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The limo glided to a stop in front of one of the newly constructed cottages on campus.

("Well, here we are. Home, sweet home,") Angelo sent, smiling at me. ("Our very own cottage...") He squeezed my thigh suggestively.

("Ange, stop it, Bumpkin's about to open the door,") I reprimanded him, blushing. He chuckled.

The door opened. "Ma'am?" He gestured that I should step out. Angelo followed me.

Knowing Bumpkin would get our things, we headed straight for the cottage. "Whew, I'm beat," I commented. "I just want to take a quick shower and crash for the night." I reached for the doorknob.

"Wait!" Angelo's hand wrapped itself around mine. "Doesn't tradition dictate that I should carry you over the threshold?" I couldn't help but grin at his eagerness as he opened the door then scooped me up and carried me into the cottage.

We'd decided what we wanted before the wedding and Emma's people had decorated while we were gone. Some of the rooms were obviously my style, some Angelo's and some were an amalgam of both our tastes.

"Oooooh, this place looks great so far, doesn't it?" I asked enthusiastically as we peeked through the doorway of each room. "Wouldja go through the den, though? I especially want to see how it looks."

"But of course," he responded in his best 'Grey Poupon' accent, which never failed to send me into a peal of giggles. Still carrying me, he went into the den. It definitely had Angelo written all over it, from to the paintings on the walls and the cactus in one corner to the distinctly Spanish throw over the couch. Except for one thing...

"They put that old thing in here?" he asked incredulously, indicating the old beat up chair next to the fireplace.

"Oh Angie, I love that chair, you know that," I soothed. "I know it's ugly, but it's so comfy! We can have it reupholstered--"

"I guess so," he agreed as we left the den. "Anything to make my lovely new wife happy."

The underlying meaning behind his statement was unmistakable. "You naughty boy. Y'know...there's still one more room we haven't checked out yet." I grinned and wrapped my arms tighter around his neck.

"You read my mind, baby," he responded as we entered the bedroom. He laid me down on the bed and sat down next to me, leaning over me with one hand at the other side of my body. His eyes moved down, then back up to my face.

"What do you say we skip the shower and break in this new mattress instead?" His fingers trailed down the row of buttons on my shirt.

"Hmmm." I pretended to contemplate this. "Weeeeell...I was actually looking forward to trying out that nifty little electric can opener in the kitchen but...okay, I guess." I laughed out loud at his expression and sat up, pulling him close to me and kissing him.

Angelo's arm stretched out behind us and shut the door. ("You're just terrible, woman,") he mock reprimanded me as he went to work on my shirt.

I sent him the equivalent of a mental grin. ("What? That's not what you said last night.") I giggled as he laid us back down on the bed.

"I've brought your suitcases in, they're in the den," Bumpkin's voice called. "Uh, good night..." His voice sounded a bit chagrined.

Startled, we broke the kiss. Angelo got a mischievous look on his face.

"You're tellin' me," he shouted back.

I gaped at him, blushing scarlet. "Angelo!"

He laughed deep in his throat as he pinned me down and pressed his lips against mine.

"Hmmm..."

"What?"

"I'll let you pick. Would you like toast, toast or toast for breakfast?"

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Angelo leaned up from the back of the chair he was straddling.

"Well, considering we've only got half a loaf of bread, a tub of butter and a jar of mayonnaise in the fridge, we don't have much of a selection," I reported. "You'd think the way Emma's people loaded this place, they could have gotten us some comestibles, ya know?"

"You'd think...Well, do you just want to go into Boston and go huntin' for supplies?"

"Looks like we're going to have to."

Angelo sighed. "Oh, hey, I've decided that toast sounds good," he announced.

I shook my head, laughing. "Gosh, what a tough decision! Yer a trip and a half, Ange." I got out the bread and butter and shut the fridge.

I turned to see him grinning madly. "You're incredible. Don't you ever think of anything else?"

"Nope." He got up from the chair and came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and nuzzling my neck.

The front door opened. "Hello?" I heard Jubilee's voice call out. "Where are you guys--oh! Hey, welcome back, you two." She stood there grinning at us.

Angelo sighed and let go of me. "Jubes, have you ever noticed that you've taken the habit of just coming in wherever without knocking?"

Jubilee feigned embarrassment. "Gee, I'm sorry!" She walked over to the doorway and knocked at the frame. "Ange, may I come in your kitchen, please?"

Angelo rolled his eyes. "Sure! Why not? Hey, care to join us for a lovely breakfast of toast?"

J made a face. "Yuck. Actually, that's part of the reason I stopped by. I swiped this from the pantry," she replied, holding out a box.

Ange took it from her. "Pop-Tarts!" he shouted. "Sums, she brought us Pop-Tarts! I could kiss ya, Lee."

I snorted.

"But I won't."

"Oh no, my life is over," she wailed sarcastically, laying the back of her hand against her forehead. "However will I go on?"

Angelo looked at me out of the corner of his eye, trying to hide a grin.

("What?") Suddenly I burst out laughing. The mental image he'd sent me--of Ev, running for his life screaming bloody terror--for some reason just struck me as so hysterical I couldn't help it.

"What's so funny?" Jubes asked, which only made it funnier.

"Nothing," I gasped. "Nothing at all."

"Liar." She pursed her lips. "Look Sums, we girls are goin' into Boston this afternoon. Are you coming?"

"Yeah, I'm in," I agreed. "I need to do a little grocery shopping anyway."

Her eyebrow raised way up. "Grocery shopping?" She looked at me incredulously. "I'm talkin' the Gap here, not Kroger's, Summer."

"J, we have no food--"

"Have Angelo do it," Jubilee retorted. "He's a big boy, aren't you?" She reached over to pinch his cheek.

Thoroughly annoyed, Ange dodged her hand. "No way, chica. You want me to do major grocery shopping alone? I'd have to make two trips just to get everything."

I decided to save the peace. "Look J, he's got a point. Ange and I can go this morning and he can drop me off. I'll meet ya for lunch wherever. Okay?"

She sighed. "Fine, I guess. Cheung's at noon?"

"Sounds good to me."

"Cool."

In a moment, Angelo left us to have a private conversation. Even though he would know everything we said, it gave it the feeling of a private conversation, mainly for Jube's sake.

She contemplated me a moment. "You don't look any different, Summer."

I gave her a confused look. "I'm supposed to look different? Why?"

"Well...yer married and everything," she began, "...and um...you know." She grinned lasciviously.

I'm sure I blushed crimson. "Yeah, hey, now that you mention it, I have noticed I have a sincere craving for white leather and chains...."

"Oh, stop. You know what I mean. Don't tell me you never thought that when you knew someone before they got married."

"Just because I got married, you assumed I'd look different? Did we look any different when we turned sweet sixteen? Or Ev and Jono when they hit twenty-one?"

"Nooo...it's just that, well, everybody's been talkin' about since ya obviously ain't sweet and innocent anymore--"

"Jubes!"

"Look, hey you're my best friend. But I'm not above gossiping about it! Look, I got to have some serious bonding time with Guthrie while you were gone two weeks. And sometimes, late at night when we're watchin' some videos or something, we couldn't help but wonder what our favorite Icicle was doing..."

I put a hand over my face in semi-embarrassment. "Oh Jubilee, tell me--tell me please you all did not play some kind of truth or dare, talk about things only fit for Emma, weird psycho game...."

"Well...we all just took turns guessing at what might be going on and the pros and cons of your--"

"Jubilee!" I knew I was blushing now. "Just what do you mean 'you all'?"

"Oh, you know, me and Paige and Monet. I tell ya, what Monet lacks in coolness, she makes up for in creativity." A huge grin spread across her face. "B'sides, remember how she keeps tellin' us 'there's precious little I don't know'?" She trailed off, waiting for my reaction. "Based on our little...chats, I guess you could call 'em, I think she knows just exactly what to ask ya."

I groaned inwardly as Angelo's mental chuckling wafted through my mind; I should have expected this. "Oh my gosh..."

"Sooo....we're wanting you to um...you know, clear things up for us, because I'm sure we don't know what we're talking about."

"Jubilee, you are a trip and a half... Listen, I gotta go shopping, okay?"

With that I grabbed my keys and ran out to the car, where Angelo would be waiting.

("Don't even say a word,") I sent as I jumped in the car and watched him grin from ear to ear.

"That'll be $517.36."

Angelo whistled through his teeth. "Sheeze."

"Well, we got just about everything, honey," I reminded him, signing my name at the bottom of the check. "Of course it's gonna cost--what?"

I looked to where Angelo was pointing and groaned. "I did it again." Sighing, I squeezed in '-Espinosa' at the end of my name. I looked over at him and smiled sheepishly.

"Sorry, dear. Force of habit after eighteen years of 'Ison', don'tcha know." I handed the check and my license to the cashier.

"'s okay. I know a good way to help you remember." He ran his hand down my arm.

I blushed despite myself. ("Ange... not here, please,") I sent, frustrated beyond belief.

The cashier handed me my receipt. "Have a nice day," she told us, grinning at Angelo.

"Oh, we sure will--"

"Come on, dear," I said in a sing-song voice. "Let's get these groceries out to the car before the frozen stuff melts." I set my purse down in the kid's seat of one of the carts and started pushing it toward the door.

Angelo followed with the other cart.

Before our bond was formed, he might have asked if I was mad, considering that all outward appearances showed a mad person. But he knew me, he could feel my emotions. He knew I was only slightly irritated. Not anywhere close to mad.

He kissed me on the cheek. ("I'm sorry, I just can't help it. If you weren't so darn gorgeous, things might be a bit easier for me.")

I blushed again. ("Cut it out, you're making me blush. It's such a disgusting habit, blushing all the time...")

("Oh, I dunno, I really like that flushed look on you,") he sent suggestively.

("Ange!")

("All right, all right, I'll stop now.") He started loading groceries into the trunk. "What time is it?"

I looked at my watch. "Omigosh, it's 11:45 already! We've got to hurry," I urged him, picking up a bag and shoving it in with the others.

We loaded the trunk and back seat with groceries (I'd frozen most of the cold stuff solid first) and sped over to Cheung's, arriving just at noon.

"Whew! What timing!" Ange grinned at me. "Am I good, or what?"

"You have a lead foot, that's what," I teased. "Come inside and wait with me?"

"You bet." We went inside and got a table.

"They're late," I commented, glancing down at my watch again and sipping at a Pepsi. "And here we were worried about being on time."

Ange shrugged and took a sip of my pop. "That's okay." He took my hand in his.

"There she is, in the back."

Ange sighed. ("I guess I spoke too soon,") he sent in a defeated tone of voice as Jubilee and the others joined us.

"Hey guys, welcome back," Paige said, sitting down across from me. "Did you have a nice time?"

"It was just wonderful," I gushed, smiling. "Our place was great, the beach was beautiful and there was plenty of shopping and things to do."

M sat down next to Paige. "What was your favorite part?"

"I'd have to say the beach," Angelo decided.

I nodded. "The beach was just lovely. We went walking along the shore at sunset, and sunbathing during the day." I smiled and gazed off into the distance, recalling details of the trip.

"What else did ya do at the beach?" J piped up.

Angelo laughed, but humored me by not saying anything.

Jubilee blushed. "I didn't mean it like that," she stammered. "I meant like, swimming or sailboating or snorkeling--"

"Gowan, get outta here," I told him, giving him a swat on the arm. He winked at me.

"Yes, dear." Grinning, he leaned over and kissed me lingeringly before rising from his seat. "Bye, baby."

I watched him leave before turning back to the others. "I love him so much," I sighed.

"Evidently," M commented. She leaned forward across the table. "So c'mon, tell all." She smiled at me.

"Tell all?" I repeated.

"Yeah. Ya know, fill us in on all the gruesome little details," Paige said, giggling.

"You guys..." I protested. "No way! I can't do that to Ange."

"Sums, ya don't haveta tell us everything, just some things," J told me. "Just color us curious. Besides," she added, "Angelo will be receiving the same interrogation when he gets home. It's only fair the two of you suffer equally..."

I sighed. "Fine, ask. But I don't have to answer!"

"Fair enough."

"Okay," Jubilee said, leaning forward and grinning wickedly. "What is your favorite part about Angelo's powers?"

I groaned. "Um, the really awesome shade of gray?"

"Nope. We aren't buyin' that."

"Honestly? It's not what you nasty girls are thinking. It's his hands, because he can hold me so completely and his skin is so soft. I mean, guys don't usually have soft skin, but given the nature of his powers, Angelo's skin is like silk."

"Soft as a baby's butt."

"What?!?" Everyone giggled.

"I take it Angelo doesn't fit into the 'hairy chest' category?"

"Hairy chest, M? Who cares about a hairy chest?" Paige eyed me innocently.

Jubes grinned at me. "Sooo...does Ange have--"

"Does Ev?" I countered.

Now it was her turn to blush.

"Uh-huh. Okay, we'll let you off on that one," Jubilee conceded.

Paige was blushing, but she went on with the question she seemed to be embarrassed to ask. "Were you scared?"

"No, not scared, really. Just...nervous, I guess. I mean, it's not like I didn't want to be with Ange in that way. I did, and I knew all the technicals and all, but..." I sighed and stared off at the wall, trying to find the words to explain an emotion that needed to be experienced to be understood completely. "It's totally different when you're actually--"

I paused when I noticed them listening to me eagerly, waiting for me to spill a juicy little detail. "I uhm...I guess I was worried about disappointing him."

"Did ya?"

I smiled smugly. "He didn't give any sort of indication that he was in any way disappointed."

"Okay, then, now that you've tried him out--" I blushed fiercely as she winked at me, "--what is he best at?" Jubes asked matter of factly.

I forced a weak smile. "Uhm...he's a great kisser..." I trailed off.

"And?" they chorused, leaning in closer.

"Well, he's--uhm, let's just say I wasn't disappointed either--" I wanted to crawl in a hole and die as Monet, grinning hugely, clapped me on the shoulder as the others snickered.

"Does it hurt?" Another question from Paige.

My blush returned a bit and I bit at my lip. "Uh..." I played with a piece of my hair. "No, actually..."

"Well, she must've enjoyed it, hayseed, or else--"

"J!"

Jubilee had an evil glint in her eye. "So, did your powers come in handy?"

Thank goodness, a question I can worm my way out of!

"Yes! One morning, the room service brought us warm orange juice. Let me tell you, I have never been so grateful in my life!"

"Oh stop it! You know exactly what I mean."

I blushed--again. But this question was relatively easy and low on the embarrass-o-meter. "Yeah, sometimes. Cold shivers down his back and cold hands can really take a guy by surprise."

Paige chuckled. "Just down his back, Summer? Gee, that's not very creative. Didn't ya pick any other places to--"

"Oh, give her time, hayseed. She's still new at all o' this."

Suppressed laughter erupted around the table. Just then our waitress brought us our food. Unfortunately, everyone--including myself--had chosen to eat light. Which meant I couldn't fill my mouth with food to avoid talking. Why couldn't I have ordered the Happy Family Platter for Five? I mean, it kept Mondo busy. I wouldn't have had to answer any more stupid questions.

Jubilee was about to ask another question.

"Jube!" I interjected before she could start. "Some people at this table haven't gotten to ask any questions." I glanced to Monet.

She smiled, and I felt like a mouse under a cat's paw. "I'm going to ask you a few one-word response questions. All right? Responses are either, neither or both."

Jubilee yawned. Monet glared. "Trust me, Jubilation, this is better than it sounds." She cleared her throat. "All right. Vertical or horizontal?"

"Huh--oh!" I blushed.

Jubilee rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on M, they're newlyweds! I could tell ya the answer to that one--"

"Shut up, Lee. Well, Summer?"

I decided I might as well just answer the question. "Both..."

"Ha! See, I told ya--"

"Shut up, Jubes. What else are ya gonna ask her, M?"

"Under or on top?"

Wait just a minute, is he bragging--Angelo! Then I guess I get to have a little fun too. "Is that all the choices you're offering me?" I smiled wickedly.

"That was supposed to be a one word answer, but I think we get the idea. Indoors or outdoors?"

"It was nice and warm out, Monet. It depends. What time of day are we talking about?"

M's eyebrow went up. "I say we forgo the one word answers. This way is much more informative." The corner of her mouth quirked up. "Aquatic or terrestrial?"

"Hmmm. Does the shower count as aquatic?"

Jubilee almost fell off her chair laughing as Paige gaped at me.

"Why the sudden change of heart, Summer?" she asked me incredulously. "Half an hour ago, ya wouldn't have told us any of this."

I smiled sweetly. "Because my dear husband has a big mouth, and I need to beat him to at least some of the answers. Anything else?"

"Who was in charge?"

I shrugged. "Usually him. He wouldn't give up that remote control for anything!"

"Sums..."

I laughed. "Like I said, usually him."

"Except for those 'on top' situations, right Sum?" J teased. She grinned. "Does he 'French' kiss you much?"

"Does it rain in the spring much?" I answered innocently.

Paige bopped Jubes on top of the head. "Oh, come on mall rat. We were all at their wedding. Every time ya turned around, there they were--"

I shook my head in defeat and looked to M for the next round of interrogations.

"Powers or no?"

Everyone laughed. "I wonder..." Jubilee joked.

"Powers..." I admitted.

"Every time?"

I blushed and nodded.

"Speakin' of powers and avoiding disappointment, can Ange--"

"I am not going to answer that one, Jubes, so don't even ask it!"

Everyone laughed. Monet continued on.

"How often?"

"Well, are we talking on an hourly or daily basis?" By this time, Jubilee was laughing hysterically and dabbing at her eyes with her napkin.

Trying to hide her very satisfied grin, M cleared her throat and continued.

"What's your favorite position?"

"Monet! And I thought the other questions you were asking were personal!"

"Awww, c'mon Sums. We won't ask any more really personal questions, promise..."

"Speak for yerself, Husk."

They were all sitting there looking at me expectantly; there was no way to get out of answering the question--

"Ya know, I just bet Ev will have no problem finding out the answer to that one," J said contemplatively.

I sat up straight in my chair, grimacing. Knowing Angelo... "I bet you're right. Fine." They leaned in closer, as if I was telling the world's best kept secret. "Well, I'm not all that particular, but Ange..." I sighed. "Mention Lassie around me, and you're dead."

J and Paige were red in the face and trying to hold in their laughter. M was seriously amused but managed to hold it in enough to ask another question.

"Did you use anything flavored?"

"Flavored? You mean, as in..."

"You know. Lickable, spreadable, et cetera..." M grinned evilly.

I was just about to answer when Paige suddenly sat up straight.

"Shhhh, here comes the waitress!" she hissed.

"Any dessert today?" she asked as she neared the table.

Poor thing, she must have wondered why we busted out laughing when she asked such an innocent question.

Jubilee decided to order. "Yeah, I'll have a hot fudge sundae with extra nuts," she requested.

"I'll have the same thing, but with whipped cream," Paige added, suppressing a giggle.

"Sounds tempting," M agreed, placing her order, "but slice a banana into mine." J and Paige were clinging to each other and shaking at this point.

"For you, miss?" the waitress asked.

I shook my head; I didn't need any more tormenting. "No, thanks, I'm full."

Talk about the absolute wrong thing to say...

"Shades of Gray" 21/? By Me, monet@uky.campus.mci.net and my secret-psychic-sister Krista kjscjs@ix.netcom.com.

Money can't buy happiness...But it sure makes misery easier to live with.