"Get down, go to town, boot-scut boogie," the jukebox sang as Paige showed Bobby the steps. They had lost track of Rahne and Sam an hour ago, and were waiting for the two to catch up to them. As the song ended, Paige motioned to Bobby to leave the line dance area.

"Okay," Bobby said as he brought her a coke, "I really didn't expect to like this, but I am." Paige nodded as she took a sip of her drink. It was hot on the dance floor, and the flannel shirt didn't help any.

"I've always liked it," Paige admitted. "Even if I have lost my accent, this is the stuff I grew up on. I'm kindof surprised Sam thought to bring us here, though." She crunched a piece of ice.

"Truth?" Bobby asked her. "He brought us here because he gets in free. He teaches the band how to speak southern." Paige started laughing at the thought. "It's true! Someone put in a good word with the manager and he gets paid to talk with the band." It was the short version of a much longer story involving Sam and an old friend.

"Then this is the club he and Rogue dance at? Li'l Bit's old place?" Bobby nodded. It had done Rogue a world of good to go out with a friend on Friday nights and have some fun. It helped her work through the complications Remy and Joseph placed on her life.

"The plaques are over there--" Bobby pointed to the wall. Paige stiffled a yawn as she turned. "It's three a.m.!" Bobby was surprised to discover when he checked his watch.

Paige nodded. "Ah know, but Ah don't want to find Sam and Rahne." She rubbed her eyes as she finished off her cup of water. The coldness helped her wake up. Bobby quickly made her another cup, this one filled with near freezing water.

"Sam and Rahne— I wouldn't have guessed it," Bobby admitted, "But they make a good team."

"If they survive today, that is." Paige was concerned that, when they said their goodnights, the two would think that they had made a mistake.

A college-aged boy attracted her attention. "Bobby, do you mind?" Paige smiled shyly. "He's been looking at me all night."

Bobby wouldn't have objected. In fact, he had noticed a pretty girl looking at him. "Why not?"

***

They were floating on air. Not literally, though Sam was tempted. Maybe later. They were dancing to a soft love song, holding each other tight and marveling at the fact that they could hold each other. From time to time, they would kiss, or Sam would touch his lips to the top of Rahne's head.

The band sang a soft love song. And the words made sense. Every love song made sense when he was holding Rahne.

Rahne marveled at how connected she felt. Sure, she and Sam had been telepathically connected, joined together by the Phalanx, and spent hours talking as friends. But outside of the times they had prayed together, she had never experienced anything so intimate with him.

It was too good to last. Soon enough, she would hear the Reverend's voice in her mind, calling what she was feeling 'heathen' and 'sinful'. Or someone would attack them, or a gas would be released that would cause everybody in the dance club to die. So, she decided, she would enjoy it as long as it lasted.

***

Couple by couple, the dance floor began to empty leaving Sam and Rahne the only ones out there. The manager, Rachel Thoene, approached Bobby. "It's time for us to close up, sir."

Bobby nodded, careful not to move too suddenly. Paige was sleeping next to him. "They are in a world of their own," he said. He hated to stop them dancing. "Is there something loud, fast, and totally annoying the band could play?" Before tonight, that was all he thought country music was.

Rachel smiled. "Li'l Bit asked us to be as nice as possible to Sam." The band had played mostly slow songs after Sam and Rahne kissed, and the jukebox had played the line dancing songs. Rachel signaled for the band to start playing another song. Bobby elbowed Paige and the band started to play "Ain't Going Down 'Til The Sun Comes Up." Startled by change in tempo, Sam and Rahne looked up.

***

Once back at the academy, Paige and Bobby quickly said their goodnights. Sam and Rahne lingered over theirs. "Ah'll call ya t'morrow," Sam promised.

"A'll look forward tae it." Rahne's eyes sparkled. She kissed him on the cheek and then moved over to meet his lips. "'Night," she whispered as Bobby started the PAC-RAT.

"'Night." He watched as she walked in the school.

***

Paige was the first one in the school, and found Moira waiting up. "Rahne's coming home tonight, isn't she?" Moira asked half-jokingly.

Paige laughed. It wasn't like her brother would run off with Rahne. "She and Sam are... talking," she said as she yawned. What those two were doing did involve the lips after all.

"Aye," Moira looked up with a grin. "Open mouth or closed mouth?"

Paige held back a laugh. "My brother is a southern gentleman," she defended him. There was no way she was going to get close enough to them to find out that answer. Watching her brother make out was not her idea of a good time.

"Aye... sae's Gambit." This time Paige did laugh, remembering the pains Sam took to keep his sister from the Cajun.

"I'd hardly call Remy a gentleman, though." Paige grinned. "He'll take his time," Paige promised as she looked out the window. They were still saying their goodbyes. "I'm going to bed." She left the room and stopped by the telephone to make a quick call.

Moira wrapped the blanket around herself and closed her book. Rahne was still shy enough that having her mother grill her about her date would scare her away from Sam. Closing her eyes, she waited for Rahne to come in.

After a long minute, she felt Rahne kiss the top of her head. Moira opened her eyes. "Did ye have a guid time, now?"

Rahne smiled. "The best, mummy, the best! But ye donnae have tae wait up." Rahne was almost dancing. She had a great time, and she didn't want to break the spell by telling her mother about it.

Moira smiled as she said. "That's me job." She forced a yawn and got up. "Enough nappin', time for bed."

***

Once back at the mansion, Bobby turned to Sam. "So you know, Paige and I won't go out again." Sam blinked. That date was what started it all.

"Good ta hear that," Sam said as he climbed out. "Ah'd hate ta hurt ya." They rode the elevator to the first floor, and then walked into the kitchen. "Want some coffee?"

Logan and Gambit were sitting at the table, sipping beers. Bobby shook his head and told the group that he was going up to bed. Sam started a pot.

"Dis be a first," Gambit started. "Sammy gets in after ol' Remy." Sam grinned.

Logan sniffed and smiled. "So how long did you and Rahne dance?" Rahne's scent was very strong on Sam's shirt.

Sam smiled a goofy grin and got down a mug. "Gambit, can Ah ask ya a question?"

"Depends..." Remy was enjoying this. "Is dis about de date?"

"Bobby did learn his lesson, didn't he?" Logan popped a claw and opened a can of beer.

Sam blushed. "He said he did." He poured himself a cup of strong coffee and sat down. "It's not worth it ta go ta bed when Scott has me scheduled for a seven o'clock practice session." He took a sip of the coffee, and then said, "Do we have any of Moira's coffee around?" His system needed a good shock.

"Mon Dieu!" Gambit exclaimed, "L'amour has hit him hard!" Logan took away Sam's coffee cup, and poured it out. "Immortal or not, Sammy, you shouldn't risk your life wit' Moira's coffee."

"Kid, if you're that hard up to stay awake, we'll take your turn— but only if you'll tell us how the date went." Quickly, Logan unplugged the pot.

Sam yawned and smiled, eyes somewhat glazed as he stared up at nothing. "My question was. . . Ah don't know what muh question was," he said while remembering holding Rahne.

Remy looked at Logan. "The Look?"

Logan looked at Sam, then back at Remy. "Bullseye." Historically, The Look was the most obvious sign that the wearer was starting to fall in love. Something in their eyes, their smile, beamed a goofy happiness only found in love. What Sam had now was a version of The Look that only happened when two people with "the Look" dated.

Gambit sat down, enjoying the moment. "Gambit be Xavier a minute here. You kissed de girl, and you liked it." The X-Men had a betting pool going on when and where Sam and Rahne would kiss. Gambit had tipped the band twenty bucks to play 'Kiss The Girl' to win the pot.

Sam nodded, not noticing the slip. "Rahne's muh friend, and Ah love her as muh friend." As right as tonight had felt, there was still the little dilemma of their friendship to be addressed.

Logan laughed, "I always thought that if you two hadn't been so shy, you would have gotten together when you were in the New Mutants." At that time, he had kept his eyes on Sam and Rahne as well as Kitty and Doug, two sets of close friends that held the promise of more. Someone had to make sure the kids were playing safely. When Rahne and Doug had started to pair off, he had half expected Sam and Kitty to do the same thing.

Sam nodded. "Ah don't know, did we do the right thing?"

Logan turned on a fan and lit his cigar. "Only you know for sure, but let me ask you this— yer going in for a long term mission, very dangerous. Suicide mission type a' thing. You need a backup, who would you choose?"

That was simple. "Rahney. She counterbalances me. She makes me accountable to who Ah should be, reminds me ta have faith. And Ah help her stay safe. We make a great team." And she was a great kisser too.

"Den what's your problem?" Gambit asked.

"Rahne's a forever kind of gal- the type ya think about when you think about settling down. And Ah'm- Ah'm a forever kind of guy. Literally." Sam was talking about the fact that he was an eXternal. "Is it fair ta be thinkin' this way?"

Logan grunted and nodded. "I've faced the same thing." His face grew dark as he continued. "You think, 'Is this fair to me? To her? What about kids?'" Sam nodded. That was part of his troubles. "Then ya find out that things have a way of working out. I was this close ta getting married, and Kitty and Jubilee are both daughters of my heart. Love is worth the pain."

Gambit nodded at that, a serious look crossed his face. "As bad as t'ings are for me and Rogue, I'm glad I love her. It hurts like hell to see dis happen to us, but nowhere can I say, I wish I never fell in love wi' her."

Sam smiled. "So love can overcome?"

Gambit and Logan nodded, and Logan added, "If you both work at it, yes it can."

Sam pushed back his chair and smiled, "Sounds like Ah need to check in with the Big Guy then."

Logan nodded. "It might not be a bad idea to let Strong Guy know what's going on. He's almost as protective of Rahne as I am of my girls."

Sam laughed. "Ah meant Ah need ta pray."

Gambit snorted, "Pray dat Guido takes it well."

Sam rolled his eyes and said "goodnight". The two men watched Sam walk upstairs. "Think we should tell him about Tabs and Berto?" Logan asked. He had walked in on the two making out while an old 'Magnum P.I.' episode played in the background.

Gambit shook his head. "Dat's between him and dem." Gambit got up from the table and asked, "Cyke 123?"

"Sounds good ta me."

***

Rahne knew she couldn't go to sleep yet, she need to talk to somebody. Crossing her fingers, she called Guido. He answered on the first ring and was happy to talk to her. "What's the matter?" he asked.

Rahne took a deep breath and answered him, "What would ye do if ye kissed Sam and really liked it?"

Guido was silent for a moment, and then answered. "Rethink a key part of my sexuality." Rahne laughed at that. "So you two finally got together, huh?"

"Ah think sae, Ah hope sae." Rahne smiled.

"Good for you." There was a pause as Guido talked to someone else in the room. "Looks like I have to go— doctor says it's time to drug me up."

"Again?"

"What can I say, the doc's a pusher. Call me later?" She promised she would. Guido could always pick her up. She debated calling Kitty for advice, but decided against it. It was just about breakfast time on Muir Island, which meant Kitty was either getting Pete out of bed, or Pete was getting Kitty back into bed. Her mum had gone to bed, her closest friends were saving the world, plotting to destroy it, or in bed. She decided to take the dress back to Emma's and then go to bed herself.

***

Emma was still up, finishing grading the essay tests. When she put off grading papers, she really put off grading papers. Thanks to the new testing methods and extended time, Jubilee had made another "A." Emma smiled at that accomplishment.

The porch door creaked, letting Emma know that Rahne had dropped off the dress. "So how did the dress work?" Emma called out.

Rahne walked into the study as she started, "Great! A'm pretty. Sam liked it—" she sat down as she continued. "We kissed." That came out without thinking. Rahne blushed.

Emma had been inside Rahne's mind before, and could predict how she was feeling. "Part of you liked it, the other part hated liking it?" Rahne was a study in contrasts. Part of her was the quiet, shy, oppressed child that had grown up under the Reverend's care. The other was more carnal. It went deeper than the lupine/ human division. If Rahne didn't have her faith, then Emma could have had a powerful ally, almost a cohort in the girl.

Rahne nodded. "A liked him a lot, and we kissed a lot, but A wanted... not tae stop kissing when we did." It was hard enough to set aside the Reverend's teachings about sexuality, but her feelings of awkwardness were greater, considering what she had gone though with Alex.

Emma smiled as she asked, "You feel guilty for responding like a woman?" It was refreshing to watch as Rahne became more comfortable with her sexuality. Emma had never been this innocent.

"Not guilty," Rahne clarified, "improper. A shouldn't have ..." her voice trailed off as she tried to find the right words.

"Did you do anything you didn't want to do?" Emma asked. A fleeting memory of the clinic came back to her.

"Nay." She had wanted Sam to kiss her, and she had wanted to kiss him.

"Did you let him do something that you didn't feel comfortable with?"

Rahne shook her head. "Sam wouldn't push it."

"Did you do something against your moral beliefs?" Rahne shook her head. "Then take it from someone who knows, you did nothing wrong." And Emma could give Madonna tips.

Rahne's face lit up as she thought about that. "It's okay tae like him and tae like kissing him?"

Emma chuckled at the look on Rahne's face. "As long as you don't do something you'll regret later, yes." Rahne smiled again. "But your mother would be a better person to talk to about all this." Emma knew that she would have a real cat fight on her hands if she was the one to talk to Rahne about Sam. Not that she couldn't win it, but it wasn't worth her attention.

"Mum's in bed," Rahne explained.

"Then why is the light in the lab on?" Emma pointed to the medical lab, and watched as Rahne walked over to where her mother was working.

***

Sam spent some quiet time on the roof, trying to make sense of his mixed emotions. Dating Rahne felt right, but part of him was confused. Not just by the fact he wanted to date Rahne, but how to tell Tabitha that he was going out with someone new. He owed her that much. And he had mixed feelings about their friendship. Could it survive dating? And what about the fact Rahne lived across the ocean from him?

A slight sound alerted Sam that someone was up there with him. He turned around to find Tabitha standing there, looking about as nervous as she could. He smiled at her, and she returned the smile.

"Okay," she started. "Berto and I talked about this, we did. I wanted to be the one to say this, but knowing him, he'll talk to ya later. Sam, I'm glad you went out with Rahne." Sam started to speak, but she held up a hand to stop him. "If I don't say this now, I'll never say it. The thing with us was, we grew different. We worked, but then we didn't. We knew it so we broke up." Tabs popped a bubble. "You need someone like Rahne, and I need someone too. . . " Tabitha continued after a moment. "Bobby and I talked tonight, we kissed tonight. We liked it. So, what I'm trying to say here is this— can I date your best friend?"

Sam remembered thinking earlier that night that Tabitha and Berto were as likely to get together as he and Rahne. It didn't surprise him that the two got together, they were better suited for each other at this point in their lives. "Ah'm glad you two are together," he told her honestly.

***

Rahne concluded her story with, "A'm happy wi' it."

Moira looked at her and grinned. She could remember feeling the same way about Sean. "Ah'm happy tae hear it!" Moira told her as she hugged her foster daughter.

Watching the glow on Rahne's face reminded her of some of the best times she and Sean had together. Then she remembered the way Sean had looked when he saw her walk in to eat supper earlier. She loved that stubborn man of hers. But what could she do about it?

Rahne hopped off the stool and told her mother, "A need tae be heading to bed, A've got tae get that new routine down for me aerobics class, and Sam said he'd call." Rahne hugged her mother again. "It's been a long day."