't even say nothin' when Chuck poked inta my head to make sure my intentions toward Marie were good ones.  I thought to myself ... shit, what the hell else are they gonna think, given what they know about me?  I didn't say nothin' and I tried to keep the scare tactics down to a few growls and a claw or two.  In fact, I've been so good, that I'm wonderin' if I'm startin' to go all pansy-ass or somethin. .  Prolonged exposure to the x-geeks might do that to ya.

So... I've been good.  I've been really good a really long time.  But it's inevitable that the bad-ass hasta come out eventually, and tonight ... well, tonight's gonna be one of those nights.  It's Halloween, after all ... the night for a little trick-or-treat.  I got a lotta tricks in mind, and a treat or two for Marie.  I think that'll make it up to her some, her gettin' a nice treat outta all this.  I don't think she. ll be too mad 'bout the tricks if she's happy with her treats.

"Uh, I thought you were going as a pirate, dear.."

"I *was*.  But instead, the costume shop delivered *this*.  I've checked all over, and no one else got the wrong costume.  It must be the kids, playing some prank.  I swear, once I get them back in class on Monday ... "

"Oh, now, honey, it could just be a simple mistake. No need to take it so personally.  Besides, Jubilee and Bobby have both graduated . who else among the kids would try something like this?"

"I don't know, but I'm sure going to find out.  Those kids are going to be running laps and doing homework well into their retirement years."

"Don't be such a stick in the mud, Scott, you've definitely got the shoulders for that strapless gown."

"It's not funny, Jean!"

"Come on, just put it on and see how it looks . laugh at yourself a little, show the kids you've got a sense of humor."

"I am *not* going to the party dressed as Snow White!"

"Turn the lights back on, Kit!"

"I didn't shut them off, I thought you did."

"No, I didn't, chica.  Hey, wait a sec . Bobby?  John?  Was that you?  It's not funny to try to scare us like that, you know!  We could, like, stub our toe on something down here!"

"Yeah . the basement's icky.  Turn the lights back on, guys.  Quit fooling around."

CLICK

"Uh, Jubes . was that the door locking?"

"Hey!  Stop it!  It.'s not funny, you guys!!"

"Shit."

"Let us out!"

"Jubes . what about the light ... is there a switch?"

It's by the wall, let's just . I think I can feel my way ... ooof! ... over there and ... ouch! ... find it and ... oh, *shit*!"

"What?  What?"

"It's not working!  It's not working!  Dammit, they must've thrown the breaker in the fuse box.  Shit!"

"So?  We'll just find the fuse box and un-throw it."

"No can do, Kit.  There's one fuse box in the kitchen and the other fuse box is in the locked storage section of the basement.  We don't have a key."

"Crap."

"I am *so* going to kill them when we get out of here. I can't believe they're gonna make us miss the party!"

"Package for you, Charles."

"Why thank you, Ororo.  Who is it from?"

"The return address reads, Institute for Mutant Relations, Geneva, Switzerland."

"Ah, yes, it must be the literature and videotapes I sent for.  Would you mind opening it for me?  I'm still putting the finishing touches on my Steven Hawking costume."

"The wig and the glasses are a perfect match, Charles."

"Yes, I don't mind saying so myself.  Indeed, I ... Ororo ... is something wrong?"

"I, ah, believe you have received the wrong ... ah, this package is not ..."

"Ororo?"

"Ah, I do not believe that the Institute meant to send you the contents of the package.  Surely, there must be some mistake..."

"What is inside?"

"Well, ah, several packages of Rogaine and ... and ... "

"Go on, Ororo.. "

"And a video rather colorfully labeled 'Butt Pirates of the Caribbean, XXX Man-On-Man Action... '"

"Oh, my."

"I am sure there is some ... some error.."

"Are you laughing?"

"No.  No.  Not at all.."

"You *are* laughing.."

<Snort!>

"Ororo!"

<giggle>
"Sorry, sir.."

"Hey there, darlin."   God, she looks hot.  All dressed up like a naughty nurse ... she did me one helluva favor pickin' out that costume, that's for sure.  Heh.  Wonder how Scooter woulda looked in that one.

"Hey.  I haven't seen you all night."   You know what I'd like to do right now?  I'd like to back her up into the wall and slide my hand up beneath that short little skirt.  I've gotta turn her around on that no-makin' -out-in-public rule that she has.

"Been busy."

"I know you don't like Halloween."   When she tilts her head to the side and pouts a little like that, I just about melt.  Every time.  God, I am a pansy-ass when it comes to her.  " But thanks for coming to the party for a little while with me."

"Mmm-hmmm.  You 'bout ready to go, darlin' ?"

"Yeah.  But I was hoping to catch Jubes and Kitty before I left.  When I saw them last, they were headed downstairs to look for something in the basement and I haven't seen them since.  It's not like them to miss a party."

"Aw, I'm sure they're off somewhere doin' somethin'" Technically, not a lie.  See?  I am good.  'C. mon, let's go upstairs now.  You're makin' me all hot and bothered, walkin' around wearin' that."

"Yeah?"   Funny how she's still a little surprised when I say stuff like that.  I gotta be hornier or somethin'.  I gotta let her know I really want her a lot.  It shouldn't be so much of a surprise to her, I want her to expect it, to count on it.  'Cause it. s pretty much never gonna change.  The girl could probably be eighty and I'd be gettin' turned on by the sight of her in her flannel nightgown or somethin'. "Well, then, let. s go."

Ah, on to the treat portion of the program.  Yeah, you done good, Logan, you done real good.  Go on, darlin', you walk up those stairs ahead of me, I wanna take a good look at the view.  Wait ... wait ... we're stoppin'... Maybe she is changin' her mind on that makin' out in public policy, maybe she wantsta do it right here on the stairs or -

"Uh, Logan ... did you hear something?"

Oh, that.  Damn popsicle.  Shoulda gagged him first. "Nah."

"It sounded like Bobby.  It sounded like ... almost like it was coming from the attic or something."   She must still have some of my senses in there.  Bet nobody else woulda caught it at all.

"Must be your imagination, darlin', I didn't hear a thing."   Heh.  Ice-boy'll shut up eventually.  Either that or I'll be distractin' Marie good enough so that she won't hear him anymore.

"Really?  Hmph.  Oh, well, I guess it must just be my imagination.  You know, Halloween and all."

"Yeah.  C'mon, darlin', I got a bag fulla treats for ya."     Yeah, that'll do it.  She's smilin. big now. You know what?  I'll go back to bein' good tomorrow. Tonight . tonight, I think bad behavior's actually not such a bad thing.