His head was pounding as he put one foot in front of the other while he carried Alex through the hotel lobby, elevator and down her hallway. He looked down at Alex, her arm around his neck helping to support herself even though she was visibly tired, he smiled lightly and suppressed a chuckle. He, Sam and Sara had left her behind as they left for Romania. That was also when he had shifted from his 'human' self. Kaz had never stayed shifted for as long has he had been. It had taken it's toll on him.

Before they had reached the hotel doors, he had swayed slightly on his feet as his senses seemed to dull and blur a bit. Standing still for a few moments he concentrated his attention on his own body as he shifted. Shifting took little to no effort for him, but as he took the first few steps after his momentary pause, he could tell he felt weaker and lightly. Kaz was sure he had lost at least ten pounds despite how much food he had eaten since his arrival in Romania. Being shifted for extended periods of time seemed to draw more and more from his body. That's not even mentioning what he'd been doing in Romania, least of all his and Alex's most recent activities.

His silver hair fell disheveled around his head, and no matter how much he tossed his head, he couldn't get the few strands from falling in front of his face to block his vision or rest on Alex's head. She wasn't heavy but with his reserves beginning to fail him, the exertion was causing him to sweat, making him look almost as worn out as he felt. Despite how he and Alex looked, the look in his eyes and the slight smile on his face were easy to see. He and Alex had done something wonderful, those feelings wouldn't be kept under wraps, or perhaps he was just too tired to hold them down.

It seemed longer than it really was, but he could see Alex's door as he turned the corner.

For a while she had tried to keep her head straight her eyes opened as she was being carried to the hotel. In the end, fatigue got to her and she ceased to resist. Blue eyes closed as she rested her head against Kaz’s chest. Adrenaline was still being pumped trough her system, her heart was still beating faster and that was probably the only thing that kept her awake.

The bright lights of the hotel disturbed her, even trough closed eyes. The position of her head shifted slightly as she opened her eyes and looked up to Kaz as he stopped in front of the hotel doors. He was shifted back to normal now and he smiled at her. She offered a small smile back. He was exhausted as well, she could see that and it wasn’t a surprise. What had happened earlier had taken great amount of energy from both and carrying her certainly didn’t make things easier. “You shouldn’t do this…” the molecule manipulator said, but, contrary to her words she didn’t move or showed that she had any intention of wanting to deal with the walking herself.

Silver hair fell in front of his face, some on her head, some on her forehead, slightly tickling her. It was her time to chuckle. “Elf.” she muttered as the tip of a pointy ear came in her view. Funny how a few things changed relationships between people. Only a couple of weeks ago she was arguing with him in the Danger Room. With a smile upon her face, her head went back to the previous position, as eyes closed once again. Side note: Kaz was an awesome pillow.

Kaz nearly didn't hear the words she spoke, her voice being soft, and his hearing dulled. "You shouldn't do this..." The sentence rolled around in his head once, twice, before everything registered. She said one thing, but she wasn't trying to move, wasn't trying to stand on her own, not to mention there was no conviction in her words at all. His voice was slightly sympathetic, "I want to." He gave her most of his attention as he spoke, "Besides, things got a bit rough, it's the least I can do."

As he pulled out the key for her room, she chuckled and spoke a single word, one he had heard a few times. He didn't argue with it at all, in fact he rather liked it, though she did say it differently than Katrina did. He would have time to think of that later. "You're a hell of a woman to wear me out like this." Unlocking the door he pushed it open, "I'm completely drained." He spoke the words lightly and with a barely contained laugh.

Letting out a tired yawn Sam opened the exit of the stairwell leading to his floor and quietly closed the door behind him, he could have taken an elevator but he had a feeling he could have falling asleep if had taken it. Sam should know what time it was though seeing as he would have to be up within a few hours or less he didn’t bother, his alarm was set up so when the next group of mutants were ready to border hope he would get a message from one of the teams.

Sleep was something he had noticed he had been taking for granted for a long time, something he wouldn’t soon forget as soon as the Camps were destroyed and everything was normal here, or at least close to perfect as possible Sam planned on sleeping for a few days straight. Some one could try to wake him but it wouldn’t do much good seeing as he would just roll over.

Key in hand he rounded the corner to his room; unfortunately he wasn’t the only one that had decided some sleep would do some good. Looking up to the door next to his he spotted Kaz… holding his girlfriend… at first Sam’s heart raced as adrenaline decided to give him the energy boost he needed. His hand reached out as he motioned forward worried that Alex was injured then he had the misfortune of hearing the pair talk.

“You shouldn’t do this…” "I want to. You're a hell of a woman to wear me out like this."

Sam’s jaw hung loose as his head tilted to the side. ”Is this really happening” Sam asked himself as he shook his head and rubbed his eyes to make sure he was seeing what he thought he was seeing. ”This is a F’d dream…” he said quietly as he took another step forward.

Yes, Alex was in Kaz’s arms and they were tired, she took a lot out of him? Shaking his head again Sam tried to remember if he had sent them on a mission and sighed his head pounding over the lack of sleep and his usual headache. ”This is awkward….” Sam said louder this time for the happy couple to hear him his expression not of the friendly variety.

Alexandra snorted at Kaz’s comment. “Pft. I did not.” she replied letting out a small laugh. She heard the door of her room being opened and she smiled at the idea of finally having some rest. Adrenaline was slowly draining from her body and right now, everything she wanted to do is sleep until her body was able to work at full capacity once again.

This is awkward.

Blue eyes snapped open, head turned to the side to see the figure of a very unfriendly boyfriend. This was bad. Her eyes returned to Kaz, her voice lowering knowing that where Sam couldn’t hear, Kaz could. “I think it would be better to let me down. I think I can handle walking.” Then, as she waited for Kaz to put her back on her own feet, the molecule manipulator turned her face back to Sam, a neutral look on her face.

Her arms were the last that left Kaz’s body and dropped to her side. As soon as she was left to handle her own weight, pain shot trough her leg but as a good little actress she was, nothing was visible on her face. The neutral look on her face remained as she switched her body weight to her healthy leg, careful enough not to leave room for any suspicions. No matter how Sam saw the little scene developing between her and Kaz, he wasn’t supposed to know the truth. Things bigger than jealousy were at stake.

“Sam.” she simply said, as blue eyes locked on Sam, trying to read behind the icy look she and Kaz were getting.

"Oh no? It was your idea. So you're taking responsibility." Kaz paused for a moment, "Though I did agree, so not all you then." He gave her a slight wink, even if she wasn't looking up at him to see it. As the door swung smoothly open, Kaz looked up and down the hall in time to see Sam as he spoke. A small prick of pain shot into Kaz's left side, the same spot Sam had shoved a length of ice into his body. Of course Kaz didn't show the twinge of pain, but why had it happened? He needed only to look into Sam's eyes. They seemed about as unfriendly as that gesture when they first met.

Feeling Alex shift in his arms he looked down at her and heard her nearly whispered words. Slowly Kaz began to lower Alex to the ground. His arm lingered around her waist until she seemed alright to stand on her own. She may have been able to fool Sam, but Kaz knew and didn't fall for her play, he caught the tiny hint of pain and how she shifted to her other leg.

He didn't know what the 'play' was, he hadn't ever been in this type of situation. He wasn't exactly sure what her tone meant at the moment, didn't know if he was missing some subtle hint, some underlying message he was suppose to pick up on. They hadn't discussed this, because it hadn't been important or even a thought in his mind at least. All he could do was make his play, and hope it was on the same level as Alex's, that he wouldn't screw it up, or if it was different than her's, that she could go along with his and adapt.

Kaz set his hand lightly on Alex's shoulder and looked at Sam, his expression a blank slate. "You left her behind in New York, should have known something might happen because of it." Kaz let his words hang in the air for a moment before he continued. "You didn't and don't trust her enough, you don't have faith that she can take care of herself. Instead of giving her the respect she deserves, you treated her like some child who needs to be coddled and hidden away from danger. Sam you were being selfish when you left her in America, thinking of only your wants, needs, feelings and insecurities."

Anger was an emotion he was familiar with one that he often used as a kid and had pulled through some impossible situations just because he knew how to use those emotions. Now however… now was different, he didn’t feel hate, or anger, more of a confused frustration about the whole situation. Alex and Kaz going into her room a room that was right next to his… ”The hell?” Sam asked his arms twitching slightly as he felt his powers swell in him for a moment only to be released with a deep exhalation, one that became visible.

Eyes traveled from Alex to Kaz and back to Alex who was now on her feet looking at him, ”What, don’t give me that look!” his tone getting more and more emotional as he tried to fight his frustrations coming out of his voice. He was tired and it was showing he still had the random headaches from the virus an now this? It felt like his head was ready to split open and he didn’t like it one bit.

As Kaz spoke Sam’s attention left Alex as he felt his fingers pull into a weak fist before it released, ”Shut up…” Sam said his toes twitching in his shoes as he continued, ”I trust her more than most do, but I left her behind for her sake as well, not just my own selfishness, I doubt she told you she could barely keep control of her pow…” Sam trailed off as his eyes looked up and down the hallway, hoping no one was listening or watching, after all them getting uprooted for a reason such as this was just stupid.

”She couldn’t control her self, her bathroom became a swimming pool, she crushed a vase into my head and nearly destroyed Doc’s lab all in the course of an hour, she was the first person I thought about brining her Kaz, this is her home, but when I saw her like that, I didn’t want to risk it, knowing that she would take it that much harder if something happened because she couldn’t keep focused…” Sam’s eyes were now cold, ”So before you start running your mouth about the entire situation get all the facts Elf!”

Eyes far colder than they usually got and then he eyed Alex once before he cleared his throat and then continued. ”And this is how you respond? Sneaking around with him? Mature, really is…” whipping out his room key Sam slammed it into the lock and kicked open the door angrily, ”Get in…” Sam said as he pointed to his door, if they did want to carry the conversation on he didn’t want to get everyone in the hotel involved.

Walking into his room Sam emptied his pockets and frowned waiting for them to enter his room and close the door behind them. If they didn’t bother Sam took it that the conversation was done and over with and if that was the case there will be a whole lot of distance between him and Kaz but more importantly his girlfriend.

Blue eyes moved from Sam to Kaz as he spoke. If something could be read from her eyes then it was gratitude for he had spoken up and defended her. A few hours ago Kaz was just some stubborn ass for her. Now, opinions had changed and his last words were perhaps what weighted the most. At some point, she knew she had to thank him and let him know what it meant for her but now… now it wasn’t the time.

Alexandra turned her head back to Sam, eyes locked on his, face as neutral as possible. This was the first time in her life when she was seeing him mad… mad to the point where his emotions became visible due his powers. Every muscle in her body was tensed now as she waited for an answer. It wasn’t late to come and Sam certainly didn’t disappoint.

”What, don’t give me that look!”

That look changed, a hint of anger making its appearance in her eyes. Hands were turned into fists to her sides as her whole body straightened to face the incoming attack. Saying that every word tossed her emotions around her head like a ping-pong ball was not exaggerated. Anger, disappointment, frustration, they were all playing around in her head. Hands were moving to her side clasping and unclasping themselves from around an invisible object. Although emotions were running haywire and her mutation begged to be left out, she fought it. And Sam said she didn’t control herself right?

Air was pushed out from her lungs in a hissed breath when Sam decided to share the fact that she had lost control over her powers back in New York. “You have no right…” But her words came out as barely a whisper. She let the words trail in the air as she fell silent, blue eyes now focused on a tiny spot on the marble floor rather than Sam. The sound of a door opening made her attention to snap back to the ice manipulator.

”Get in…”

And that… that was the last thing she could absorb. The molecule manipulator stopped in mid-breath. Her heart was racing at top speed, her head was aching because of the constant poke of her mutation, asking to be let out. Hands formed fists and she walked toward Sam’s room. The pain in her leg was bugging her every move but she considered it irrelevant. At some point anger had turned into an anesthesia for all her physical trouble. Injuries, sleep, they all faded away into the background for now. A small fist was slammed against the door frame as she stopped there, blue eyes traveling from the door all the way up to Sam’s eyes.

“I am not your puppy to order around.” Alexandra did not yell. No. But the gritted teeth, the hissed breath she let out after speaking, the cold look she was giving Sam, they were her ways of showing her anger. Or at least a part of it. She knew what manifesting her emotions meant and that was maybe the only thing that made her hold back. “And you don’t have the right to speak about my problems in front of someone else without my permission.” Her shoulder twitched slightly as she resisted another impulse to enter the room and solve this behind closed doors. No, she couldn’t handle closed rooms right now. Her hand grasped the door frame tightly, while in the other, nails were already digging trough her skin.

“But while we are at it…” Her lips remained parted slightly as she paused for a moment before starting to speak. “You should have helped me get back my control.” Venom-filled words came out of her mouth and even for her they tasted bitter. “You should have known that this happening to my home would affect me and I needed someone to have faith in me, god damn it!” Her voice became louder and louder with each word. She exhaled angrily while pausing for a few seconds until she got back her control. “But… but you chose the easy way. You lied to me! You left me behind! You expected me to stay there and wait until someone else handled my problems?!”
A laugh filled with bitterness left her mouth but stopped suddenly, just moments after it had started. “ So don’t blame Kaz because he trusted me where you couldn’t.” Alexandra turned her head to the side glancing at Kaz as she stepped back and away from Sam’s door. No, there was nothing that they needed to discuss for her and Kaz hadn’t done anything wrong. Sam didn’t trust her once, although he said he did and now… now he didn’t trust her again.

“Thank you.” She mouthed to Kaz as she continued to look at him. Her eyes transmitted much more… that she was sorry for this, that they’ll talk later, that she wasn’t capable of handling this unjust blaming at this moment. And then, with one final glance toward Sam she turned around and left, eyes blind to the surroundings, ears deaf to any words that might have been spoken. Her pace picked up speed as she rushed toward the elevator. She slammed her fist in the elevator button, this being the only gesture she allowed herself to vent out the turmoil of emotions. Door opened and the molecule manipulator entered and slammed her fist once again in the elevator’s button. She leaned against the mirror behind her, letting her head fall backwards as she closed her eyes and let out a heavy sigh.

[OOC: Continued for Circe in: A Night To Remember]

Kaz was too drained to argue, too drained to fight. Or at least that's how he had felt. Elf. Sam had said it as if he were spitting acid. Kaz didn't know how to describe exactly how it made him feel, but he hated it. He couldn't think of a time he had been called and elf, that it wasn't used in a friendly way. Saying that one word made Kaz's blood boil, he wanted to punch Sam between the eyes. He deserved no less. Kaz held his ground, and didn't let his emotions show through, except for the glare he gave Sam.

He could feel how tense Alex was getting. He could have sworn she was shaking just a slight bit, but perhaps he was just imagining it. Sam continued to make mistake after mistake after mistake. Jumping to conclusions, running his mouth off and telling Kaz things he had no right to say, and then commanding them to get into his room. He opened his mouth to speak when Alex moved forward, out from under Kaz's hand, and punched the doorframe. He put his arms to his sides, watched and listened. He had thought to rip into Sam a bit more, but Alex seemed to be doing a fairly good job of it herself.

"So don’t blame Kaz because he trusted me where you couldn’t." She said before glancing at him and mouthed."Thank you."

Her eyes seemed more blue than before, deeper as well. Things verbally unsaid, spoke volumes in her gaze. He had nothing to say right then, what could he say? Not much, and what there was he could say, didn't seem right. Instead of words, he looked into her eyes and inclined his head just a bit. He didn't expect her, especially with her leg hurting as it had been, to pretty much bolt down the hall a few moments later. He moved forward a few steps to go after her, but stopped and shook his head. She probably needed some time to herself.

Shutting Alex's door and making sure it was locked, he moved calmly to Sam's room and stood in the doorway. "You really are an idiot aren't you? You say you trust her, but what you show by your actions is that you don't, at all. You say you care about her, yet you throw her business out for anyone to hear. Actions speak louder than words. Isn't that how the old saying goes? Your actions contradict your words, you don't really care, respect or have faith in her." Kaz snorted. "And jumping to conclusions the way you did, then whining. If i didn't know better, I'd think you were still a toddler." He shook his head slightly. "Suck it up and act like a boy, it's the best shot you've got, with how you're acting, there's no way you'd be act like a man any time soon." Kaz stepped back and began to shut the door. Before he did, "And Sam, if you ever call me an 'Elf' like that again...I'll rip your tongue out." He closed the door and made his way to down the hall to the elevators that went up to his room.

Alex stormed off, at least that's what he saw from the doorway as she passed it to the elevator or the stairs her words like acid on the ears wearing away at his senses engraving them to be played over and over again. it was the first time Alex ever swore, at least the first time he ever heard it, and it was the first time he ever heard her raise her voice. He didn’t like either one and the more he thought about it the more she was right. He wasn’t there for her like he should have been and he was using the ‘Team’ as an excuse not to deal with his problems at home and that was why she decided to seek comfort in Kaz.

As her voice ceased, Kaz’s now echoed into his room as his fist tightened till knuckles were white. That was the second time he wished he could have stabbed Kaz, the first time actually having done it. He was a man, though right now he couldn’t agree with Kaz more, he was being far to stubborn for his own good which was the reason Sam said nothing until the Elf left as well, and even with the threat Sam wasn’t going to stop calling him that, he was after all and elf those pointy ears made him that way.

Sitting on the bed as he summoned an Ice Golem only to watch it shatter into a dozen pieces under his watch. Something he had picked up to cope with his stress. Sighing slightly he decided it best to give it some time to let everyone cool down before he say or do anything else. A shower a long nap and some food would do his mind some good, if he was to apologize to Alex properly.

Earlier that day:

~ * ~

Internet was the best source of information ever, Alexandra Kettler concluded as she closed her laptop. Picking up a piece of paper she scribbled down a few rowsvfor a few moments before leaning back on the chair with a sigh. Time to make a move.

The molecule manipulator was sick of staying around doing next to nothing. The X-Men thought that this whole war would be stopped while they sit comfortably in their hotel rooms enjoying the pleasures of room service. She didn’t know what the Kabal was doing exactly since she couldn’t contact them whenever she wanted. So she was pretty much on her own.

Instead of laying lazily on the comfy bed, Alexandra had done some research on her own. And she’d found some pretty interesting things, too. For example, the fake safe house she had read about a few days ago. Although a warning had been posted, mutants continued to disappear after they went there. Well, no one said that her kind was brighter than the average human. And if no one was taking care of this, she would.

The last days were spent monitoring the area around the so-called safe house. She easily spotted the guards posted outside. Quite a few. She even spotted a few idiots going in. They kept them until the night, and once streets were deserted enough, a van would come and take them away. Probably to the camps.

The molecule manipulator closed her eyes. She could have done this on her own but she risked being discovered. After thinking about it again and again, she decided that the best option was to ask for help. And that was, perhaps harder than taking out the stupid safe house at all. Who could she turn to? The Underground? No, they would rush in like idiots. Subtlety was a word that had yet to be added in their dictionary. X-Men? Avoid fight if possible. Sam’s words rang trough her head like a broken disk playing over and over again. No, the X’s would never start a fight. Kabal. Oh well, she was pretty much aware of the non violence policy running around there.

Her thought stopped probably to the last person she had thought she’d ask for a favor to. Kaz. Yes he was an X-Man. Just like her, as a matter of fact. But after seeing his actions at the try-outs, she decided that Kaz could actually do something rather than babbling about the peace and no fight. It was a hard decision but in the end, Alexandra snapped off the chair. Picking up the piece of paper she’d used earlier, she got out of her room, a determined look on her face. Do this now before you change your mind. It took her a few seconds to remember Kaz’s room number, after all she hadn’t been that interested in memorizing which X-Man stayed in which room, but once she did remember, she practically stomped her way to it. Taking a deep breath, the molecule manipulator knocked three times, pausing a few moments in between each knock.

Kaz sighed as he stood looking out the window, the dancing flames and heat of the fireplace near him. He was still getting use to the view of the city and the country itself. From the Presidential Suite he could see for miles around normally, and even further and more clearly with his enhanced eyesight. Ever since they had arrived he hadn't let himself shift back to normal, nor did he take off his combat armor. While it seemed to fit, he was still not use to calling it a uniform, though that's what it had become while he was with the X's. He didn't have to look back against the wall to know his silver board was there in case he needed it. Like in America, Kaz figured anything could happen at anytime, so he may as well be ready at all times.

Lifting his glass to his lips he sipped at it, tasting the full flavor of it. He had no idea what the alcohol was, but he did know it was strong and expensive, and didn't do anything to him, may as well have been water. He felt bored and annoyed waiting around. Sam had given them a few specific instructions, instructions that made it so he and the others could do almost nothing to help or stop the registration.

Kaz heard light footsteps coming down the hall before the three knocks announced her presence. He moved to the end table and picked up an air tazer, "It's open." He waited a few moments for the door to open. "Alex." He set the tazer back on the table, and spoke in a soft steady tone. "What do you need?"

"It's open."

Alexandra opened the door and stepped inside, glancing at Kaz as she closed it behind her. Ever since she had met with the X-Men, she had seen Kaz only in his shifted self and wearing the uniform/armor thing. She mentally smiled, wondering if he even slept like that… if he was sleeping at all. “My, my, you surely know how to greet your guests.” She said, an eyebrow arching as she eyed the tazer he placed on the table. Blue eyes trailed from the tazer to the window. The molecule manipulator walked over to the window, eyes looming over the city. Lights were everywhere, some moving, some still. She sighed. Bucharest was pretty at night. Far more better than during the day, anyway. From she was standing, it appeared as if everything was normal. Sighing she folded her arms as she continued to stare outside.

“I, for one, I am tired of sitting around and doing next to nothing.” An ironic laugh left her lips as she paused. “Well, nothing actually.” Alexandra closed her eyes for a second as she took a deep breath. “There’s a war out there.” No she wasn’t being dramatic. It was a war going on between humans and mutants and if people ignored it, it didn’t mean that it didn’t exist. “A war that’s not going to stop while we sit in our comfy rooms.” Her face was emotionless as she glanced over her shoulder at Kaz before turning back to the window. “So I’ve done a bit of research. Found some interesting things too.” This time, she turned her whole body around, eyes locking on Kaz as she leaned against the window. “For example this nice safe house for mutants where people disappear without a trace once they enter.” The molecule manipulator tilted her head to the side, sighing. “There’s also this warning attached to it, which, of course, mutants with their bright minds and all seem to ignore.” A hint of bitterness touched her voice as she spoke the last words. Letting her hands drop to her sides, Alexandra paused, curious to see if Kaz was understanding what she came for.

Kaz gave Alex a level look as she walked into the room. "I had any guests since I've started staying here. Anyone who's come into the room has been on business." He moved over to the bar to refill his drink and poured a second and walked toward Alex and held it to her. "Drink?"

Standing near the window he listened to Alex and made a slight sound of agreement. He didn't have to look at her to know she was being serious. "Mmm. It's not a war yet, but it will be soon if things don't change." He stepped to the side and slid the balcony door open and leaned against the door frame facing the woman, though he looked out across the city. He was a bit surprised at her tone of voice when she spoke of the X's. "Don't get too down on them, they're idealists. I don't think they really know how the world really is. They're a bunch of softies right now."

When she looked his way, her eyes caught his and held him. Even when she looked away again, the look in her eyes made him curious enough to stay focused and pay attention to her. "Found some interesting tings too." To her words, Kaz raised an eyebrow and listened.

'A fake safehouse.' Kaz visibly scowled as he blew out a deep breath. "It might not be smart, but can you really blame them? They're probably grabbing at every bit of hope they can. It's not like anyone's on their side, at least to their knowledge." He drained his glass and gave Alex a heavy look. "Why are you telling me this? Why not bring this up with Sam first?" It was obvious he didn't believe what he had just said. He was sure he knew the reason she came to him and not to Sam. But, he had been wrong before.

The glass Kaz had offered her previously moved in her hand, blue eyes watching now the motion of the drink inside the transparent recipient. “It’s a war Kaz. Not a public one, but a war nonetheless.” Sighing, she brought the glass to her lips, taking a small sip from the contents. Her expression changed as she swallowed the liquid. She was never big on alcohol, nor did she wish to be… and she had no idea what exactly she was drinking. Blue eyes trailed from the content of the glass to Kaz. “I can’t be something else but bitter to what’s happening. It’s the third registration act I’m going trough… and I’m getting tired.”

Sighing, Alexandra turned her head to look back at the city. Once again she was surprised just how serene things appeared to be from above. Would it be the same if the authorities found out her real name was Alexandra Kettler? Would it be the same if she would be so desperate to go to that safe house? A bitter smile appeared on her face. She knew the answers before she could even ask the questions. “As for why I am not telling Sam…” The bright lights of Bucharest disappeared from her view being replaced with Kaz’s face. “You’re a smart man, Kaz. You know Sam wouldn’t do anything about it… You know why I came.” And if he didn’t… then she was in the wrong place.