“Well, I decided I needed a little more fun in my life so I decided to come here, hmmm don’t really have a job, still doing a little fee lance work, money has never been a problem so I am sort of just coasting along.”

No job, yet no need for money. "Lucky you." So then, nobody would miss him. She'd have to check out his money situation after he was gone. No sense in letting anything go to waste.

“You know I don’t think you’re an average.”

Her lids drooped slightly, and she avoided his gaze by watching the dancers.

"Everyone here is average. They just don't know it." Then she smirked. "That's from a movie somewhere, isn't it? It's too corny to be original."

She tilted her head in his direction, and asked, "Y'alright? You're looking kind of grey over there." She waved her hand in front of his face slowly.

"Y'alright? You're looking kind of grey over there."

Sam laughed a little then downed the rest of his drink, “HA yeah I am good just got a head rush for a second.” Sam paused for a second then Sam joked, “Never Gray, allllll ways Blue.” Sam was making a reference to his power laughed a bit then looked for the bartender and waved him over and then spoke, “Yeah, I am gonna need a water.”

Sam got his water then looked back to Amanda trying to keep focused on her and ignore the room spinning a bit from behind her. “Yeah that was from a movie,” Sam tried to come up with a name but it slipped his mind, “What I meant was your different from the other girls that usually come here.” Sam took his water and took a sip “Agh it’s warm.” Almost out of a reaction Sam blew on it and it instantly got cold. Just then Sam realized what he did, he used his mutant power over ice in front of Amanda. Sam took another sip and pretended it never happened.

“HA yeah I am good just got a head rush for a second. Never Gray, allllll ways Blue.”

Amp watched as he ordered a water. She could tell from his eyes that he was well beyond tipsy. Water would do very little at this point, except head him toward the nearest bathroom pretty quickly.

“Yeah that was from a movie. What I meant was your different from the other girls that usually come here.”

She couldn't keep from rolling her eyes, but turned back toward the dance floor to hide it. How many times had she heard that one before?

“Agh it’s warm.”

She turned slightly. "Looks cold to me. You want it frozen?" Since she hadn't actually been looking, she could fake ignorance of his mutation.

After a long pause, she finally asked, "What makes you think I'm so different then them? Of the two times you met me, one I gave you the cold shoulder, and the other I challenged your dancing." She cocked an eyebrow at the six-foot giant.

"Sounds like you might be a bad judge of character, Sammy-Boy."

"What makes you think I'm so different then them? Of the two times you met me, one I gave you the cold shoulder, and the other I challenged your dancing." "Sounds like you might be a bad judge of character, Sammy-Boy."

Sam winched when he heard Sammy-Boy he hated Sammy-boy to him it sounded like he was in a 1940’s mob. Getting over the Sammy-boy name Sam looked to Amanda, “I could be, haven’t been wrong yet about character guessing.” He took a sip from his water, “just saying you give off a different vibe than the other girls,” Sam paused trying to find the right words, “You seem a bit more confident and independent than them.” Sam ended up pointing to a group of girls checking their faces in their tiny pocket mirrors.

Sam smiled as despite himself being intoxicated he could still point at the right example. Sam then looked at his water and said, “That’s a rare quality and one that’s important to have.” Sam’s sincere moment was ruined when he felt the need to use the bathroom, “Well I’ll be right back I got to hit the head for a second, Save my seat?” he got up and walked away only to bump into the guy who was hitting on Amanda the night before Sam looked at him and said, “Sorry man.” And then Sam continued on his way to the bathroom.

Amp caught the flinch at his name, and filed it away for future use.

“I could be, haven’t been wrong yet about character guessing. Just saying you give off a different vibe than the other girls. You seem a bit more confident and independent than them.”

She eyed the group he'd pointed to with disdain. Independence and confidence didn't set her apart from those floozies. She was a mutant. They were lowly humans. That made all the difference.

“That’s a rare quality and one that’s important to have.”

She couldn't suppress a short laugh, and brought her beer up to cover it. She wondered if he was this sappy when sober. Hopefully not, as a romantic would be much easier to play.

“Well I’ll be right back I got to hit the head for a second. Save my seat?”

She mumbled something noncommittal as Sam headed off. A slight grimace passed over her face as she saw him bump into the same jerk that he'd intercepted for her the night before.

<"Hmm.... I wonder what response a repeat performance would get?">

Amp's hand went to her necklace. It was very convenient for her to be able to use her mutation offensively, even without her sister around. But she had never tried to use Vibe's attacks. Now would be a perfect time to experiment. If it worked, she'd have Sam right where she wanted him. If not, she'd still be able to have some fun with this creep.

Her brows knitted together in concentration. Eventually a soft melody began to drift under the heavy beat coming from the dance floor. The person on her left blinked, and shook her head as if dazed. After a minute or two, the woman stiffened, and stared ahead blankly. At the same time the man on Amp's other side began looking woozy. It wasn't perfect, but she didn't need it to be. All she needed was for Sam to draw the wrong conclusion.

She glanced around for the previous night's irritation. He'd taken a seat further down the bar, having seen her, in his mind, glaring angrily, and deciding not to try again. Amp left her half-full bottle on the bar, stood and made her way over. He hand his back to her, so she looked around. At six feet, Sammy-Boy was an easy mark to spot, so when she saw him coming, she acted.

Frowning, she once more sent out the hypnotic melody. Pawn-for-the-Night turned around partially before stiffening. Her frown deepened in concentration once more, as she focused on sending a suggestion on the air, for his ears only.

"Grab my arm, and kiss me."

Obediently the man rose. She winced at the grip on her arm; he was stronger than she'd anticipated. At least he'd grabbed her free arm, allowing her to keep up the haunting tune. As she'd commanded, he pulled her to him and into a kiss. She leaned back slightly, but not away. She hoped that what Sam's intoxicated eyes would see, would be the petite redhead trying to pull away from an unwanted embrace.

Sam walked out of the bathroom with a slight dizziness as the booze started to take a heaver toll on his mind. Sam stumbled his way threw the crowd to where he was sitting with Amanda he sat down then realized that Amanda was gone. Sam found his water started to drink it and looked to see if Amanda was on the dance floor but as he was turning to the dance floor a flash or red caught his sight. Sam found Amanda and the guy from the night before kissing her.

Sam’s blood boiled as he saw her trying to pull away as the guy had his arms around her like a vice. Sam got up and swayed his way over to where Amanda and the guy were and sure enough Sam pulled the guy away with the force of an angry drunk. “That guy is considered assault.” Sam said as he mumbled to the guy still swaying a bit. Trying to regain his composure he stood up straight and smiled at Amanda, “ I’m gone for a minute and the guys are already all over you? You must be something.”

The guy who was now flat on his back got up and charged Sam throwing a punch. Sam tumbled slightly to the left still losing his balance forcing the swing of the fist miss by a few inches. After that Sam simply contracted his abs and regained balances to rise with ease. The man was outraged with this and threw another punch only to miss as Sam stumbled forward and to the right. One swing after another Sam stumbled and dodge only to come to his upright position.

Amp let the enticing aria drop as she heard Sam approaching. The man pulled back, momentarily dazed and confused, and wide open for the incoming fist.

“That guy is considered assault.” The six-foot man swayed as he turned to her, leaving no uncertainty as to his level of insobriety. “ I’m gone for a minute and the guys are already all over you? You must be something.”[/i]

She glared at him, playing up the 'offended date' card. "Not that kind of 'something'," she growled and rubbed her arm. The guy had gripped hard enough that there would be a bruise on her fair skin in the morning, adding to her 'abused' act.

She reached for a napkin to wipe her mouth, retreating from the escalating fight. She watched idly, noting how Sam moved. It seemed he could even do pretty well drunk. She'd have to keep that in mind later.

As with all bar brawls, it only took a shove into another slightly inebriated patron to turn ugly. Amp concentrated once more to add fuel to the fire, in the form of a nearby woman and man turning to kiss each other, thus making their respective dates jealous enough to start clawing. Within seconds that entire end of the bar and surrounding area became embroiled in battle. The petite manipulator's green eyes glowed as she soaked up the chaotic vibrations. In any other situation she would have joined in, full blast. She practically lived for this level of mayhem. If she allowed herself two, she could become as drunk with these vibrations as Sam seemed to be with alcohol.

But she had another agenda, one that held the promise of an even greater thrill, if all worked according to plan. So she forced herself to hold back, to dodge out of the way, and to keep close enough not to be suspicious.[/color]

Sam watched lazily as person after person joined in on the fight. But Sam was focused on the guy that forced himself on Amanda after all he did through the first punch so according to Sam the stranger was his opponent. The stranger was getting somewhat more aggressive in the fight and well all this activity was sobering up Sam a little his drunken fist style was only good when well, he was drunk. Sam dodged a blow from the stranger and snapped back up. Sam used his fist like a whip and down the stranger went. Sam turned his back to the stranger stumbling to the bar and finding an unopened beer on the counter. Sam popped off the lid and started to down it while trying to dodge random punches and kicks from angry partiers.

After the beer was downed he went to find Amanda hoping she would be all right. Sam walked around avoiding punches and kicks throwing a few himself. Even though he was drunk he punches and kicks found their marks and they guys he hit went down like a sack of potatoes. Calling out, “Amanda where are you?”

“Amanda where are you?”

Nice thing about being short? You could hide and observe a situation before stepping into it. And that she did. Amp watched Sam wander for a bit, before stepping out from behind a clump of bodies.

"Over here." She waved half-heartedly to get his attention. "Well, I guess that's two I owe you," she remarked grumpily.

As he approached, she caught the smell of alcohol heavy on his breath, and wrinkled her nose.

"Wow, you're wasted." She looked around at the escalating brawl, and shook her head.

"Waste of a good night. Come on, Paul Bunyan. Least I can do is make sure you get home in one piece."

<"This time,"> she added mentally.

Fortunately Sam could still walk, albeit a bit wobbly, so she didn't have too much trouble guiding him out the door and to the curb. She hailed a cab, helped him in, and slid in next to him.

"Where do you live, big guy?" She masked her question from the driver's ears, not wanting to deal with the inevitable looks such a question would elicit.

Sam let out a small grin as Amanda popped out of nowhere calling for him. "Wow, you're wasted." Sam smiled again, waving his hands a little like he was about to fall over, “It’s all matter of perspective.” Sam followed Amanda to the cab that would take him home. Once he got in to the cab he moved over in surprise as Amanda got in the cab. Sam rolled down the window as she spoke to him. "Where do you live, big guy?"

Sam smiled and said “The X-Mansi…” Sam stopped short and said, “No way Ivan?” Sam was yelling at the cab driver who turned around, “Sammy? Is that you? Haven’t seen you in forever.” Ivan was the cabby that drove around Sam and Arisa when they used to date.

Sam turned to Amanda, “He is an old friend.” Sam turned to Ivan “Can you take me home, there is a good possibility that I am slightly maybe intoxicated.” Sam said this with a smile. Then he turned to Amanda, “I live at the mutant school, been there for a while.” He said with a smile, “sorry I ruined your night.” He then looked at the window as Ivan started to drive back to the mansion.

Sam started to hum the melody from to a song then as soon as he started signing Ivan started humming along. “I looked out this morning and the sun was gone, turned on some music to start my day I lost my self in a familiar song I closed my eyes and I slipped away.” And as soon as Sam stopped singing Ivan started on the chorus keeping the song going.

The XMansion? As in, home of the XLosers?

"Great," Amp replied, with barely enough enthusiasm to fill a thimble. A thimble which quickly sprung a leak as Sam and the cabbie caught up on old times. As the pair began singing, Amp rolled her eyes, and leaned back against the seat. Thanks to her abilities, her ride was blissfully quiet, giving her time to think.

Sammy-Boy living at the Mansion put a bit of a crimp in her plans. As a known member of the Order, she really didn't want anyone there see her. She could probably pass off the whole, 'I've seen the error of my ways and want to make up for all the nasty things I did' bit. They were suckers for hard luck stories and always willing to give second chances, even when they should know better. But she really didn't feel like putting that much effort into this job.

Having him know she lived at the Sanctuary was probably equally unwise, for the same reasons. Though it would be considerably easier to off him on her home turf, where the rest of the Order would give her back up if needed.

Buuuuuut.... If she was going to go that route, it would be easier just to ask Abyss to drop him in the void with Mercury. Even better, no body to deal with there.

No. No, she wanted to handle this on her own, to relieve some boredom and relish the fun. In the morning she'd go apartment shopping, and find some place to crash for a month. She needed some space from the Sanctuary anyway, and Vibe seemed to be enjoying her own time alone.

Finally they reached the Mansion Gates, and Amp tuned back into the world as the cabbie announced their arrival. She plastered a smile on her face.

"You think you can make it inside on you're own? I'd help, but.... I'm kinda worn out."

Sam smiled at Amanda as she asked him if he could get out, “Yeah I think I can manage.” Sam got out of the taxi high fived Ivan and went to the gate and stopped short as Ivan called out, "you forgetting something?” Sam pivoted and walked back to the car and on his way over he tripped got up and smiled to Amanda. He opened the door on her side of the car, “Almost forgot, he gave her a piece of paper with his number on it, “On the off chance you get bored and want my company. I am way more fun when I am sober.” Sam smiled and walked off to the gate only to fall down on his face Sam laughed as one of his small ice minions formed and helped him up. Sam used the 5-foot tall crystal blue skeleton as a crutch as he stumbled in to the house.

“Almost forgot. On the off chance you get bored and want my company. I am way more fun when I am sober.”

"Imagine that," she remarked, watching him stumble over his own feet. She leaned forward in the seat when a little person made of ice appeared when Sam fell. Interesting, and possibly worrying.

"Where to, Girlie?"

Amp gave the driver an address several blocks away from the Sanctuary. She could walk the rest of the way. Her mind was more focused on one little fact:

Her 'employer' had given her nowhere near enough information on Sam Johnson. Especially on his mutation. She'd have to remedy that little problem.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Amp waited until noon the next day, before calling the number Sam had given her. It rang for quite a long time before someone answered grumpily on the other end. Still, she recognized his voice.

"And a good afternoon to you, too, Sammy-boy. I'm guessing that hangover isn't quite so over yet, huh?" she teased.

Sam woke up to his phone ringing around noon the next day. Sam grabbed the phone sitting on the nightstand next to his bed and picked it up without looking at the number. Answering with his face still half buried in the pillow, “Meh..Hello?”

"And a good afternoon to you, too, Sammy-boy. I'm guessing that hangover isn't quite so over yet, huh?"

It took a minute for Sam to register who it was on the phone but it took him a second and then he remembered the red head from the night before, “Morning, Amanda. No quite but I’ll give it an hour or two. Hope I didn’t make to much of a fool of myself.” Wondering why anyone would call at noon when he had a hang over was beyond his knowledge so he’d figure he would find out, “So, what’s up?”

“Morning, Amanda. No quite but I’ll give it an hour or two. Hope I didn’t make to much of a fool of myself."

"It's after noon. And I've seen bigger fools than what you acted."

"So, what’s up?”

Amp shrugged on her end. "I dunno. Guess I just wanted to make sure you were all right." She made an attempt at sounding uneasy.