"Damnit!"

"...come on, I can do it...DAMNIT!"

Despite the ice cold air surrounding him the young mutant known as Bobby Drake was sweating. His usual ice armor replaced by his vulnerable human form. The Danger Room seem to be encompassed in a maze of ice. To most it would have appeared beautiful, but to Bobby this creation is just another failure.

"Iceman huh? Geez after all this time I am surprised nobody has called me 'Iceboy'... I can't seem to get anything right..."

"Hey Ice Cube!"

"Wha..."

Bobby spun around sharply to stare at the vintange of Wolverine. The man scared him. He wasn't afraid of Logan's loyalty. No, Bobby was afraid of how far Wolverine would and could go to win. He was also everything Bobby had never been. A man like Wolverine would never have let himself fall behind everyone else. Men like Wolverine were always on top.

"Uh hi Logan...whats up?"

"Well Cube I was wonderin' when you were gonna clean all this ice up? What were ya thinkin Drake, friggin' North Pole in the mansion?"

"No I was just practicing using my powers. I got a little out of control."

"Well I just thought that I'd be the one ta tell ya that ya missed dinner again. Powers ain't gonna do much for ya if you lose about fifty pounds. Anorexia ain't good for ya Drake."

"Thanks Logan, I'll be up shortly."

"Good thing Ice Pick, make sure ya get this ice stuff outta here."

Bobby turned back around and wondered why he could not be more like Wolverine. Then again he wondered if he would want to be like Wolverine.

"Hey kid?"

"Logan?"

"Just wanted ta tell ya that I believe in ya. Don't know if that means anything to ya, but I know ya have been workin' hard, and well...I'm proud o' ya."

Bobby could not believe what he had just heard. Wolverine give someone a compliment? Impossible. Bobby watched as the always mysterious man walked out. Oh well it was time to clean up anyways. With a thought the ice in the room seemed to start evaporating. A trick that Bobby had been experimenting with. Within moments all the ice that had covered the room now was only a few small puddles.

"Robert? I was wondering if we could talk?"

Cyclops had entered the study in which Bobby had been sitting. Scott was dressed in full gear. Bobby thought that funny since it was ten o' clock at night. Cyclops always seemed to be prepared for the worst. He wondered for a moment if the "worst" happened to be Jean and her mild temper.

"Sure Cyke, whats up?"

"Well I don't know how to put this, but I would like for you to go help Banshee out with the Generation X kids."

"What? Why? They have two teachers already. What use would I be for them?"

"Actually the Professor, Storm, and I already discussed this." We feel that you would be a good influence on them. Since they are learning how to use their powers and all."

"Good influence?! Most of them can use their powers more effectively than I can!"

"Don't underestimate yourself Robert. You have come a long way in a short time. We have realized that and decided it would be a good idea if you went to help out with the new team."

"What about Emma?"

"What about her? I thought you two had dealt with your problems."

"We had. Well not completely. I do not think I would be very comfortable in her presence for any amount of time. Besides I still do not think that I would be much help with them."

"To be honest with you Robert, we were kind of expecting your immediate agreement. We all thought that you could use a vacation after the recent events that have taken place."

"I can't believe this Cyke! A vacation? More like a demotion! Fine! Great! I'll go pack now!"

"Look Bobby we don't want to force you to do anything that you do not want to do."

"Scott I just think that you guys have no faith in me. You think that I am going to screw up somehow. Everyone thinks this. I am not stupid. I see all of your pity looks in my direction. I will go help with Generation X, don't worry, I am an X-Man after all aren't I? And we are a team."

Scott thought those last words were laced with ice. Unfortunately he could find nothing to say to his friend who must feel that he has been betrayed. Scott walked out of the room without any further words between them.

*Scott?*

*Jean? Well that was interesting.*

*Yes I heard. Do not worry hon, he will understand with time.*

*Understand Jean? How will he ever understand that we do not think he is cut out to be an X-Man?*

After packing his belongings Robert Drake set out towards the Generation X headquarters, taking the most efficient and enjoyable transportation possible. An ice slide. Unfortunetely he managed to effectively ruin the moment by participating in nothing other than...self pity.

"Hey Bobby why don't you go help out with the Generation X kids? They might help you learn how to use your powers! Hey Bobby why don't you take a leave of absence from the team? Think of it as a vacation! A permanent one!" -I cannot believe that the X-Men are sending me off like this! What next? Back to preschool?-

Absorbed in his own self pity Iceman failed to notice an attack on a woman below him. That is until his thoughts were shattered by a stereotypical scream.

"AAAAHHHHHHHHHH!"

"What? That woman...she is in trouble!" -Geez I hate it when I state the obvious!-

"Hey thugs!", Bobby yelled at them as loud as he could, "Yeah you guys, why don't you mess with someone who can beat your butts! That would happen to be me if you haven't already guessed."

Bobby instantly noticed he was outnumbered six to one. Also one two of the thugs kept their hold on the woman. -Well as long as none of these guys happens to be Onslaught in disguise. I should finish this quickly and easily.-

Iceman then froze the ground around two of his attackers causing them to fall and hit their heads upon debris. One man threw a knife at Bobby which did nothing more than fall to the ground.

"Mutie scum!" One of them yelled. "You are all alike. Fucking gene-joAARRRGHHH!!!"

"Well that takes care of him. I had always wondered what it would be like to fill someones mouth with ice."

Much to his surprise two of the remaining three men ran away screaming something about hating the Silver Surfer. That left only the one man holding the woman.

"Watch it mutie, I've got the woman and I ain't scared o' hurtin her either."

The woman seemed to stay surprisingly calm ever after the man revealed the gun he was holding. As if on cue Bobby created a similar gun made of ice and pointed it at the man.

"What was that you called me? Oh wait I think the saying goes...'Come on punk! Do ya feel lucky...'" Before Bobby could react the man shot a bullet from his gun, dropped the woman, and took off running.

"Stupid Silver Surfer!"

Bobby looked around him thinking that the whole situation could have been handled better when suddenly the woman screamed. Bobby turned around prepared to comfort her when he saw the cause of her distress. The lower half of his left arm from elbow down had been blown off. Bobby looked at his arm with a newfound interest and growing panic.

"Oh my...this has not happened before...What do I do? Where is Emma when I need her?"

Thousands of thoughts raced through Bobby's mind. He forced himself not to panic. Finally he came up with a solution that seemed to be completely impossible. With a single thought Bobby froze the ice around his arm creating a crude, but effective substitute for his old arm.

"Now lets see if it works."

With a smile to the shocked woman staring at his amputated lower left arm Iceman transformed himself back into Bobby Drake.

"Wow can you believe that! Not even a scratch! Do you know what this means? I am practically invincable!"

The young lady looked at Bobby with an intense look of nothing other than surprise. "I um...I am uh sure that...I uh...Do you do this often?"

"Do what?"

"Save damsels in distress?"

Bobby looked at her strangely, and then he gave her a small smile. "Are you saying that you were in distress?"

"Well I thought I was giving that impression. I could be wrong, but I thought the yelling gave me away."

They both shared a laugh. And Bobby suddenly got a little more comfortable.

His next words popped out before he even realized what he was saying. "So I take it you are not a mutie hater."

"Well I never thought about it much. I prefer to think of people as individuals rather than categorize them into groups. Does that make sense?"

"Yeah it makes perfect sense." Bobby gifted her with a genuine smile.

A quiet tense moment passed between them when suddenly she shifted nervously and began to speak.

"Umm...I suppose that it is ok to tell you this...umm...I uh...umm..."

"What, what is it? Did those guys hurt you?" Bobby asked with genuine concern.

"No what I am trying to say is that I am a...a uh mutant...like you I guess."

Bobby looked at her for a moment while a thousand thoughts ran through his head. For some reason all of them were suspicious ones. -If she is a mutant then why did he need my help to escape?- -Is this a setup?- -If this is a setup then I probably shouldn't be standing around.-

"Ice...uh man?"

"Yes how did you know my name?" Bobby frowned. -Very suspicious!-

"I didn't. I just guessed by what you looked like before when you were helping me."

"Oh."

"I was umm wondering what you were thinking. You look very intense. Almost angry. Have I said something to disturb you? I thought that since you were a mutant too you would accept me. I just want...I need...You see I have lost everything...I just realized I am a mutant...I have been so scared. My father is a supporter of Friends of Humanity. I never really agreed with his beliefs but I did not care either. Not at least until last month...I have been running ever since. My father's friends convinced him to make an example of me. They said that they would kill me. My only help is a letter I received..."

She fumbled through her pockets until she found the object of her desire before she continued. "It is from a Mr. Cassidy and Ms. Frost. The letter is an invitation for enrollment into the Massachusetts Academy" She smiled. "I was on my way there when those guys stopped me. The bus was supposed to pick me up there." She pointed.

Bobby could not believe what he just heard. Not only did she seem completely without malice, but she was also heading in the same direction as he was. For the first time he let himself notice her appearance. She was actually quite pretty. Kind of short. Just a little over five feet from his guess, but the curves were all there. She had brown hair with just a hint of auburn and the most beautiful green eyes he had ever seen. Bobby's smile suddenly turned much more friendly.

-Well this has to be destiny right?- "I completely understand. I am sorry for a second there I actually thought you were sent to attack me or something. Sorry, you can never be too careful." Bobby smiled sheepishly. "My name is Robert Drake, but you can call me Bobby."

"Hi...my name is Aphelia...Aphelia Thomas."

"Well Aphelia it looks like we are both heading in the same direction. Would you like a ride to meet Generation X?"

"Damnit Emma, I canna believe they are both late!"

Emma Frost looked up form the book she was reading and sighed. "Look Sean, your anger is not going to get either of them here any faster, so calm down."

Sean Cassidy smiled at her. "Sorry Emma I just hav'ta admit that I am a wee bit worried. Especially about Aphelia. When she called us two days ago and said she was on her way I thought that she seemed slightly agitated. And I know for a fact that Robert Drake is no happy about coming here. Scott said that much when we last communicated. I do na want him ta bring the students spirits down...So do ye think that I am a chronic worrier Emma?" Sean winked at her.

Emma showed him a genuine smile before she spoke. "First of all Sean I am not in the slightest of doubt about whether or not you are a chronic worrier. Second I am not at all worried about whether or not Aphelia and Robert Drake will show up. As a matter of a fact I believe they will be showing up any minute now."

As if on cue the doorbell suddenly rang. Sean turned just in time to see Jubilee race to the door screaming "I got it, I got it!!!"

"Well Bobby I must admit that under the circumstances I am a wee bit glad that ye ran inta Aphelia on the way here. It seems that ye comin' here was a little luck on our part. Wouldn't ye agree Emma?"

"Of course, Sean. It seems to me to be nothing other than...fate."

Bobby looked up at Emma nervously. He still had not been able to get comfortable around her. In his mind he thought that they shared the most intimate relationship possible when she had inhabited his body, and now she seemed to be laughing at him. He wondered what she would think of how he used his powers earlier in the day to thwart the men who were attacking Aphelia. Her next words drew him out of his thoughts.

"Actually Bobby I am quite impressed with how you managed to reform your arm. It seems that you are finally beginning to gain a grasp upon your powers. In fact I am surprised that the X-Men let you go now that you are proving  yourself to be more than capable of the pressure that comes with the territory  of being an X-Man. I sincerely believe that you will be a strong asset to this  team, and I believe that the students will indeed benefit from your examples."

Bobby could feel his jaw hit the floor. He looked over at Sean and found him in much the same state. Actually Sean seemed to have trouble supporting himself and managed to fall out of his chair.

"Uh Sean...Umm Emma...uh I uh...ummm...I...thanks. That means more to me than I can even begin to express. I am truely...uh...appreciative."

"I know. Don't expect me to say it again though." With that Emma turned on her heels and left the two shocked men alone to regroup.

"I dinna know if that woman will ever stop surprising me, boyo. So are ye  excited to be a part of the team? No, Bobby please do na give me that sorry expression. What do ye think this is a demotion or something Bobby? We  are not a bunch of second rate mutants here. Just because the members of this team happen to be young does'na mean that they are lesser than ye."

"I am sorry Sean. I did not realize that I was giving that impression. I have to admit though that Scott made me feel like an invalid. I have been working  really hard with my powers and now it seems all for nothing."

"Did ye na hear a thing the blasted woman said ta ye boy! Emma told ye that  ye would be a valuable part o' the team. Yet ye still choose not ta listen. I no understand why ye always want ta bring yourself down Bobby. I never  thought anything but highly of ye, and I never will think anything less. Good night."

Bobby sat alone for a few minutes before a newly familier voice interrupted his thoughts. Bobby looked up quickly to find Aphelia standing before him wearing pajamas and a robe.

"I said hi."

"Sorry Aphelia, I was thinking about things. It seems that you have made  yourself quite comfortable here. Generation X will be perfect for you I think." Bobby flashed her a quick smile.

"I think so too Bobby, but what about you? You look so forlorn. Earlier  today you were so cheerful when you were bringing me here and now...well it's  like you are a completely different person."

"Aphelia, may I ask you a question? I mean that is if you don't mind." She looked up at him curiously before she nodded yes. "Umm...I was wondering what  your mutant power is. You see I was thinking that if you are a mutant then why  did you not defend yourself to those guys earlier?"

Bobby was surprised by the sudden change in her. She went from moderately relaxed to battle defensive in less than a second. "Look Aphelia, I am sorry. If you do not want to talk about it then I will understand. Ok?"

"Oh I am sorry Bobby. I just am not used to this. Emma told me that I am a  latent mutant. My powers did not surface themselves until they were needed.  Bobby I will tell you what. If you tell me what is bothering you then I will tell you about me. Is it a deal?"

For some reason Bobby knew that the deal was more than fair so he agreed  and began to speak slowly.

"Well ok I suppose I will go first. Lets see my powers are basically to turn the humidity around me into ice. Well that is what I thought until about two months ago when I was involved in an accident with the White Queen, or you know  her better as Emma Frost. To make a long story short she somehow took  over my body and used my powers in ways that I had never even imagined! Suddenly I realized that I had wasting myself as a mutant. So I started working harder. Eventually I think I really started making progress. But the other day the leader of the X-Men, Cyclops, came to me telling me that he and the rest  of the team thought I would be better off in a place that could better suit my needs. Unfortunately I don't agree, but then when has the opinion of Robert  Drake ever mattered? So here I am. Under the same roof as Emma Frost. Who happens to make me extremely nervous, but did say some  nice things to me earlier. And I am supposed to play teacher to a bunch of preschoolers! No wait I did not mean that...I don't know what I mean anymore."

Bobby looked up at Aphelia. "You probably think I am pathetic, don't you?  Do not worry I won't blame you. Almost everyone else thinks this."

"Actually Bobby I think nothing of the sort. If the way you dealt with those  guys earlier today was an example of inexperience then I am more than a little scared of what experience would be like."

"Thank you. That means a lot to me. I just, well I feel so damn insecure when it comes to my powers. So I tend to beat myself down a lot. Look if you do  not want to tell me what happened to you then I will understand. I know that  some things are difficult to talk about."

"No I think I need to talk about it. I haven't told anyone. It seems that until today I have not had anyone to talk to. I told you earlier that my father is a member and supporter of the Friends of Humanity. I never really had an  opinion on mutants though. I thought that most people were just being childish  in thier hatred. I was not a supporter of mutants though, until last month. You see there was this man named Roy Todd. He worked for my father's company  and spent many nights at our house doing research with my father. One night  when he was staying over and my father was at a FOH meeting he came to my  room. He told me how attractive he thought I was, and how he wanted to  touch me...oh Bobby I was so scared!"

Bobby suddenly decided to make a spur of the moment decision and tried to put his arms around her, but she stopped him. "No don't do that. I will explain. Roy came closer to me. He said that he did not want to hurt me only pleasure me. I had never been so scared before in my life. When he climbed on my  bed I prayed for anything to make the nightmare stop. He started kissing me  and I could not fight him off. Finally I just started to scream. I just screamed and kept screaming. Then I noticed that Roy was not trying to stop me. As a  matter of a fact he was not moving at all, and I felt this enormous power in my body. I did not understand at the time, but I absorbed him. I will explain that later." Bobby noticed that she seemed eager to finish the story so he chose not to interrupt with his questions. He just smiled at her to continue.

"Roy was not moving. I checked for a pulse, but I could not find one. I knew that he was dead, and I knew that somehow I was stronger because of it. At that moment my father burst into the room screaming. I told him that Roy had attacked me and that I thought that I had killed him or something. My father seemed so angry at Roy that he did not look my way for several minutes. When he finally did I saw his expression turn from sympathy to disgust. He started screaming at me with words of hate. I did not understand until he used the words "filthy mutant". Then I knew what had happened. So I ran. I didn't know where to go so I went to a shelter. A few days later I walked back to my house and went inside. I believed that if my father had time to cool down he would be more rational about the situation. On the table I noticed some mail that had been left for me. It was from a Mr. Cassidy and Ms. Frost. You already know that part though. Well needless to say when my father came home he was not happy to see me. He told me that he no longer had a daughter. That I was a mockery to humanity and that he would kill me if he had a chance. I saw the hate slip away for a moment though. He told me to get out of his life if I wanted to live. He told me I would not receive a second chance. I left again. This time with my ATM card. I had saved something like $1200 from my job so I knew I was not in immediate danger, but I knew I needed something quick. I tried staying with friends for awhile, but soon everyone knew I was a mutant and I began to worry. One day I took out the note sent from Mr. Cassidy and Ms. Frost and reread it. To make an even longer story short.  Here I am."

"Wow Aphelia. I feel like such a dip now. I had no right feeling sorry for myself after what you had been through."

"No Bobby we all have our problems that are equally important. Ms. Frost told me that I am an energy drainer. Basically I can drain the energy out of living things and transfer it to my body. I cannot fully control it yet though. That is why Roy Todd is dead. I..."

Bobby cut her off. "He deserved to die. I wish I was the one..."

"No Bobby you don't. I take no pleasure in what happened. I am just glad that I am safe now."

"Yes Aphelia you are safe now." Bobby reached over and took her into his arms. "You will always be safe. That is a promise."

For the first time in her life Aphelia Thomas felt truely loved so she decided to love right back. She fell asleep on the couch with Bobby Drake holding her in his arms whispering words of comfort.

"Well Emma did ye hear anything? Oh my what am I saying? I seem ta be takin on your bad habits woman!"

"Calm down Sean. Of course, I was eavesdropping. The girl has quite a history behind her. Her powers are definetly alpha class also. I was not sure before, but now if I am right..."

"What is it ye mean woman? We already assumed she was alpha class!"

"Sean I said calm down. And will you please lower your voice. The children are sleeping. Well there is alpha class and then there is alpha class. What I mean is that the energy she drains from all living things is used to make her stronger. The more and different kinds of energy she absorbs the stronger she will grow. It is like learning. The more you learn the smarter you are. Well with her the more she absorbs the more powerful she will be. Don't be surprised if she soon knows how to fly."

"I will haveta consider this more. Thank ye, Emma for being as supportive as ye have."

"What are you talking about Sean? It is in my nature to be supportive." "Do ye think we should wake them up?" Sean stated this as they were passing the living room to go upstairs.

"No I think we should leave them there. Jubilee will wake them up tomorrow  morning. Besides they look cute."

"Emma, do ye think Bobby will be happy here. I know he thinks of this as a demotion of sorts."

"Sean I can assure you with one hundered percent accuracy that Robert Drake is extremely happy to be here." With that she left him and walked up the stairs.

Sean Cassidy looked at the two youngsters one more time. He smiled for he knew that Emma was right. Bobby is happy.

"Pleasant Dreams."

E-Mail me at ShardNAtl@aol.com with any responses. I love mail!!!