synopsis:
X-Factor returns to their headquarters after rescuing the young mutant Rictor from the hands of the Right, waiting for them on the roof is Rusty and Skids. As Rusty thaws out Iceman, who has frozen into a solid block of ice thanks to the power boost given to him by Loki, Scott makes some cryptic comments alluding to the fact that he thinks that Jean is really Phoenix. The only people who catch the reference are Rusty and Skids. When they try to go and tell someone, Skids slips on her own force-field causing her and Rusty to take a tumble. When Skids deactivates her forcefield, Rusty kisses her -- however she stops, worried that their young love might repeat the same path that Scott and Jean's romance has. Rusty points out to her though that it's unlikely that the same set of circumstances could happen to them. They go down and meet up with Hank just as he has finished settling Rictor in with some temporary lodging and clothes. When they try to tell Hank about Scott's talking to himself, Cameron Hodge's disturbing phone call, and Boom Boom's disappearance, Hank assures them that he will deal with all of them. He detracts their attention and has them introduce themselves to Rictor. The story continues...