"Is *that* how you pick up women?"

[Scott Morgan <stm@empyrean.digex.net>]

"If that's how you normally pick up women..."
Wolverine and the Boys - A miniseries
Starring: Wolverine, Sunspot and Cannonball


Sam and Sunspot deplane into the gate, carrying what little luggage they
managed to retain. 

Sam says, to Bobby, "Man, that beats coach all to heck and back." 

Sunspot's bag is a new one - small and neat. He tucks his hands into his
pockets and looks around. "No welcome wagon, eh menino?" He grins at that.
"Stick with me, my too-tall friend and you'll do fine." 

Sam takes advantage of his height and squints out into the crowd at the
gate, looking for familiar faces. 

There is the usual bustle and hussle of the departure and none of the
familiar present themselves. A minute, two. The crowd moves towards the
baggage claim in a steady stream. 

Sunspot moves to Sam's side. "I'm sure they're busy," he says, more to
comfort himself than Guthrie. "We should head outside, take a look, and
then take a cab perhaps?" 

Sam shrugs, still looking around. "Ah guess so." 

Sunspot runs his fingers through his curls, giving the crowd one last
glance. "Come on menino, just the two of us again." He takes his bearings. 

A moment later, there's a bit of a disruption a ways down the terminal
hallway. Someone shouts a muted, "Hey!" and a woman's voice mutters
something unfriendly - it seems to proceed thus in the direction of the
gate the boys just left. 

Sam puts his hand out in front of Bobby, and cranes his head to see what
the ruckus is. "Don't tell me it's more trouble." 

Sunspot stops at the hand and stretches, balancing on his toes in an
attempt to see over the crowd. He fails. "I... this is not a very good
place for trouble." 

As the last few disembarking passengers split, the short and somewhat
grumpy-looking form of Logan stalks past and towards the two boys; chewing
roughly on the butt of his cigar.  Wolverine moves right at them, like a
mutant-seeking missile. 

Sam grins, widely. "See? What'd ah tell you -- it's trouble." 

Sunspot asides to Sam, "Isn't this a no-smoking terminal?" 

A stewardess seems to have read Sunspot's very mind, as she steps in front
of the motivated Logan. "Sir! You can't sm..." is the extent she manages
before Wolverine silences her with a glare and stomps on by, stopping in
front of the two boys. "I ain't no
 taxi," Logan mutters. He glares at the two, as if defying them to say
otherwise. 

Sunspot opens his mouth, one of a dozen smart replies obviously competing
for the tip of his tongue. Finally, he settles on, "No, senhor, you
certainly are not." 

Sam shakes his head agreeably, but he hasn't stopped grinning. 

Wolverine hehs, shifting the cigar to the other side of his mouth and
artfully ignoring the two large airline employees who are moving up behind
him. "Then get yer bags and lets get outta here." 

Sam holds up his bag. "After Axe'n the Nova Romans'n all, ah ain't got
much left." 

Sunspot darts a sidelong glance up at Sam, grins and nods. "And I haven't
even got my dignity to pack." He displays his small bag. "We're ready to
go." 

Wolverine grunts in reply. The first airline attendant makes as if to tap
Logan's shoulder, but before the finger even makes it half-way, Wolverine
warns, "Touch me and you'll be pickin' that ditty bag outta yer short an'
curly's, bub."  The man stops, mid poke. He looks at his friend. 

Sam glances at Roberto, stifling a laugh. 

Sunspot covers his eyes with his hand. 

Wolverine grins, just enough for the boys to see. Turning, he walks
between the two larger men and mutters, "Com'mon, boys. We're late." 

Sunspot peeks through his fingers. "For what?" 

Wolverine is already a ways away, making the best speed his short legs
seem to be capable of. 

Sam glances at Roberto, shrugs, and heads off after Mr. Logan in long
strides. 

The two large airliner men look uncertainly at one another, then turn
their attention on Sunspot and Cannonball. An idea seems to take light. 

Sunspot waves his platinum card - perhaps pointlessly - and attempts to
start off in a jog after the other two.  To (Sam, Wolverine), Sunspot
pages: Where platinum is a first club frequent flyer card. 

Weaving through the crowd, well perhaps that's an incorrect term as
Wolverine seems more given to barging straight through folks, they
eventually make it past the airport metal detectors (A veteran's pass and
medical record making quick work of that) and out to the drive-up. There,
parked illegally and in the way of one of the shuttle busses is a jeep.
Logan makes for it. 

Sam looks relieved as the group approaches the jeep. "Ah was picturin'
some kinda school minivan..." 

Sunspot flashes the attendants an apologetic look and starts jogging in
earnest, as Guthrie's long legs increase the gap between the two. He
glances the jeep and nods. "You'd think they could at least invest in an
SUV, eh?" 

Wolverine snorts at that, climbing into the driver's seat and masterfully
ignoring the angry shouts of the busdriver. "No taxi and no school bus.
Just get in."  Wolverine slides on a pair of mirrored sunglasses and picks
his stetson out of the back, planting it on his head. 

Sam says "SUVs? Ah'd rather feel the road than ride in one of them
oversized station wagons." 

Sam climbs into the back of the jeep, dumping his bag in the floorboards. 

Sunspot swings cheerfully into the front seat. "But there's something to
be said for leather seats and air conditioning." 

Sam waves his lanky arms. "Nature's AC, 'berto." 

The busdriver begins to shout to a cop who gives the jeep a look or two,
not yet moving towards it. Logan grunts, perhaps a reply, and starts up
the engine, pulling out into traffic with a heavy foot on the pedal and
enough force to drive the kids into th eir seats. 

Sunspot smirks. "Brazil's is broken." He sobers. "But I won't be back
there for a while, I suppose."  Sunspot grunts at the acceleration. 

Wolverine steers the jeep out onto the highway, somehow managing to keep
his hat on his head despite the strong wind. After a while he says, "So,
you kids have a nice little vacation?" 

Sam gives Sunspot a sympathetic look. "At least your mom's okay." His
smile fades. "But then there's Shan..." 

Sunspot glances at Sam, then back at Wolverine. "No, senhor. No we did
not." 

Wolverine looks ahead, weaving in and out of traffic, "Sounds like a
story."  Wolverine says, "You gonna tell it?"  Wolverine adds, "The
condensed version, if ya don't mind. I ain't one for books." 

Sam says "While you were in Japan, sir, Shan was...lost. Ah figure you
heard by now." 

Wolverine just grunts. 

Sam says "That's when the Professor sent us to the Amazon with Bobby's
mom." 

Sunspot nods. "It was to be a simple field trip," he says, not without
some bitterness. 

Wolverine continues to drive, listening as best as you can tell. 

Sam says "Then Bobby's mom got kidnapped by a guy named Axe, and we got
her back...then we all got taken by a hidden civilization called Nova
Roma."  Sam scratches his head.  Sam says "Ah got Bobby and his mom 'n me
back to Brazil, and the girls headed back here. Ah got a call from Dani
saying they'd made it back, so we headed on as soon as Bobby was ready." 

Sunspot nods. "And while my mother is safe, somehow we lost Shan." 

Sam says "The Professor wouldn't let us stay and help look for her." 

Wolverine nods, glancing aside at Sunspot even as he swerves between cars
- elliciting a series of horns and angry shouts from the other drivers.
"You feelin' up to scratch, kid?" 

Sunspot shrugs, and then grins. "I will be fine, senhor. I have to look
after this bunch, no?" 

Wolverine nods again. A time passes and he declares, "Detour." The wheel
turns and the jeep cuts across three lanes of traffic. 

Sam finds some part of the jeep to get a good grip on, and hangs on. 

Tires squeal, horns honk and brakes leave large black marks across the
highway as the jeep arcs onto an offramp and makes the quick turn through
a light at the end. 

Sunspot hangs onto the side of the jeep, bouncing limply in the seat.
<Holy mother of God>, he says in Portugese. 

Sam says, under his breath to Bobby, "Maybe ah oughtta be blastin'." 

Wolverine asks over his shoulder, "How old you boys again?" He swerves
through the cars on the smaller street, darting through traffic at close
to 70 miles per hour. 

Sunspot quite obviously contemplates lying. He discards the options and
replies, "Fourteen, senhor Logan." 

Sam answers honestly, of course. "Almost seventeen, sir." 

Wolverine nods, putting a hand to his hat to keep it straight as they make
another high-speed turn. "Close 'nuff," he declares and pulls the jeep
towards the right side of the road. 

Sunspot all but slams into Wolverine, saving himself by clinging
desparately to the side of the jeep. He bounces back into his seat and
pants. "Close enough for what?" 

Wolverine smirks as he brakes shortly, pulling against the curb in a
less-than-kosher section of the city. The building just forward of the
jeep's parking place, and the only one locally not in a state of *total*
disrepair, has a large sign with a faded m ug painted on it bearing the
name 'RED'S' in sizable block letters. 

Sunspot looks around, nervously. "Is this a field test?" 

Wolverine hops out of the Jeep. "Appointment," he admits. 

Sunspot says "Should we stay in the car?" 

Sam looks extremely skeptically at the building. "Sir, ah don't go in bars
even if ah were of age. It ain't right." 

Wolverine walks towards the door of the joint, replying over his shoulder,
"Ain't a bar. S'a pub. So no worries." He hooks a finger, signalling they
follow. 

Sam scratches his head. "So ah can get a burger and a soda?" 

Wolverine says, "Sure."  Wolverine pushes open the door and turns his head
to look at them. 

Sam shrugs at Bobby. "Sounds okay t'me." 

Sunspot shrugs in return, and departs the car. Upon further consideration,
he grabs his bag before entering. 

Sam realizes Sunspot's wisdom, and grabs his, too. 

Red's, as it turns out, is a smoke-filled, dimly-lit place filled with
wooden tables, smoke and lots of large men drinking equally large mugs of
beer. Without a backward glance, Logan moves towards the bar opposite the
door. 

Sunspot slings his bag over his shoulder and lets bravado carry him in
Logan's wake. He keeps his grin intact. 

Sam lingers somewhat aimlessly amongst the tables, looking uncomfortable. 

Wolverine calls, "Keep it movin', hayseed." He steps up to the bar and
pushes a sleeping drunk off his stool and onto the floor, freeing up the
chair. He takes the cigar from his mouth and grinds it into an ashtray on
the bartop. 

Sam takes a seat -- but at an empty table near the bar, not at the counter
itself. 

Sunspot looks between Logan and Sam, and decides to take up a position of
support beside his friend. HE settles down at the empty table. 

Wolverine grunts, then snags the bartender's attention. He points at
himself, then 'Berto, then Sam in turn, saying: "Brew, brew, brew." He
pauses a moment, then jerks his thumb at Sam again, adding, "An' a
Burger." 

Sam raises his voice so the bartender can hear him. "Make that a Coke,
instead, sir." 

The bartender peers at Logan. Logan peers back. The man shrugs and calls
an order to the back. He doesn't pay much attention to Sam, by all
regards. 

Sunspot accepts the order of a beer cheerfully. 

Wolverine glances to Sam. "Live a little, kid." He looks at 'Berto. "He
always like this?" 

Sunspot nods, sadly. "As straight and narrow as his build implies,
senhor." He flashes a wry look at Sam. 

Sam looks back at Wolverine, looking unusually steely. "Ah wouldn't be
much if ah backed off on mah convictions that easy, Mr. Logan." 

Wolverine hrmphs. "Cigar?" He pulls a fresh stogie from his pocket. 

Sam says "No thanks, sir." 

Sunspot nods, boldly. "Certainly, senhor." 

Sam says "Ah ain't got a healin' factor." 

The bartender delivers Logan's and 'Berto's beers. The burger takes
longer, it seems. 

Wolverine hrmphs again, sticking the cigar in his mouth and muttering
around it, "Ya don't drink. Don't smoke." He lights up, puffing, "What do
ya do?" 

Sunspot takes a swallow of his beer and manages it with some aplomb. Wine
is not unknown in the DaCosta household, after all. "This is foul stuff,"
he declares. 

Wolverine nods. "Yep." He downs half the glass. 

Sam doesn't let himself be ruffled by Wolverine, but also doesn't sass
him. 

The burger and a glass of what looks like coke is delivered to Sam by a
woman who would be better described as 'feminine' than attractive. It
seems to be all that is necessary here. 

Sam smells his drink, somewhat warily. 

Wolverine smokes and drinks, sometimes it seems at once. A few of the
other patrons begin to cast glances at the kids - some vaguely bored,
others less than friendly. 

Sam determines his drink is unadulterated, and takes a drink, relaxing
slightly. 

Sunspot looks skeptically at the waitress, and then looks about at the
angrier glances. "Why does he pick a place like this, I wonder." 

Wolverine takes a long drag off his cigar, seeming to pay the boys little
mind - and not doing much more than smoking. His eyes are forward and his
attention, obscure. 

Sam says "Ah reckon it's a test. Like in that Jean-Claude Van Damme
movie." 

Sunspot nods. "But what sort of test, I wonder. To see if we can handle
bad beer and ugly looks, menhino?" 

Suddenly, there's a soft hand upon Sam's shoulder and a honeyed accent of
southern origin asks, "Pardon me, boys - is that there seat taken?" 

Sam reflexively pulls away from the hand, and twists around to see. 

Sunspot reflexively wonders if his hair looks all right. He turns around
more slowly. 

A smiling five-and-some-odd feet of blonde smiles down at the two, putting
her hands on her hips and tossing her head a bit, "Ah hope ah didn't
startle, y'all." All curves, most of them dangerous - she's dressed in
something that'd make Rogue blush. 

Sam looks pointedly at 'berto. His ears don't seem the normal color. 

Sunspot's smile all but splits his face, bright teeth flashing against
dark skin. "Not at all, menina, you've just driven us to wonderment with
your beauty. Please, sit." 

The young lady smiles - actually a very sincere and beautiful thing - when
a shadow eclipses the table. A large man in a biker jacket looms over the
woman, placing a large hand on her arm, roughly.  "No, Lisa," grates a
deep and fairly angry voice. 

Sam determinedly tries to eat his burger and stay uninvolved. In anything. 

The girl is yanked back harshly to the side, almost flinging her off her
feet. She stays up only due to the man's hold on her arm. "Sit yer
worthless butt down and shaddup." 

Sunspot's expression clouds. "A gentleman does not treat a woman thus,
no?" 

Sam looks warningly at Roberto over his plate. 

The tough stares down at Roberto. "I can treat the woman any way I want,
boy. She's mine."  He adds, threateningly, "You have a problem with that?" 

Sunspot's eyes fleck black, heedless of Sam's warning. "Yes, senhor, I do
have a problem with that. The lady is her own." 

Lisa waves a hand at the boy, only perhaps seventeen or so herself,
"Please, don't." She looks up at the larger man, pleading, "George,
please. I'll behave. I'm sorry. Can we sit?" 

Sam glances quickly at Logan's back to see if he's noticed, then back at
Roberto. 

Wolverine takes a long pull from a beer mug, paying attention to the
bottles behind the bar more than anything else. 

George looks back at her, shouting, "Shaddup, girl." and he tosses her
backwards into another table. Plates and drinks are shaken and fall onto
the floor - a number onto Lisa's screaming form as she lands in a heap. 

Sam looks at Roberto. Different expression; more of a question. 

George turns back to fix Roberto with a sneer. 

Sunspot answers the question with action, already pushing himself out of
his chair. "You have no respect," he growls, motes of darkness gathering
about his body, flitting in the air. 

George manages to spit out, "Mutie!" as he lunges for Roberto, hands
extended. His eyes are a bit wide, finding what he was looking for at
least in part - already those persons at the knocked-over table are
standing and moving towards the 'action'. 

Sam says "Aw, heck," and puts down his food, standing. "Fellas, we don't
have t'do this."" 

Sunspot's eyes snap wide and then narrow in a way that Sam, at least, has
probably come to recognize. His eyes flash to gold, then white, as the
black motes congeal over his skin. With a low Portugese oath, he moves to
grapple the other man. 

Lisa struggles to sit up, pushing burger bits and assorted food remains
off of her. She winces through tears as she sees George connect with the
smaller boy, only to cry out in surprise as he is held fast by Roberto's
grip. 

Sam slides around the altercation to the girl, trying to help her up
before things get any worse. 

Sunspot bares teeth - this time without smiling - and growls, "Go home,
anglo." 

Three less than savory looking man stand in Sam's way - the three whose
food is currently mostly on the floor and partly on Lisa. The lead man,
sticks out a hand in a halting motion, "Don't try it, kid. Take yer mutie
friend and git." 

Sam says "Ah'm just going t'help her up. Ah ain't here t'fight anybody." 

George's face flushes, either from rage or exertion, and he attempts to
push Sunspot to the floor - possibly through it. 

Sunspot grits his teeth. His skin is entirely black, now, sparkles of
darkness thrown from his body. A corona of heat surrounds him as he tries
to throw the other man off. 

"Seems ya got two choices, kid - git out now or we'll jus' have to kick ya
out." says the leader - a thin man in biker's leathers. 

George, with a cry of surprise and perhaps a little touch of pain as well,
lifts from the contest and flies back across the room - landing with a
loud crash across a booth on the far wall. He lies still, after the
patrons there push him out of their way. 

Sam says "Ah'd be happy to leave, sir, just as soon as someone makes sure
this lady's all right. Good book didn't teach me t'ignore people bein'
hurt an' neither did mah daddy." 

Sam winces, right on cue, at the crash. 

Wolverine turns his head to the side, glancing at the source of the loud
noise before grunting and turning back to his beer. 

The men watch George's landing with a mixture of fear and anger, which
they quickly turn on Roberto. The one on the left, a mexican with a scar
across his face, hisses, "Mutie punk." 

Sunspot's teeth are a slash of white against the dead black of his body.
"Leave us alone," he growls. "And leave her alone." 

Lisa, for the most part, seems to be trying to collect herself and get to
her feet. With a start, she's suddenly knocked back down as the third man,
all in denim and flannel, shoves her back to her knees with a barked,
"Stay down, girl." 

Sam throws no punches; he just tries to move towards the girl. 

The man in leather oblidges Sam by throwing the first punch, square at the
tall boy's jaw. His two cronies move forward as well, the Mexican reaching
behind his back. 

Sam spins around from the punch, but catches himself on a chair back, and
straightens. 

Sam says "This still don't have t'happen. All ah want is to help her and
go." 

Sunspot says "Sam!"  Sunspot takes a chair in his hand, moving a step
forward as, compounding his rage, his friend is struck. He prepares to
hurl the chair. 

Sam waves Sunspot back, obviously still convinced things can be salvaged. 

Sunspot holds his position, but barely. He burns hot, indeed. 

"Sure as hell it does, boy," The front man grins, sinister and full of
himself. "Get 'em, boys." His two friends both move forward, the one in
flannel rushing at Sunspot. 

Sunspot lets loose with the chair. "It's no use talking to them, menino.
Better to talk to dogs; at least they know to heel." 

Sam holds his hands out, trying to remember what he's been learning at
Xavier's. "Maybe so, but ah ain't lookin' to hurt people or dogs neither
one!" 

The rushing man gets a face full of cheap wood and goes down, toppling ovr
backwards. There's an audible *crack* that one hopes was not a spine. 

The lead man moves to take another swing at Roberto, leading with his left
as he growls, "Don't need yer kind stinkin' up our place, mutie-lover!" 

Sunspot does his best to avoid the blow though he is not yet a skilled
fighter, and pushes at the man. "Your place stinks enough without me." 

The Mexican watches his friend go down hard, stunned. Seeing his friend
twist and groan a moment, he pulls a large knife from the small of his
back, glaring at Roberto, then turning his hate towards Sam. 

Sam looks, oddly, over the Mexican's shoulder. 

A bottle flies into the Mexican's hand, shattering in a small spray of
glass as the knife falls to the floor. Logan stands at the bar with his
hands crossed against his chest. He grits, "I don't abide weapons in a bar
brawl." 

The Mexican cradles his hand, seeming to forget Sam for the moment as he
howls in pain. 

Sam tries to get around to where the girl was last dumped, in the
confusion. 

Wolverine grunts, moving now towards the brawl. The lead of the three, now
alone, turns back wide-eyed to look over his fallen friends. 

Sunspot looms as threateningly as he is able, attempting to clear a path
to the door. 

Lisa just sits where she is, in a pile of spilled food and beer, and
cries. The rest of the patrons, a few of whom have apparently snuck out
during the ruckus, attempt to go back to eating - glances are cast at the
boys and especially at Sunspot the entir e time. 

Sam kneels down and gently tries to help the young girl up, talking to her
quietly. For a brief moment, he seems a little more mature and less gawky. 

Sunspot holds the door, waiting. In the dimness of the room and New York's
evening, he looks more grey than black, for a moment. 

The man in leather and his Mexican friend look between Wolverine, Sam and
Roberto and begin to move back towards the other end of the bar and the
opposite exit. He yells, "Hope you *die* mutie - God's got no place fer
yer kind on this earth."  Heads are turned and a few murmered words are
heard across the silence that follows; the name 'Stryker' is said at least
once. 

Sam very obviously tightens up, but restrains himself. Barely. He
concentrates on helping the young woman up, instead. 

The girl allows herself to be brought to her feet, but her tears do not
stop. She clings to Sam, sobbing as the two men slink out the side door. 

Wolverine watches the two boys, remaining silent still. 

Sunspot seems to deflate somewhat, losing strength quickly. Only when he
is again in the sun does he regain his stride. 

Sam looks at Wolverine. "We can't leave her here, sir." 

Wolverine nods, once. He turns his head to indicate the door - maintaining
that stance that claims territory. No one seems to argue the matter,
attempting to return to their meals and drinks - but the whispered curses
and fears buzz about the room like fl ies. 

Sam tries to get the girl walking with him towards the door. 

Sunspot leans against the doorway, gathering his strength again. He has
managed to gather himself by the time Sam arrives with the girl. 

Lisa hangs onto Sam, needing to be half-carried but letting herself be led
by boy. Wolverine simply follows the three out, his eyes flicking from
patron to patron calmly but coldly. 

Sam, Lisa in tow, emerges into the sunlight past Roberto, and waits for
Wolverine. 

Wolverine steps out of the bar, moving directly towards the jeep. He
notes, "Room fer her in the back, kid." He looks to Roberto as he climbs
into the driver's seat. 

Sunspot closes his eyes, collecting the last of his strength, before
straightening. "I'm ready," he says, flashing a bright but uncomfortable
smile. 

Sam says "Yessir." then, after a moment, "Miss, we're gonna take you
somewhere to clean up and catch your breath, okay? Ah promise you're
safe." 

Wolverine nods, cranking the engine. The jeep roars to life and Lisa
cringes from the noise before nodding, "O...okay." She tightens her hold
on Sam. 

Sam helps the girl into the back of the jeep, then gets in also, before
Wolverine gets too impatient. 

Sunspot climbs into the front of the jeep. 

Quite the contrary, Logan seems quite calm about the entire matter;
waiting for all to get settled before pulling away from the curb at what
amounts to a respectable speed for him - two hairs short of break-neck. 

Wolverine navigates the streets in silence for a time, occasionally
flicking his eyes to the rear-view mirror to observe Sam and the girl, who
seems to have slipped into a bit of a shock as she clings to Sam's shirt
with both hands. After a while, he says , "Yer a good kid, Guthrie." 

Sunspot remains silent. 

Sam blinks in surprise. "Uh...thanks, Mr. Logan. Ah just..." Crisis over,
his seized maturity appears to fail him, and he trails off. 

Wolverine just nods, turning his eyes back to the road. He drives on,
silent again. 


They navigate their way home mostly in silence - Wolverine somehow
managing to keep his speed without picking up any police attention. Soon
they arrive back at the Mansion... 

Up the drive roars the familiar sound of Logan's jeep, as usual moving far
too fast for the general saftey. He pulls screaching to a stop in front of
the porch, Roberto in the passenger seat and Sam in the back - a young,
scantily-clad girl clinging to hi m and in a state of shock. 

>From the porch swing, Ororo's head turns sharply at the sound of tires
squealing against the driveway. 

Wolverine glances back as he turns off the engine, "Last stop, everyone
out." 

Sunspot hops quietly out of the jeep, normally smiling face turned
serious. 

Sam climbs out, before helping the young girl out as well. 

Ororo walks around and down the steps, her face showing confusion.
"Welcome back, Logan. Who have...?" she recognizes your passengers
suddenly, "Roberto, Sam... welcome back." 

Sam looks pleased and not a little relieved to see Storm walk down the
steps. "Uh, thanks, Ms. Ororo. This girl... she needs somewhere to clean
up and rest." 

Wolverine climbs out of the jeep, his face fairly drawn. He nods, "'Roro.
Kids'va had a rough day. Maybe you'll give their new friend a couch an'
some lookin' after." 

Sunspot nods. "Ororo," he says in greeting, and then shoves hands into his
pockets. Caught up in black mood, he makes for the house. 

Ororo turns and inclines her head politely to the young lady accompanying
the trio. "Of course. I believe there are fresh towels and linen in the
guest rooms."  Ororo nods with the ease of someone who is used to the
unusual, turning to the girl. "Come inside, child. I believe Sam and
Roberto recall the way?" 

Wolverine moves next to Storm and pauses long enough to look at Sam and
comment, "Kid's a dreamer. Chuck's got a find here."  Wolverine nods, more
to himself, and walks around towards the side of the house. 

Sam says "Ah think we best hold off the introductions until she's feelin'
rightly," then hand Lisa off to Ororo. "Uh, Mr. Logan..." 

Wolverine stops, turning his head. "What, kid?" 

Sam grins, weakly. "You're embarrasin' me, sir." 

Sunspot stalks into the house, and out of sight. 

Ororo takes the girl's arm and graciously guides her up the stairs,
judiciously avoiding comment. 

Wolverine makes a soft noise, maybe amused. "Gotta have hope for some of
us." He turns and walks on. 

Lisa makes a faint attempt to resist being drawn away from Sam, but only a
faint one, and clings to Ororo's arm, instead. 

Sam follows quick on Ororo's heels. "She got pushed around a mite, but ah
don't think she's hurt bad on the outside." 

Wolverine is soon lost to sight, rounding the corner of the Mansion. 

"I see." is Ororo's reply. She opens the door for Lisa and Sam. "Your
flair for entrances is improving, I see." Her tone is quiet but with a
touch of humor. 

Sam walks through the door ahead of Ororo, saying, "You know me, Ms.
Ororo, ah always make a big noise when ah arrive..." 

---They enter the mansion, moving into the Entrance Hall ---

Ororo turns Lisa towards the stairs. "Should I ask Kurt to look in on your
friend here, Sam?" 

Sam looks distinctly embarrassed. "Uh...better not, Ms. Ororo. She's not
really used to mutants." 

Ororo purses her lips briefly before acknowledging. "I only wondered if
she required medical attention." 

Sam says, "Ah don't think so. She got pushed around a little, but only a
little. Ah expect just cleanin' up and getting some rest is all she
needs." 

Lisa looks around, somewhat confusedly. 

"I see." Ororo simply nods and helps the girl towards the stairs. "I will
see that she is looked after, then." 

Sam says, "Ah appreciate it, ma'am." 

Lisa goes with Ororo, as before. 

Ororo walks up the grand staircase to the second level.  Ororo has left.