Sorry if anyone get's this twice!!!Hey,
I know this is for X-men movie fans.  I can't necessarily say that I
love the movie.  I'm of course a die-hard comic fan so I was not
impressed with the movie, or I should be more specific the character
of Rogue.  As a fan of the comic and anyone who is a fan of the comic
can understand that they took and stole the characters of Kitty and
Jubilee and put it in the place of Rogue.  I was of course pissed
beyond belief since those two characters practically got me through
High School.  Mainly wishing I had cool powers, and doing and acting
to situations the way I would.  And to see them with no part, except
for they're faces in the movie.  I was not a happy camper.

And anyway I was never the fan of Rogue if any of you know the whole
thing with Warbird(Ms.Marvel), you can understand my agitation.  I
say Ms.Marvel should have taken and kept her body like she did
before, before that whole Magneto thing.

But I did like what the movie did.  It catapulted Marvel comics to a
new generation.  Of course I find the generation slightly fickle.
But I felt the movie will bring about more fans and change.  And I
don't mean the Casey change.  God that comic writer, did any of you
see what he did to Wolverine?  Having him sort of force himself on
Jean? Please!!  I can't handle that.  And what about Morrison, so not
impressed with his writing.

All I have faith in now is Clairemont.  At the moment, I am in love
with him.  His writing is of course up to par and he's making Storm
an Icon once again,and making X-men what it once was.  I say the man
deserves a round of applause and Presidency!!!

Sin,
V
Proud Member of the Storm Squad!!!
Devoted RoLo (Ro: Ororo) (Lo: Logan) shipper!!!
Sorry Rogue/Logan fans, us RoLo'er's have already patented that name
it's ours!!!!
Devoted Psylocke and Gambit Shipper ( I gotta get a nick name for
them)!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry if you recieve this twice!!!Hey guys,

I was just wondering if there are any Psylocke and Gambit fans out
there.   I would love to talk to you guys.
Let me tell you I adore Psylocke, she's definitely one of my faves, I
have a list actually.

Storm, Psylocke, Kitty, and Jubilee.

I love Kitty and Jubilee because hey, they got me through High
School.

I adore Storm, because not only being Second in Command of X-men,
she's also been leader by kicking Cyclops ass, when she didn't have
her powers.  She also has a great body and she's a babe, she's smart,
used to be a theif.  She knows hand to hand combat and is lethal in
it, learned from the best Wolverine, plus she's a bulleye's and knows
her way around any firearm.  Hello, she's fabulous.  This woman is a
modern day Renaissance woman, and she has a way lethal power.  What
more can you ask for, Jean Grey can't offer you all that?

And Psylocke.  A bitch!! I love her.  Other than Storm and Rogue
she's another one for sure I know that can kick any ass she's up
against or give as good as she gets.  Any of you seen her against
Sabretooth, fabulous.  Damn she's good!!! And this is Sabretooth,
people.  And I loved her more when she Psi-attacked Jean, not a fan
of Jean sorry.

Not only that she dated one of the hottest X-men and he was rich,
Arch Angel, but the idiot had to dump her because she was flirting
with Thunderbird.  She's a flirt, it wasn't going to amount to
anything.

Anyway, I would actually love to see her in the movie.  Maybe she'll
show up in...........

S
P
O
I
L
E
R

S
P
A
C
E


The third movie.  Psylocke would so rock the movie.  And she'd be the
first chick to take on Sabretooth, like in the comic.  I love her, I
love her.  Yeah, guys, sorry I heard there might be a part 3,
it was planned from the beginning.


Anyway what I wanted to discuss the most was PSYLOCKE AND GAMBIT
getting together.

I was wondering what you guys thought.  I'm kind of fedup with the
whole Gambit and Rogue, I know their icons, like Jean and Scott, and
the sexual tension between Scott/Jean/Wolverine.  But come on.  The
guy has been celibate for too long.  And they're relationship is
turning into a long running fiasco.


I would love to see Psylocke and Gambit spice up the X-books and they
would with a vengence.  I think it would be a great couple.  I've
actually started an egroup and have a couple of fanfics with them and
4 writers for the couple.  I haven't put it up in my egroup yet,
since I'm still working on promotion!

Let me know what you guys think!!!
Sin,
V
Proud Member Of The Storm Squad!!!
Devoted RoLo shipper (Ro: Ororo) (Lo: Logan) shipper!!!!
Devoted Psylocke/Gambit shipper!!!

Alright guys, you have been told this before.  XMMFF is NOT a chat list.  It
is a fanfic list.  Period.

We have about 600 members here and most of them have signed up for the
fanfiction, not for a discussion or the mention of a new site, list, rumour.
If you want to discuss a fanfic, an article, a character or even actor,
there is the xmenmoviefanficdisc list at Yahoogroups.  Just go and subscribe
and move the conversational posts there. The link has been posted multiple
times and is not that hard to find in the first place, so please join that
(sub) list if you wish to talk. If you're so hot on posting something to the
list that involves a link to your stories or your site,etc, put it in your
sig file when you post a story.... otherwise, take it elsewhere.

This is the last and final warning to this policy, and I will start
moderating the posts of those that choose to ignore it until they comply.
It's a hard tactic, but you've been told before, and now have to be told
again.   Your listmoderators and archivists do not have the time to sift
through the non-fic posts, and it's frankly a disservice to those that have
no interest in the post content.


Any problems with this policy may be addressed to your list moderators
offlist: myself, Bree or Donna at xmmff-admin@yahoogroups.com.


Thank you,
Shaz
XMMFF listmod

I should be writing an essay.  I wrote this instead.  It's not
laboured-over.  It's just some cute fluff that I needed to get out of my
system. :-)

TITLE: My Girl
AUTHOR: Diana
EMAIL: dee@...
RATING: R for big, fun adult concepts.
SUMMARY: "If I had to do that, she wouldn't be my girl."  Scott reflects on
what makes his girl so special.
DISCLAIMER: No ownership.  No money.  No nothing.
NOTES: The question: Why did the whole Jean/Logan thing in the movie have
the sexual tension of a dead fish?  The result: Just a little snippet of fun
written because it made me laugh too hard not to. Some badly written
Gay!Scott fic was definitely a catalyst.  Oh, and my Scott in here is
different from most Scotts, I suspect.  He's got more confidence.  The
tweaking I did with his relationship with Jean sort of required it.  Yes,
Diana's writing Scott/Jean.  Will wonders never cease?

WORDCOUNT: 2500

=====

"You gonna tell me to stay away from your girl?"

Frankly, it's all I can do not to laugh out loud.  But I manage it.  I've
had a lot of practice putting on the Stern Leader face.  And that's one of
the things this constant eye-wear is good for; hiding unseemly mirth behind.
Still, I'm lucky Logan doesn't know me at all, or he'd hear my amusement
clearly in my voice, the way I roll the vowels.

"Well, if I had to do that, she wouldn't be my girl."

He was just raring for this, I can tell by the way he bounces on his toes.
The way he almost stalks across the room.  "Well then, I guess you've got
nothin' to worry about, do you, /Cyclops/."  Condescension heavy in the
stressed sibilants of my codename, but he doesn't really think it's that
childish or inane.  He's just poking.  Just trying to get a rise so that he
can relieve... whatever.  Leftover adrenaline from the tussle we pulled him
out of, maybe.  Perhaps it's a feeling of helplessness from giving in,
staying here, being penned in by the walls.  I don't know.

Frankly, I don't care one bit for his equanimity, physically or mentally.  I
don't like him, and I'll be perfectly honest about that.  Just one of those
things, like a splinter that got immediately under my skin.  I'd just prefer
to live without him, and I knew that after barely half an hour.  Would have
known it even without that wonderful start he got off to scaring the hell
out of Jean and just about choking her.  But regardless of all that, we need
him to be here, and slightly pliable, for a while at least.  So if that
means I have to play up to his Alpha-Male posturing, then I'll do it.
Lounge a little more smug and insolently against the doorframe.  Smirk a
little, but not too much.  Otherwise I'll let it all out, and that won't do
at all.

Because inside, I'm laughing about this.  For more than one reason.

"Must just burn you up," I note, "that a boy like me saved your life, huh?
Better be careful, I might not be there next time."  It's enough for now.
Except for just one parting shot: "Oh, and Logan?  Stay away from my girl."
I give him a tight smile that, as soon as the door is safely shut behind me,
broadens into one of genuine amusement.  It sticks with me all the way down
the corridor.

"What are you smirking about?" Jean asks, sitting in front of the mirror and
brushing her hair.  She's in her nightgown, ready for bed.

I come up behind her and rest my chin on the top of her head, looking at her
in the mirror.  "Nothing much," I reply.  I trace a finger down the side of
her neck, trailing lightly over the bruises that Logan left her with.  Just
starting to show now, they'll be stunning in the morning.  The neck's a bad
place for bruising.  The hickie she gave me a couple of months ago backed
that little theoretical lesson up for me.  "I recommend something
high-necked tomorrow."

She bats my hand away, setting down her brush.  "Did you have a good game of
'Whose Is Bigger' with Logan?"  Amusement in her eyes goes from mirrored to
head-on as she stands and turns to face me, sliding her arms around my neck.

"We just about knocked down walls with the sheer masculinity of it all.  I'm
sorry you missed it."

Jean just laughs, and kisses me, nipping at the stretched line of my mouth
until I stop smiling and start paying attention to business.  With just the
flimsy nightgown between my hands and her skin, it's enough to make me more
than merely interested.  But I know she's tired - an experiment gone wrong
before Ororo and I went to Canada, on top of everything since then - so I
don't push it.  Like she doesn't push it when I'm in the grip of a migraine.
Saying that we're 'comfortable' makes it sound boring, dull, but it's not.
And the fire's still there, every time.  It just doesn't have to be 'now',
because we've got 'always'.

So I kiss her again, short and hard, and step away.  She brushes past me,
pulling down the covers and climbing into bed.  A quiet chuckle pulls me up
just as I'm heading into the bathroom, and I look back to her, snuggled down
under the covers.

"So, /did/ you tell him to stay away from your girl?"

I grin.  "Of course I did."  Her laughter follows me into the bathroom.

As if it mattered.  As if she would be tempted if he were near her, if he
made an effort.  As if I had any insecurity about her faithfulness.

The thought of Jean and Logan together was what had made me want to laugh
before, and it did make me laugh now.

Oh, I know what you're thinking.  You're thinking I'm in denial, or
something.  That I'm just talking myself into believing these things, or
refusing to face facts, because I know, deep down, that Jean's got to be
attracted to him.  At least on a primitive level, right?  He's like pure
testosterone rendered in human (hairy) form, and all that.  So male, so
intensely and without even thinking.  And Jean is the most beautiful woman
in the world (or so I think, though I may be a little bit prejudiced on this
one).  It's more than that, though, it's her confidence.  Her quiet
certainty.  It's damn sexy, right there in your face.  He had to see it, had
to want her.

In the face of all this, how can I possibly be so sure?

Jean's already dozing when I come out of the bathroom, but she wakes enough
as I slip beneath the covers to slide over a little, snuggling back in
beside me again.

"So what do you think of our new arrivals?" she asks as she lifts her head
drowsily to let me slip my arm underneath her neck.

"Logan's going to be a problem," I state blandly.

She murmurs agreement sleepily, and then her lips curve into a smile that's
pure wickedness.  "Rogue's cute, though."

At my laughter, her eyes open in surprise, head rising slightly off my
shoulder.  "What?  She is!"

"Yes," I agree, kissing the top of her head.  "She is."

That's why I'm so sure.  Because Logan, with all his manly, gruff sexuality
is exactly what my girl /doesn't/ want.

If you want a gross simplification, she's technically bisexual, I guess.
But if I've learned one thing in the past five years, it's that people - any
aspect of them - can't be easily compartmentalised.  Take Logan for
example...

Actually, forget it.  I don't even want to go there.

I said 'technically bisexual', because we're getting married as soon as our
lives calm down, but she freely admits that until me, she was more or less a
lesbian.

And boy, is that the sort of declaration that can inflate a guy's ego.
Let's face it: it's a racially-entrenched fantasy, that of 'curing' a woman
of her lesbian tendencies by nothing other than your own charms and skills.
But that fantasy usually involves you, the man, being so much of a man that
she couldn't possibly deny her need for your masculinity any longer.  Jean
always takes care to deflate me whenever she thinks I'm getting too puffed
up by reminding me that it was my /feminine/ aspects that attracted her to
me.

That explained a lot, once I found out about it.  It explained something
that happened when we first met.  When she came into the Professor's office
where I sat, eyes clenched as tight as they'd been for two months.  She
brought with her my new hope; the first of a series of increasingly improved
glasses.  She keeps such tight control over everything, but she was young
too, and new to the whole telepath thing.  When my hand touched hers, in the
process of the glasses-transfer, I caught the hint of a whispered thought,
that sounded vaguely like: "...pretty as a girl."

I forgot all about it in the suddenness of having my sight returned to me,
which was just as well.  At that stage I was very aware of the fact these
fine features of mine have something of the effeminate about them.  Kids are
quick and blunt to point out those sorts of things.  I'd taken care all
through school to avoid anything that might be considered ambiguous,
gender-orientation-wise.  That didn't help my early pursuit of Jean.
Playing the macho male rates about zero with her.

She could have got rid of me easily.  What better way to stop me pestering
her than to tell me I was too young and, what's more, of the wrong gender?
She didn't take the easy path, though, and it wasn't just because of my
pretty face.  Because I was running a cunning, multi-faceted campaign; we
were becoming friends.  It wasn't so much that we had a lot in common, but
we just seemed to complement each other.  We fit together so very well that
I think it scared her a little.  If I'd been thinking about it, it probably
would have scared me, but I didn't think about it.  Not until I was well and
truly in love, and then it just made me smile.

So I troubled Jean Grey's assurance in the sexual orientation she'd taken
years to get used to, but had been comfortable in.  It was worse than a
straight woman wondering if she was gay, she told me later, because she had
to wonder if maybe this wasn't a subconscious desire to conform to the norms
of society, to have a heterosexual relationship.  Didn't know if she was
really being honest with herself.  I didn't know any of this at the time.
All I knew was that where there had previously just been a flat 'no', there
was now the teeterings of a 'maybe'.

Of course, I was going to have to find out some time.  And the longer it
went, the more awkward it became to tell me.  It eventually came out on the
night of what I'd considered our first real date.  I was back from college
and wearing smart clothes and a mask of fake assurance.  She was wearing
perfume that completely scrambled my wits.  I'm sure we were both as nervous
as the other, and dinner was a little stilted until eventually Jean just
grabbed my wrist and practically dragged me out of the restaurant.  Not even
all the way out of the restaurant, because it was in the foyer, as our coats
were being fetched, that she took my face firmly between her hands and
kissed me.  Not the friendly pecks I'd contented myself with previously, but
a real, honest-to-God kiss.

I'd barely been able to move when our coats were held out with a discreet
cough.

That had broken the tension a lot, and we walked through the park, talking
like we usually did.  Except we didn't usually hold hands, and that simple
fact was disrupting my thought processes a lot.  Finally, she stopped, took
a deep breath, and told me.  That she was a lesbian.  That she'd been amused
by her attraction to me, and then confused, but now she just accepted it.
She wanted me.  A careful, prepared speech.  The only reason she got it all
in was because I was too shocked to speak.

That passed, unfortunately.  I proceeded to put both feet in my mouth.  The
evening, which had been so perfect, degenerated into a bit of a nightmare.
It would be easy to blame most of it on that temper Jean tries so hard to
hide, but there were two people screaming at each other that night, and it
certainly wasn't her who kicked the trashcan.  She did uproot the bush,
though.  Telekinetically.  And afterwards, she took off with the car in a
blinding rage, leaving me to walk all the way back to the Mansion.

It was far enough that I'd thought everything through by the time I arrived
back.  And the conclusion I'd reached was one that stressed quite heavily my
own stupidity in the whole thing.  I went straight to her room, and poured
out an apology.  Then we talked.  Talked like we never had before, on and on
with sentences that barely made sense by the end of it, but somehow still
communicated.  That was the first night she fell asleep in my arms, and I
watched the sun rise through a curtain of her hair.  I couldn't have slept,
because somehow my prayers had been answered twice in one night.

It wasn't all sweetness and light from there, of course.  I didn't become an
enlightened male overnight, and Jean had her own personal issues to deal
with.  There were a lot more screaming arguments.  We both did a lot more
apologising.  But most of all we talked.  Things became smoother, easier.  I
stopped flinching at references to anything feminine about myself.  She
began to trust me, and herself.  She started teasing me about being in touch
with my feminine side.  I started teasing her about choosing me as the
socially acceptable option.  We watched movies together, comparing notes on
the attributes of the female stars.  And, occasionally, the male ones.  She
has a soft spot for Alan Cumming.  I knew she would.  If there's one thing
we've figured out, together, it's what Jean likes and doesn't like.

Which is why Logan can prowl, and growl, and be as indelibly, undeniably
male as he likes.  And he can do it as close to her as he pleases.  Hell, he
can show up naked and gift-wrapped in her lab, for all I care.  The only
problem I can see is that it could get damn annoying.  I'll be there if she
needs me.  Always.  But my girl doesn't need to be guarded.  Not from that.

I remember all this a few days and a million events later.  Sitting quietly
for the first time in what seems like weeks, our kids scattered around us.
The squabbling over the television is the most relaxing thing I've heard in
forever.  When Rogue growls and stalks out, slamming the door behind her,
Jean and I just laugh.

"Still think she's cute?" I ask, settling myself more comfortably.  One arm
around her, the newspaper folded open to the cryptic crossword balanced on
my leg.  She's reading some dense scientific text.  Or pretending to, at
least.  She hasn't turned the page in a good fifteen minutes.

Jean giggles.  "Interesting, isn't it, how his traits show in her.  A little
girl acting so masculine."

"Yeah, well," I reply, bracing my leg to fill in an answer.  "Male,
female...  It all mixes together, right?"

Cause for more laughter, and she sets aside her book.  "Speaking of which, I
should go and check on Logan again."  She stretches as she stands up,
groaning a little.  "He's going to wake up and he's going to try and flirt
again.  Think I should just tell him I'd prefer him in a skirt?"  With a
wink, she heads out of the room, leaving me to spread out on the sofa,
grinning to myself.

Yep, that's my girl.


======= http://viscerate.com =======
"All your spy plane are belong to China!"

Hi everyone!

This is a short story I wrote late last night! Tell me
what ya think! mrs_james_marsden@...



Disclaimer: I don’t own the X-Men... Marvel does.. And
the song Come And Get It is by 98 Degrees..
Note: This is set in the movie-verse, but we will
assume that Rogue and the other younger X-Men are of
legal age to go to a bar.

Come And Get It

Professor Xavier told the X-Men to take a night off.
To go out an enjoy themselves. Everyone gratefully
thanked him and got changed to go to a local bar.
Scott and Jean excitedly went to their room in which
he changed into a nice blue shirt and black pants. He
looked in the mirror and adjusted his Oakley
sunglasses.

“What do you think?” came Jean’s voice behind him. He
turned around and saw her in a tube top and tight
leather pants.

“Wow... you look really good Jean,” he said, unable to
hide his smile. He couldn’t believe she was wearing
that! It was so out of character for her.

Logan had caught his reflection in one of the hallway
mirrors and thought he looked fine. As long as he had
his leather jacket. He ran his fingers through his
hair and sniffed under his arms. “Good to go,” he
muttered to himself. The three of them, along with
Ororo, Rogue, Bobby, Jubilee and Kitty set off to the
bar.

Once there, everyone split up in different directions.
Rogue, Bobby, Jubilee and Kitty headed to the dance
floor. Ororo went to play some pool with Logan and
Jean followed Scott to the bar.

While Scott was trying to get the attention of the
bartender, Jean looked around to see where everyone
had went. She moved her body to the loud dance music
and surveyed the environment. She saw Logan across the
room. He was looking back at her. Jean smiled and
thought to herlself how sexy Logan looked, even
through his scruffiness.

Logan was staring back at Jean, unaware that Ororo was
waiting for him to take his turn. God, how he wanted
that red-haired beauty. ‘She looked so hot tonight,’
he thought. He could have been mistaken, but was Ms.
Jean Grey flirting with him!?

~* Baby, baby I’ve been watchin’ you watchin’ me
Secretly sending tender kisses casually
Across a crowded room
Your man doesn’t even notice you
Mmm... I guess that’s how it goes *~

“Jean?” Scott called to his love.

“Hmm? Oh sorry Scott, I was just lost in thought,” she
replied. ‘Logan’s thoughts,’ she added silently.

“Here’s your drink,” he said, handing Jean a cocktail
drink. They took a seat at the round tables with bar
stools. Scott was apparently talking to Jean, but she
had dazed off, looking at those on the dance floor
having fun. Then over Scott’s shoulder at the pool
table. Again, for some reason, she seemed drawn to it.

“Jean? Are you okay?” Scott asked with concern.

She turned her attention back to him. “Yeah, I’m
sorry. It’s just really loud in here. It’s hard to
concentrate.”

~* Lady, lady it seems like he bores you to death
You need to escape, you need to enjoy yourself
Ignore his wondering eyes, he doesn’t realize
You’re gonna make your move *~

“Mr. Summers!” came a cry from the dance floor. Scott
turned around to see who it was and saw that it was
Jubilee, motioning for him to join them. “C’mon Mr.
Summers!” Scott smiled and turned to Jean, “I’ll be
right back.”

Jean couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of a teacher
and four of his students cutting loose on the dance
floor.

“This seat taken?”

Jean looked up and saw Logan standing there. “No, not
anymore.” He glanced over at Scott with the other four
and shrugged. He sat down across from Jean and smiled
at her, trying to tell if she was drunk, flirting with
him, or just teasing him.

“You look good Jeannie,” Logan told her.

“Thanks,” she smiled seductively. “Logan, you wanna
dance?” He tried to protest because he wasn’t a dancer
but Jean pulled him over to the dance floor
nonetheless. Scott noticed Jean and Logan next to
them, but didn’t think anything of it. At first.

~* Come and get it,
The lovin’ you want is in me
Come and get it,
I will love you faithfully
Come and get it, girl don’t be shy
I swear you won’t regret it...
Baby come and get it. *~

He glanced over again and saw that Logan was getting
pretty friendly with Jean. His Jean. He tried to get
Jean’s attention but she wasn’t looking at him. It was
as if she was purposely avoiding his stare. He threw
one final glance over at them before turning his
attention back to his students.

“What’s wrong Mr. Summers?” Kitty asked.

“Nothing. Absolutely nothing,” he seethed through
clenched teeth as a slow song came on and Logan and
Jean made no signs of separating. Scott looked at
Jubilee, “Do you wanna dance?”

=====
Get paid to check some emails and click on websites!!
http://e-mailpaysu.com/members/index.cgi?JeanGrey

Check out my fanfics website! http://AngelsFanfics.cjb.net

"So what do you say, Mr. Summers?"
"I say 'I love you', Ms. Grey. Today. Tomorrow. And every day for the rest of my
life."

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail - only $35
a year!  http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/

This is one of my "floofy-ish" pieces after finishing
CLIMB.  Indulge me. <g>  It's really a vignette.  URL
posted as always, for those who prefer html.
----

IDLE MUSINGS OF A WOMAN AT EIGHTY
Minisinoo
http://www.geocities.com/minisinoo/idlemusings.html

Summary: An old woman on good endings. L/J/S (but not
a threesome)  c. 2100 words

Warnings: Adult subject matter.

Notes:  I wouldn't mind having the wisdom of sixty,
the libido of thirty, the body of twenty, and the gall
of eighty.  This is my drool-over-Logan piece.  And
what *would* it be like to watch him stay the same
age?

Disclaimer:  Marvel owns, not I.
-----

Sweat beads on slick skin and slides together, then
runs in rivulets down his back and out from beneath
his arms.  I watch it.  I want to lick it off, lick
him clean like a popsickle.  I wonder what his skin
tastes like?  Salt and cigars and that indefinable man
musk.

He's not beautiful.  Not in the usual
magazine-sculpted ideal of chiseled and starved
perfection.  I slept with chiseled perfection for
forty-one years.  After a while, it loses its appeal.
Contempt of the familiar, I suppose.  This face is
handsome, but the skin is less taut and faint lines
bracket the mouth, crease the forehead.  It's a face
that is aging, but not old, a face in the flower of
manhood.  All the smoothness of youth has been sanded
off by years and experience, and the eyes -–
all-color-hazel and none –- are deep with the weight
of things seen.  He knows the underside of life, and
its brilliance, too, the whole kaleidoscope-complexity
of being human.  It's drawn his mouth gentle and
curved with irony.

No, he's not a beautiful man.  But he is a handsome
one, and interesting -– which is more important.  It's
not the animal magnetism that attracted me then, nor
attracts me now.  He has that, but so do a lot of men.
  What always interested me about him was that, when I
talked to him, he listened.  And I often thought that
if he'd made love to me, he wouldn't have rushed.
Patience is a virtue of age.

So I watch him a moment more from the shadow of the
gym doorway.  He's too involved in his lesson with the
kids to have smelled me yet.

But I can't stay hidden forever, indeterminate in the
doorway, so I enter the room with measured steps, feel
it as they all register my presence.

The Grand Dame of Westchester.

They look at me with awe, I feel it beating against
the glass lantern of my mind like the fluttering wings
of moths.  I must be so careful with them or I would
burn them up.  I am Phoenix.  Yet I am also simply me.
  Plain Jean.  I don't feel so special on the inside of
my skin, and I wonder, idly, if this is how Charles
felt when we idolized him, so many years ago.
Inscrutable, omniscient Professor X.  Now I am the
inscrutable, omniscient one.  Senator Jean Grey.  How
funny.  I wonder if these children know how I snore
like a chain saw, or that I put ketchup on my cottage
cheese.  Scott always thought that was nuts – both the
ketchup and the eating of cottage cheese, in the first
place.  "Live dangerously Jean," he used to say, "try
some salsa."  And I'd laugh and poke him in the belly.
  The belly got wider as he got older.  But then, so
did mine.  He never did lose his hair, at least.

Now, I make my way across the floor.  'Magestically,'
I've heard it called.  In truth, I just can't walk
fast any more.  Only one pair of eyes doesn't watch me
with awe.  There's a glint in them.  *Come to keep
tabs on me, Old Woman?*, he asks in my mind, where the
students can't hear.

*No.  Just came to watch you sweat, Old Man.*

*Care to lick it off later?*

And Jesus, just which of us is the telepath here?  I
meet his eyes and shake my head faintly.  Aloud, we
speak of other things, such as the importance of
physical exercise for mental agility.  It's true
enough.  But Lord, it sounds so . . . potted.  Like a
two-bit column in a health magazine.  At least Logan
no longer must teach them how to keep themselves
alive.  Prejudice isn't dead, but it's gone to hide in
the dark under the porch.  Xavier didn't live to see
that, but Scott did.  He was among the chief
architects of that tolerance.  I was another.  We two
built a palace together on Charles' foundation, and
God, I loved that man.  Scott, not Charles.

*I miss you, Slim.*  It's the whispered litany of
eight years, no less poignant for the passage of time
but less sharp at the edges.  I think of Scott softly
now.  We grew old together.  I watched his body
change.  I watched his hair turn grey and his muscles
go lax.  And I watched him become the moral leader
that Charles had seen inside when he'd put him in
charge of the X-Men.  Scott never held public office
(that was me), but he did become a bit of a legend.

Yet heros are hard to live with at home, no matter how
much you love them.  He was only ever half here.  Too
many people needed a piece of Scott and he had a bad
habit of bringing them to bed with us at night.
Sometimes I found myself talking to the wall of his
ear.  He lived with a mobile phone and his HP notebook
just as much as he lived with his glasses.

But Logan listened to me, and still does.  Sometimes,
I need to be a woman.  Not a doctor.  Not a
researcher.  Not a senator.  Not an X-Man.  And
dammit, not a political activist's long-suffering
wife.

Or widow.

Sometimes I wonder if I am the Grand Dame here for me,
or as Mrs. Scott Summers, even though I never took his
name.  That was the funniest thing of all.  We just
didn't quite get around to a wedding, woke up one
morning and realized we'd been sleeping in the same
bed for seven years and that was Common Law.  So we
registered it and went on with the important things in
life.  My sister asked me once if I didn't resent him
for not marrying me formally.  God knows, I resented
him for a lot of things, but never that.

Smiling at the thought, I wait for Logan to dismiss
his class.  Today, I feel a need to speak to someone
who doesn't idolize me, or hate me, or want something
from me.  He walks me back towards my office –- the
old corner office that once was Charles' and then was
Scott's and now is mine -– and gallantly offers me his
arm on the stairs, makes a flourish of it for humor to
conceal the fact that without the arm, my bad knee
would probably go out and send me crashing
ignominiously to the bottom.  Most of the time these
days, I use the elevator.

You're old, Jean Grey.

My back aches when I unbend from sitting, and I have
arthritis in my hands and knees and feet –- too many
years of standing for hours in ridiculous heels.  Now,
I wear flats, but still look most men in the eye
despite the shrinking of bones and a touch of
osteoporosis.  I should have drank more milk when I
was nursing and taken my calcium like a good little
doctor girl.

"Is Nate arriving in time for the party?"

"His plane gets in at four.  Chris is going to pick
his dad up.  And shhh.  They think it's a secret."

He laughs.  *They should know they can't keep secrets
from a telepath.*

*Nate IS a telepath, Logan.*

*Then he really should know better.*

That makes me smile.  *He's Scott's son.  He's
predisposed to selective blindness.*

*And grand gestures.*

*That, too.*

We've reached my office door and he opens it for me,
ushers me in.  I expect him to leave then; Logan has
become marginally respectable in his old age and
oversees the mansion for me.  I don't trust anyone
else to do it, even Emma.  She manages the school, and
that's enough.  But this place still exists at two
levels, and Logan manages the Underground.  They used
to tell me that I was the heart of the X-Men and Scott
was the soul.  I'm not sure what Logan is, but we
couldn't exist without him, even when it's no longer
necessary to save -– or fight -– the world.  Maybe
Logan has been the soul all along, and Scott was the
mind.  That makes more sense to me.

Now, he shuts the office door and follows me towards
my desk, stops me before I can get behind it, great
mahogany thing that it is.  My shield, my mask, my
dignity.  His hand comes down on my shriveled shoulder
and I can smell him strong, all salt and musk and
health.  So unlike Scott in his last years with his
persistent yeasty cough from the walking-pneumonia
that was killing him, or the slightly sour old-man
smell, like dirty socks in a hamper or day-old
washcloths.  It's a smell you become used to.  As he
was used to mine.  The medicine astringent of Ben-Gay
under expensive perfume, or too much stale coffee on
my breath.

But now, Logan stands close behind me, close enough
that I can feel the heat of him through the Egyptian
linen on my back.  He says nothing for a moment, just
drags his thumb gentle over the bared, wizened skin of
my neck, as if I were still the same woman he first
met, a woman of thirty-three, ripe and rich and
conflicted.  I'd desired him then.  I'd dreamed of
fucking him hard against a wall.  But I'd loved Scott
with everything in me, adored my beautiful, brilliant
boy.  And I chose.  I never faltered, never cheated.
And I never regretted my choice except in those
half-way seconds between sleep and waking, or when
Logan passed too close and I smelled that salt and
musk and scent of wind.  Like now.  Bending, he kisses
my cheek and I feel the scratch of his beard on my
tissue-paper skin.  It sends shudders through me, and
my dry, old passage goes moist.  There's still heat
there.  There's still life there, rising like my
namesake the phoenix, though the womb has been dead
for almost twenty-five years.

Silly old grandmother.

"Happy birthday, Jeannie," his whispers.

I turn slightly, a shift of weight to move my shoulder
out from under his hand.  My chin goes up.  This silly
old grandmother still has some pride.  I don't want
his pity.  I look him in the eyes and mean to say so,
but it never gets out.

I see my reflection there:  mostly white hair with
vestiges of auburn,  a face ravaged by gravity, a
sagging chin.  The skin around my lips is stitched by
a drawstring of lines and my eyebrows no longer arch
like the wings of butterflies.  But the eyes
themselves belong to Phoenix.  They're as black as
coal.  And seeing my eyes in his eyes, I see what he
sees beyond the face.  There is a girl inside eighty.
And there is a boy, still, inside the unknown years of
his own life.  Bending, he kisses that girl as his
hand runs up my side to cup the breast of a woman.  He
rubs a thumb over my nipple, which can still remember
how to get hard.  Desire spikes out through my chest
and belly.  I'm old, not dead.  Then he steps back,
lips quirking up in that self-depreciating smile.
"I've waited a long time to do that, Red.  But I'd
better get down to the dining hall.  There's a
surprise party to prepare for, and punch to spike."

"What?" I ask him, lifting an eyebrow.  "You think you
need to get me drunk to pass second base?"

"Nah.  But if I didn't spike the punch, Nate would
think I'd gone soft in my old age."

"And we couldn't have that, could we?"

Winking, he ducks out the door, leaves me to myself.
Maybe I should feel ashamed for what just transpired,
but it seems senseless.  Perversity is in the eye of
the beholder.  I spent most of my life in the bed of a
man almost nine years my junior, and have still
outlived him by almost a decade.  So what if I kiss a
man who is, I'm quite certain, at least twice nine
years my senior?  The fact that he has the body of a
thirty-five year old is irrelevant.  They say age is
in the mind.  My mind is ageless.  It's my body that
has forgotten.

I pick up a picture from my desk.  Scott, teaching
Nathan to walk.  Scott stands behind with Nate's
little fists gripping his father's fingers as he
toddles.  In the background, almost out of the
picture, Logan sits on a step and watches.  Not with
envy.  It think it's with pride.  Logan had loved
Nate, too -– the slightly gruff old uncle.  And he'd
respected Scott.  Human emotions are never shoe-box
simplistic, tagged and stored and consistent.

The three men in my life.  Eight years ago next week,
I buried one of them after watching him live on
willpower alone for five years.  Another is flying in
today to see his mother turn eighty.  And tonight, I
believe I shall sleep with the third.

----

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TITLE: Slippery When Wet
AUTHOR : Melissa Flores
EMAIL: mistiec_flores@...

GENRE: X-Men: The Movie, Wolverine/Rogue, ensemble. Storm/Gambit,
Scott/Jean, Rogue/Augustus

RATING: R for violence and language, and sexual situations, and MAJOR
ANGST.

SUMMARY: While an isolated Logan tries to bring back an enchanted
Rogue, Augustus has taken another. As the X-men scramble to find a way
to defeat the wizard, Rogue is faced with the death of her friend, and
forced to choose between her destiny, and her love.

WARNING: This is a serious roller coaster, guys. There are a lot of
falls and I'm pretty sure by the end of chapter three half of you will
be ready to kill me. And after chapter five you'll all be wanting to
lynch me. What I ask is that you reserve all hangings and death threats
until you read the whole thing. :-) It's also a day long read, so I'm
going to be posting a chapter a day, two if I feel I can, cause it's
heavy stuff. :-)

DISTRIBUTION: http://www.wolverineandrogue.com/mistiec

SERIES: Story IV in the Fatal Caress Series. Previous Stories Include
(in order) :
Almost a Woman
Fatal Caress
A Hazy Shade of Winter
The Splintering Touch

WARNING: While I'm familiar with the comics, I never really got into
them, so to be on the safe side, let's just say that I've departed
completely from them.

GUEST STARS:
Rupert Everett as AUGUSTUS
Matthew McConaughey as GAMBIT

~*~
You always said that I had multiple personalities
And I've been surrounded somewhere
between my dreams and reality
So where'd you dig up the audacity  to ask me
How we've all been doing, since you broke our hearts?

Well so far-
Number five just cries a river a minute
Seven wants to tie you up and drown you in it
Fourteen just wants to say so long- bygones
Thirty-two wants to do things to you that'll make you blush
Ten would key the El Camino that you love so much
And there ain't nobody wants to mess with twenty-three

Oh, Lucky for you, tonight I'm just me.
(Lucky 4 You, Shedaisy)
~*~

PROLOGUE

There was a desolate darkness in the air: tangible, living, breathing,
surrounding.

It encompassed all who had become more than intricately involved in the
battle for one mutant's soul, and it had crossed the mind of more than
one if such a battle was even worth the loss.

For no one had won the second battle, both sides had come out scarred,
scared, lost and deprived of faith or joy, all anyone could do was
wait.

It was a standoff that ended all standoffs, because neither side, nor
the isolated groups that now lay in wait for a sign of what to do or
where to go, had any sort of upper hand.

And everyone was angry.

It was the anger that slid through their veins.

And it was the anger that slid into one fractured mind, that would
finally end it.














~*~

CHAPTER ONE

The winds that slid over the mountaintops seemed to hum an idle tune,
as if afraid to come forth, to burst into full song, as it the winds
were waiting.

Indeed, it seemed they all were waiting, though for what, she wasn't
sure.

The seat she had taken had grown cold, and she shivered, shifting her
hands down so her fingers covered the sides of the rock, and the sparks
flew, warming it, warming her body as well.

She slid the coat around her tighter, and the youngest of the X-Men
found herself looking back over the meadow that had been turned into a
makeshift campsite.

Her mind was clouded with fear, with anger, she knew that.

It still didn't change the opinion that she fostered, the knowledge
that she knew must have been obvious to every one of her teammates.

This was more trouble than it was worth.

Jubilee had been commended for her loyalty more than once. Despite her
age, and her hot tempered outbursts, it had become apparent that
eventually, she would emerge as a true leader, and she was never
intimidated by the older, more experienced leaders.

The only one who had ever truly frightened her was Rogue.

It was her eyes.

Rogue had wild eyes, and sometimes Jubilee wondered if anyone else
could see it, the haunted agony that seemed to brim beneath the
surface, the surface itself so deadly because of that fatal caress.

No one else saw that Rogue had a deeper inhibition, her powers were a
manifestation of it. Rogue was a destroyer, and every day, she had
battled her mind and her heart in an effort to keep that contained.

For years she wondered why the others couldn't see it, why the others
chose not to. Maybe because Jubilee wasn't as close to her as the
others were... maybe because they were scared to look deeper into a
women who they all owed their lives to at one time or another.

Rogue's battle had never been truly won, Rogue had never come to terms
with her mutation or what it meant, and every day, every moment, even
as Jubilee trusted her as a friend, a comrade, a leader, she had waited
for the dam to break.

The waters were rising very quickly, spilling over, in all of them, and
Jubilee waited, keeping watch, wondering how long it would take for
someone to lose their footing.

After all, with the waters of tension this high...

Things got slippery when they were wet.

~*~

It had taken him three hours to find the isolated cabin, the broken
down place that was windy and cold.

Three hours in which he hadn't allowed himself to think, or to let go
of the women in his arms. The small body of the woman with the immense
strength shuddered against him occasionally, and his teeth chattered
against the cold, eyes narrowed against the blizzard that surrounded
him as he trudged through the snow.

Her lips were ice cold, her skin almost blue, her eyes never opening,
but her mouth mumbling things that made no sense to him.

And her bare hands slid across his throat, sending icy shivers down his
body.

Rogue could touch. HIS Rogue, could touch.

But he couldn't think about that, because the surge that accompanied
the thought filled him with such uncertainty and fear and joy and pure
rage at what had been done to her that he would become paralyzed for a
full minute.

So instead he gathered her shivering form closer, pressed a kiss to her
bare forehead, swallowing hard and trudging further, muttering in a low
growl, "Almost there, Marie."

He wasn't quite sure how he found the cabin, perhaps the smell, the
draw of warmth in his animal instincts, but when he spotted the
darkness almost hidden by the blanket of snow, his speed doubled, hope
making his heart jump, gathering the woman closer to him and lowering
his head against the wind.

It was vacant,  and for a full second it crossed Logan's mind that it
was quite fortunate for whoever owned the small cabin, because he sure
as hell wouldn't have hesitated kicking them out.

The small enclosure was run down, but it was shelter against the bitter
cold, and the Wolverine was too tired to care about anything else. He
stumbled forward, kicking the door closed behind him, his teeth
chattering and his body shaking as he lowered his precious load onto
the worn rug on the floor, eyes intensely searching for any sign of
injury.

"Marie, baby... you're safe,  Marie," he whispered huskily, gathering
her small hands in his and rubbing them together, pausing to press the
palms to his mouth, breathing hot air onto them.

Marie's eyes were closed, but she was sitting up of her own violation,
and when he began to rub at her shoulders roughly, he heard a small
moan coming from her cold lips.

"Marie.."

There was a cough, and suddenly she went limp, falling against him. He
caught her gently,  heart caught in his throat as he gently settled her
into his lap, palms against her cheeks.

"Marie..." his voice was raspy, rough, but his eyes were so very
intense and dark and oddly gentle, as he looked down at her.

Her eyes opened to find tearstreaked orbs gazing at her own.

Her own violet eyes.

Her teeth chattered together so much, her small slip of a dress
providing no protection from the cold, and he immediately shrugged off
his jacket, wrapping it around her and pulling her closer.

"Marie..."

Her eyes seemed blank as she looked, at first unseeing into his face.
Her face was curious, teeth chattering as he continued rubbing as
slowly, color began to return to her face.

Her breath was hot, rapid, and she shivered, instinctively burrowing
closer into his body, seeking out his warmth.

He felt her body, and his heart lurched, lips pressed against her cheek
as he pulled her closer, using his own warmth to warm her colder body.

"Marie..."

And something about the way he said her name made her pause, look up,
eyes suddenly focusing, narrowing in concentration.

"Lo... Logannn?" she chattered.

His full throat made it impossible for him to do anything but nod, and
as her violet eyes met his in a long intense stare, he found himself
smiling at her.

Her hair had fallen into her face, and he gently pulled the white bang
from it.

The touch of his fingertip on her forehead made her suck in her breath,
and when her gaze fell to his hand, tears suddenly flooded to her eyes,
and he felt her heart beat quicken, fear suddenly flooding into her
face.

"I don't..." he swallowed. The accent was .. missing... "remember..."
she rasped, and her eyes shut closed and she shuddered, pain suddenly
wracking through her body.

"God, Marie.." he rasped.

"Logan...what's... what's happening to me?" she whispered, eyes
suddenly open, naked pain and fear in them as she looked at him
imploringly.

And he could only stare, gather her closer, answer in a gruff form
filled with fear and frustration and anger, "I don't know, baby. I
don't know."

~*~

Remy had always had a strange habit he had picked up in his years of
thievery. No matter how he slept, he never woke up with opened eyes.
They remained closed, but every other sense was alert, vibrant, and
with this unusual but useful trademark, he found more out about his
comrades than he ever thought possible.

He learned who to trust and who to betray. He learned who to steal from
and who was loyal.

He learned the truth.

It was no different now, his body racked with pain, coming to with a
sucking in of breath. But his eyes remained closed and his mind, still
hazy from sleep and from drug induced nausea, was alert enough to hear
what was going on around him.

Trying to place himself, he scrambled to figure out where he was, what
had happened, why he was in so much pain, and where Storm was.

Funny the way she was the first thing that popped into his head,
accompanied with the gut wrenching fear and the throb in his heart.

What had happened?

Murmurs surrounded him, and breathing evenly, he finally recognized the
voices of the Doctor and the leader, speaking in low tones directly
above him.

And so, through simple habit, he listened.

"Scott, I refuse to believe that. There has to be a way."

"You don't think this is hard for me to accept too, Jean?"

"Scott, those are our friends out there! Our teammates!"

"The last time we came to save one. We lost three and nearly lost Remy
too. Don't you think we're in over our heads?"

A pause filled the air, and when Jean answered him, her voice was
quieter, almost deadly in it's answer, "You don't think Rogue, or Storm
or even Logan would quit if it was you?"

"Jean, don't make this personal."

"It IS personal."

Apparently this was too much for them, because suddenly the air was
silent, a signal that meant it was continued in their heads.

He waited, until finally he heard Jean's quieter voice, signaling a
sense of defeat, "I know, Scott.I just..."

"It's the best thing."

What?! Remy's eyes shot open and he sat up, making Jean jump and Scott
look at him in surprise.

"NO! Whatever de  hell you say! NO!."

Jean immediately tried to push him back down, but the red-eyed thief
merely shrugged her off, staring at Scott in anger and disbelief.

"You can't... we can't just leave 'em. Dey-"

"Remy, lie down-"

"I won't-"

*REMY LIE DOWN*

The command rang through him, flooding his senses, and before he knew
it he was on his back again, eyes rolling up to snap at the doorway.

"Professor," Jean whispered, relief on her face.

Professor Charles Xavier wheeled into the makeshift lab, face stern,
solemn, and so very sad.

"Professor." Scott came forward, and Charles merely nodded, a troubled
look on his face.

"I've been briefed, thank you Scott," he answered in a clipped tone.

Remy swallowed, lying back, watching as the telepath wheeled forward,
concern etched on his features.

"Professor," he managed,  "Don't let dem go."

Charles shot the two team leaders a look, and Jean shrugged, sadness
clouding her beautiful smile. Scott himself was immobile, looking
frozen behind the red lenses.

He turned back the bare chested thief, leaning forward, a small, grim
smile on his face.

"Tell me what happened, Remy. All of it."

~*~

She had been in frigid temperatures many a time and never felt a thing.
Her body and her mutation allowed a certain transcendence of such
things as extreme temperatures. Flying through a blizzard had never
affected her as it had affected Rogue, who had always commented that
she felt she was "Freezing her ass off and if she had any balls they
would have cracked an' fell off too" in the frigid weather.

But now, she truly felt cold.

The white-haired woman who sported the nickname Goddess and held the
name with such grace as no one could, wrapped her arms around her body,
rubbing lightly as she circled the room slowly.

She expected to die, eventually.

This had never affected her, because as an X-Men she had long been
aware that the inevitable consequences of a life such as hers would be
a loss of it.

It was the fact that she was not dead yet, that filled her with fear.

As long as she was alive, she could be used.

And being used was always something Storm did not tolerate.

A shudder ran through her body as she looked about the room that held
her, because Storm never did like pretense.

And this room, with the lavender tones, the velvet cushions, and the
rich decor, was a pretense.

It spoke of a person who believed in innuendoes, in games.

And games included pawns.

She was a pawn.

A pawn against Rogue. Against Logan. Against Gambit.

Hands ran through her hair, and her heart jumped into her throat as the
door swung open.

Her mouth parted in surprise, and her hair swung around her, eyes
locking with the dark eyes man who stood in the doorway.

She was still as she felt his gaze start at her eyes, drift down her
body in a long, languid gaze that made her body quiver, and her eyes
narrow in anger.

"My, my," he spoke, and his voice was a soft, seductive, very achingly
familiar Southern accent. "Rogue does keep good company."

He had Rogue's accent.

Storm took a breath, as their eyes locked again, she felt her throat go
dry.

He had Rogue's eyes.

~*~

She was tired, too tired.

Hands drifted up and rubbed at her tired eyes, and Jubilation Lee
sighed, shivering in the cold as she stood guard over the makeshift
camp. Agitation filled her as she looked behind her, a hundred feet or
so, to the figures moving in and out of the white covered tents that
were barely visible.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw another figure trudging toward
her, a spot of black among the blanket of snow.

Jubes waited, and smiled as her friend offered her a half frozen grin.

"Hey. Here to relieve you."

"Thanks, Kitty," Jubes shivered, sending sparks to her fingers to warm
them up. "I sure could use a break."

"And here," the auburn haired women only a few months older than
Jubilee handed her a steaming cup of dark coffee. "It's been a long
day. Looks like you might need it."

Jubilee took it with a grin, falling into silence, as the other woman
shifted her feet, looking about the forest.

"You wanna say something, so spill it," Jubilee cracked, raising an
eyebrow.

Kitty looked almost guilty, caught in her hesitation, and when she
smiled, it was a sheepish, guilty grin that was more sad than it was
anything else.

"I just... I love Rogue. Really."

"But."

"But... "

"This is getting crazy, I know," Jubilee muttered, breathing out
softly. "Damn," she swallowed. "Didn't think it'd hurt that much to say
it out loud."

Kitty didn't answer, instead her eyes were clouded, a troubled frown on
her face. "In high school, we used to stay up together, talkin' and
stuff. Remember? I had this crush on Bobby that never really seemed to
go away-"

"Still hasn't," Jubes offered, her eyes twinkling with a saddened
mirth.

Kitty blushed, but licked her lips, continuing her story. "Rogue knew
he was head over heels in love with her. But she... she never did
anything. She told me... our friendship meant too much. And when I told
her that... it didn't mean anything.. she could do what she wanted...
she said it meant something to her." Kitty shrugged, running a hand
through her short tousled hair. "I... I don't wanna lose that kinda
friendship, Jubes. But after finding out what she did to Logan...
what's happened since then..."

Jubilee was quiet, watching as Kitty struggled with her inner emotions.


"Makes me wonder if there's any of that Rogue left inside to save, is
all."

The Asian woman bit her lip, staring at Shadowcat with a searching
stare. "If you had to... if it was down to Rogue against us... would
you... be able to..."

The sentence was left unsaid, and Kitty shot her a sharp look, sucking
in her breath. "It can't come to that."

"But if it does?"

Kitty took a deep breath in, crossing her arms, her eyes dark and
glittering dangerously. "Then we're screwed." Jubilee gave her a
questioning look, but Kitty merely patted her and dismissed her. "Go
on. Get out of here. They need you."

Jubilee nodded, walking away quickly, eyes blinking against the glare
of the sun on the snow, despite the sunglasses she was never without.

Rogue had done the same for her. Although she was never as close as
Kitty was to the vixen, Jubilation Lee's outgoing attitude and Rogue's
own sparky nature made them natural comrades for some of the school's
more legendary pranks.

Rogue was a great friend.

What Jubilee feared, what made her stomach twist, was the thought that
would eventually paralyze the group, or so she feared.

Rogue could make an equally brilliant enemy.

~*~

Sometimes the simple act of living is what causes the most agony.

Existing and existence, sliding through time as she stood still, the
world sliding around her, ever present, ever watching.

There was a chasm deep within her that she could never fill, and she
never wondered at it, never paused to even try to fill it, for her
purpose, although unknown, was always so much more important.

She was quiet and still, muttering hardly a word, and though the others
thought her strange, she never questioned, or dissuaded, or gave them
any other reason to doubt their own assumptions. The truth was such a
very fickle thing, and she knew it well.

The wisdom seeped inside her, and her heart slid into a chasm of
pieces, breaking so loudly, and yet so silently, as the tears slid
through her, the maelstrom in her body ever subservient to her will not
to surrender, not to move.

To move would worsen the agony.

To move would have made the pain worse.

To move would have been to admit it had gotten the better of her.

And the silent agony of the present crept through her, and still she
didn't move.

She was waiting for the present to die away.

Waiting for the future to claim her.

Waiting for the past to creep away from her thoughts.

And knowing, in the end, that it was all futile, for as the visions and
voices and memories racked through her body, her eyes wide open, seeing
and yet unseeing, she knew the truth.

The past would always be a step behind her.

The present would always cling to her.

And the future would never come.

It was futile. It was hopeless. And still she fought.

If only for the sake of doing anything at all.

~*~

She was frozen, she neither moved, nor ate.

Her body shook silently, and   words of whimpers accompanied the pain
in her voice, as she lay still, head in her lap, doing nothing but
shivering.

She was battling for her mind, and in the realm of the psychotic, there
wasn't a damn thing he could do.

He held her, kept her close, the pale skin that had never been touched
until now soft and tender against his own, seeming so alive, even as
she seemed half dead.

The rage and the fury were accompanied with a paralyzing fear as he
could do nothing but wait, for he knew, that in this, he was powerless.

And in the darkness and dankness of an abandoned cabin that seemed to
shiver with cold, and dead loneliness, he could only press his lips
against the woman's head, whisper silently that he loved her, and pray.

Logan was not a praying man, but he prayed like hell that night.

For in the paradox of that action, was the only semblance of hope that
he had.

~*~

Charles Xavier was a man who rarely showed any emotion other than
kindness. In the handsome features that never seemed to age, was a
wisdom that Jean Grey-Summers knew they relied on possibly a bit too
much.

Charles was not going to be around forever, this she knew only too
well. It was a fear she had hidden deep within her, because she, in the
recesses of her mind, when she spoke to him the way only two telepaths
could, had actually been able to comprehend the uncomprehensible.

Charles Xavier had a secret that only she knew.

Charles Xavier was not immortal.

His days were numbered.

And only the two of them knew how small in number they actually were.

The lump settled in her throat as she watched him, felt the turbulence
in her head as the tremendously strong telepath struggled to control
his emotions, never letting anything slip to his features, not even
when Gambit mentioned the loss of Storm.

He knew it all, he could have simply melded with Gambit and been done
with it, but this simply wasn't Charles' way.

Instead he waited patiently as Gambit explained what he knew, as Scott
explained what he knew, and then one look at her, his chosen leader,
the one he had been grooming to take his place, and he had more or less
everything they knew, and something else that had almost been lost.

He had their faith, their hope, and again Jean felt the stab in her
heart that she had to hide.

How could he stand it?

He didn't have the answers anymore than they did.

"I see." He put his hands together, rested his chin on top of them, in
the stance that they took for deep and meditative thinking. She felt
Scott's hand squeeze her, and she flashed him an uneasy smile, looking
back at her mentor, and in many ways, her father.  "Jean?"

"Yes, Charles?" she responded.

His gaze at her was not of a student, but as an equal, and Scott and
the rest of the group had never questioned her ability to call him by
his first name when everyone else, with the possible exception of Rogue
on her "Magneto days", called him Professor.

"What do you think?"

She took in a shaky breath, trying to think of something to say, and
found no words coming to her dry mouth.

"I ... I don't know."

"Neither do I."

Gambit bit his lip, fingers clenching at the edge of the bench, and
Scott himself gave a quick indrawn breath that only she heard.

So imperceptibly, she noticed Charles' hands were shaking slightly.

"Count them off," he continued, his voice soft, but edged in intensity.
"Logan. Missing. Rogue. Missing. Storm. Missing."  He pursed his lips,
closing his eyes. "And we almost lost Gambit as well. May I ask who let
them go in without back up?"

"It was a group decision," she answered immediately. "But if you have
to choose a decision maker-"

"It was me," Scott answered immediately. "I thought it the best thing
to do, under the circumstances."

Charles' gaze leveled on him, piercing eyes delving into the red
shades, but the stoic leader didn't flinch.

"Do you regret the decision, Scott?"

"If I had I wouldn't have made it."

"Hmm." Charles' voice was neither condemnation nor appreciation for
Scott, but a simple acceptance of the facts.  "And we know next to
nothing of this Augustus?"

"Only what Bobby figured out."

"He's mean, Professor." Remy's voice cracked only slightly, and he
craned his neck, attempting to get the feeling back in them. "But I
know he don't have Rogue anymore."

Charles closed his eyes, breathing in slightly, and when his eyes
opened, they focused completely on Jean.

He cocked his head, and immediately she came forward.

"Come," he said.

And she followed him out of the tent, leaving the two men to watch, to
wonder. She felt the burden on her shoulders and her heart shivered,
not with anticipation, but with fear.

She knew why he had chosen her.

And it was a choice she hadn't wanted.

Because it was the hardest choice of all.

~*~

"Mint?"

"No, thank you." Her voice had managed to remain calm, and Storm
inwardly thanked the deep control she had fostered, for her head was a
whirlwind, her heart was beating entirely too fast, and she was rapidly
losing patience.

Clayton Augustus merely smiled, popping one of the fine chocolates into
his mouth and savoring the taste, much like he savored everything else
in life, she suspected. When he was through, he gave her another look
of admiration, coming forward with a genuine smile, mouth slightly open
as his fingers reached forward and slid through the long white strands
of her hair.

"Extraordinary," he breathed, with such wonder and excitement she found
herself shivering, pulling away before he had time to taint the strands
with his wickedness. He noticed, and the action made him smile, as he
turned and sat in a comfortable armchair, reaching for another mint
before beginning. "I apologize if I'm not at my best," he drawled. "My
body's going through a rather curious change, and it's a bit harder to
adjust than I expected. The little vixen is stronger than I
anticipated."

Something in Storm's stomach plummeted, and immediately she knew who
the little vixen was.

"Where is she?"

"I was hoping you could answer that question for me-" he paused, taking
in a breath, closing his eyes and wincing in pain before opening again,
the orbs suddenly a pristine violet.  "You see I can feel her inside of
me, she's damn confused." A chuckle followed that comment. "But she
seems to respect you a great deal. 'Don't piss her off', she keeps
saying." He paused, a thumb on his lips before smirking at her. "After
the beating you gave my winds, I would tend to agree."

"The winds are mine," Storm replied stiffly.

"So you've proved."

There was silence, and suddenly he stood, cocking his head, searching
his mind and searching her, a smile on his face. "Ororo Munroe, African
native, revered as a goddess by her family and tribe until it was
discovered she was nothing more than a mutant. She was shunned, beaten,
and left for dead. She survived on the streets of Cairo, among other
places, before being recruited by one Charles Xavier to become an
"X-Men". Since then she's worshipped the man, and lived a life
something akin to a nun. A bit of a surprise considering your rather
colorful past with men." He paused as she swallowed, the chill coming
down her spine.  "Not that I blame you, what with that terrible complex
with control you seem to have. Always afraid of losing it. Afraid of
killing someone, or hurting someone you love. Kinda like what happened
in that little village-"

"SHUT UP," she barked, and her eyes milked over slightly and the
thunder clapped against the barred windows, making him smile.

"My dear Ororo, it's mutants like you that make me love your kind. Or
shall I say... our kind."

"I don't like games, Augustus."

"Yes, I know that too." He clapped his hands, and servants suddenly
came forward, leaving trays on the desk, disappearing as soon as they
had come. "I respect that enough. Rogue loved games. She was getting
quite good at them. Things were getting fun. But she's gone. And that's
why you're here. I want my Rogue back. She doesn't like me very much.
But she likes you. They all do. You're their little goddess. Their
little instrument of worship. Just the right combination of spice and
danger. They had no idea how dangerous you are, did they?" He grinned.
"I love that."

"They won't risk another mission to try and save me."

"Oh they won't. But she will. If there's enough of her left to want to
save you. And if there isn't, well then, she'll come back to me
regardless, because then she'll belong to me." He smiled, reached for
her hand, and kissed it gently. "Either way, I win. The game's lost,
Ororo, so you needn't worry about playing."

Her jaw was clenched tight, her heartbeat tumultuous, but she stood her
ground, eyes probing inside of his.

"Unless you'd rather we start one of our own."

The door closed behind him, and he was gone in a click, and the panic
that threatened to overwhelm her slid through her veins, as she closed
her eyes, tears brimming ice cold on her ebony skin.

If there was enough of her left. Then Rogue would come and she would be
killed, most likely they both would, and the X-Men would come and
everything would be lost.

If there wasn't. Then Rogue was truly beyond saving and the same would
happen.

Good Lord, she wasn't sure which she wanted less.

~*~

Chapter Two coming tomorrow

=====
Melissa Flores aka Misty
~*~*~
http://www.wolverineandrogue.com/mistiec

You all know that I am a pacifist. So I am not interested in war in any way. But
you know what? When the revolution comes, I will have to destroy you all. Not
you Joey.
~Phoebe, The One with the Ride Along

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail - only $35
a year!  http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/

For disclaimers, etc., see part one.

*****

  I'd set Logan's monitors to beep my pager if there was any change in
his condition. I had hoped that the poison's affects would be similar
to strychnine, wherein the real danger to the patient comes from
asphyxia. With the tracheotomy, I thought Logan would stabilize.
Unfortunately, the poison he'd been exposed to was more complex than
it would initially appear. I wasn't out of his room ten minutes
before my pager started vibrating.

As soon as I entered the room, I could see the problem displayed on
his heart monitor. He was throwing a run of PVCs. In a healthy
person, an occasional Premature Ventricular Contraction is nothing to
worry about. However, with a patient as sick as Logan, running
several PVCs in a row is dangerous. It could push him into an
unstable heart rhythm.

I administered lidocaine, IV push, and thankfully, his heart returned
to a more regular rhythm. However, since I had no idea what had
caused the symptom in the first place, it could happen again. I
needed to research the poison and see if I could figure out how to
treat him.

I returned to the main lab, passing Charles on the way but not
sparing a moment to speak to him. He seemed to be more occupied by
his conversation with the woman who'd caused this situation anyway.

As I walked down the hall, I could hear Scott trying to convince
Rogue to get into bed.  In spite of her weakened condition, she was
almost spitting in anger.

"Take me back to Logan! Now, dammit!"

"No," Scott firmly answered.

"Rogue, he's stabilized," I said as I entered the room.

"Jean," Rogue said, turning to me. "I gotta be with him. Please."

I really didn't have time for this, but she was so upset, and she was
still my patient. I would just have to make time. "He's still
critical. He can't have any visitors.

"I could just hold his hand and talk to him," she reasoned.  "It
might help if he knows someone's there."

"The poison's made him extremely sensitive to external stimulation,
Rogue.  Do you remember how painful light and noise were to you?"

Rogue looked down and then gave a small nod.

"Right now, the best thing you can do for him is to let him rest and
to get some rest yourself."

Rogue calmed down, considering my suggestion.  Finally, she
said, "Ok, but only if you wake me up if something happens."

"Agreed."

I turned to Scott and he nodded, helping Rogue into bed so I could
take the discarded blood samples I'd collected from both Logan and
Rogue to the back lab for analysis.

I was only minutes into my work when Charles knocked on the door.

"Jean, I just remembered.  Our previous physician did some research
into finding a cure for Venom's blood.  The notes should still be on
file."

"Dr. MacTaggert?  I could just call her..."

"No," he interrupted, "the doctor before her.  His name was Dr. Henry
McCoy."

"Oh," I said, then added, "I don't believe I'm familiar with him.  Do
you have his phone number so I could..."

"He died," Charles said, and I could see the pain that the statement
brought him.  "An accident with Venom."

I expected him to elaborate, but he just sat back in his chair again
with a weary sigh.  He had such a forlorn expression on his face, and
I could tell this Henry must have been very important to him, but to
Logan, time was of the essence.

"Do you know how far he got in his research?  Are there any of her
blood samples still frozen?"

"Venom never let us sample her blood.  She was too afraid of
accidents.  Henry was working from the hospital records and tissue
samples of the victims we could identify.  He had some theories, but
in the first practical opportunity to test them, he was the patient.
His files should still be located on the mainframe."

"I'll take a look.  Thanks, Charles."

-----

Speaking of Venom, I really should check on her condition before I
took off all of my biohazard gear.  She'd been injured enough to
cause some sort of blood loss, and she might need treatment.  I
pulled back on the face shield I'd discarded in my work and walked
back towards the quarantine rooms.

"Venom, I'm Dr. Jean Grey."

She looked up at me and from her black eyes and the dried blood on
her clothes, I could guess that her nose had been broken.  She was
also protectively clutching her right hand in her left and I
suspected an additional injury there.  She didn't say anything,
though.

"I'd like to treat your injuries if..."

"No!" she answered quickly.

"You're hurt.  If I could just examine..."

"Stay away."

She was jumpy and nervous and I'd already seen with Logan and Rogue
just how well she could defend herself.  I still had no idea why she
had attacked them or how she had gotten into the mansion.  If I
pressed her, Logan might end up without a doctor.

"Ok.  I'll stay away for now, but that looks like it hurts.  Could I
at least get you some Ibuprofen?"  It should help with the pain and
reduce any swelling she was experiencing.

She nodded and added, "But stay away."

I got her one dose and some water in a plastic cup and opened the
door to her room.  If it was possible, she seemed to push back even
further into the corner.  I set down the medicine just inside the
door and left, returning to the lab to see if I could find this Dr.
McCoy's research.

-----

There were actually hundreds of pages of raw data both on the
computer and in the filing cabinets I hadn't cleared out on my
arrival, including a partial DNA breakout of the poison.  This Henry
guy obviously had not counted on anyone needing his notes but him.
They had random comments and half-sentences scrawled all over the
pages in the hurried, chicken-scratch writing that doctors are so
famous for.  Scott accuses me of the same horrid penmanship, but at
least I can read it.

It was taking me hours to go through it all, and most of it was
undecipherable without a point of reference, but a few scribbles
caught my attention.  On a photocopy of Steven Ramirez's medical
chart, Henry had circled, "multiple organ failure."  Then he'd
written out to the side, "lungs, kidneys, liver, heart...  Cause?
Would dialysis help?  Drugs to flush poison?"

Good questions, Henry.  I wish you had the answers.

It would take weeks to extract the poison's DNA from the blood
samples and code it completely.  Logan didn't have that long, so I
chose to rely on Henry's partial mapping and hope for the best.

I started running computer models projecting from the DNA which drugs
might counteract the poison.  While the computer was compiling the
data, I ran scans of both Logan's and Rogue's blood samples.  The
results were confusing and unreliable.  It would seem that Logan's
transference of his powers to Rogue meant that both samples were
already abnormal.  It was difficult to determine which abnormalities
were the result of Logan's natural healing abilities and which were
the result of those abilities reacting to the poison.

Even as I tried to concentrate and formulate solutions, my research
kept being interrupted since I had to keep checking on Logan's
condition.  Why can't this school have lab technicians, nurses, and a
team of doctors?  Even with my telekinesis, I am only one person and
can only do a few things at a time.  I've asked Charles for
additional staff on more than one occasion, but he just puts me off,
saying physicians who can be trusted with all our secrets are hard to
come by.

Logan's condition continued to deteriorate, and I wasn't finding
answers quickly enough to stop it.  After the first hour, Logan's
foley output had decreased dramatically.  His kidneys were shutting
down.  The liver and kidneys are the means by which the human body
clears out toxins.   If they aren't functioning, toxins build up in
the body and kill the patient.

A little past two in the morning, I left my analysis to take yet
another blood sample from Logan.  His blood workup was constantly
changing as a result of his most recent touching of Rogue.  I had
hoped that at least some of his healing abilities would kick in, but
they appeared to either be dormant or permanently lost to Rogue's
absorption.

Each time I walk into the quiet, dimly lit room, I am struck by the
incongruous image of Logan, who had always been so full of life and
energy, relying on machines for all his life functions.  I try to be
quiet while I take the samples so as not to harm him further.  That
is, if he's still conscious of the outside world.  He'd fallen into a
deep coma shortly after I'd transferred him to this room and besides
a minor twitching in his left hand, he was completely unresponsive.

Even though I didn't dare use my voice, I still tried to contact him
telepathically.

~Logan, can you hear me?~

No response.

~Logan, if you can hear me, give me a sign.  Open your eyes, move
your mouth, send me an emotion.~

Nothing.  It was so frustrating.  I wanted some sort of sign.

~Logan, if you can hear me, lay completely still except twitch your
hand.~

*I don't think that counts,* a deep, familiar voice broadcast to my
mind.

~Charles.~  I turned around and saw the professor sitting in the
doorway.

*How is Logan?  Have you made any progress?*

~He's worse, no progress, and, frankly, it's pissing me off.
Charles, do you remember when I told you that I love medical
mysteries?~

*Yes.*

~Well screw that.  I want to know exactly how to treat this right
now.  I'll enjoy my mysteries later when someone's life isn't on the
line.~

*I understand.~  He paused for a moment and then sent, ~I saw in the
main room that you'd finally convinced Rogue to sleep.  How is she
doing?*

~Fine.  Last I checked, she's recovering completely.  Logan's healing
ability must have counteracted the poi...~

Oh hell.  I'd been going about this all wrong!  My thoughts raced
faster than I could hold onto them.  I'd been focusing on developing
an antitoxin from scratch when I had the perfect, proven serum just
waiting for me out in the main lab.  Rogue's blood.  Logan's healing
factor had to have cleared the poison out of her system.  There
should still be some traces of the cure in her system.  That is, if I
hadn't waited too long.

*****

TBC.

OMG IT'S AWFUL!!!

YOU GUYS GOTTA HELP HIM OUT!!!!!

Michael's doing terribly at Hottie Bottie.  (Still LMAO @ the name)!  He's
only got 7 votes in their Dude Poll for 2001.  HE NEEDS WAY MORE.  If we can
spread the word it'll get Michael the votes he needs to rise up the chart a
little more.

C'mon guys help me out.  We know he needs to do better than this.

Vote Here
http://www.hottiebottie.com/cgi-bin/vote8.cgi?option=86&topic=dude

Don't forget to pass on the link to as many peeps as possible so we can get
Michael back on top where he belongs!

Drea
(Obsessed Freak Child that you all see before you, lol)

title: "help is bright green"
status: in progress
author: Sascha
a-mail: greenmutiefreak@... or lady_sascha@...
feedback: loved and patted and feed pretty green apples
archiving: http://www.tentative.net/sascha/wmf/index.htm Nowhere else,
though I suppose if you really want it, you can ask
rating: PG-13

Notes: This is the beginning of part B which'll be a bit darker than part A.
Hope you'll like.

---


CHAPTER 8


"It's a fucking storm out there," Rick said dispassionatly and tilted his
head to look at me. He still harbored a resentment towards everybody else in
general for not letting him drive Martha instead. In my opinion he should be
grateful. There _was_ a fucking storm outside and Martha would probably have
been torn into nuts and bolts. Maybe Rick had realised it as well. He hadn't
moaned about leaving his precious Martha for over two hours now.

We'd been on the road for twelve hours. Mickey driving the first eight, me
the last four. We had originally been heading towards Canada since that was
the nearest border, but Mickey had taken one look at the road blocks we'd
been hearing about on the radio, and done a sharp u-turn, muttering
something about Mexico.

So now we were on the run and headed for Mexico, and I kept getting
flashbacks from 'From Dusk til Dawn' inbetween trying to see the road for
all the hail.

Funny, only three days ago, everything had been normal. I'd even finally
brought the skinny Russian kid (Piotr, it turned out his name was) to see
Declan, Penn and Louise.

Dec, Penn and Louise had all chipped in to buy this enormous atelier once
their careers started getting off the ground. It was right next to a cafe,
which I personally thought was a good thing, since they'd probably forget to
eat otherwise. These people were _artists_.

Declan was slowly becoming the hottest cover illustrator in the comicbook
industry, Penn was the creator of Felidae which seemed to have become as
popular as Pókemon once was and Louise was a comicbook penciler.

Piotr and I made our way through a corridor covered with balled up paper,
hoping to run into Penn, who I'd talked to on the phone earlier. We finally
found a yellow door at the end of the corridor and went through it. We found
ourselves standing in the biggest room I'd ever seen. It was huge, mostly
white except from a wall that was splattered with colours, and empty except
from Penn who sat bent over a huge drawing board.

"Penn?" I said, uncertainly.

Penn jumped in surprise, then looked up and beamed at us. "Alex! Hi! I
didn't expect you so soon."

"I called you four hours ago to say we were coming," I reminded her.

"Oh. Fours hours? Really?" She looked baffeled. "Man, time passes
quickly..."

"...Right." I looked over at Piotr. "Penn, this is Piotr, the kid I told you
about. Piotr, this is Penn d'Henri. If there's anything you want to ask, she
said she'd be happy to answer all your questions." Introductions over, I
stood back and watched.

Piotr inched his way over to the beaming Penn and shyly extended his arm in
a greeting. Penn shook it, then motioned for whatever she was doing at the
drawing board. Piotr bent over to see, and not long after they were deeply
involved in a discussion about the colour red.

I had, to put it mildly, no idea what they were talking about. Bored, I
started wandering around, glancing at half-finished and finished products
laying about. I ended up standing by the window, looking across the street
at Dec and Louise getting caffeinated. I glanced over at Piotr and Penn who
were now talking about computer colouring. "Anybody mind if I just dip
across the street for a coke?"

Piotr and Penn waved their hands at me and continued talking.

I shrugged and left.

I came back half an hour later with Dec and Louise and found Piotr drawing
Penn who took modelling breaks now and again to look critically at his work.

"No, no. See, if you get it more oval shaped, then the proporsions... Yeah,
like that."

That had been my day three days ago. Thinking back, I realised that I
wouldn't mind being bored out of me skull again, if it meant things would go
back to normal.

I glanced into the mirror and saw Mickey trying to fold his long body into a
comfortable position so he could get some sleep. Approximatly thirteen hours
earlier, Mickey had drove up in front of the Corner in the van and silently
handed me a weird metallic sort of communication thingy.

"Uh... Hello?" I said into the thing.

Ororo was waiting in the other end and she was sharp, short and efficient.
"There's been an upheaval in the government and in two hours they are going
to send the police out to fetch all foreign, and some domestic, mutants.
Supposedly the foreigners are going to be put on a plane back to their home
country, but our information suggests that anyone over gamma status will be
sent to secret military installations. Get your friends and leave. Now."

"But..." I blinked. I was used to travelling and leaving places, but I
usually had a bit more than a moment to do it on. Also, I didn't really want
to leave. I quite liked it here.

"Do you understand? We cannot protect you. You must go. Leave immidiatelly!"
And the communication thingy went dead. I handed it over to Mickey and saw
the hard look on his face.

"...Oh fuck. This is for real, isn't it?"

He nodded. "It's very real." He looked sad for a moment, then turned all
brisk efficiency. "Right. Well, I have room for four in the van."

I looked at the van, then over at Mickey. "Four?"

"I'm already taking Remy, Jackie and Jubilee," he explained. "That is,
Jubilee is here, right?"

"Yeah," I nodded. "Cassie is teaching her some weird Finnish card game."

Making the others believe me, was only something I managed because they
couldn't believe I'd joke about something like this. Then there was shock,
panic and anger.

"I'm going with you," Izzy said with so much conviction and determination, I
knew trying to talk him out of it would be futile.

"We don't have room for--" Mickey started.

"Gally's got a van," Iz said, nodding towards the pacing Galynne who looked
very much like a tiger in a cage. "She can take the rest. You wouldn't have
room anyway."

I looked over at Ellis who was holding Stace, both of them whitefaced with
shock, neither of them talking, and Moric and Montgomery, who were talking
to each other in low voices, and agreed. Ellis would never leave his
girlfriend or his brother and Moric wouldn't leave his friends either.

In the end, we had thirty minutes to go pack and then regroup at the Corner.
I tossed my laptop in a suitcase, threw some clothes on top, added some food
and a few CDs and headed out. One of the good things about travelling for
five years was that you didn't really get attached to things. Before I left
the apartment I e-mailed Mai Lee and told her not to worry and that I'd be
in touch with her as soon as I could.

At the corner it was decided that Rick, Izzy, myself and Jana would go with
Mickey, while Galynne would drive herself, Stace, Montgomery, Ellis, Moric,
Cassie and Ron. Cassie and Ron leaving had been Kallie's idea. Then those
who were left could say they thought the others had headed off somewhere on
a hiking trip. As for me, Iz and Rick, well, no one ever knew where we were,
and Jana? Well, wasn't she at school?

Cassie and Ron didn't object. Apparently they had a sudden longing for home.

I glanced in the mirror again. Izzy was pressed up against the door, staring
blankly out on the hail. Jana had shifted into a kitten and lay curled up
into a ball inbetween Mickey and Iz. In the back, Jackie had fallen asleep
with her head on Remy's shoulder and Remy and Jubilee were talking quietly
to each other. I wondered briefly why St. John wasn't there instead of
Jackie, then had my attention caught up in trying to stay on the road.

Two hours later, everybody was sleeping but me and Rick. He was busy
rummaging through the cds in the car for the fifth time and I was still
trying to keep us on the road while the storm got worse.

"Rick," I said, frowning. "We're going to have to pull over somewhere. Help
me look for a Holiday Inn or something, would you?"

His head popped up. "If you can tell me how we get the rhinos into the
attic," he said distractedly.

My lips quirked. "You move the table."

"Huh. Yeah, if you moved the table... But what about the body glitter?"

"I'd forgotten about the body glitter."

"I thought you might have. So we can't move the table." He pointed ahead.
"Look, there's one."

I nodded. "But you realise that if we can't move the table, my whole line of
reasoning falls apart? It was all based on moving the table."

"I know, but would you really want to put deep purple and electric yellow
together?"

"I see you point."

"Maybe if we moved the hatrack..." Rick mused.

"You're both fucking insane and I want to know why the hell you're driving,"
Izzy's grumpy, sleepfilled voice sounded from the back.

Rick and I looked at each other and laughed.

There was a meow, then a pause, then Jana's voice asking; "I said, why are
we stopping?"

"The storm is this close to blowing us off the road."

I glanced in the mirror and met a red on black stare. I blinked. So that's
why Remy keeps his shades on all the time... "Remy, could you wake the
girls?"

"D'accord."

"Yo, Mickey!" Izzy said, throwing an empty milkshake cup at the sleeping
man. "Wake up! We need your money!"

It was decided that Iz and Rick would go and rent the rooms since they
looked the most 'normal' and the others were too young. They came back out
waving three keys.

"I figured the girls could take one room, Mickey and Remy the other and us
three the last," Rick explained, handing out the keys to Jana and Mickey,
while keeping one for himself.

"Uhm," Remy said, looking over at the half-asleep Jackie. "I think Jake
wants to change." He nudged her. "Isn't that so?"

"Huh? Oh. Yeah. Right. Change. Sleep with Remy," she said groggily, blinking
her eyes slowly. "No, that didn't come out right..."

"I should hope not." Remy looked like he was fighting very hard not to start
laughing hysterically. "No offence, Jake, but I just don't like you that
way."

"'Course you don't. 'S why you keep staring at my rack," Jackie retorted,
and was starting to come alive. She turned to me. Because, you see, for some
reason, they considered me the boss of this whole adventure. Whoppedodee and
where the heck is Captain Picard when you need him? "Could I get ten minutes
or so to change back to my real form? I mean, there's not much point in me
going around like this now, is there? Then I can crash with Remy and Mr.
Canté and Jubilee and ... uh... Jana? can get the room to themselves."

I stared at her in puzzlement. "Excuse me. Change?" Then it started to dawn
on me. "You're a shapeshifter."

Jackie nodded.

More pieces fell together. "...You're a _male_ shapeshifter."

This time both Remy and Jackie nodded.

Jubilee looked surprised. "You know, I never suspected. I mean, you're a bit
weird, but I really thought you were a girl."

"Thanks." Jackie frowned. "I think."

Remy snickered. "Told you they didn't suspect anything."

A sudden wind throw made the van shake and I figured it was about time we
got ourselves indoors. I just hoped the van wouldn't fly away during the
night... "C'mon, grab your bags and let's get inside."

There was a wild scramble as everyone tried to get into the back at the same
time.

"Ouch! Hey, watch were you put that elbow, all right?"

"That one's mine!"

"Gimme!"

"Don't squish Jana-Bat!"

"Bat? Where? Ahh!"

Finally we all got our bags and our arses inside, where we split up to find
our rooms. The motel room had a tiny bathroom (with a shower, thank god), a
big bed and a little kidlet bed, an old tv, a tiny table and a green textile
and dark wood chair. Not exactly the Hilton.

Iz dropped his bag down on the chair, then let himself fall down on the bed.
He lay there spreed eagled and stared at the ceiling. Rick dropped his bag
on the small bed and started rummaging through it, muttering about needing a
shower. I dropped my suitcase on the bed next to Iz' feet and unzipped it,
intending to see if I could find something to read. I can't sleep without
reading anything first. My brain goes on overdrive otherwise. Though,
actually, sex works.

Not an option right now, even if I wasn't exhausted. Rick probably wouldn't
_mind_ exactly, but the idea is just way to weird to deal with.

I pulled out Diana Wynne Jones latest book and put it on the bedside table.
I then rezipped the suitcase and put it on the floor. Iz turned his head to
look at me now that I wasn't hidden behind the suitcase anymore.

"You're going to make me sleep in the kiddie bed, aren't you?"

I gave him a bright grin. "Good guess, shorty."

Iz grumbled. "Why is it I like you guys again?"

I bounced on to the bed, then crawled over to sit on him, my knees on each
side of his waist. I grinned down at him.  He glared up at me. Rick started
singing in the shower.

"I want a cool rider, a cooool rider, if he's cool enough, he can burn me
through and through, oh oohh ye-ah... If it taaaakes forever, then I'll
waaaait forever, no ordinary guy, no ordinary guy's gonna do..."

My eyebrows hit my hairline and I turned my head to stare at the bathroom
door. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Izzy doing the same thing. I
looked back down at him when the bathroom door didn't tell me what the heck
Rick was yowling about. "And people say _we_ are the weird ones..."

"They don't know what they're talking about obviously."

We looked at each other for a while.

"Why did you come with us?"

Izzy shrugged and looked away. "Just... Oh god, you're going to go sappy--"

"Thanks," I broke in. And I was indeed going to go sappy on him. He'd just
have to deal. "For coming with us. I know you didn't have to and it means a
lot."

There was a faint flush on his face and he avoided my eyes. "Yeah, well," he
mumbled. "Seemed like a good idea at the time. After twelve hours in the car
with that damn mick, I've changed my mind."

I grinned and bent down so we were forehead to forehead. I caught his eyes.
"I love you, Iz."

Izzy squirmed. "Yeah, back at'cha, sweets. Listen, could you cut the sappy
stuff now? I want to see if we can get something on the telly."

I sighed lightly and rolled off him. For one who claims not to hide anything
and be very in touch with his feelings, he has a curious adversion to 'sappy
stuff'.

"The remote?"

I rolled my eyes and got up to fetch the remote.

Izzy beamed at me. "Ta very much, hon."

I dropped back down on the bed and watched Iz zap through channels while
listening to Rick crooning on one of the songs to one of the boybands he
produces. It's not that he likes them, he explained to us. But they get
stuck in his head. And he has to listen to them because the last time he
didn't, something called Digital Getdown happened. When Rick found out about
that, he had a minor breakdown. ...Can't say I blame him.

Iz wasn't having much luck with his zapping. The storm was disturbing the
connection, so he got mostly snow or picture that kept falling out. He
stopped on a pay per view channel and tilted his head. "Huh."

I blinked at him. "You're going to watch porn?"

He shook his head. "No. It's straight porn and that's even more boring than
gay porn." He considered it. "Well, it's good for a few laughs, I guess."

I looked at the tv, then back at him. "How can you tell it's straight porn?"

"I can just tell. It's a gift."

"You're amazingly talented."

"I know," he said smugly and continued zapping.

"Go back! Go back!" I waved frantically at him.

He flipped back a channel. "What?"

"Look! It's Dead Man on Campus!" I grinned happily.

"Oh god, no," Iz moaned and immidiately changed channel again.

"But...!"

"No, Alex. Absolutely not."

"Hold me, thrill me, kiss me, kill me," I could hear Rick crooning in the
bathroom.

I hid my head against Iz' shoulder. "He's nuts."

"Yup."

"In an adorable sort of way," I amended. "But still nutters."

Suddenly there was a flash of... something. Some sort of secret, but it was
gone before I could really get what it was. "Iz..." I started, then a dizzy
sort of feedback loop started. Emotions, mangled and in bits and pieces, and
images hit me again and again, too fast for me to understand what I was
seeing. I whimpered and pulled away. I crawled over the bed and got on my
feet, standing dizzily.

Oh god. I was going to throw up. Fuck.

I scrambled over to the bathroom. "Rick! Open! Now! C'mon!"

The door was unlocked and Rick looked puzzled at me, holding a towel in his
hands. "Alex? What...?"

I pushed him aside and managed to get to the john before I violently threw
up. As I alternatly spit and cursed Iz, I felt Rick putting a warm, wet hand
on my forehead.

"'Lex, you okay?"

I spit. "Iz is a bastard."

He paused. "Why?"

"He looped me." I spit again, then groggily leaned back on my feet and
looked up at Rick, who was looking thoughtful. I drew a hand over my mouth
and grimaced. I hate throwing up. "I hate him."

Rick patted me absently on my head. "Sure you do. Why did he loop you?"

"Don't know. Couldn't catch it." I pondered about getting in upraised
position again, noticed the room spinning slowly and changed my mind. "Don't
care. He's a bastard."

Rick's lips quirked into a grin. "Uhuh. Here. Wash your face." He handed me
a towel after wetting it in the sink first. I grabbed the towel gratefully
and then noticed that he was standing there all naked. I've seen Rick naked
before. Hell, I've seen _Ron_ naked. But for some reason, it was affecting
me. ...Yeah, okay, I was getting turned on. Turned on and dizzy. Bad
combination.

"Rick. Get dressed. Please?"

Rick looked surprised, then annoyingly knowing. He chuckled and at least got
that damn towel around his waist.

I leaned my head against the wall and tried to get my eyes to focus. Also. I
like Rick, but for godssake...

"Fucking mick!"

"Damn queer!"

Crash!

I sprang up on my feet, immidiately reached a new high of dizziness and made
a hurried crawl over to worship the porselain idol again. I more sensed than
saw Rick rushing out of the bathroom. I spit foul tasting liquid again.

"What the fuck are you two doing?" Rick.

"Stay out of this!" Mickey.

"Yeah. None of your business," Iz agreed. "This is between me and that damn
mick!"

I thought idly that it was entirely possible that Izzy believed 'that damn
mick' was actually Mickey's name. I stopped spitting, got on my feet very
slowly and made my way over to the door. I looked into the room. Mickey was
standing in the doorway, looking somehow taller than usual. Iz stood in
front of the bed with his hands balled into fists and Rick stood between
them, towel threatening to slide off him anytime now. Mickey and Iz vaguely
reminded me of a Grand danois being attacked by a terrier. I'll leave you to
figure out which was which...

Rick scowled. "Wonderful rolemodels you are."

"I ain't no fucking rolemodel!" Izzy said, sounding insulted at the idea.

"You got that right," Mickey commented.

"Look who's fucking talking!"

"Mickey, go to bed. Iz, shut the hell up," Rick commanded, rubbing the
bridge of his nose with one hand and grabbing the towel around his hips with
the other.

Mickey finally spotted me and ignored Rick in favour of asking the question
he'd probably come to the room to ask in the first place. "Alex, when do you
want to leave?"

"S-huh?" I said groggily. "Oh. Um. Six hours sound all right? Provided the
bloody storm's quieted down, of course."

Mickey nodded. "Sounds good. I'll tell the girls. Good night." He left,
closing the door very politely behind him.

I turned to stare at Iz, who had dropped down on the bed again and was
pouting. "What the heck was that all about?"

"Iz, I'm going to get dressed, then we're going to talk." Rick made his way
past me again.

Iz groaned and eyed the ceiling.

I looked over at Rick who was shrugging into a blue t-shirt. "Should I go
see what Jana's up to or something?"

Rick pulled the t-shirt over his head and when he reappeared, he gave me a
puzzled look. "Why?"

"Talk with Izzy," I reminded him.

"Oh. That. Nah," he shook his head. "This isn't The Talk. I don't think he's
ready for that one yet. This is a little talk."

"Ah." I nodded, then vowed never to do that again. I was still dizzy and
moving was a Very Bad Thing. Which raised the question: How was I going to
get from the bathroom to the bed? It was, after all, at least five, maybe
six, steps to it. I eyed the bed consideringly. Maybe if I moved extremly
slowly with lots of breaks...?

I made a mental note to kill Izzy later.

Rick brushed past me again, fully dressed this time in a t-shirt and worn
sweats. He got to the bed before stopping and turning to look at me. He
sighed and came back. "Alex. Are you going to sleep in the bathroom?"

I hadn't considered that option. But now that I thought about it, it sounded
like a pretty good idea. Yeah, okay, so the bathroom sort of... smelled, but
I'm sure I could have ignored that for the sake of six hours sleep.
Especially since I'd been on  the road for twelve hours beforehand. "Yes."

Rick rolled his eyes and looked mildly amused. "No. You're not." He grabbed
me by the shoulders and firmly marched me towards the bed. I sat down on it
with a relieved sigh. Soft. Sort of sqeaky, but soft. Softer than the floor
at any rate.

Iz turned his head to look at us, a strange look on his face. He was about
to say something when Rick crawled up on the bed, sat down with his back
against the wall and pulled Iz into a hug. The look on Izzy's face was
priceless. Confusion and warmth and suspicion all in one.

"It's going to be all right," Rick said firmly. "_We_ are going to be all
right."

I almost believed him.


--tbc--


_________________________________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.

title: "help is bright green"
status: in progress
author: Sascha
a-mail: greenmutiefreak@... or lady_sascha@...
feedback: loved and patted and feed pretty green apples
archiving: http://www.tentative.net/sascha/wmf/index.htm Nowhere else,
though I suppose if you really want it, you can ask
rating: PG-13

---


CHAPTER 9


I hate sleeping in the same bed as Rick. He always, always, nicks the
sheets, and, on occasion, my pillow. Okay, so I don't care about the pillow.
I don't use it anyway, but I hate it when he pulls the sheets away from me
and exposes me to the cold air. Also, I hate cold air. Bit of an
disadvantage when living in Norway, by the way.

True to form, while I was trying to get some sleep before the long, looong
car-trip that I knew awaited when I woke up, he nicked my sheets. Which woke
me up. I fought the sheets back, fell asleep again and then woke up _again_
because he'd nicked the sheets. Again.

After the fifth time, I gave up and curled up around him. At least that way
I could get some body heat.

I was awakened some times later by the feeling of someone watching me. I lay
still, waking up properly, trying to figure out who it could be. Wasn't Rick
'cause I was still more or less laying on top of him, so it had to be...
There was the sound of footsteps, then someone bumping into something, then
rather inventive swearing. Izzy. I opened my eyes, untangled myself from
Rick and rolled over to look at him.

He was standing on one foot in front of the kiddie bed, looking annoyed.

"Mornin'," I said.

He jumped a mile high. "What the fuck...! God, Alex! Are you trying to scare
me to death?"

I laughed at him.

"Would you two shut up? I'm trying to sleep," Rick's voice sounded grumpily
from underneath my pillow, which, of course, he'd managed to snatch at some
point during the night.

"Well, you're going to have to wake up anyway," Iz said after glancing at
his watch. "It's been six hours."

Rick burried his head deeper under the pillow in response. He's not really a
morning person, you see. Izzy isn't really either, but I was willing to bet
money on him not having slept at all during those six hours. He's got a
slight touch of insomnia, see, but if I remembered correctly he had slept
for a while in the van, and hopefully he'd get some sleep when we were on
the road again.

"On the road again," I hummed as I got out of bed. "Just can't wait to get
on the road again..."

Iz rolled his eyes at me. "I'm going to see if this place has any breakfast.
Try not to sing too much in the mean time."

I beamed at him. I know my singing is horrible. It doesn't stop me from
doing it, however, even though I suspected Rick wished that it did. The
curse of having a perfect pitch. I rummaged around in my suitcase, trying to
find something I could sit for hours and hours in a car in. And, if I
couldn't find that, then just something that didn't smell like sweat and
sleep would do marvelously. I found a brown sweater and some track pants and
disappeared into the bathroom.

Fuck. Toothbrush. Of course I'd forgotten to pack my toothbrush. I have a
toothbrush curse or something. During the last five years I swear I've
bought at least thirty toothbrushes. I kept forgetting them when I moved on.
I sighed and splashed water in my face. Well, I'd have to eat breakfast
then. Unless I wanted to be able to kill people with a breath. Hey, could
come in handy, that...

I got dressed and wandered back into the room. Rick was still burried under
my pillow, not looking like he was intending to get up anytime soon. I
grinned, walked up to him, took a firm grip on the sheets and pulled.

"Alex!" Rick growled, peaking out from beneath the pillow, showing off his
wonderful bedhair in the process.

I snickered. "Up and at it, Rick. Iz is off finding breakfast and we're
going to have to take off in a bit."

"Okay, okay, Jesus," Rick muttered and kept muttering as he rolled on to his
feet and made his way to the bathroom, absently grabbing some clothing from
his bag on the way.

"I'm going over to see how Jana and Jubilee are doing."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever."

I made my way down the corridor and banged on the girls' door.

"Who'sat?"

"Alex. You two awake?"

Jubilee opened the door and gave me a sleepy look. She was dressed in a
huge, pink 'I think I taw a puddy-tat' t-shirt and her hair could almost
compete with Rick's in the 'worst bedhair ever' contest. "We're up. This
place have any food?"

I shrugged. "Don't know. Iz went to find out."

She looked down the corridor and grinned. "I think he found some." She
turned around to shout into the room, while I turned to look for Iz. "Jana!
This place's got breakfast!"

Iz was walking down the corridor, slight scowl on his face, balancing a trey
with a pile of some unindentifiable pastries, coffeecups, two juice boxes,
the little jam and butter boxes these places alway have and... My eyes
widened and I gazed at Iz with absolute adoration. Sugar buns. He'd found
sugar buns somewhere.

Granted, licorice would be better, but sugar buns were a really good
substitute.

"You shouldn't be walking around here," was the first thing he said when he
came close. He frowned at me.

I blinked at him. "Huh?" Oh. On the run. Sort of green skinned. Right. "Oh,"
I said sheepishly.

He shook his head. "God, Alex, sometimes..." he trailed off.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "What? Sometimes what?"

"Nothing... You just. You can't walk around like this. You're a mutant."

I looked at him in astonishment. "I know. It sort of occoured to me when I
looked in the mirror some decade ago and discovered that I was turning a
nice shade of green."

He rolled his eyes. "We're on the fucking run, Alex. Maybe you should start
to remember that, eh?" And he walked past me and soon after disappeared into
our room. I stared after him. I knew we were on the run. Hell, I knew that
better than anybody. I couldn't pass for a human if I wanted to, all the
others could. No, I thought, remembering Remy's eyes in the car mirror. Not
all the others.

Jubilee put her hand on my arm and I started slightly as her secrets, now
almost familiar enough for me not to notice, danced about in my head. "He's
just worried, you know." She looked at me with strangely old and serious
eyes. She's seen a lot of the world, for a seventeen year old. For anybody,
really. It was easy to forget that most of the time.

"I know." I smiled at her. "Meet you by the van in an hour? Provided it
hasn't flown away during the night."

She nodded. "Got'cha."

She disappeared back into her room, and I went to let the guys know. I
knocked on their door, and Jackie (Jake?) opened the door, eyes twinkling
with laughter.

"Bonjour, Alex. Comme etes vous?"

I blinked at him. "Ca va. Et vous?"

"Ca va." He grinned. "Hey, you speak French."

I nodded. "I'm very multi-lingual. Comes from not being American."

He sniggered. He looked... almost like his female self, but not quite. His
male shape was more... square, in a way. Those amazing blue eyes which could
rival Bobby's were the same though.

"Anyway. I figured we'd have an hour to get dressed and eat, and then we'll
rendevouz at the van?"

He nodded. "Sounds good. Mickey's in the shower. I'll let him know when he's
done."

"Okay." I turned to walk away, then stopped and turned back. He gave me a
quizzical look. "What do I call you?"

He frowned at me, then laughed again. "Jake. My name's Jake. Well, Jacob,
actually, but if you call me that, I'll start looking around for my father."

I grinned. "Okay. Jake it is then."

When I came back to our room, Iz and Rick was sitting on the double bed,
happily munching pastries. They had managed to leave me two sugar buns and I
went for them immidiately with a little happy sigh. Rick's eyes crinkled at
the corners as he sipped in his coffee. Iz was shoving food into his mouth
with one hand and channel surfing with the other. He stopped briefly at a
news channel.

I savoured the taste of the first sugar bun. Lovely. Firm, yet soft. A bit
dough-y, but well baked. With sugar sprinkled on top. Ahhh.

"Hey, that's Trish," Iz said, pointing with his jam-covered pastry.

"Turn up the volume," Rick said, licking jam off his fingers. Iz complied.

"---Mutants. The British Embassy as well as the French and German Embassies
have issued press releases saying that they are looking in to the matter and
that it hopefully will have itself sorted out soon. In the mean time, one
thousand persons are still missing." Trish's serious, if still slightly
snowy face looked at us from the tv set. I was starting to think the snow
had more to do with the age of the tv set than the weather outside. The
weather, by the way, was still windy, but at least it wasn't a full blown
storm anymore.

"Look. We're on tv," I said wryly, picking up the last sugar bun. Wonder if
I could get Iz to get me some more before we left...

"This is a good thing. I think." Izzy frowned at the tv. "I don't like miss
high'n'mighty very much, but she does want to tell the truth and all that.
And she supports mutants. Think her uncle or some cousin thrice removed is
one or something."

Rick nodded. "I think you're right."

"Which doesn't mean we're out of danger," I pointed out, eyeing the bun.
Where to start, where to start... The first bite is always the best, because
after that before you know it, the whole thing is gone. Poof! Up in smoke. I
can't tell you how many times I've been sitting there eating them, only to
discover that they're all gone and I have no idea how.

"'Course not." Rick grabbed another coffeecup. Long live the coffeine
addicted. Rick just wasn't alive before he'd got a healthy (or rather,
unhealthy) dose of caffeine in his system.

Izzy started flipping through channels again.

"Hey! The PowerPuff Girls!"

Iz stopped flipping and grinned. "Belle kicks arse."

"I can't believe you're watching cartoons." Rick shook his head at us.

I scoffed at him. "Right. Says he who watches Flintstones religiously."

"The Flintstones is a classic," Rick said.

"Sure it is."

"It is," Rick insisted.

"Uh-huh. And so's.. um.. what's that dog's name? Snoopy? No. Doopy. Yeah.
Doopy is one of the great classics of modern television," Izzy said, moving
to grab one of the juice boxes.

"I wouldn't go that far," I muttered.

"Neither would I," said Rick. "But Wile E. Coyote definitelly is."

"Who?" I blinked at him.

"The coyote who buys all those acme things to try and wack the... uh...
ostrich-thing," Iz explained helpfully and a bit distractedly.

"Oh right. Yeah, okay, I'll give you that one." I bit my fingers. Damn.
Finished the bun already. "Tom and Jerry."

"Of course."

"You know, they're actually pretty slashy," Iz said.

I stared at him in horror.

"Yeah, now that you mention it..." Rick looked like he was seriously
considering it.

I stared in horror at _him_. "You're both bonkers. Kindly stop talking about
Tom and Jerry slash."

"You know what's really slashy? The Smurfs." Iz grinned widely.

I whimpered.

"The little blue guys? Dunno. They're kind of annoying, aren't they? Don't
know if I'd want to slash them."

"Riley," I said, hoping to distract them. "Riley is very slashy. And Gunn.
Riley _and_ Gunn."

Worked like a charm. Rick's head whipped towards me so quickly I feared he
was giving himself whiplash. "Riley and Gunn?"

"Interesting," Iz said and tilted his head. He's not a big Gunn fan, really,
but I guess the suggestion was nuts enough to catch his attention.

"Yeah, isn't it? And they're both sort of soldiers too. Though Gunn is more
a vigilante I suppose," I babbled. "But that's beside the point, not that I
actually have a point, but, ohh, look at the watch! Time's up, we have to
go!" I jumped relieved on my feet, grabbing for my suitcase at the same
time, over-balancing and landing flat-faced down on the suitcase.

Rick and Izzy rolled on the bed laughing.

***

"Look! A Coop Mega! Stop the car, I'm hungry," Jake demanded, leaning
forward to point. Mickey gave him a brief, annoyed look, but changed lanes.

I had been ordered to the back with the other non-drivers when Mickey had
discovered that I didn't have a lisence. I prefered not to grumble about it
since I probably would have been sentenced to  the back anyway. The news
from the radio hadn't exactly become more positive as we drove on.

Jana, Remy and Izzy sat in the back with me. We had pushed the seats up
against the wall of the van, and sat on a blanket on the floor. We'd also
pulled back the middle seat in front to use as a table. The last couple of
hours, we'd been playing cards. Remy had kicked our collective butts in
every single one of them. Even Buzzard.

"Did anybody say anything about food? 'Cause I'm hungry." Jana looked up and
stopped frowning at her cards.

"Coop Mega, straight ahead," Jake said. "May I have your orders, please?" He
twisted his head to grin at us.

"Pasta and orange juice. Give me a moment and I'll get you three dollars.
No, wait. Six. I want a magazine too." I started searching through the
pockets of my jacket, looking for money. "SFX if you can find it.
Photographer or something if you can't."

"I'll have a coffee and..." Rick reconsidered. "Nah, I'm coming with you."

"Wok," Izzy said and folded his cards together. "Wok, water, schticks -
Rick, you know what I mean - and the newest Buffy TPB."

"Yeah, wok for me too. But with coke and an issue of Cosmo." Jubilee ripped
a piece of paper out of her notebook and scribbled down her order. Not a bad
idea that.

I leaned forth to poke her. "Hey, Jubes. Could you write down my order too?"

"Sure, no prob."

"Stew, two meatballs, chocolate milk and Gatecrasher," Jana said. "Jubilee,
are you getting this?"

"Yeah, yeah."

"Chickenwings, pepsi and Whiskey," Mickey said. We looked at him. "It's a
magazine."

"Pasta, sprite and pick up some newspapers," Remy said, not even looking up
from his cards which he was rearranging for the tenth time or so. The kid is
a card shark, I swear to god...

Jake and Rick collected the money and disappeared inside the store.

"Three of clubs," Remy said and looked at me.

I looked down at my cards. Of course I had the three of clubs. I sighed and
handed him the card. Remy grabbed the card, rearranged his cards once again
and turned to Izzy.

"Ten of diamonds."

Izzy didn't even glance at his cards, he just smirked. "Go fish."

"My turn." Jana looked intently at her cards, then turned to Remy. "Four of
hearts."

Remy handed her the card.

Jana held out her hand towards him. "Four of spades."

Remy handed her that one too.

Jana beamed and added the fours to her pile of points. So far it looked like
this round would go to her.

"I've been wondering," I said and looked at my cards. Seven of hearts, seven
of clubs, eight of clubs, queen of diamonds, king of spades, ace of spades.
Not too great cards. "Where's John?"

"In Australia," Jubilee replied. She was changing the CD in her discman.
From Coldplay to Radiohead, it looked like. "All the foreigners are there.
And Kitty and Bobby 'cause Kitty is ghost-y and Bobby is possible Alpha
level."

"Not all of the foreigners," Remy disagreed, looking briefly up from his
cards. "The fliers are with Monet in Morocco, remember?"

Mickey turned up the radio and shouted for us to shut up.

"...of seven pm today, the Mexican borders will be closed. Tune back in for
more. This is Pam--" Mickey switched off the radio.

The van was silent.

"Okay," Jubilee said finally. "Now we're in trouble."

"Like we needed anymore of that," Izzy muttered.

"I want out of this country," I, well, whined. "I don't like it here
anymore."

Izzy rolled his eyes.

"I might know someone who might be able to help..." Remy said slowly,
reluctantly. He frowned. "Or, Jake might."

"Yeah?" Mickey had turned to look at him. "How fast can you get in contact
with them?"

"Depends. But I'm going to need a phone. And I'd prefer it if Jake tried
first. He should have a better chance of pulling it off."

So we sat there and waited until Rick and Jake returned from the store, both
of them carrying two shopping bags. Jake slid the door open and bounced
inside. "Geez, what's with the gloom, guys? You look like someone just
died." He paused and looked horrified. "Oh god. And the award for the most
tactless comment goes to Jacob Gavin junior yet again."

Izzy looked angry. Rick quickly dug into one of his bags and handed him a
bottle of water.

Remy shook his head. "Noone's dead. As far as we know. But we do have a
problem. Seems like the Mexican borders are closing as well."

Jake looked relieved. "Is that all?"

"Maybe you don't understand," Izzy said acidly. "But the borders closing
equals us being stuck in the States."

Jake blinked. "How so? We just need someone to smuggle us over."

"And I suppose you know someone who can do that for us?"

"As a matter of fact, I do."

I ate my pasta and drank my juice and tried not thinking about how damn
scared I really was, as Jake and Remy disappeared to find a payphone and
call someone who hopefully would be able to help. Those two were more
'connected' than I felt comfortable thinking about. Somethings are just bad
for your health to know about. I'd managed to keep the 'I'm fucking
terrified' factor pretty low so far and I wanted to keep it that way. I
wouldn't be of any help to anybody if I ended up gibbering in a corner.

***

Waking up by being kissed by Rick is an interesting experience. You should
try it sometime. When Iz isn't around since he'd probably kill you. He's
weird that way.

Anyway. Rick kissed me (I knew it was him even before I opened my eyes. The
secret thing comes in handy sometimes), I responded automatically, he pulled
away and I heard loud wolf whistles from somewhere near by.

I opened my eyes.

Jake slapped Rick on the shoulder as the latter sat back down, grinning
widely. Remy picked up a used coke bottle and eyed it consideringly. Izzy
was sitting with his back against the shot-gun seat and smirking. Jubilee
was driving, Jana had curled up in cat-shape on the shot-gun seat and Mickey
sat cross-legged beside Remy. Having taken stock of where everybody was, I
returned my attention to Remy, who seemed to be in everyone's center of
attention at the moment.

Remy solemnly placed the bottle on the floor of the van and spun it around.
Jubilee hit a speedbump and the bottle flew into Jake's lap. Jake looked
surprised.

"Truth or dare?" Remy said, grinning.

Jake considered it. "...Truth?"

Remy grinned wider as something evil obviously occoured to him. "All right.
That thing with with Warren which you said wasn't a date, was actually...?"

Jake hid his face in his hands. "Oh god."

"That's what I thought." Remy looked smug.

Izzy sighed disgustedly. "Why do you ask such wimpy-ass questions?"

Remy shrugged at him. "I wanted to know. Not all of us can ask kinky sex
questions, you know."

Izzy blinked in surprise. "Why the hell not?"

I thought this was as good a time as any to interfere. "What are you people
doing? Besides corrupting whatever innocence there is left to corrupt."

"Playing truth or dare," Mickey said, looking as though he was having the
time of his life. I wondered what kind of embarrassing questions/dares for
Izzy he was thinking about.

"Ah," I said. I thought for a second, somewhat sluggishly. I'm not exactly
the brightest of people when I've just woken up. "...Can I join?"

"Sure!"

So I joined.

Jake spun the bottle and it landed pointing at Izzy. Iz beamed.

"Truth or --" Jake started.

"Dare," Izzy interrupted, beaming more. "Dare me."

"We're in a car. What the heck is there to dare people to do in here?" I
asked Rick who was sitting closest to me.

"Well, so far, it's been kisses."

"Ah," I said, then paused. "Wait a minute..."

"Kiss Remy," Jake said gleefully. Obviously he hadn't much appreciated
admitting that the thing with Warren had indeed been a date. I found myself
wondering what they'd been doing on said date...

Izzy, being Izzy, made a big show out it all. Crawling across the van,
looking strangely seductive considering. Of course, Izzy has a tendency to
look seductive even if he's reading history for his night classes, so you
know. Remy didn't seem to mind much.

That definitely wasn't a chaste little kiss, I noted.

God knew what the teachers at the school would do to me when they got their
students back. Some 40 hours and I'd managed to make them all even less
innocent than they already were. Not a bad feat that. Though Izzy would
probably help. A lot.

Rick clapped loudly for the performance. "Encore! Encore!"

Izzy grinned and crawled back.

Remy stared at him and shook his head.

Izzy spun the bottle.

It ended up pointing at Mickey.

Oh god.

They locked eyes and grinned ferally at each other.

"Truth or dare?" Izzy challenged.

"Truth," Mickey said, narrowing his eyes. Obviously he thought he'd be safe
that way. He was wrong.

"If you could do anything sexually to anyone of us present, what would it be
and with whom?"

"Izzy!" I stared at him.

"Shh," Izzy said and waved his hand at me to make me shut up. Everybody else
stared at Mickey and Iz, riveted, holding their breath for Mickey's
response.

Mickey's eyes narrowed his eyes until they turned into tiny slits. "...It
would be a long, hard fucking that made him so hot he'd lose the ability to
speak or think, do anything but push back. And Rick."

My eyes widened. Oh-oh.

Izzy's eyes widened in outrage and I could see his hands balling into fists.
"What?"

Rick seemed amused by it all, casually putting an arm on Izzy's chest (to
keep him put, probably).

Mickey stared impassionately back at Iz. "You heard."

"Duh-duh-duhduuuh," Jake hummed. "Duh-duh-duhduuuuh."

Izzy relaxed suddenly, grinning brightly. "Well, I asked. C'mon, spin the
bottle."

I found this far more frightening than his angry look.

The grin widened and Iz arched an eyebrow. Which is something he generally
does only when he's plotting. It didn't take much thought to figure out who
he was plotting against this time. I wondered if I should warn Mickey.
...Nah. He's a grown boy. He can take care of himself. Besides, he was
asking for it.

Mickey looked thriumphant and spun the bottle.

It landed pointing on me.

"Truth or dare?"

"Eh..." Let's see... Kiss someone, have Mickey ask embarrassing personal
questions, kiss someone, have Mickey ask embarrassing personal questions...
"..Truth." I was going to live to regret this.

Mickey tilted his head and looked intently at me. "When was the last time
you had sex, and who was it with?"

"...Why are you asking two questions?"

"'Cause that's how we're doing it. Answer the question." He grinned at me.

"...But, innocents..."

There was a collective snort.

I sighed. "All right, all right. Two weeks ago. And I'd rather not say."

"Why not?"

Izzy was eyeing me strangely.

"Because I'd never hear the end of it," I muttered, scratching my neck.

Rick grinned at me. "Oh, do tell."

"Yeah!" Jake said, nodding vigoriously. "Tell. Share."

"Is it anyone we know?" Remy wanted to know.

"What is this? Twenty questions?" I knew I was turning dark green.

"No, truth or dare, and you aren't playing," Mickey said, grinning.

I muttered something.

"What was that?" Mickey leaned closer to hear.

"Terry."

Izzy stared at me then broke down laughing, a vaguely hysterical tinge to
his laughter.

"Terry?!" Rick stared at me. "Sex-club Terry?"

I scratched my neck again. "...Yeah. See, when you sent me to pick up that
lost boyband-er of yours, I sort of... Never mind."

Jake and Remy exchanged looks. Jake tilted his head. "Do I want to know?"

"I do! I do!" Izzy gasped out. "Details, man, details!"

"That wasn't a part of the question!" I objected, grabbing the bottle.

I spun it around before anyone could say anything else. I knew I should've
just picked dare. Why don't I ever listen to myself?

It pointed on Izzy. Which, considering he was laying on the floor, taking up
much of the space, wasn't a complete surprise. He sat up and gave me an
expectant look.

"Truth or dare?"

"Truth," he said, obviously counting on me being to ...me... to ask him a
real question.

Moron. Doesn't he know me at all?

"Why aren't you," I pointed at him. "With him?" I pointed at Rick.

Izzy lost his grin.

Rick winced audibly.

Mickey, Jake and Remy seemed ready to bring out the popcorn.

"...Alex..."

"No." I shook my head. "Answer me."

He gave me a near terrified look, then glanced over to Rick. He did this
thing with his mouth where it looks like he's about to cry, which usually
happens when he's pressed and doesn't know how to get out of the situation.
He looked back at me. "I..." He worked his jaw a couple of times with no
sound coming out. "Why... Why would I want to---"

I gave him an incredulous look. "Izzy."

He closed his eyes, pulled his legs up towards his chest, leaned his right
arm against his leg, rubbed the bridge of his nose, and opened his eyes
again, looking straight at me, eyes suspiciously shiny. "It wouldn't work.
You know it wouldn't."

"You don't know that," I pointed out.

"Yes, I do." He gave me a shaky grin which wasn't even a shadow of his usual
grin.

I glanced over at Rick. He was looking at Izzy with a shuttered expression
on his face. Izzy followed my look.

"This is better than 'Days of Our Lives'," Jake commented.

"Shut up," Remy and Mickey said in unison.

"Ricky..." Izzy said, the almost-crying expression on his face again.

"Did it ever occour to you that I might have a different opinion?" Rick
said, very calmly. I was surprised he replied at all.

Izzy bit his lip.

"This isn't exactly..." Rick hesitated, tossing me a not-entirely-friendly
look. "It's too soon."

A small frown appeared on Izzy's brow. "What?"

"Yeah, what?" Jake echoed.

"Will you for god's sake shut the fuck up?" Remy said, exasperated.

Rick stretched a hand out towards Izzy's chin. Izzy flinched back. Rick
shook his head and crawled over to him, putting his hand firmly on Izzy's
face, making him look at him.

"I do think we could make it work, Iz," Rick said gently.

"But..." Iz still looked terrified.

"Yeah, there's a but," Rick nodded.

"Yeah." Iz blinked his eyes rapidly a couple of times. "Yeah, I know. I..."

"See, if we got together now, you wouldn't be able to handle it. I could
tell you I loved you a dozen times a day and prove it too, you still
wouldn't really believe me. You'd be... You'd become whoever you think I
want you to be. And I don't want that."

Izzy looked down. I stared at the two of them. Was it too late to change my
question now? To be honest, I hadn't actually expected Iz to answer it.
Seemed like I'd underestimated his sense of fair play. Or he simply didn't
want to lose. Izzy is a very bad loser.

"What do you want?" Iz said quietly.

"Look at me."

Izzy hesitantly did as told.

"You." A tiny, tender smile appeared on Rick's face. "I just want you."

"Awww," Jubilee said, glancing into the mirror with a grin. "Damn, you guys
are cute."

"Fuck off," Iz snapped, eyes fixed on Rick.

I was relieved by it. Iz was starting to sound more like his usual self,
which I far prefered from the terrified version.

"Me? You want me?" Izzy put his hand over Rick's, much like he was trying to
make sure this was real and not some weird dream. "Do you realise how very
fucked up I am?"

"Yes." Rick's smile widened. "It hasn't escaped my attention. I am, after
all, the one who peels you off the ceiling when you're in your hyper-mood,
and the one who sits with you on the roof when you're depressed so you won't
kill yourself, and the one who lends you his beautiful classic of a car at
any given day of the week."

And that was all true. Except the part about Martha being a classic. A
classic piece of junk, maybe, but a classic car... Yeah, right.

"You guys do that too?" Remy blinked. "I thought we had the patent on that."

"The roof thing is actually widely popular," Mickey started. "In fact, in my
business, we have a term for this kind of --" He shut up when Jake whacked
him over the head and reminded him about the drama happening in the van at
the moment.

"Ricky... I'm scared," Iz said in a small voice, then burried his face in
the crook of Rick's neck. Rick's arms went around him and they sat there
like that for a while.

"Not to interrupt anything," Jubilee said. "But if we're going to spend the
night at a motel, there's one coming up down the road... And it _is_ past
one am."

"You're not interrupting anything," I said, glancing over at Rick and Iz who
didn't react at all. I look at the rest. "I suppose a bed is preferable to
the floor of the van?"

"You think?" Jake commented.

So we stopped at the motel.


***


Izzy isn't what you might call a 'private person'. He usually had no
problems telling complete strangers how he was feeling. In great detail, I
might add. He's a sadistic son of a bitch when he wants to be. And that's
often. But I still figured he couldn't be all that happy about what had
happened in the van. One of the most important moments in his life, and the
school brats were there to hear and see him be an insecure little kid.

Not that we - or at least I - didn't already know he was an insecure little
kid. He puts on a grand show, Izzy does, but when it comes down to it, it's
just a show and he can't hide behind it forever. Though I suppose he wishes
he could. He's good at denial. If he had it his way, he wouldn't deal with
reality at all. If there's something he doesn't want to think about, well,
then he won't. No matter the cost.

So it must have hurt like hell to tell Rick and us _why_ he'd never gotten
involved with Rick. Why he seemed to avoid the concept completely.

It's better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all.

Not in Izzy's case. He knew, deep down, that he would never recover from
having had Rick... and then lost him.

So he chose not to get in a situation where that might happen.

I could understand him. Or, I suppose I couldn't, really, but my imagination
was good enough that I could at least imagine what he must be feeling and
why he made the choices he made. If I had someone like Rick, I'd cheerfully
jump straight into it, figuring things would work out. But Iz was far more
intense than me. Whatever he did, he did with all his heart. Me, I always
kept parts hidden away where no one could get to them. It was just the way I
was.

And Rick...

Well, he didn't have the obvious intensity Iz did, but I knew it was there.
He mated for life as well. Like Canadian geese or something. I thought Rick
must have realised early that he wanted Iz, and probably laid a highly
complicated battle plan too. He was without a doubt the smartest one of us.

I, and everybody else as well, tended to forget just who Rick was most of
the time. He was usually so quiet and when he did say something, it was
something that made sense only after cross-referencing it and playing the
association game. If it made sense at all. Rick quite liked nonsensial
conversations as well.

But Rick was twenty-six years old and one of the most successful producers
in America. That wasn't something that happened by accident.

Of course, he was also a half-psychotic, nagging arsehole, but that's was
fairly up-front and hard to miss.

Having this happen while we were running for our lives in direction Mexico,
couldn't possibly have been in his plans however. And if it had been, I
really didn't want to know about it.

"So," I said, weighing the key in my hand. I looked over at them. "Same room
arrangements?"

"Hey, leave the love-birds alone!" Jubilee grinned.

I swear to god I could almost see Iz blushing. Which was impossible. Iz
didn't even know _how_ to blush.

Must have been a trick of light or something.

"Well?" I glanced over at Rick, shaking the weird thought out of my head.

Rick looked down at Izzy, then looked a bit sheepish. "Would you mind
crashing with Mickey et al?"

"'Course not," I grinned.

Jana made a weird little noise, put her hand over her eyes and said, very
calmly; "Evil, evil mental image. Begone. I'm a wee innocent child. I do not
think of such..." She removed her hand from her eyes and looked over at Rick
and Iz. "Such... Please, please, take pictures! Video tape it! Let me
watch!"

Innocent. Yeah, right.

"Yeah!" Jubilee nodded eagerly. "Pictures! I can sell them for lots of cash
at the school..."

Izzy looked vaguely interested. "Sell them? What'cha say we split the
profits -- mmmph!" Rick put his hand firmly over Iz' mouth.

"We are not videotaping, taking pictures OR holding a bloody life show!"

"Mmmph mmmh mph," Iz said.

I sniggered at them and handed them their keycard.


--tbc---

_________________________________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.

Hi all,
For Nina and Minerva with thanks.
Dedicated to Jemi.
The Logan/Rogue scene in part 9 is for Helene.

Disclaimer in part 1.
Warning: This fic will reach a S/L pairing.
Warning2: This part deals with child abuse.
It has been a while since I last worked on this fic so quick recap: Scott and
Logan have swished bodies. (I said quick *G*)

This is part 4 of "I`m Him And He`s Me" by Nadja Lee.

Feedback: Is loved, obviously
neh@...



Part 8:
It was very late and Logan went to his room. As he opened the door he saw the
bed already taken. With himself…oh, Scott in it.
“Oh, yeah,” he mumbled and hurried out. He needed to go to Scott’s room. After
some discrete and not so discrete ( after some 20 minutes without finding the
right room he simple asked the first person he thought he could trust and that
had been a very confused Kitty who had pointed to his room. Logan had tried to
explain his way out of it by claiming he hadn’t been living in his own room for
very long to which Kitty had replied that no, it had only been 4 months and
left) searching he reached his room and went in.
One day of being Scott Summers had been more than enough for Logan. To think
that Scott did this every day. However Logan got to admit that the day’s events
had changed his way of seeing a lot of things. Had changed his way of seeing
Scott, of seeing his own behavior towards the other man. Thinking about Scott,
schools and more he began to undress. He had taken off his shirt and went past
the mirror to go to the bathroom. He cast a fleeting red glance at the mirror
but had to back up and look more closely as he saw his…hum, Scott’s chest. This
was getting way too weird for Logan.  But he forgot all about telepaths and body
shifting as he saw the marks on his…Scott’s chest. They were long and seamed to
orientate from the back. As he turned around and saw his back he gasped in
shook. It was criss-crossed with a fine network of small white scars. The abuse
had been so often that not a single space of his back was left unmarked. The
scars had been made by a belt or a whip. So, that was why Scott had wished they
had found the person behind it all before the day was over. Before he had known
this. Logan felt a stab of pain for the other man but more than anything a red
hot rage. A desire to kill whoever had hurt Scott. The thought that it could
have been the professor entered and left his mind. Scott and Xavier’s
relationship was far too loving for that but if Logan had thought that there had
been even the remotest chance of Xavier being behind it, he wouldn’t have
hesitated to go and try to kill him on sight. No one should ever hurt Scott as
long as he lived and from now on he’ll make sure to that. He’ll protect him not
only from the world but from himself as well. But a flicker of doubt was in his
mind. Scott wasn`t his, wasn’t his mate, then he wasn’t his to protect either.
But he ignored that voice. What wasn’t could be.



Part 9:
Hands reaching for him, a voice yelling at him, darkness, always darkness.
“ Father, please. Don’t,” he pleaded and lifted his hand in front of his face to
try and protect himself.
“ Don’t you dare call me that, you filthy mutant. You are no son of mine,” the
voice was harsh but the blow was even harder.
“ NOO!” Scott yelled and sat up in bed with a jerk. He saw someone sitting on
his bedside and his mind still in his nightmare, he felt the claws come through
his skin.
“ Relax, sugah. It is just me…. Rogue. You had a bad dream,” a sweet southern
accented voice said and lay a calming hand on his right hand, unafraid of his
claws.
“ Rogue?! What are you doing here?” Scott asked confused. Why was she in
his…Suddenly he remembered. He was in Logan’s bedroom, in Logan’s body. Oh,
yeah. Wonderful.
“ You never call me Rogue,” Marie said softly, a hint of pain in her voice. Ups.
“ Sorry, kid. My mind was…. drifting,” Scott said and stroked a hair behind her
ear. It was dark so he couldn’t see her clearly but her shadow was pretty.
Sitting on his bedside she looked like a Goddess or a Queen. A sting of unease
and jealousy hit him. Did this happen often? Did Rogue often come into Logan’s
room? Just what kind of relationship did these two have?
“ Want to talk about it?” Rogue asked kindly.
“ Not really,” Scott admitted.
“ Ah had a nightmare too,” Rogue admitted. She isn’t going to tell me about it,
is she? Scott thought panicked. Her saw her lips move to form words. Oh, great.
She is going to tell me about it. Sharing is so not me, he thought darkly. Ok,
no panic. I can do this, he repeated in his mind, hoping it’ll help.
“ It was the one with ma…parents,” she admitted. Come on, girl. Give me a little
more than that to go on, Scott wished fanatically. “ They…didn’t want me,” he
could clearly hear the pain in her voice.
“ Sometimes it is better to be alone,” Scott whispered as he could feel her eyes
on him.
“ Why?”
“ Because then you can’t get hurt,” the words were out his month before he could
regret it. Even in the dark her smile lit the room.
“ Ah´ll never hurt you,” Rogue whispered softly.
“ I know…but I might hurt you,” Scott whispered sadly under his breath.
“ Ah don’t want to go back to ma room,” Rogue whispered after awhile. Scott saw
that her nightdress was a long dress with a hood. She sounded so lost and alone,
feelings he knew well, so he drew the covers back from the side of the bed where
she sat.
“ You can sleep here,” he offered and she jumped under the covers and curled up
besides him.
“Thanks, Logan,” she whispered and Scott smiled. He wanted to dislike her
because of her special bond with Logan but couldn’t. He drew her close so she
lay with her head on his chest, her hood between their skins.
“ Anytime, kid. Anytime,” he said softly and kissed her hooded head. Even if it
was just for tonight he had someone who loved him unconditionally. He knew she
loved the body he was in and not him and he knew that her deep love for Logan
disturbed him as long as he was unsure as to what kind of love it was they
shared but for tonight he pretended that he was the person that she loved; as a
brother, a father or whatever way she might view Logan.


TBC

TITLE: Slippery When Wet
AUTHOR : Melissa Flores
EMAIL: mistiec_flores@...

GENRE: X-Men: The Movie, Wolverine/Rogue, ensemble. Storm/Gambit,
Scott/Jean, Rogue/Augustus
RATING: R for violence and language, and sexual situations, and MAJOR
ANGST.
SUMMARY: While an isolated Logan tries to bring back an enchanted
Rogue, Augustus has taken another. As the X-men scramble to find a way
to defeat the wizard, Rogue is faced with the death of her friend, and
forced to choose between her destiny, and her love.
WARNING: This is a serious roller coaster, guys. There are a lot of
falls and I'm pretty sure by the end of chapter three half of you will
be ready to kill me. And after chapter five you'll all be wanting to
lynch me. What I ask is that you reserve all hangings and death threats
until you read the whole thing. :-) It's also a day long read, so I'm
going to be posting a chapter a day, two if I feel I can, cause it's
heavy stuff. :-)

DISTRIBUTION: http://www.wolverineandrogue.com/mistiec

~*~

Chapter Two


He swallowed hard, watching as the women he had thought he had known
lay in a corner, form silent, still, trembling ever so slightly. Every
few minutes she would take a deep shuddering breath, haggard and hard,
and so incredibly full of pain.

He felt so powerless, so out of control, his heart planted permanently
in his throat, still in the same position that she had left him in,
after she had pushed him away and yelled at him in a voice not quite
her own to not dare touch her.

Swallowing, he licked his lips, trying desperately to get the words to
come through his lips.

"Marie."

She didn't respond, one hand reached out and scratching at the floor.

"Rogue."

Her eyes opened slightly, the moisture in the orbs surprising them with
his intensity. She smiled slightly, the first emotion she had seen as
her eyes connected with his own.

"Logan," she said distinctly, with no drawl that had always caught at
the bottom of her voice until now. "Logan. Lover."

"Marie," he rasped, bending forward, crawling gently, scared to touch
her, afraid of so much, so much more than he had ever been afraid of in
his life.

She came forward, crawling, hand over hand, until her face was inches
from his own, until her eyes bore into his, he could see the flecks of
darkness in the violet eyes, until her breath tickled, mingled with his
own.

In her eyes was pure desire, pure knowledge of her power of her him as
he felt himself short of breath, found himself staring at her perfect
lips, her perfect mouth, her violet eyes.

"Logan," she whispered, and her voice turned distinctly British. "What
are you going to do when she's completely gone?"

He growled, falling back in a startled surprise, and Marie laughed
harshly and suddenly, as quick as it had come, the laughter stopped and
the woman reached for his hand, grabbing it, the alloy in his knuckles
suddenly jumping in attention.

Her fingers cupped his chin with incredibly strength, and he was
helpless as she jerked his face to meet hers, mouth suddenly ravaging
his in an intimate, searing kiss.

He found himself falling back helplessly as he groaned, feeling Marie's
hot tongue branding his, hands sliding over his in a savage gesture of
possession, very angry, very desperate, and very Rogue.

He gasped for breath, his mind and thoughts whirling and something in
his mind clicked against the act, and he pushed her away with all the
strength he could muster, and still it was not enough, as Marie's
immense strength manifested itself as she held him down.

His eyes lolled upward, his chest arched under her questing hands and
her hot breath was suddenly under his ear, moist and heavy, whispering
in a raspy, violent tone.

"This is what you want, isn't it Logan?" he heard between gasps,
between suckles and nudges as she straddled him, ground her hips
against his hardening groin, as he thrust upward in a loss of control.
"This was the reason. This is what you wanted. It's what she wanted."

His eyes flew open, and his heart lurched, and in a moment of clarity
he bucked her feverish body off of him, rolling with her until she was
pinned beneath him, a howl of rage torn from his throat as the knives
slid out and lay at her creamy white throat.

"Get out of her," he growled.

And suddenly the body beneath him stilled, and eyes blinked and teared,
and a southern drawled tinged the honey voice as Marie's eyes focused
on him, stopped fighting, so confused, so scared. "Logan? Logan... what
am I- What are you- Oh God."

"Marie!" And he slid off of her, gathering her close and shuddering
with her trembling body. "I'm sorry, Rogue. I'm sorr-"

But she didn't listen, she only closed her eyes and shivered, teeth
chattering, tears eeking from her face as she whispered, "It's not you,
Logan."

But his last thought as he fought to control his aroused body, as he
prayed for someone, anyone, to find them, was that maybe, just maybe,
it was.

~*~

There were many misconceptions about Jean, but seldom had it annoyed
her. For many years she and Scott had been held up on pedestals by the
entire school, for  the simple reason that it had to be that way.

Storm, the quiet nun-like goddess, was never discussed as fiercely.
Rogue, was given allowances for her bursts of temper because of the
personalities running rampant in her head. Logan punched holes in walls
and Gambit blasted things and no one blinked twice.

But if Jean or Scott even raised their voices, even looked at each
other or someone else in a peculiar way suddenly, things were very
wrong.

It was a hard burden to live with, but one they had both accepted at
young ages, knowing, without Charles having to tell them, that their
lives weren't their own, but given to a cause, and subject to be
sacrificed at any moment.

Perhaps that was why she loved Scott with such incredible ardor,
because no one in the world could possibly understand her as deeply as
he could.

Of course, the truly frightening thing was that in her there were
depths that even he couldn't comprehend, a past fear of every living
thing that had invaded her mind that had paralyzed her, driven her to
near insanity.

No one had seen her with that loss of control, no one had seen the day
she sobbed in Charles' lap with relief when she was able to make the
voices finally stop, no one was there when she refused to let anyone in
her mind ever again.

The urge to feel Scott's love for her, to feel it in her mind, had won
her over, and even now he had no idea he had been her first deliberate
mindsweep.

Even now she fear the control, feared that the minds in her head would
force her to panic, to feel what she felt then, what she feared most.

What came from Rogue.

Jean had never, ever read the turmoil in Rogue's mind, REALLY delved
into it, and she never, ever would.

She feared the darkness would overwhelm her, that she wasn't strong
enough.

And yet here Charles was, eyes on her, mind in hers, asking the
impossible.

"Professor, you can't possibly think I could-"

"Jean I believe you can. I believe you are the only one who can."

Her eyes bore into his, tinged in moisture, her heart in her throat
where she knew her strength should have been. Instead she felt the fear
that had threatened to take the careful mask of security yet again.

"Charles," she began slowly, thickly. "You obviously have the better
mind-"

"Jean, you need to accept this. I won't be around forever."

She felt her heart lurch, her eyes floated down to study the floor as
she nodded mutely.

"Then you also know than eventually, you must take my place. All I need
to know is if you're willing."

"Oh, I'm willing, Charles. That's not..."

*What scares you?* The thought invaded her mind, and her mouth went
dry, a small, exasperated smile flitting across her perfect features
before she raised and eyebrow and leaned back, fingers knotting
together in a nervous gesture.

*I don't believe... I have enough control yet.*

*Neither did I, but I managed.*

"But you're stronger," she interrupted. "And I-"

"Have just as much potential, and you know it," Charles snapped, his
eyes boring into hers.  His kind gentle eyes grew firm, and he leaned
forward, elbows on his knees, regarding her carefully. "Are you so
afraid of yourself, Jean, that you'd let them die?"

Her eyes closed at the judgment in his tone, and her breath slid out of
her. There it was, laid out on the line, frankly, gently, but ever so
truthfully, as Charles always put it for her.

Rogue had once said Jean had peace in her eyes. The look in Rogue's
anguished face as she slid her gloved fingertips down Jean's face had
made her eyes water and her throat clog, but she didn't dare change
Rogue's perception.

People needed to believe she had peace, that she had hope.

Even when her very world was teetering before her.

"I'll do it," she finally whispered. "I'll find them. I won't fail
them."

"Wrong," Charles answered, cocking his head slightly, hands on hers in
a comforting squeeze. "You will not fail yourself."

And Jean took a shuddering breath, ignoring the insecurity of her ugly
duckling childhood, ignoring her beating heart as she nodded hastily.

There was no other option.

She had to find them.

~*~

Guilt was quite probably the worst feeling that he had ever
encountered.

It settled in the pit of his stomach, like a rock, and the usually
stoic and tall leader sprawled forward on the table, watching the
sleeping Remy with a trembling upper lip and a shuddering heart.

He had let down his team, he had let them all down because he should
have known.

He should have known better than to let them go... he had trusted them
too much, taken too little responsibility and because of them...

He lost Storm.

He lost Rogue.

He lost Logan.

And it was all the hands of a mad man that was so full of destructive
power he had no idea what he was capable or next.

Or how to stop him.

It took everything in him to keep out even the possibility of running.

"When are we finding her?"

The accented voice came out of nowhere, and Scott lifted his head
wearily to find Remy's eyes open, watching him.

"Finding who?" he asked heavily.

"Storm. Rogue. Logan."

Scott looked back down, running his fingers through his bangs, which
had fallen forward over his glasses, red slants in his tinted world.

"I'm not sure," he answered honestly.

Remy was quiet for a moment, just a moment, before he grimaced, pulling
himself into a sitting position, looking at Scott.

"The longer we wait, de longer they're in danger."

"I know, Remy."

"Then do something!"

"What do you want me to DO?" Scott snapped angrily, head jerking up to
meet his gaze head on. "There's no right answer to this one!"

"But you were willing to leave 'em. Leave Storm and Rogue, two of the
best team members we got-"

"To save the team?" Cyclops interrupted, his voice hard and angered.
"Yes, Remy. I WAS and I WILL if I have to."

Remy's red eyes have never looked so angry, so fiery as he breathed
hard, fighting to contain his emotion toward his leader.

"That's not how to save them."

"You don't think this is hurting me too, Remy? They are my friends."

"Then act like it."

"I can't afford to," Scott bit, knuckles white as his hand wrapped
around the corner of his chair. "Not when I have the team to think of.
I don't have that luxury. Please Remy. At least understand that."

"Jean's using Cerebro."

Scott's eyes flew open, his jaw dropping slightly as he swung his gaze
onto Bobby Drake, as he stepped into the doorway, eyes moving
hesitantly between Remy and Scott.

"She... WHAT?!"

"Right now," he confirmed. Ice cold hands slid through the man's bangs
as he nodded toward the direction of the large tent. "I just... thought
you might want to know."

Scott closed his eyes, taking a haggard breath before opening them,
hidden in the red visor, and pushing past the younger man, never even
giving Remy a dismissing look as he fell into a jog that quickly became
a run as he sprinted toward the tent that held the device that Jean had
helped build, that had allowed Charles to channel Cerebro.

His heart beat terribly in his chest, the sense of panic filling him as
he remembered she used to dread the machine, but had always carried a
fascination for it,  a dangerous temptation. The last time she believed
herself strong enough to channel her mind to control the fragmented
senses and thoughts of everyone in the world at one time, it had hurt
her deeply.

Oh, God. She wasn't ready.

His hand clumsily reached for the latch and throwing his body against
the door, he flung himself inside, to find Charles Xavier sitting in
his chair, staring at him placidly.

"Scott, sit down please."

He felt his throat full, his voice hoarse and raspy as he managed,
"Professor is it true?"

"Yes."

"She's not ready."

"She's more than ready."

Scott's hands clenched into fists, fear and anger and horror flooding
his mind as he gazed down at the professor, at his father, refusing to
sit, his heart beating steadily more fierce.

"It'll HURT her."

Charles let an eyebrow rise up on his forehead, his head cocked as he
gazed at Scott with that unnerving stare that made Scott feel
completely naked, devoid of any secrets or emotions.

"Sit down, Scott," he said again, firmly, and it was more of a command
and less of a suggestion, and with a sigh of helpless frustration, he
sank down into his chair.

Charles gave him a small, sad smile, before beginning. "Scott, you've
led this team well."

A harsh laugh negated that remark. "I don't think so."

"I do," he repeated. "But at this moment we were facing an enemy that
places games of the mind. If he has succeeded in turning Rogue, then we
not only face a wizard, but our greatest enemy : our friend... our
family. Now I can delve into Rogue, pull out what she needs to pull
through.  But Jean must find her."

"Why Jean? Professor, you know she's not ready-"

"If not now, then when, Scott? I won't be around forever."

Again, Scott felt the lump in his throat that refused to go away. The
professor had been saying that more and more often.

There was a pause, and then the professor continued, "Jean will never
test her limits of her mind, never reach her true potential unless she
pushes herself."

"Maybe she's not ready to push herself," he whispered, his voice an
angered hoarse tone.

Charles only regarded him, his voice incredibly even as he answered,
"We no longer have the luxury of allowing the time it takes to make her
ready, Scott."

And in his eyes glinted a sadness that flickered for only a second, but
it was a second that Scott's red tinted gaze caught, and it caused a
shuddering of fear in his heart that made his heart skip a beat and his
already full throat to almost close up completely.

Something was wrong with the professor. Something was very wrong.

And perhaps the most frightening thing of all...

No one had bothered to tell him what it was.

~*~

A deep breath in, and a deep breath out stilled her shaking hands
slightly, but her furiously beating heart didn't lesson it's pace, and
more than anything Jean wished that the fear in her heart that she had
kept out for so long would just dissipate.

She had felt Rogue before, had found her, a long five years ago when
Rogue was barely a child, when all she had to contend with was the
wildness of Wolverine and the fear of a young human boy who had given
Marie her first and last kiss.

It had nearly killed her, the pain in her mind after the senses that
had been triggered and heightened had still made her shiver after all
this time.

But that was long ago, and she was different then... her powers had
become channeled, had become stronger and more refined...

She was more powerful.

She could handle Rogue's mind... Rogue's heart....

But the panic still flitted inside her heart as she stared at the
unassuming metal that Charles had placed in her hands, her link to
Cerebro at home, her link to the power she knew she could channel so
well now.

The self confidence everyone assumed she had made her straighten her
shoulders, made her focus her mind and take a deep breath and place the
contraption over her head.

But when her mind focused, she found herself scrambling away from the
darkness and chaos that had to be Rogue, so afraid to feel it, and
instead found herself latching onto something just as fearful, but much
easier to take because she had felt it before.

Memories and chaos and pain and doctors and knives and screaming and
panic-

Her eyes flew open as she slid out of the chair, her mind splintering
with pain as she bit her lip and her hands flew upwards, pulling the
metal spiderlike piece off of her head and flinging away from her with
disgust.

But her mind retained the information, and she was thankful, so
thankful, for just a moment, that she had escaped Rogue's mind, escaped
the darkness, and at the same time she was so disappointed-

She took a breath, steadying her mind and stood, her form shaky as she
walked toward the door where she knew they would be waiting.

Her hand pulled it open, her eyes caught the men and women waiting, and
immediately her eyes found the red lenses of her husband, his face
tight and drawn and incredibly scared.

She didn't blame him one bit.

But her tired face had a faint smile, as she gave the group what she
hoped was their first piece of good news.

"I found Logan... and he has Marie with him."  Sighs of relief were
heard all around, as she continued.  "They're holed up in a cabin on
the other side of the ice box. But from the looks of Logan's mind...
she's in bad shape."

Charles pursed his lips, but that was all the emotion he would allow,
as the smiles on the faces of the other's faltered slightly.

"And... Storm?" Remy's voice drifted above the others, as he pushed his
way through the group, his face hopeful, sad, hand holding onto his
injured left shoulder as he swallowed.

Jean felt her heart constrict slightly. "She's... not with them."
Remy's eyes cast downward as she took another deep breath and turned to
Scott. "We don't have much time."

"Right." The tone was slightly hoarse, but his face betrayed none of
the emotion she knew must have been rampant in his eyes as he turned,
immediately pointing out the team members assigned to the jet.
"Jubilee, Bobby, let's go."

"I'm going too." Remy's face was resolute, and when Scott was about to
disagree, Charles nodded slightly.

"Scott, let him come," Jean said, her eyes on Charles', who moved
slightly and then turned in his wheelchair, moving into the room she
had just come out of.

She saw the way the left hand trembled, the way his head leaned forward
slightly.

Her chest rose and fell once, and she closed her eyes, took a breath,
and turned back to the group.

"Let's go."

~*~

When he was a child his father called him a weakling, a young splinter
of a child who would amount to nothing...

A man with no destiny.

Rubbish.

Augustus felt the splinter of pain invade his consciousness again and
he took a deep breath, hands gripping the side of his chair as he
focused his energy, used all his years of study that still did not
prepare for the invasion, for the strong, powerful, completely
independent personality that carried so many conflicting minds with it.


How had she borne it?

And yet... it was so incredibly amusing and astonishing: every single
entity she had managed to mold together, to shift and make her own,
each building up to the piece of the puzzle that was Rogue.

With each mind she had learned to control: the strength that came from
Logan, the wisdom that came from Magneto, the heart that came from
Marie, Rogue had become more and more the person her destiny had
alluded to.

A destiny that he had been so sure of. A destiny that should have been
sacrificed and given to him.

So why was she still fighting? And why was he allowing her to fight
him, instead of taking the mind that should have so completely belonged
to him?

He could feel her drumming through his veins, whispering in his
thoughts, whispering things that she should not have been whispering to
him, making him want things that were not supposed to be wanted.

He had wanted the mind, not the women. The game had been a cerebral
game, and the seduction was merely a tantalizing side note.

But her eyes glimmered to him and her body shifted under his in his
dreams, her lips swollen from the kisses he had yet to give her, and
her hips arching as she drifted toward an orgasm he had never given
her.

And he hated Logan - the man they called Wolverine - with an intense...
unabiding passion. Hated him as much as Marie wanted him, as Rogue
needed him.

He wanted her mind... he wasn't supposed to want the body too... the
body was inconsequential... it had been her powers that were his
destiny...

Not her.

Never her.

But her warmth washed over him and he closed his eyes, breathing in
steadily as her memories flashed through his mind, as her life flashed
over him as he saw herself through his eyes, in his body, and it filled
him with a pulsating need... with a twisted desire to possess her
mind... body... and soul.

And the body was currently being held by the man who he most despised,
a man with a gift he had never wanted or needed, took for granted, a
man who might as well have been called animal.

A man that owned Marie body and soul... a man who Augustus would have
barely looked at-

Had Marie not been Rogue's heart.

And he wanted Rogue.

He wanted Rogue badly.

His chest rose and fell and his body arched as another wave of Rogue
induced nausea flit through him, feeding him, making him feel alive.

He shouldn't have cared what happened to the body when he had the mind.

Perhaps the problem was that the mind was totally not his... perhaps he
needed the body to complete the mind.

Yes... that was the solution, that was the reason why he longed to feel
the body under his... feel the mind rushing through him into the
body... feel an intimacy that had eluded him for a lifetime.

It was nothing else.

It could be nothing else.

~*~

The violet eyes were never more vibrant as she regarded him, and Logan
had never felt so aware of the fear gnawing away at his heart as he did
the moment he realized there was no fear in Rogue's eyes.

Her body would convulse slightly, but her eyes were aware and every
minute it seemed she was getting stronger, at times never even looking
at him and other times staring at him as if there was no one else who
existed.

"Logan," she began, her hand sliding to her shoulder as she slid his
jacket off of her shoulders.

"Marie- no. You need that-"

"Who the hell is Marie?" she asked frankly, her eyes riveted around the
room. "This doesn't belong to me. This isn't mine." Her eyes clouded in
confusion and suddenly her mouth smirked in mirth and she raised an
eyebrow in amusement. "Did ya break in, Logan?"

The twinge of Southern in her voice made his heart beat slightly, and
he could only force himself to swallow and come forward, wrapping the
jacket around her once more.

"You'll catch cold," he said gruffly. "Last thing we need is you
getting sick before we get you better."

"Better?" she repeated, her voice smooth as molasses as she slid her
hands up the leather of his uniformed torso. "I am better, Logan. I
can... she can... FEEL YOU."

Her mouth was suddenly on his throat and he felt his eyes close as he
let out an uncontrolled groan, grabbing her arms, and pushing her away
before he could be sucked into the same trap as before.

"Marie- get a HOLD of yourself. I know you can."

Her eyes blinked and she once again looked steadily into his eyes,
trying to get her bearings as her head sunk down against his shoulder.

"You're my heart, Logan," he heard her muffled whisper. "Hold me,
Logan. You're my heart."

His beating organ shuddered at the words and his eyes glistened as he
fought the urge to panic.

He couldn't leave her alone...

But he couldn't just stay here... Rogue needed help... Marie needed
help.

She shivered, and suddenly her eyes were so clear as she looked at him,
a faint, scared smile on her lips.

"Logan this is ... it's never been like this... he's... the others...
they never tried... he's eating me inside out."

His eyes drifted closed and he swallowed, pulling her closer to him,
holding her tight.

She swallowed, her voice shaky, her eyes wide open as she continued,
"I'll be okay... I can do what I did with the others... I can... Logan
I'm afraid to absorb him."

"Just do to him what you did to the others, Rogue."

Her mouth quirked into a smirk. "That's not an option."

The chill than ran through him was quickly followed by a startled growl
when the door suddenly pounded.

"Logan!"

His eyes narrowed, and he gently pulled Marie to the side, covering her
with the jacket. "Stay here," he whispered. When she nodded shakily, he
gave her a quick brush of his lips against her forehead, before turning
toward the door, the claws extending as he crouched in front of her.

"LOGAN!" The door pounded again, and suddenly a red blast melted the
lock and four black clad individuals burst into the room, led by
Cyclops, his hand raised to his visor.

Logan froze, his heart forgetting to beat for just a second, as his
eyes descended on his teammates.

"Logan," Jean said against desperately, coming forward, hands on his
forearms as she looked at him, then behind him to the scared figure
shivering. "Are you-"

His heart jolted with relief, and it was quickly replaced with anger as
he grabbed her, the blades sliding in as she jumped in his grasp. "What
the hell took you so long?"

Jean cocked an eyebrow, gave him a sad frown, and he swallowed, shaking
his head as he let her go.

Remy was already at Rogue's side, his dark eyes vibrant with moisture
as he took a breath, reaching out to her with one gloved hand.

"Don't touch her!" Logan growled, stepping away from Jean and back to
Rogue's side.

Remy gave him a puzzled look and Scott was immediately going to speak
when he continued hastily, "she's fighting. She's lost the touch but I
don't know how long-"

"It'll last." Rogue's voice broke through Logan's even, tense tone, and
her hands gripped Remy's, letting her pull him up. "Gambit," she
breathed, and her head cocked and she smiled a devilish smile that
didn't belong to her.

She turned to look at Scott and the leader sucked in his breath, taking
a step back in surprise.  "Her eyes."

"They're violet," Jean whispered, coming forward, her dark eyes
narrowing in concentration as Rogue turned, her head swiveling to meet
her gaze head on.  Jean laid a gentle hand on her naked shoulder, and
at the contact, Rogue looked down.

"Jean?"

"Hello, Rogue."

"Hi, Jean," she said, and her hand came up and entangled their fingers.


Logan watched, hands in fists at his sides as Rogue lifted Jean's
gloved hand, pressing a gentle kiss to the palm.  Eyes were riveted on
the scene as her face leaned forward and she whispered in Jean's ear.

No one was close enough to hear, but everyone saw Jean's face go white
and how she immediately let go of Rogue's hand, running into Scott's
chest on the way back and blindly reaching for his fingers.

Logan gritted his teeth, pulling Rogue away from Remy and scooped her
up against his chest. "Told you not the touch her, Jean," he answered
gruffly, moving past her. "She's fighting the bastard in her head."

Scott's head jerked to watch Logan and Remy go out the door, and then
turned to Jean, hands cradling her head tenderly. "You okay? What did
she say?"

Jean seemed shaken, but she only took in a breath, gave her husband a
tight smile and shrugged slightly. "Nothing important."

"Jean."

"Come on," she interrupted, pulling him outside the small, freezing
cabin, head ringing and body trembling from the words that had been
whispered into her thoughts, in Rogue's lilting tongue.

*Had to look for him instead of me, didn't you? Afraid of the darkness
Jean? Coward.*

~*~

=====
Melissa Flores aka Misty
~*~*~
http://www.wolverineandrogue.com/mistiec

You all know that I am a pacifist. So I am not interested in war in any way. But
you know what? When the revolution comes, I will have to destroy you all. Not
you Joey.
~Phoebe, The One with the Ride Along

__________________________________________________
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Title: I'm Home
Series: 4/?
Author:  Melissa Richardson
Email: Ritz1503@...
Rating: NC-17 for sexual situation
Disclaimer: Don't own them. Just really love Logan and Marie
Feedback: Please...But be kind it is my first story.
Summary: Logan comes home. Simple.
Comment: Thanks to Autumn. Who is a wonderful beta reader and a great
writer
** thoughts...<> Marie communicating...<<>> Professor
communicating...<<<>>> Scott communicating
I'm Home

	 Weeks went by with Logan spending as much time with Marie as
possible. However, there where times  when he could tell that she
needed some space and he would go for a ride on the motorcycle or
suggest that maybe she should go out with her friends. He didn't want
her to feel that she had to spend all her time with him, no matter how
much he might want to be with her.
	 For Marie life was like living on the edge of a knife, she
never knew weather or not she was going to fall and get cut, badly.
Spending time with Logan was heaven. He took her out riding on the
motorcycle. They sat and watched hockey games on the television and
playfully bickered over a play made in the game. But there where
moments when he would looked at her in a certain way and she would get
hot and cold flashes of desire. On top of that Jean made her life
miserable by making sexual advances at Logan, then she would walk
around smirking at Marie. For the most part it seemed like Logan
ignored Jean which Marie was thankful for. But she still had a fear
that he would get tired of her company and turn to the other women for
more interesting companionship.
	 It was one of those days where Logan felt restless. The
tension being so thick he could probably cut it with one of his claws.
Coming to a decision, he packed his duffelbag with some clothes.
Maybe, a couple days away from the x-geeks would ease some of the
stress. Pausing in the hall he wondered if Marie would like to come
with him. After all, she really enjoyed the long rides he took her
on.*Yeah, that sounds like a good plan. Ask Marie out. Maybe, get a
little lovin'. Okay, down boy. First things first.* Logan walked to
Marie's room which was at the end of the hall. The door was partly
open and he could Marie and Jubilee talking.
"Girl, you have got to tell him."
"What do I say, Jubes?"
"Just tell him. He'll understand."
"Oh, yeah. Tell the man I love that I can touch him but haven't cause
I feel insecure?"
"Well,yeah."
	 Logan was hurt. He'd been back for a month and Marie didn't
even tell him that she could touch. Hurt gave away to anger, at which
point Logan pushed the door open to give Marie a piece of his mind.
But the hurt and anger dissolved the second that he caught sight of
her. The outfit she had worn the night of the Halloween party had been
sexy, but the dark blue halter dress that she wore now but it to
shame. The thin straps showed off more of her shoulders. Cleavage
peeked out of the neck line tempting all that saw it.
She had a small waist which the dress clung to, at her hips the
material flared a little till fall just above her knees. That left
lots of creamy legs exposed, which ended with little sandals that
graced her dainty feet. Logan's mouth watered at the sight before him.
For several more minutes he continued looking at her before he was
snapped back to reality by Jubilee whispering something to Marie.
	 Looking to Jubilee he barked an order. "Get out. Now"
"Sure" Is all Jubilee got out as she ran out of the room. *Did I hear
him growl before he closed the door?* She thought. Deciding that it
was best to leave Marie to handle the Wolverine she left for the rec
room to watch television.
	 Back in Maries' room. Logan was keeping his animal instincts
in check or at least was trying. But the sight before him was making
it damn near impossible.
"I wanted to tell you, even tried the night you got back but Jean
kinda interrupted and it seemed like ever time I went to tell you she
was there throwing herself at you and.....Logan ain't you going to say
something?"
"No, I'm going to do something." He said with a growl.
	 Logan closed the distance between them and slowly pulled her
into his arms. Gently he caressed her bottom lip with his thump. He
watched as her eyes closed in pleasure at the feel of him touching
her. Not being able to control himself any longer he surrendered to
the urge to kiss her. Tenderly he brushed her lips with his, then not
content with that he coaxed her to open her mouth. With his tongue
Logan gently yet ruthlessly explored her mouth. Hearing her moan
turned him on to no end and with a snarl he lost all control. All
thoughts of being gentle left his mind as he ripped the straps of the
dress off Marie's shoulders. Hands molded to her breasts, caressing
nipples that begged for his touch.
"Does that feel good, Baby." Logan asked looking into Maries' eyes.
"Yes." She whispered not being able to think because of the pleasure
coursing through her body.
	 Marie couldn't believe what Logan was doing to her. Never did
she  imagine that he would want to kiss her like that.  She was
shocked when he pulled her dress down to expose her breast but the
pleasure at feeling him caressing her was the best feeling ever. Or so
she thought. Next thing she knew Logan was laying her down on the bed.
She felt his lips travel from her neck to breast.
	 Logan was in heaven, never had anyone tasted so good. Slowly
he explored the sensitive area by her ear. Sucking the skin there
gently, he was pleased to hear her moaning. This encouraged him to
move down her neck, licking as he went further and further down her
body. Finally, he reached her breast.
"Marie, look at me, darling. I want you to see what I'm going to do to
you."  He watched her face as she watched him lick her left nipple
than take it into his mouth and suck on it
  gently. He was satisfied with seeing her eyes roll back in her head
from the pleasure. *Yes, darling. That's it. Enjoy what I'm doing.
God, Baby you are so beautiful.*
"Logan, Please."
"Please, what, darling?" He asked with a smile.
"You've got to stop."
"Stop? I'm just getting started."
Marie looked at him. She knew she had to stop him. He was moving way
to fast.
"Please, Logan.. I want you, I really do but it's just too fast."
Marie said closing her eyes fearing that he would get mad.
	 Sighing. Logan reluctantly stopped. Sitting up on the edge of
the bed he realized that he had lost control and might have even
scared her.
"I'm sorry, Marie.I really didn't plan this. I came here to ask you to
go away with me for a few days." Logan said not being able to look at
her for fear of losing what control he had managed to get back.
"Where are you going?" Marie questioned pulling her dress up as not to
temp Logan into a repeat of what just happened.
"To tell you truth I hadn't really planned that either. Just wanted to
leave for while."
	 Knowing that her answer was very important to Logan, she moved
to sit on his lap. Taking his face in her hands she gently kissed his
lips. "I would love to go with Logan, that is if you are not mad for
me stopping you?"
"God, Marie. I'm not mad. I know I lost control but....damn it,
darling. You're so beautiful." Logan kissed her. Almost losing control
again he pulled back but didn't stop himself from hugging her to him.
"Go tell the Professor we're leaving while I pack, okay." Marie said
getting up and heading for the closet.
"Okay. I'll see you in a minute." Logan grabbed her for one more kiss
before getting his bag and leaving for Charles' office. He couldn't be
happier with the way things where going. Now all he had to do was get
out before Jean ambushed him.
	 Marie was excited, for two reasons . One she knew now that
Logan did want her and two because she was leaving with him to go on a
trip. She was so involved in packing she didn't hear Jean enter her
room.
	 Jean had noticed Logan coming out of Rogue's room and was
furious. She also noticed how turned on he was and it only made her
madder know that he was giving his attention to the younger women.
Jean had to put a stop to it. She walked to the door only to be meet
with a surprise, Rogue in a revealing dress with no bodystocking.
"Trying to kill someone?" She asked in a pissed of voice.
	 Marie just smiled and didn't say anything. She knew Jean would
be mad when she found out that Rogue could touch, it took away her
chance of being with Logan. Only the Professor, Dr.MacCoy Jubilee and
Kitty were aware of the fact. Rogue trusted few people with her secret
because it was taking a lot of time for her to get use to controlling
her "gift".
"Well?" Jean asked wanting to know what the girl was planning .
"Jean, I'll just tell you the truth. I've been able to touch people
without hurting for awhile but was taking it slow so I could control
it better."
"And who knew about this?" Jean was really mad now. Looked like thing
couldn't get any worse..
"Its not any of your damn business who knows or not, Jean."  Marie
said packing the last of the things she wanted to take with her.
"So, where are you going?" Jean asked noticing for the first time that
Rogue was packing a duffelbag with clothes and things.
"Don't know, Logan didn't have any idea where he wanted to take me. He
just wants to leave."
"WHAT!!!" Could be heard through the mansion. Professor  Xavier looked
at Logan with a smile as he handed him a map and a credit card with
Logans' name on it.
"Looks like Jean just found out the good news. Have a good time at the
cabin. Oh and Logan be gentle." Professor said before taking a sip of
his tea.
"Sure. See ya, Chuck." Logan replied leaving the office and heading
back down the hall towards Marie's room. He could hear insults being
thrown back and forth between the two women. He entered the room
carefully.
"Baby, you ready to go?" He asked knowing that saying something like
that would piss off Jean even more.
"Yes, sugar. Just letme get my bags." Marie replied turning around for
her duffelbag and small makeup case. She wasn't paying Jean any
attention or she would have seen the women coming towards her.
Fortunately, Logan did and grabbed the angry women before she could do
anything to Rogue.
"Let me go you bastard!" Jean hollered at Logan.
"Stay away from her Jean." Logan warned.
 	 Lossing control of her anger the red headed women used her
powers and found as many sharp objects as possible and threw them at
Logan. In seconds Logan's body was impaled by pencils, pens to his
legs, and a envelope opener to the heart. Slowly he slid down the
doorway to the floor.
"You bitch." Marie screamed. Before Jean knew what was happening Rogue
leaped forward and punched her not once but twice in the nose,
breaking it completely. Once she did that she ran to Logan.
"Hold on, please..... Logan." Marie begged the fallen man.
<Professor>She screamed in her mind.
<<Marie, Child what is it?>>
<Jean has hurt Logan. I need help.>
<<Hank, is no his way. Stay calm.>>
<You might to want Scott to come help. I broke Jeans' nose.>
	 It was only minute for the blue furry doctor to get to Maries'
room but it seem like forever to her. She remained calm, talking to a
unconscious and bleeding Logan.
"Well, I'll have to move him to medlad to remove the objects." Hank
said observing the many things sticking out of Logan. Gently he picked
up the older looking man. Hank was the only one strong enough to
actually pick up the metal laced man. Plus, Logan only trusted Hank as
a physician now that Jean was playing the jealous lover routine.
	 Scott arrived only seconds after Hank to find his wife's' nose
broken, an impaled and bleeding Logan and a crying but furious Rogue.
He stood at the door not knowing what was going on and what to do. He
looked to his wife, who was bleeding from the nose and then to Hanks'
arms at a bleeding Logan.
"Get your ass out of the way, Scooter." Marie said pushing him out of
the way with her bare hands. *Bare hands?*
<<Scott, I'm sorry about Jean. Rogue wanted to on one  to know that
she could touch till she was sure that she could control it.>>
<<<What the hell happened here?>>>
<<Jean got jealous, I would image and attacked Logan.>>
<<<Why?>>>
<<You'll have to ask her. I will meet you in medlad shortly.>>

Um... Is anyone still reading this story?  If I'm just filling your
mailboxes with unwanted garbage, I can stop sending to this list.
Don't wanna be a bother.


For disclaimer, etc., see part one.

Author's Note:  Finally, we get to the "price" I was referring to in
the title of this fic.  I can't believe it took that long to get
around to it.

*****

I didn't wake up slowly or gradually.  I went from complete
nothingness to a world of sensation in the space of a second.

Marie.  I had been touching her and then I'd blacked out.  I must
still be in the Med Lab recoverin'.  I sniffed at the air
experimentally and the medicinal, air-conditioned smell confirmed my
suspicions.  I could also pick up a touch of Marie and Jean, but it
smelled like they hadn't been around in days.  That couldn't be right.

Pain tinged my senses, throbbing dully in my joints, and when I
squinted my eyes open and turned to look at my surroundings, it
blossomed into stabbing clarity in my throat.

There was something there.  I could feel it pulling on my skin and
pushing into my throat.  I reached up a clumsy hand and grasped it, a
plastic, ribbed tube.  I tugged on it experimentally, but it was
secured well and the torture produced by that small movement made it
clear I couldn't remove it that way.   I wasn't about to leave it
there, though.  I'd just use my claws to free myself from the tether
and then go find Jeanie to take the rest out.

Pain shot like fire up my right arm and through my body when I
unsheathed my claws.  They'd always hurt when they came out, but this
was mind-numbing agony.  It felt like the flesh from my knuckles to
my elbow was ripped wide open.  I tried to scream, but no sound came
out.

A calming hand came out of nowhere and rested on my forehead.  I
looked up and Jean's face swam in my vision.  I didn't know anyone
was in the room with me.  Even now, although I could see and feel
her, I still couldn't smell her that well.  It almost felt like she
wasn't really there.

"Logan," Jean said with a calm but firm voice, "put them back in and
release your oxygen tube, ok?  You're in the Med Lab.  You're safe.
Do you understand?"

I did what she said, pulling my claws back in with a wet, sucking
sound.  The pain flashed through me again, taking my breath away.  My
arm throbbed angrily in beat with my heart and the burning wasn't
going away.  Instead, the new sensation of sticky liquid on my
fingers added to my discomfort.

Jean swore and picked up my arm.  Argh!  It felt like her fingers
were blades and every place she touched, a new torment was born.

'Stop it!  Stop it!  No!' I screamed in my mind since I couldn't get
anything out of my mouth.

She gasped and dropped my arm back down to my side.

"I'm sorry, Logan, but you're bleeding," she said, looking down at me
apologetically.  "I'll inject some morphine and then get you stitched
up, ok?"

Anything to stop the pain was fine with me.  I tried to nod, but
didn't get very far before the tube got in the way.  Sweat was
dripping down my face and my heart was pounding as I tried to catch
my breath.  I could feel the cool oxygen tickling as it entered my
throat and it felt odd to say the least to breathe without actually
passing air through my mouth or nose.

I heard Jean's heels clicking around on the metallic floor and then,
the shifting of cloth down by my legs.  I angled my head down as far
as it would go, and there sat a rumpled Marie just opening her eyes.

"Logan?  You're awake!"

She looked all right, healthy.  It must've worked.

"Jean," Marie said, looking up past my body.  "I can smell the pain
on him.  Can't you do something?"

"Right now, Rogue," Jean said, returning to my side with a needle.

Marie can *smell* my pain?  That's strange 'cause I can barely even
smell her presence.  I saw Jean inject the medication into the IV
tubing at my left and pretty soon, the sharp torment of my arm faded
away to a dull throbbing.

Jean laid out her instruments and used another needle to inject more
medication at different points along my arm.  Soon I felt a pins and
needles, tingling sensation and the throbbing pain disappeared.

"Can you feel this?" Jean asked as she moved my arm, lying it down on
a sterile table to fix it.

I could feel the movement but no pain was associated with it.  It was
like my arm was separate from my body.  Jean seemed to sense this and
she started stitching on my hand.  I didn't know why she thought the
little stitches would help that much when my entire arm had been torn
through, but she was the doc, and I didn't have much experience with
this whole not-healing thing.

On the opposite side from Jean, Marie started telling me about
everything that had happened in the eleven days I'd been out.  Eleven
days!  That number'd thrown me for a loop.  Last month when I'd
touched Marie after Magneto'd tried to kill her, it'd taken a little
more than three days to wake up.  I wondered just how much of my
healing factor she'd taken this time and if any more of my powers
would come back.

She told me all about that weird bitch that had attacked her in the
first place.  She said that her name was Venom and that she'd been
living in the mansion all this time but keeping to herself.  Marie
thought she'd gone loopy from the isolation and I believed her.
Anyone who thought they could get away with hurting my Marie was
insane.  I just wish I'd caused more damage when I had the chance.
Of course, I was more concerned with Marie at the time.

Marie said that this Venom gal was under the Professor's lock and key
and that he was trying to find some sort of psychiatrist for her.  I
didn't give a rat's ass what happened to her as long as she stayed
away from us.  If I never saw her again, I'd be happy.

-----

Two days after I'd woken up, Jean was ready to take out the trachy-
what's-it so I didn't haveta have a damn tube in my throat anymore.
Three days after that, I was off the oxygen and ready to leave the
Med Lab.  Not that I was completely healed.  My arm was still black
and blue and my hand was still bandaged, but Jean didn't have any
reason why I couldn't go back to my room.  Well, she did, but I
wasn't listening.

"Logan, you've developed a low-grade fever.  I just want to rule out
infection."

"I'm going, Jeanie," I rasped.  My throat was still far from peak and
it'd take a while before my voice returned to normal.  Still, I
wasn't spending one more second in this confining lab.

"Ok, if you insist, but I'd like to check up on you every day.  I
want to make sure you keep healing."

"Whatever," I said pulling on my T-shirt.  "Just let me go."

All I wanted to do was get back to my room, open the window, and go
to sleep.  I couldn't wait to smell something other than disinfectant
laced with alcohol, and I wanted to stretch out on a real bed.  Sure,
I wished that I felt good enough to go outside and take a run, but I
just felt totally run down.

You know, before I'd lost almost all of my powers to Marie, I had no
idea how tiring pain could be.  Even when you're taking medication,
it wears on you, pulling the strength right out of your body.  Not
that I had any regrets.  If it was between Marie dying and me putting
up with being sore, I'd pick sore every time.

Marie doesn't quite see it that way.  She's mad as hell that I
touched her and gave her so much of my powers.  I think she still
sees me as kind of her protector.  Even when I touched her before, I
was perfectly fine once I woke up.  I don't think she's ready to see
me taking so long to heal.

I'm still not used to the idea, myself.  I won't be able to pop my
claws ever again without hurting myself real bad.  Without them, what
kind of use am I here?  I'm not a teacher, I can't fight good
anymore, and I sure don't want to live off of Chuck's charity.  Maybe
after I get healed up, I should leave and try to figure out what
kinda job I could do.  Marie'd probably hate me leaving again, but I
gotta find something I'm good at besides fightin'.  A man's gotta
pull his own weight.

Speaking of which, I was struggling to pull my weight up the stairs
to my room.  The elevator to the lower levels stops at the ground
floor, and I didn't feel like walking all the way down the hall to
the one that serves the living quarters when my room's on this end,
close to the stairs.

By the time I reached the top, I was huffing and puffing, truly glad
that I'd decided to come up here during class time so I didn't have
an audience.  I stopped for a bit to catch my breath, then I shuffled
to my bedroom.  My joints ached and I felt a little dizzy.  I really
needed to get some sleep.

-----

"Logan?" Marie's voice broke through my consciousness.  "You awake,
sugah?"

"Yeah," I grunted rolling over and sitting up in my darkened room.
Whoa, that was a mistake.  My head feels like there's a tight metal
band around it, pressing into my temples, and sitting up that quick
just made the pain worse.

"You didn't come down for dinner, so I brought some up to you," she
said, and I could see her figure hold out a tray towards me,
silhouetted in the hall lights.

"Must've slept through it," I answered, flicking on the lamp next to
my bed.

Damn, that light just made my headache start to pound.  Marie walked
over and set down on my nightstand a plate containing a bloody, T-
bone steak and baked potato and a bottle of Molson.  This was usually
my favorite meal, but now my stomach did flip flops at the smell of
the dead flesh.

"You know, Marie.  Thanks for this and all, but I'm just not hungry."

Her brows furrowed in confusion, drawing that cute line in the middle
of her forehead I only see when she's thinking real hard.

"Are you sure?  It's only been kissed by flame, just like you like
it."

"Yeah, I'm sure.  I think I'd just like to go back to sleep."

"Logan, what's wrong?" Marie asked and I could hear the concern in
her voice.  "You hardly ever sleep during the day, and you never turn
down food."  She knew me too well.  That's what I get for letting her
absorb all my memories.  "I'll get Jean.  This doesn't feel right."

"No, darlin', don't bother Jean.  I'm fine, really.  I'm just not
healing as quick as I used to.  It's gonna take a while before I'm
back to a hundred percent."

Her face fell and I could see sadness fill her eyes.  "I'm sorry
about that.  If I could give you back your powers, I would."

"Now don't you go blaming yourself.  I knew what I was risking.  Jean
talked to both of us about your power before this even happened.  I
chose to touch ya, and I don't regret it, so don't you regret it
either.  I'm glad you're healthy and safe, and if a little pain is
the price I haveta pay for that, I'm more'n willin'."

*****

TBC.

Touch Series 1: Logans' Betrayal
Author: Melissa Richardson
E-mail: Ritz1503@...
Rating: R slightly sexual situation
Summary: Logan betrays his love for Rogue with someone else.
Disclaimer: Don't own X-men characters.
Comments: Thanks to Autumn for beta reading this long story.
** personal thought...<> Logan communicating....<<>> Professor
communicating.
++..Magneto communicating...++ ++ Mystquie communicating

Chapter 1: The Touch of Betrayal

	 Touch. A simple thing that everyone takes for granted. From
the moment we are born we crave touch, weather it be from a loving
mother to her child or a tender caress from a lover. For one man,
touch was a violent one. He spent many years using violence to touch,
fighting for money in bars.
	 For one women touch can mean death. Oh, not to her but the one
doing the touching. See, it's part of her mutation. Which to her is
more like a curse than a gift. She craves touch just as much as
anyone, but few people are willing to reach out for her. That is, till
he came back into her life after being gone for the most part of four
years. Now, he gives her the touch that she craves. He caresses her
cheek through thin leather gloves. Early morning hugs that they both
enjoy and  he whispers to her of how much he missed her through the
lonely nights.
	 But the caresses are not just for her, because you see he
likes her touch as well. He likes it when they can sit outside in the
warm sun, her sitting on the bench behind him and him on the ground
between her spread knees. Sometimes she would rub his shoulders to
relieve tension from a stressful mornings workout or other times he
would enjoy the feel of her satin fingers running through his hair. He
really gets a kick out of draping one of her legs over his shoulder so
he can find the ticklish spot behind her knee. He gives her all the
touch he can without rushing her into the more intimate touches that
two people can share. That's something he wants to give her but feels
that she's not ready for.
   ****************************************************************
	 Rogue is happy, very happy thanks to the long hard work of her
and Professor Xavier she finally learned how to control her mutation.
She can touch livings things and people without hurting them. She
couldn't wait to touch Logan without her gloves. To feel how silky his
hair is or how rough the skin on his hands is. To finally feel the
touch of the man she loves. Walking through the halls of the huge
mansion she searched for him.
"Storm, have you seen Logan?" She asked the white haired woman.
"I think I saw him outside talking to Jean." Storm answers.
	 Storm was checking the pile of luggage sitting next the front
door.
Her and some of the other women of the mansion had planned a trip to a
private island. They would most likely stay there the summer, enjoying
the local activities and the white beaches with their crystal clear
blue waters.
"Thanks, and if I don't see you before you leave. Have a good time.
Okay"
"I wish you where coming, Rogue."
"I know but I can't seem to talk Logan into going."
"You don't need to have Logan go with you everywhere. Wouldn't it be
nice just to have us girls go.?"
"You going to call Scott a girl? Rogue asked with a laugh.
"No, but he does enjoy the beach so much more than anyone here."
"True, anyway. Have a good time." She waved at Storm and headed for
the door that lead the to porch.
	  What she found made her happiness dissolve. They  where
talking all right but not with words. Jean was leaning against a tree,
Logan was pressing into her. Rogue couldn't see his face because Jean
had her hand his hair and was pulling him to her. One leg was wrapped
around his hip holding him to her. Logan's arms where braced on either
side of Jeans head. Jean looked happy, very happy. At that moment
Rogues' heart broke into a thousand piece. Silently as not to alert
Logan, she slipped back to the mansion.
"Rogue, I wish you where coming, girl." Jubilee said as she exited the
room next to Rogues'. "You need some serious sun."
	 Rogue turn to look at Jubilee and burst into tears. Not
knowing what else to do she told her best friend about what she found
in the backyard.
"That asshole." Jubilee hissed. "Girl, you are not staying here. Come
on, I'll help you pack. You'll have so much fun with us that you'll
forget about old Wolvie."
	  Jubilee helped Rogue pack the things she would need for the
trip. Walking down the hall they talked about getting the sexiest
bikini they could buy for Rogue once they reached the Island.
"I have to stop at Logan room, Jubilee." She said.
"Why, would you want to do that?"
"I've got to return something." She said waving the tags as she opened
the door to his room. She took one last look at Logan private
sanctuary. Picking up a flannel shirt that was carelessly thrown
across the neatly made up bed, she inhaled his scent for one last
time. With tears gently sliding down her face she removed the tags and
placed a kiss upon them. Reaching into her back pocket she removed the
gloves she had wore that day and laid them down with the tags. She
whispered a good-bye and silently closed the door as she left.
"Now, what?" Jubilee asked getting freaked at how calm Rogue was
acting.
"I guess I should see the Professor before we leave." Rogue tried to
smile but found it impossible. They walked down the hall in silence.
Storm asked for Jubilee's help with packing the luggage into the van,
leaving Rogue to enter the office alone. Scott was standing next to
the desk talking to the Professor about the trip.
"Rogue?" Scott looked at her questioningly.
"Rogue, child what is wrong?" The Professor questioned "Please, tell
me."
	 Tears again flowed down her face. Rushing forward and falling
to her feet in front of him she laid her head in his lap.
"Please, see it." She whispered through tears.
	 Placing a hand on Rogue's head the Professor closed his eyes
to concentrate on what was troubling her. Flashes of Jean and Logan
burst through and Rogues' pains came with it. Looking down at Rogue he
caressed the top of her head trying to soothe her.
"Do not worry child. I will stop them so that you can have time to
leave."  Looking up with anger in his eyes and stern voice he
turned to Scoot.
"Scott, it's time to leave and Rogue has decide to go with you and the
girls."
"Yes, sir." Scott wanted to know what was going on but knew it was
unwise to question anyone at this time.
	 Concentrating on the two images in his mind, Professor Xavier
froze them from moving anywhere. Giving Scott and the girls enough
time to leave for the private jet a the airport that would take them
to their summer hideout. When released an angry Wolverine stomped into
The Professor office with a happy Jean following.
"What the hell did you do to me, Wheels?"
"Sit down, both you of you!!" The strain in his voice pushed both of
them to their seats.
"She wanted to surprise you today, Logan. You see Rogue learned today
after years of hard work to control her gift."
"So she can touch?"
"Yes, but instead of touching you. She found you touching Jean."
"Professor, it ain't what it seemed." Logan said.
"What was it then, Logan. Tell me?" Professor asked wheeling towards
him. "All I see is Rogues images of you two together, locked in a
lovers embrace."
	 Logan turned pale at the thought that his Marie saw them
together. Jean smiled coyly, thinking she finally got what she wanted,
Logan.
"I....I...Shit. Just see it. You'll know better." Logan said sliding
towards the edge of his seat so that the Professor could reach him.
Laying a hand on top of Logan's head, he did the same for him as he
did for Rogue. Except these image where different. He heard Jeans and
Logans voices along with their actions.

<"No, Jean, you're Scooter's. I don't wanna touch you, it'd piss Marie
off.
Logan tried pulling away. But Jean warped a leg around his hip so he
couldn't move.
"Come on, Logan. She and Scott will never know. Just one time. I'll
make it good for you. Besides, what can Rogue give you? She can't
touch you like I can. Don't you want to feel skin on skin. Don't you
want to have sex with someone you can taste and touch?"
"I can touch her just fine, Jean. There are ways of touching, without
actually touching."
"Oh, nice speech but I know a man like you, Logan. She has this big
crush on you and you feel all protective over her. That's sweet. But
you need sex between sheets and the relaxation that happens after you
come hard."
Jean said this all with her fingers running through Logans hair and
her leg pulling him into her pelvis.
"For a telepath, you're pretty fucking dense. You don't want me,
you're just pissed because no one's ever said no to you before. Get
this through your head. I'd rather look at Marie than fuck you.">

	 And that is how the Professor froze them together so the
others could leave. Releasing his hand from Logans' head and laying
his hand instead on his arm, he patted him gently like a father taking
care of his son.
"I'm sorry, truly sorry. Rogue saw only the worst of this situation
and I acted on it."
"Where is Rogue?"
"She left with Scott and the others on their trip. She told me that if
you where going to have this relationship with Jean that she wanted to
be gone."
	 Logan sat there stunned. *She ran from me just like I've run
from everything.*
<Will she come back?>
<<I don't know. She was in so much pain, Logan.>>
<I love her. I can't lose her now.>
<<Because she can touch?>>
<Like I told Jean. It don't matter. Only she matters to me. Her
happiness, her love.>
<<Go have a beer and try to relax. I'm going to deal with the mess
Jean has  made.>>
	 Logan left the room not even turning back as he heard the
Professor start in on Jeans' behavior. He couldn't believe what was
happening. Jean making a move on him. Jean was not the one he wanted.
But Marie, ah his sweet Marie. Now, there was someone he wanted. He
didn't want the hard and fast fuck up against a wall but the slow
satisfying sweetness of making love. He wanted to worship her body
with his, giving her so much pleasure that she would never leave him.
But she had left and it was his fault. Opening the door to his room he
almost died. Laying on his bed was his tags and the black silk gloves
he had bought her. Bringing them to his face he inhaled their scents.
He smelled metal and the cherry gloss she used to moisten her lips
with, he also smelled vanilla and the pure scent of his Marie. Pain
squeezed his chest like a vise. Breathing became difficult. He could
hear the blood pounding in his head like a bass drum. It was so loud
he didn't hear the door fly open to let the Professor in.
<<Logan!! You must breath slow and deep. That's it. Now I want you to
lay down. Easy. There now, everything will be fine, I'm sure of it.>>
<She gone!!. And its my fault.>
<<Nonsense. Marie just needs a little time. Then you must go to her
and tell what has happened here today. Now sleep, my son. Sleep.>>
	 The Professor voice was the last thing he heard as he slipped
into slumber.
Closing his eyes, Xavier planted a wondrous dream of Logan and Marie
outside in sunlight just like they always are. He hope that this will
at least give the sleeping man a little peace after the stressful day.

Meanwhile....

	 In the private jet somewhere over the ocean Scott watches a
very sad Rogue. He didn't know what had made her decide to go on the
trip but he was sure that it had something to do with Logan and most
likely Jean was involved.
"Hey, Jubes.  Do you have a spare top I can borrow, it's hot wearing
these long sleeves." Rogue asked her friend as she picked at the
burgundy top she chose to wear that day.
"Sure, Chica. Let me get it ." Jubilee jumped up and reached in the
overhead compartment for her duffel bag. She always carries spare
clothes in case of any unplanned accidents.
	 Minutes later Rogue was dressed in a blue top that exposed
some cleavage and belly button. Scott noticed that Logan's tags were
missing from around her neck.
"Rogue, where are the Famous tags at?" Questioned Kitty who was
sitting across from Storm at a small table playing a game of cards.
Everyone looked to see  what Rogue's answer would be.
"Back to the owner." She says not looking at anyone as she casually
pulls her hair into a ponytail.
"Rogue, may I speak to you in private?" Scott says getting up and
extending a hand to help her up. Thus forcing Rogue to either go with
him or make scene.
"Fine."
	 Walking to the back, Scott opened the fridge to fix something
to drink. "Are you thirsty?"
"Tea, please." Rogue replies sitting down at the booth in the small
kitchen area.
"Rogue, tell me what happened today that made you decide to come on
this trip when for weeks we've been trying to get you to go?"
	 Taking a sip of her tea she tried to figure out how to tell
Scoot about Logan and Jean. She didn't want him mad but there seem to
be no other choice  but to tell the truth.
"I went looking for Logan to tell him that I could control my
mutation, but when I found him Jean was wrapped around him looking
really happy.  So I decided that if he was going to be with her that I
didn't want to be around to hear or see them."
"Damn! I knew she was going to do something like this." Scott
exclaimed.
"You knew?" Rogue almost yelled at him.
"Hey, she's been acting really weird lately. All she could talk about
was Logan this and Logan that. Then she wouldn't let me close to
her.... to you know." Scott said blushing at trying to explain their
inmate problems. "You don't seem mad at him?" He went on to ask.
"Mad, no I can't be mad if Logan wants her. Hurt, now that's different
because he acted on that want."
"I'm sorry, Rogue. Is there anything I can do to make it better?"
"No, just you being my friend is enough."
"Let's return to the others so they don't get any ideas."
"Yeah, Jubes and Kitty will start trying to put us together
otherwise."
	 Several hours later they arrive at their vacation island. A
white limousine
is ready to take them to the villa that they would be staying at.
"Tell me again about this person we are staying with?" Rogue asked
peering out of the window.
"He's an old friend of the Professor, they went to college together
and they've worked together on many mutant projects." Storm replied
excitedly hoping that Rogue would enjoy herself even if Logan wasn't
there. "In the past we came here a lot but things have been busy with
all the new kids making it impossible to enjoy our own summer
vacation."
"I can't wait to go shopping. We have to buy Rogue the sexiest bikini
she's ever had." Kitty said eyeing Rogue and her new found freedom.
"Yea, she has a killer body that just needs some sun." Jubilee said
jabbing Rogue playfully in the ribs.
"Ah, here we are." Scott told them. He was thankful to be getting out
of a car that was filled with the hormonal young women.
	 Their host stood on the front steps of the large villa. Andrew
Weston stood well over a foot taller than Scott but was definitely
slimmer. His eyes and hair are black. He is wearing khaki pants and a
red shirt with plain brown loafer completing the picture.
"My friends, it has been so long since I've seen you." He said opening
his arms for a hug from Storm.
"We are so glad that we could come this summer, Andrew. Here let me
introduce you to three of our students. This is Rogue, Kitty and
Jubilee."
"I'm so glad to meet you my dears. I hope that your stay here is an
enjoyable one. Come, let me show you to your rooms I know that you
must be tired from the flight."
	 Andrew lead them through a large entrance hall to an even
larger set of stairs. He was telling them about the villa but Rogue
was way too tired to think, all she wanted to do was lay down.
"My dear, are you all right?" Rogue looked up into Andrew's face.
"Fine, just tired."
"Rogue, has had a trying morning." Explained Scott trying to get
Andrew's attention away from Rogue.
"He will come for you. You know that don't you." Andrew said looking
into Rogue eyes.
"You belong to him just as he belong to you." Rogue gasped at his
words knowing very well who he was talking about.
"Here is your room, my dear." Andrew opened the door to a very large
room. In the center of the room stood a huge canopy bed with fine
white netting draping from the posts, a dark blue satin bedspread and
sheets covered the bed. At the foot of the bed is a divan. A medium
size TV sat on the far wall in front of the bed. Dark blue carpet
covered the floor and there is matching curtains on the windows with
white sheers that let in the light. A dresser is against one wall.
There is a walk in closet with mirrored doors. A balcony is seen from
the west side of the room.. On the east side is arch way leading to a
large bathroom.
"I can't stay here. Its to big. Looks like a couple should stay here."
Rogue complained standing in the middle of the room.
"Oh, a couple will be staying here." Andrew said smiling at her. "Make
yourself comfortable, child. He will be here with you soon enough."
	 Rogue really wanted to argue with the tall man but felt to
tired. She unpacked her luggage and dressed in a  red silk night shirt
that Storm had given her for her twenty-first birthday. Laying down
she closed her eyes and thought of Logan. Wondering if Jean was making
him happy or if he was feeling as lost as she was. Rogue decide that
minute that she wouldn't let thoughts of Logan bring her down any more
this summer. She wanted to have fun, and lots of it. Finally she fall
a sleep thinking of a sexy bikini she would like to buy for the many
trips to the beach.

Chapter 2. Living with Pain

Logan
	 Weeks passed and life for Logan became difficult without
having Marie with him. He no longer wanted to sit in the sun if she
wasn't there to be with him.. Nights seemed even worse because she
wasn't by his side watching TV, now he took to driving for hours
looking for something he could not name, he would finally end up in a
bar drinking till the bar closed. Many times he would find a cage
fight and work out his frustrations  on as many drunk and stupid men
as possible. Mornings found him passed out in his truck, once awake he
would drive himself back to the mansion only  to pass out in bed. He
didn't eat well if he ate at all, for he had lost all appetite for
food. All thoughts were of Marie and their last hours together before
he had made his mistake with Jean. And it was a big mistake that had
cost him the woman he loved.
	 Professor Xavier watched Logan everyday. Watched as he drove
off in the early evenings and watched as he drove back through the
gates late in the morning. He even watched when Logan wasn't there by
way of his cerebro. He saw the tired and lonely eyes and wished for
once that life was not so hard for a man like Logan. Hadn't he
suffered enough, with not really knowing who he was and why the
government chose to place the metal in his body? Xavier noticed him
looking thinner and pale as if he was not eating enough food. *I need
to stop him somehow. He needs to know that everything will be all
right.* Seeing that Logan was again going to leave the mansion, he
decided on a plan of action.
"Logan , would you come to my office, please." Xavier wheeled back
into the office knowing the Logan would follow.
"What's up  Chuck., I'm kinda busy."
"Busy getting the shit beat out of you?" Logan just glared at the
Professor.
"What I do is my busy."
"Take a seat Logan."
"Are you fixing on throwing me out?" Logan asked taking a seat in one
of the leather chairs.
"What gave you that idea, Logan?"
"Just the way you been looking at me lately, like you don't want me
here."
"That look is of  worry not of  wanting you gone from your home."
"What am I doing that worries you?"
"You acting like Rogues' leaving doesn't even bother you."
"Maybe, it doesn't"
"Logan, do you really think that I don't know how you feel?"
Logan looked away from the Professor not sure of what to say.* Why
does he even care. It's  not like I belong here. I'm not  even one of
them.*
<<Logan, everyone needs somewhere to belong. Why not here. you are
cared for, even loved.>>
<Who cares. And I don't see anyone loving me.>
<<I care. Storm cares. And Rogue does love you, she's just hurting
right now.>>
	 Xavier rolled next to Logan's chair. He wanted to comfort him
but knew that would not be possible. Logan had walls built around him
that only one person had ever gotten past and she was chillin out on a
tropical beach on a small private island.
"Come, Logan. Dinner is ready, and I think its time for you to stop
this foolishness of not eating right now."
"How did you know?"
"You look thin, your hair needs trimming. And I swear that is the same
outfit you've worn for the past two days, and I'm psychic remember."
"Guess, I do need to straighten my act out."  Logan said with a smirk.
"I would if you want look half decent when you see Rogue." Replied
Xavier.
"And when do you think that might be?"
"As a matter of fact, I think we'll be leaving this weekend. Scott
said something about a cookout that Andrew is having Saturday night."
	 They entered the dinning room and took their seat. The cook
came out with a platter which held a large steak and a potato that was
stuffed with all of Logans' favorite topping. Logan's mouth watered at
the smell. It had been a while since he had a decent steak.
"Would you like a beer with your dinner, sir?" Asked the cook who was
wary of Logan.
"Sure." Replied Logan as he dug into his food.
	 There was little conversation after the food had appeared.
Xavier noticed that Jean was no where to be seen, but did not bring
this up to Logan fearing that the mood would change at the mention of
  women's name.

Marie
	 Life is great thought Marie as she looked at herself in the
mirror. The white streaks that she had kept for years after the
incident with Magneto were gone and in their place were locks of dark
chestnut just like the rest of her hair. She also had the stylist perm
and style her hair, so now she had large curls instead of the boring
straight lengths that reached the middle of her back.. She now dressed
in daring clothes. Went out dancing and bar hopping with Jubilee and
Kitty. Smiled and laughed as much as possible not letting anyone see
how badly she really missed Logan. Late at night was worse cause that
was when her and Logan would sit on his bed and watch a game or
something. It was pure heaven laying against his chest, feeling the
warmth from his body and listening to him breathe. Sometimes, they
would talk and his voice would get low and husky. Those were the times
that Rogue knew Logan really cared .But that dream vanished the day
she saw them together.  Sighing she turned and put on the bikini.
Jubilee and Kitty would be waiting down stairs.
	 Scott watched Rogue leave her room to join the girls on their
trip to the beach. Almost everyday after lunch Storm, Kitty, and Rogue
would go to the beach. Sometime, they played in the warm water, other
days they would lay on large towels on the sand and gossip and listen
to music from a nearby radio. He knew what she was doing, hiding her
feeling. Walking around in clothes she  wouldn't normally wear. Trying
to act as if she caught Logan wrapped around another women everyday.

Chapter 3 The plan

The cell holding Eric Lensher aka. Magneto
	 Eric watched as the tall women walked into his plastic prison.
"And how are you today, Mr.Lensher?"
"Fine, Doctor. Is it time for my medicine again."
"Yes, these will help you a lot more than the last medicine I gave
you." Said the women with a leering smile and a flash of yellow eyes.
+Are things in readiness?+
++Yes. These pills are stronger so Charles won't even know what's
going on till its to late.++
+And his pet, is she taking care of?+
++Oh, "The Voice" had so much fun with her. The drug he made works
wonders on her and no one even knows.++
+What of the metal man.+
++his little girl left him.++
+Good. I will destroy him and then have her to carry out my plans.
What of the other things we've talked of.+
  ++Going as planned.++
+Good, very good, my dear. You are doing so well even though I'm
locked in here.+
++Anything for you, my love.++
"Well, Doctor if that is all I would like for you to leave now."
"Of course, just have someone call me if the drugs do not work, okay."
"Yes, I will. Thank you."
	 The tall women left. In the main part of the building a guard
stopped her.
"what is it you gave him, anyway?" Asked the guard.
"Medicine for his heart. He has had some anxiety since what happened
at the Statue of Liberty." Replied the women.
"Oh, okay."
"Can I leave now."
"Yes, of course."
"Thank you."
	 The guard didn't see the flash of her yellow eyes nor the evil
grin as she walked out the door. Inside the prison Eric smiled and
hummed a little tune, happy with his future plans. Soon he would be
out and those troublesome x-men would be out of his way.

Alright, after taking the last of my weekend to get things updated, the
XMMFF FAQ ("Faq.txt" in the Files section) on YahooGroups has been updated
to reflcet changes since Kate wrote it, so if you're not already familiar
with the goings-on, cruise over there.  It had been pointed out to me that
yes, the FAQ reflected permission to discuss here, and that was true in the
beginning.... but now, it's not, so the FAQ is now appropriately altered and
agrees with current list admin policy. (and yes, the list description still
says that we permit it, but that part of the list setting is temporarily
blocked, so that'll just have to wait for it's fixing for a bit.)

I hope this will clear up the problem there so we can all move on and enjoy
the stories.



Shaz
XMMFF co-mod

----- Original Message -----
   From: Angelus's Pet

   Hi all;
     First off, I've been reading some great stuff..so a big HURRAH to all of
you.*g*

     Second, I'm working on my first piece..Logan/new girl...will be ready soon

     Third; I'm looking for people interested in playing Baddies or Good guys in
an X-men/Buffy Cossover rpg I'm running...<Really Need Magneto> see the link at
the bottom of the page.


                             Keep up the good works;
                                      Sherri


   Mod/Owner: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SlayerX-Into_the_Darkness


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I'm still reading it, it's fabulous!  Don't stop!  :)

~LilyCat

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

"And when I shall die
Take him and cut him out in little stars
And he will make the face of Heaven so fine
That all the world will be in love with night
and pay no worship to the garish sun."

                                      ~from Space: Above and Beyond
                                                           Romeo and Juliet
                                                            Act III, scene 2


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

TITLE: Slippery When Wet
AUTHOR : Melissa Flores
EMAIL: mistiec_flores@...

GENRE: X-Men: The Movie, Wolverine/Rogue, ensemble. Storm/Gambit,
Scott/Jean, Rogue/Augustus
RATING: R for violence, language, sexual situations, and MAJOR ANGST.
DISTRIBUTION: http://www.wolverineandrogue.com/mistiec


Chapter Three

Storm had often fostered the notion that people were defined by their
childhood.

As a child, she had grown in a loving family, until all she knew and
all she wanted to know was taken away with the sudden discovery of what
she was.

Her life had changed and her body and heart had been broken that day,
and there had never been a situation that had shaped her mind, her
ideals, her fear more than at the moment when she felt completely and
utterly alone.

She suspected Rogue felt quite the same way, for she herself had been
rejected by her family and though she had not been beaten by a tribal
clan, the heartache still had been Marie's heart.

It was for that reason that they battled for control, because the
security that had been denied them as a child, they sought to attain
now.

She strongly believed Augustus carried the same ideals.

She had rarely met a man with as much drive, and as much delusion as
Augustus had, and the fact that they were focused on one very fractured
mind...

It did nothing to assuage her fear that she would not get out of this
alive.

Life was a battle for control for Storm, and she had fought so long and
so hard that she had barely time to allow her own feelings access to
her heart, and even now, with her body trembling and her eyes milking
she fought not to think of the red-eyed Cajun with the beautiful smile
and the wild hair.

Her fingers were pressed against her mouth when the door opened, and
her eyes were forced back to the dark color they were originally, and
her trembling form was forced to still by a well trained mind, as she
looked upon Clayton Augustus.

He was a handsome man, she would give him that much, and if it hadn't
been for the eyes that fostered so much fear at the chaos behind them,
Storm would almost have believed he could be beaten by their small
team.

As it was, she feared only that he had all of Rogue's secrets in his
head, and if that was true.

Then God help them all.

"Ororo."

"Augustus," she answered with practiced ease, leaning back on the
comfortable cushioned chair the room had been furnished with.

Her eyes slid to the white animal in his arms, and the corner of her
eyes crinkled in surprise. The Siamese was beautiful, and from her
position she could hear her purring.

His eyes drifted down to the point of her gaze, and she found a sincere
smile coming from his perfectly formed lips.

"Cats," he began, "are the most deliciously human animals in existence.
Forget apes and chimps, cats have the true nature that human's possess.
They are complicated things, and utterly majestic."  His hands slid
through the fur of the Siamese, before carefully setting it on a nearby
dresser, running his hand up the rump. Storm watched as the cat preened
under the attention, opening her eyes to reveal startling blue orbs
that matched Storm's own in intensity.

Augustus' own seemed to flicker, and whether they were now permanently
violet or the darkness that matched Rogue's was more uncertain.

His hand trembled slightly, but his face never lost his even expression
as he sat across from her, his hands drifting together as he said quite
simply, "Tell me about the man you call Wolverine."

It wasn't a request, and Storm knew that she had no choice but to
answer.

"What do you want to know?"

"I want to know how he works," he answered easily.

"Rogue should be able to tell you that. She knows him better than
anyone."

"Rogue is too confused to be of much use right now," he answered, his
fingers rising to his temples to massage lightly as he grimaced in
pain. "She's a fighting girl. You'll do just as well."

"You know as much as I do," Ororo responded. "Perhaps more."

"I know enough," he answered, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Then there is nothing I can tell you."

"It seems to me you understand them both more than you let on." When
she said nothing, he continued. "You see Ororo, the study of the X-Men
has been my obsession for quite some time now. Until a few months ago I
wasn't sure which of you was my destiny. You, with the control, and
Jean with her incredibly darkness that she seems to fear so much or
Rogue." A small smile flitted upon his lips and he shook his head
slightly. "That is a character. In her head, Storm is more control than
you could ever want. It takes immense strength to deal with the
personalities as well as she has. But one continues to remain. He is no
longer welcome."

"You want to banish Logan from her mind?"

"I want to do to more than that. I want to eradicate him completely.
Rogue's mind is no longer her own. I do not like him. Therefore, out he
goes," he finished, with a flourish of an immaculately mannered hand.

She had to smile.

His own self confident smirk vanished, and the hard glint in his eyes
that replaced it did not look promising.

"May I ask," he asked after a beat, "Just what is so funny?'

Storm found herself shrugging, and said immediately, "You don't get
Rogue without Logan."

His lips twitched and suddenly the dangerous smile returned. "I don't
get Marie," he responded. "There's the difference. The truth is,
darling Ororo, you have never met Rogue, you only think you have. All
you've met are shadows, glimpses, tainted with what she was before.
Marie cannot exist without Logan. She is the link, the heart. I don't
want Marie. I only want Rogue."

The smile had long since left her face, and her heart was beating
furiously as he came forward, hands on either side of chair, leaning
in, pausing to breathe in her scent. His eyes had become brilliantly
violet.

"Still want to play?" he whispered, and suddenly his lips were on hers.


A shiver jolted through her and she fought, hiking up her leg, planting
her foot on his chest with remarkable agility and kicking him back.

He stumbled over the chair behind him before he had a chance to right
himself, and he fell flat on his back, recovering from his fall with a
snarl which matched the milky white of her eyes in intensity.

His hands were in fists, and as he came forward, he reeled backward, a
hand on his head as he shook violently.,

Her chest was heaving as she glared at him, temper rising to match his,
outweighing the fear.

He slowly took a breath, staggering to his feet. "Marie," he breathed,
blinking once, twice. His eyes were curiously back to dark brown and
when he spoke, the Southern accent ran chills down her body.

"Looks like we're playing, sugar," he drawled.

And he backed out the room, scooping up the cat on his way out.

~*~

The tense silence in the room was interrupted only when Remy groaned
slightly, massaging at his injured shoulder.

Jubilee felt her heart beating a little faster as she saw the haunted
look in Remy's eyes that she seen only once before : when Storm was
hurt only a few short weeks ago.

Weeks that seemed years.

The absense of Storm hung over them like a dirty blanket, and although
Rogue was now safely in their camp, she really didn't think any idea if
Rogue was really... their Rogue anymore.

Remy had told Kitty, Kitty had told Bobby, who told St. John, who told
her about how Rogue had whigged out Jean, and Jean was NOT the type to
whig out so completely in front of them.

It was creepy.

It was damn scary.

And so they sat, waited, the rest of the team that were deemed not
important enough to be let in on the loop but important enough to see
Rogue, to try and talk sense into her, waiting to figure out if the
truth was what Jubilee had feared all along.

Just how far gone was Rogue?

When the mutant bitch had tried to take over Rogue's head, it had been
different. No one had seen Rogue and no one had gone in to try and
contain her but Storm, Jean, Charles and Scott. Just like today, just
like it had been for the past week, her high school friends, the newest
X-men members, were kept on the outside, never knowing what was going
on, never being told until Storm had made a point to come out and
explain to them about the mental battle that had just been won.

When Rogue finally reemerged, no one had known just how far it had gone
until they woke up to find her screaming at the top of her lungs that
she was stuck on the ceiling and couldn't come down.

How freaky was it to live like that, never coming to terms with one
mutation only to inherent two more?

And now...

The door opened and the professor wheeled in, followed by Cyclops.
Their faces were drawn, tense, and they showed no emotion as Jean
followed, her face also void of any feeling. They sat at the front of
the table, and the gazes all moved to the doorway with discernable
dread that inhabited Jubliee's heart as well.

When Rogue entered the room, she clung to Logan's hand,  dressed in the
black spandex that had become her trademark, the white bangs falling
forward, covering her face, never revealing anything until she slid
into the seat left vacant, bare hands reaching up to pull the bangs
from her face-

To reveal intense violet eyes.

Next to her, Kitty audibly gasped, and Iceman squirmed in his head,
swallowing hard.

Rogue only smiled slightly, fingertips drumming against the makeshift
table.

"Good evening."

Jubilee leaned forward, looking closely, found that on inspection,
Rogue's hands were jittering.

"She's not quite herself," Jean said, her voice low, as she addressed
the group.

"But ya'll wanna find Storm, doncha?" Her voice was coated in a
deliberate drawl, leaning back in the seat as her eyes caught Jean's.
"Am I right?"

"Marie," Logan interrupted hoarsely, hand coverings hers.

Jubilee felt her throat constrict at the sight of Logan's bare skin
touching her own.

The tone seemed to work however, because the darkness in Marie's eyes
glistened slightly, and the violet suddenly seemed to turn into a bit
of brown and she began slowly, "It's part of the game."

"What game?" Charles asked, his voice clear, audible.

A small smile crept up on Rogue's lips. "Come on, Charles, you had to
have noticed I'm not really myself. It's the game we're playing. I'm
sorry you got sucked into it. But you had no choice. I had no choice
really. It was the gamble."

"What gamble, Rogue?" Charles' tone was easy, conversational even.
Jubilee was finding the whole thing pretty disconcerting.

"Destiny. Fate. Love. Life." She gave a short chuckle, shrugging
slightly, looking much like the child she left behind as she continued,
"You don't have to worry about it. The game's already lost."

"I don't think any one here is willing to accept that, Rogue," Jean
answered carefully.

The smile grew wider. "Of course you can't accept it if you're not
willing ta play." Her eyebrow rose meaningfully and even from where she
was sitting, Jubilee could still see Jean pale slightly.

Her stomach sunk even further.

Remy broke up the silence by leaning forward, "Rogue, where is Storm?
You care about Storm, no?"

Rogue froze slightly, eyeing Remy with those freaky violet-hued eyes.
"Of course. I love Storm. Ororo has layers... hidden darkness and
control that you never noticed until it was too late. You lost her,
Remy, before you even had her."

Kitty buried her face in her hands and shuddered slightly.

"Rogue." The word came out in a hoarse whisper, one that was almost
painful to hear. "Where is she?"

Rogue was quiet, her hands pressed against her mouth for a second, her
eyes darker brown, less violet than they were before. "You know the
games lost already. By being here, you complicate things. Storm is as
good as dead. And so is Marie."

Logan's hand lurched out, grabbed a hold of her, but she didn't flinch,
nor did she look at the pained look on his face as she turned, eyeing
everyone in turn.

"Logan, let go." Her voice was even, more even than it had been in the
passed, and her mouth never did lose that smile that seemed so
dangerous as she continued, her eyes suddenly on Professor X, voice
directed at him. "You know what will happen when he gets through, don't
you, professor?"

Charles gazed at her, his eyes narrowed in concentration. Seconds later
he flinched, pulling back.

She cocked an eyebrow, turning back to all of them. "Let her go. Let us
go. You're killing her, if you go after her. I'm warning you now. The
game is lost."

Remy rose forward, hands on the table, and Jubilee didn't stop him,
finding herself uncharacteristically quiet, watching the eyes of the
stranger in the face of a friend.

"You have to fight, Rogue," Jean said quietly, her voice soft,
reassuring.

"Why?" Rogue stood, breathing in shakily, leaning against the table for
support. "The game is over, and even if it wasn't, Storm doesn't know
how to play. When Augustus gets through with her, she'll be worse off,
and I know."

"How do you know?" Scott asked.

She was quiet for second, and suddenly she shrugged. "Because I'll kill
her."

Bobby shot straight up and Remy roared, and Logan immediately grabbed
Rogue, pulling her away from the table.

"LET ME GO!" she cried, struggling against Logan. "The game's OVER!"

Tears were sliding down Kitty's face, Bobby had frozen his seat, Jean
was shaking visibly, and Scott's fist was clenched against the table.

But Jubilee showed no sign of any fear or tension that was running
rampant around the room.

In the aftermath of Rogue's spectacle, there was only one thing she was
aware of.

The pulse of her furiously beating heart.


~*~

The room was as quiet as it had been the moment before Rogue had
stepped into it, but the fear had more than doubled.

They were dealing with something much bigger, much more frightening
than anything they had dealt with before.

They were dealing with Rogue now.

Jean rubbed at her temples, eyes closed as she attempted to breathe,
knowing that if anyone was supposed to speak, it would have to be here.


Unfortunately, Jubilee beat her to it.

"Okay, so hands raised to anyone who just had the crap scared outta
them."

Her eyes shot open and she gave Jubilee a disapproving look, raising
her head to squelch any comments on Jubilee's remark.  Her eyes drifted
to Charles, but he didn't say a word, lips pursed together, and
although it was almost impossible to perceive, she felt the uneasiness
coming off of him in waves.

She took in a shaky breath, and glanced at Scott. God, those visors hid
so much.

"It's obvious," she began, "Rogue's not going to be of much help when
it comes to locating Storm."

"Uh..." Bobby raised his hand slightly, and when Jean acknowledged him
with a nod, he spoke. "I think... we have to worry about Rogue a little
bit more than we do about Storm."

Remy's head jerked, his eyes narrowing, and he answered in a short
burst, "So you think we just forget about her? Leave her!"

"Gambit," Kitty interrupted, hand on his arm in an attempt to calm him
down. "That's not what he meant."

"Rogue has her problems, that's true, but the fact is she's with us,
right now," Cyclops said, his voice firm. "We can take of her, like we
have before. But Storm is still in the hands of Augustus, and we have
no idea what he's capable of."

"Oh I think we got a glimpse," muttered Jubilee.

"Jubes!" Kitty sounded exasperated, and when Jean narrowed her eyes yet
again, Jubilee continued her voice softer now, void of it's usual
sarcasm.

"Look," she began, removing her sunglasses and setting them gently on
the table. "I know no one here wants to talk about it, but we have to.
Rogue talked about KILLING Storm. She's never gone this far before.
What if... she goes too far."

"She won't," Remy replied shortly.

"BUT WHAT IF she DOES?" Jubilee said emphatically. "I'm not saying I
don't care about her, okay? Because I do. But Rogue is a damned
dangerous chick here. And she knows an awful lot about us and if
this... GUY takes over... we are so screwed."

"So what are you saying," Bobby said, his eyes dark with anger. "That
was just.. KILL HER?"

"People," Scott began, but Jean only put a hand on his shoulder,
keeping him from rising, shaking her head slightly when he looked at
her. They needed to vent, this was the best way.

"No, not kill her, but try to contain her. She's battling this guy in
her head and-"

"And what about Storm?"

St. John raised a hand, "I'm with Jubes here. We lost Storm trying to
get Rogue. We have no idea what we're up against. And we can't afford
to wait much longer out sidethis ice castle when we don't even know
if-"

"Don't say it," Remy said, hand shooting out to grab St. John by the
collar. "She ain't dead."

"REMY!" Jean's voice was angered, and in her face, it was clear she had
lost her patience. "This is NOT the time to-"

A groan at her right made her lose her train of thought, as suddenly
Charles groaned, head between his hands, and her eyes widened and she
cried out, mind only barely succeeding in keeping him in his chair
before he fainted.

~*~

He sat with his back to the wall of the shelter that had been erected
for him, fingers running tenderly through her bangs, pausing once to
watch the shadows dance off the streak of white that ran through the
few at the top.

Her figure didn't move, eyes were half closed as she lay with her head
in his lap, hands huddled close to her chest, knees pulled up against
her. She was no longer trembling, and for the first time,  in what
seemed hours, she seemed at peace.

His heartbeat was dull, and the aching fear that had paralyzed him
before no longer seemed to matter, as he kept his eyes open, on her,
concentrating on her skin, the softness that he had felt against his
ever healing hands.

Fingers swept over her bare arm, over her shoulder, the night slip she
had put on exposing so much that he had never seen.

Rogue... Marie... was a woman, a true woman, and she was beautiful.

His throat clogged slightly and he forced himself to swallow the lump
of emotion down.

She was also in immense pain.

"Logan?"

"Yeah, Marie."

Her eyes were open, her orbs dark, more brown than violet, her head
shifted a bit and he felt his groin tighten in response. He ground his
teeth, ignoring it, instead, lifting her up and pulling her more firmly
against his chest.

"I scared them, didn't I? In there."

"A little bit."

Her sigh was audible, the smell of her hair against his nost as she
burrowed further into his embrace, looking more like herself than he
had seen since he had taken her from the house of hell.

"I didn't want to scare them... mostly. But... "

His hand slipped to her hair, smoothing down her long waves as his
other arm slipped about her waist, feeling the satin covered curve,
fingers caressing there idly.

"You're gonna be okay, Marie."

She shrugged slightly, her eyes tinged with moisture. "Ah'm not sure
about that. The game's lost, Logan."

His grip on her tightened, jerking her up, making her catch her breath.


"NO," he said hoarsely. "NO, it's NOT, Marie. It's -"

Her eyes watered, and on her face slipped an incredibly warm smile. Her
hand rose, and suddenly her fingertips were on his face, tracing the
whiskers, ending their journey on his mouth, her body warm and supple
against him.

His heart was beating furiously, his body aching, responding to Marie's
touch, to Rogue's body as she gently straddled him, her strength
keeping him down, a gentle, loving caress against his lips as she shook
her head slightly.

"You don't understand."

"You gotta fight."

And again he was rewarded with a smile, as if he was a child, and he
felt the beast in him growl as she leaned forward, pressing herself
against his hard body, lips touching his eyelids in a feather light
caress that sent jolts through his body.

"I'm working on it," she whispered, and her body shifted again, and he
groaned, loudly this time, hands sliding around her waist, holding her
down, harder, against his arousal.

Oh, God... not now.. he couldn't...

"Marie," he gasped heavily, his eyes suddenly riveted on the mounds of
her breasts pressed against the black leather of his uniform. God. "We
can't."

A heated mouth pressed warm suckles just under his ear, cutting him off
as his head fell back. She kissed and sucked, hot, moist swipes of her
tongue, followed by nips from her teeth in just the right places.

"We have to," she whispered, and her hips moved and he thrust
involuntarily, eyes wide open as she gave a ragged sigh of pleasure
before moving her mouth to his ear again. "I need my heart, Logan. Give
it to me, please."

Her hand gently slid down to his leather collar, fingers grabbing hold
of the zipper she found there, and pulling down.

His mouth rested on hers, and immediately it opened, tonge mating with
hers in a heated frenzy, hands bringing her close, as she released him,
breathing in, a smile sliding onto her once tormented face.

"I love you, Logan," she whispered, hands sliding beween their bodies,
finding the spot there that made him swallow, clench his teeth, buck
his hips.

The words washed over him, and he pulled her back, push himself over
her, and let her slid the zipper the rest of the way too.

His voice was hoarse, and the blood in his veins rushed through his
ears, but his beating heart told her all that she needed to know.

"I love you, Marie."

~*~


=====
Melissa Flores aka Misty
~*~*~
http://www.wolverineandrogue.com/mistiec

You all know that I am a pacifist. So I am not interested in war in any way. But
you know what? When the revolution comes, I will have to destroy you all. Not
you Joey.
~Phoebe, The One with the Ride Along

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail - only $35
a year!  http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/

Hi,
What to thank everyone for the great feedback. I'm slowly working on
the second installment now but it might be awhile. This story means a
lot to me so I'm working real hard on getting all the points made.A
couple of question was asked recently by Cat. I want to clear
things up a little in case anyone has the same question by just hasn't
asked.

1)What mistake did Logan make?
Remember that Marie "knows" how Logan felt for Jean because of
absording his healing and memories. So, when they (Logan and Jean)
where together in the backyard. Marie felt that he was taking
advantage of the suituation. Hurt like hell too.

2)Why wasn't Scott more upset to find out about Jean.
I'm going to clear all this up in the second installment. So, you'll
have to be patient.

3)Are Scott and Andrew involved in something?
Good question. Andrew is a good person? Wait and see.

Sorry girls. Can't give anything away. Would totaly ruin the surprise.
I hope you will enjoy it at as much as I love writing it.

Thanks again everyone. Please feel free to question anything you
don't understand or would like to make a point on.

                  LOL,
                  Missy

Title: Can't Run Forever (3/?) PG slash themes
Authors: Chris (teufelce@...) and J. Marie T. (jmariewolvie@...)
Rating: PG slash themes, profanity
Feedback: Would be very much appreciated!
Disclaimer: The characters and universe of X-Men are the property of 20th
Century Fox and the Marvel Entertainment Group. This story is for
entertainment purposes only and no copyright infringement is intended.
Pairing: Logan, Scott
Universe: Movie
Genre: Slash theme, introspection
Summary: Scott gets a surprise phone call...
Series/Sequel: Sequel to Run, Series - Can't Run Forever
Archive: If you want it - please just let us know where.

Authors' Note:  This is the third installment in the Can't Run Forever
series, and departs from the previous format of 'letters' to one of an
alternating dialogue, set as a 'phone call'.  We wrote it via AIM, with Jo
taking Scott's POV, and myself handling Logan's POV - the different
character's 'voices' aren't labelled, but I think you'll be able to figure
out easily enough who's who ;).  Enjoy and feedback ALWAYS welcome!


CAN'T RUN FOREVER - 3


*ring* *ring*

*long silence* *rustling sheets* *groggy* hello?

*muffled breathing* *long pause* *low, gruff voice* hey...

*gasp* *shifting sounds* *fumbling sounds* *THUD* *muttered cursing*
*clearing throat* *uncertain tone* Logan, is that you?

*soft snort* yeah... it's me... what the hell's going on over there?

*light cough* prove it... *shaking head* *embarrassed voice* I ... I dropped
the phone.

*low growl* how the fuck am I suppose to do that? *short pause* *barking
laugh* guess I shouldn't have woken you up, huh?

*snort* *muffled laugh* *coughing* you just did... *clearing throat* *shrug*
*quiet voice* I'm glad you did. it's good to hear your voice. *quickly*
*concerned tone* is everything okay?

*short pause* *chuckling* yeah, guess I did.... *longer pause* *gruff voice*
glad, huh? *snorting* everything's fine, Scooter. I've found exactly jack
shit. *sighing* Just.... getting a little... bored up here. Not much going
on. Sorry I woke you...

*big grin* yeah... at least you didn't call me a dick, that's an improvement.
*chuckle* *sobering* yeah... *sigh* good, I was worried there for a minute.
*softly* I'm sorry you haven't found anything, Logan. *nodding* I can image
there's not much to do where you are. *short silence* don't be.

*loud laugh* yeah, well I'm trying to improve my manners.... *short pause*
*careful voice* you were worried? why? *quickly* no never mind, forget
that... *rough sigh* don't worry about it - it ain't like I've never hit dead
ends before. *snorting* nothing to do but fight and drink... *quietly*
alright..

*humored exhale* we can all use improvement I suppose... *long silence*
*whispered* nope, no never minds, Logan. yeah, I was worried... don't like to
think of you up there all alone... *nodding* *soft shrug* doesn't mean I have
to like it. *quiet snort* *humored* two of your favorite things. *barely
audible* good.

*raising brow* some more than others, Scooter... *long pause* *soft voice*
yeah... alright, no 'never minds'.... and no, it isn't fun to be alone....
*shaking head* *tight voice* I don't really wanna talk about it, alright?
*long pause* *heavy exhale* *calmer tone* they pass the time, nothing more...

*soft laugh* yeah well, we can't all be perfect. *swallowing* no, it's not...
*nodding* okay ... I'm sorry *hesitate voice* maybe if you thought about it a
little you could come up with something else...

*laughing* no, we can't.... *coughing* *clearing throat* *quietly* you're...
alone? *shaking head* *gruffly* don't apologize, it ain't your fault. *long
pause* *low, growling voice* like what?

*snickering* nope! *sobering* *long pause* *barely audible* yeah, just me and
the phone... *gentle tone* it's my fault for bringing it up. *nervously
clearing throat* well you could always... take a ride...

*barely audible* you and the phone..... *shaking head* drop it, Scott, you're
not to blame... *dead silence* *carefully neutral voice* oh yeah? a ride?
where to?

*ragged exhale* *whispered* yeah... and the bed... *muttered* shit! *tight
nod* sure, Logan... *slight shrug* *controlled tone* I don't know... is there
anywhere you want to go?

*harsh breathing* *low, growling tone* beds are good... *swallowing sounds*
*coughing* *short pause* *raising brow* I dunno.... maybe....

*low, barely perceptible moan* *ragged tone* yeah... *long silence* *measured
breathing* maybe, huh?

*sharp inhale* *rumbling growl* hell yeah.... *more swallowing sounds*
*clearing throat* *rough voice* depends on what's waiting for me....

*closing eyes* *deep breath* *controlled exhale* yeah, they're great for
sleeping and ... stiff ... *quickly* *stumbling* I mean stuff. *shaking head*
*blinking* *breathing* *whispered* what do you want to have waiting...

*choking sound* *shaky voice* .... 'stuff', huh? Think I like the first thing
you said better.... *silence* *inaudible sound*

*embarrassed laugh* yeah, stuff... *shaking head* *snort* I just have a stiff
neck, been bugging me, you know? *long pause* *licking lips* *nervous tone*
what?

*snort* oh yeah.... *blinking* *narrowing eyes* you hurt yourself or
something? *shaky exhale* *long silence* *softly* whatever someone was
willing to give....

*clearing throat* right... *smiling* no, I didn't hurt myself. *weak shrug*
just stress and shit... *shaky tone* someone ... in particular...

*short nod* yeah.... *shaking head* *growling* what's stressing you? *short
pause* *quietly* yeah... someone in particular....

*humorless laugh* the shorter list would be what's NOT stressing me... *long
silence* *tight voice* someone I know...

*quirking brow* care to share that with me? *long silence* *soft snort* yeah,
I'd say you know him pretty well....

*coughing* what's that, the short list? *hopeful* yeah?

*quietly* anything.... *short pause* *smirking* yeah, he's pretty hot....
even if he is too uptight....

*swallowing* *short pause* okay... well starting with the short list of
what's not stressing me... hmm, let's see... well, there's you and...
*shaking head* no, that's pretty much it. *grinning* uptight, huh? maybe he
just needs some help getting loose...

*blinking* *swallowing sounds* *weak voice* so I ain't stressing you, huh?
*shaking head* *louder tone* that's... that's good to know... although pretty
shitty that it's such a short list... *long pause* *rumbling growl* oh yeah,
I think I could definitely help him with that...

*small smile* no, you're not stressing me, in fact... you have kind of a
soothing voice. *clearing throat* and just what is it that you're drinking,
Logan? *slight shrug* yeah well the burdens of command and all... *ragged
exhalation* I'll bet you could... *shaking head* damn, I could really use a
drink...

*incredulous* you sure you didn't get hit in the head, Cyke - 'soothing'???
*shaking head* *swallowing sounds* *quietly* bourbon.... *short pause* *angry
voice* fuck 'command'! do what makes you happy, Scott, and screw the rest of
them! *shuddering exhale* *grinning* oh yeah, I know I could... loosen him up
real good... *blinking* *quirking brow* you alright over there, Scott? you
ain't usually the drinking type

*laughing* yeah, I'm sure I didn't hit my head, Wolvie. what can I say, I
like your voice. *nodding* *softly* bourbon, huh? that sounds good. Hell, if
I wasn't in my underwear I might be tempted to raid the liquor cabinet.
*widening eyes* *pause* I can't do that, Logan, and I can't do what makes me
happy either because... *barely audible* he's not here... *raising brows* I'm
sure you could... loosen him up... *tight nod* couldn't be better...

*barking laugh* 'Wolvie'? *sobering* *softly* I'm... glad... *sharp inhale*
*shakily* yeah, it wouldn't be too good if one of the kids saw you wandering
around half-naked... *blinking* *narrowing eyes* *snarling tone* 'he'? who
the fuck is 'he'?? *heavy breathing* like to do more than just that...
*shaking head* bullshit, Scott, I ain't buying it. what's wrong?

*chuckling* well how else do you shorten it? *arching brow* you're glad...
*snort* it's not like I have anything they haven't seen before... but no, it
wouldn't be good. *clearing throat* 'he' who... the one... uh... *barely
audible* you... *ragged breathing* *shaky tone* more... *swallowing* like...
*clearing throat* I'm fine, Logan, just... nervous

*still laughing* you're lucky I... *blinking* *quickly* you're the only one
with the guts to call me that... *short nod* *quietly* really glad...
*narrowing eyes* *firmly* whatever, I still don't want them seeing
anything.... *dead silence* *weakly* me? I... I make you... happy? *low
growl* much more... like seeing what that perfect smile tastes like...
*blinking* *confused* nervous? what the fuck for?

*mock concern* yeah well am I going to see them spilling out of me anytime
soon? *loud laughing* *big smile* good... *teasing* okay, big guy, whatever
you want! *chuckling* *sober* *hesitate voice* you would... *loud groan*
ooooh... *hissing inhalation* *wetting lips* *swallowing* *barely audible*
because I've never wanted anything this bad before...

*shaking head* *firmly* never! *chuckling* yeah.... *raising brow* oh,
really? whatever I want, huh? *short pause* *soft, sad voice* I don't know
about that, Scott.... happiness and me, we don't usually go hand in hand....
*harsh, unsteady breathing* *swallowing sounds* *low, hoarse voice* what do
you want so bad, Scott, tell me...

*wide-eyed* *surprised tone* good to know... *nodding* sure, whatever you
want. *sigh* *whispered* I'll still take you... *loud, deep breathing*
*softly* I want... *knocking sounds* *perturbed* shit, hang on, Logan.
*distant* yeah? *sound of door opening* *muffled voices* *long muffled
conversation* *distant put out tone* yeah, I'll see you tomorrow. good night.
*into the receiver* sorry about that.

*licking lips* *slow grin* might not wanna offer me that, Scott... *small
smile* stubborn, aren't you? *raising brow* *blinking* *low growling* fine,
I'll hold.... *swallowing sounds* *tightly* who the fuck was that?

*huge grin* *snicker* too late, Logan... *nodding* very stubborn. *sighing*
thanks. sorry about that. *shaking head* it was Jean...

*snort* *smirking* just remember that, Scooter.... *soft laugh* well it's not
like I ain't either.... *long silence* *barely audible* oh...

*wiggling brows* you might have to remind me, I have a bad memory... *loud
laughing* that's true... this should be interesting... *furrowing brow*
what's wrong?

*wicked grin* oh, I'll remind you every chance I get... *barking laugh* yeah,
it should be... but just remember there's one difference between the two of
us, I don't fight fair... *swallowing sounds* *long pause* *more swallowing
sounds* *shaking head* *quietly* nothing, Scott, nothing...

*toothy grin* very cool! *snickering* oh yeah... *arching brow* well now,
that all depends on the fight, Wolvie... *laughing* *narrowing eyes*
bullshit, Logan! *firmly* put the fucking bottle down!! *brief pause* *calm,
controlled voice* something's bothering you and I'd like to know what it is...

*shaking head and laughing* yeah..... *smirking* oh does it? you saying you
sometimes fight dirty, Scott? *short pause* *sobering* *gruff voice* you
gonna make me? *pause* *softer tone* sorry... I just... *sighing* what did
Jeannie want?

*grinning* what? *blushing* you'll have to see for yourself, Logan...
*scowling* make you what? *tilting head* *closing eyes* *sigh* she heard me
talking and wanted to make sure I wasn't having another nightmare...
*tightly* shit.

*chuckling* nothing... just... *surprised* *softer tone* happy, I guess....
*arching brow* I plan on it, Scott.... *shaking head* I was being a jackass,
just forget it... *indrawn breath* *dead silence* *dangerously quiet voice*
nightmare?

*big smile* happy is good. I'm glad you're happy... *blushing* I look forward
to it, Logan... *shaking head* you were NOT being a jackass and I'm not going
to forget it. *clearing throat* *long pause* *mumbled* I've been known to
have them.

*weak smile* yeah, I guess... can't remember the last time I was....
thanks... *low, rough voice* damn, I wish.... *shaking head* *swallowing*
*gruffly* I was asking if you were gonna make me put the bottle down...
*heavy breathing* *tight voice* what?

*soft, sad voice* well there's no reason to spoil it... *weak shrug* you
don't have to thank me, Logan, I'm happy too, happier than I've been in a
long time. *ragged inhalation* *tight voice* wish what? *softly* I can't
really MAKE you from here but I'd like it if you did... *shaking head*
*trembling voice* sorry, I said that I've been known to have them...
nightmares I mean...

*shaking head* don't wanna spoil it... *small smile* yeah, but you're the
reason I'm happy....and I'm glad you are, Scott, really glad... *short
silence* *frustrated growl* *sound of shattering glass* I wish that.. I
wasn't here alone... *weak chuckle* well... no more bottle, so don't worry...
*silence* *softly* wanna tell me about 'em?

*small smile* then don't... *long silence* *licking lips* *growing smile* so
we're both happy, you think that's a first? I mean both of us happy at the
same time? Jesus, listen to me, what the hell is that? *shaking head*
*rolling eyes* *jerking upright* *frantically* what was that?! *long silence*
*wide eyes* *shaky tone* that makes two of us... *wrinkling brow* are you
okay? *soft snort* not much to tell, it's nothing like what I know
you have to deal with... *pause* it's just about the night my mutation was
activated. nothing that most mutants with destructive abilities don't have to
go through at some point.

*snorting* I won't.... *grinning* yeah, I think it is a first.... *softening
voice* and I like listening to you... *short pause* *embarrassed tone* bottle
meeting wall at high speed... *unsteady breathing* I wish... shit...
*sighing* *shaking head* *gruffly* screw my nightmares....*gentler tone*
yeah, but it still sucks that you have 'em... nothing helps?

*grinning* good! *soft laugh* one for the record books... *snort* well when
you come back you'll get to listen to me a lot while I tell you what to do...
*loud laughing* *confused* and why would the bottle do that? *snickering*
*sobering* you wish what, Logan? *softly* I'm sorry, I didn't mean to remind
you of them... *long pause* *low voice* *measured words* I don't usually have
them when I'm not alone...

*amused chuckle* yeah, better call Guinness... *blinking* *loud laughter*
*choked voice* you... telling me.... *more laughing* *long pause* *sheepish
tone* cause I threw it... *barely audible* I... want you.... *quickly* you
didn't, Scott, so don't worry about it... *short pause* *hesitant voice*
well... I guess we'll have to see what we can do about that....

*loud laughing* you think they'd be interested? *fading laugh* *rolling eyes*
I meant me giving you orders on the team, Logan, somehow I doubt I'll be the
leader anywhere else... *humored exhale* why'd you throw it? *loud groan* oh
god... *trembling tone* I ... I want you too... *thinking* *snort* *shaking
head* I don't think so, Logan... *tenderly* do you want to talk about yours?
*swallowing* *wetting lips* *squeaky voice* that... *clearing throat* that
sounds like a good idea... *knocking on door* *shouting* I'M FINE, JEAN, GO
AWAY!

*snort* fucked if I know! *grinning* just so long as we're clear on that,
Scooter... *shrugging* *low voice* because I'm frustrated... *low growl*
*hoarse voice* so bad, I can taste it.... *sobering* *shaking head* *quietly*
not really, not now. don't wanna ruin the mood... *amused laugh* *growing
smile* sounds like a hell of an idea to me... *blinking* *rumbling growl*
*tight voice* what the fuck?!? doesn't she get the hint?? *short pause*
*barely audible* or doesn't she know you're on the phone?

*laughing* *shaking head* *grinning* won't get any argument out of me,
Wolvie... *heavy exhale* frustration sucks! *loud moan* *hissing inhalation*
*ragged sigh* god I want to taste it... *swallowing* *nodding weakly*
*tenderly* when you're ready... *expanding grin* me too... *heavy sigh*
*shaking head harshly* *terse tone* she saw me on the phone. Christ, she
thinks she's my mother now or something...

*feral smile* good... smart man... *groaning* shit... *uncomfortable shifting
sounds* fuck, Scott.... *hissing inhale* *weak nod* yeah, when I'm ready, I
will.... *soft smile* I can't wait.... *short pause* *dangerous growl* sounds
like me and Jeannie are gonna need to talk. I don't want her messing with
what's mine.... *blinking* *silence*

*laughing* so you keep telling me... *ragged moan* *breathless* I like the
sound of that... *sharp groan* *closing eyes* *slow nod* when you're ready,
Logan... *panting* me either... *mocking* oooooh, sounds like fun, can I
watch... *concerned* Logan?

*nodding* and I'll keep on telling you... *ragged breathing* Christ, I'm
gonna need a cold shower.... *rough voice* yeah..

*grin* okay. *sharp groan* I already do... *barely audible grunt* though
maybe not for long...

*sharp exhale* *groaning* shit, Scott, you keep bringing images like that up,
I ain't gonna need one any more either.... *relieved sigh* *hoarse voice*
yeah, I'm sure. Very sure.... *low chuckle* yeah...*silence* *tight,
emotional tone* oh... I.... you mean.... shit.... *whispered* I gotta be
dreaming... or drunker than I thought...

*tight growling sound* god... *heavy sigh* good... that's really good...
*nodding slowly* that's what I mean, Logan... and you are not dreaming...
can't attest to the alcohol variable though...

*rapid breathing* *shaky voice* oh fuck.... *mute nod* *closing eyes* *barely
audible* thank you....

*loud moaning* *tight tone* stop saying that... *blinking* for what?

*slow animalistic smile* fuck..... *shaking head* *softly* for this... for
giving me hope...

*whimper* *shaky groan* *ragged tone* Logan.... *heavy breathing* hope... I
hope you're coming soon... home... *quickly* I mean I hope you're coming home
soon...

*shaky laugh* *ragged voice* I think.... I'll.... be doing *low groan*....
both.... real soon... Scott...

*panting breaths* oh god...

*growling* Scott.....

*groaning* Logan... *throaty moan*

*harsh panting* that's it... Scott... I wanna hear you...

*frantic shifting sounds* *whimpering* *breathless* Lo... oooooh, Logan...

*grunting* oh yeah, Scott... just... like that.... *hitched breathing* *low
moan*

*clenching eyes closed* *hiccuping breaths* *almost calm voice* oh god,
Logan, I wish you were touching me... wish I was touching you...... *pained
groan*

*feral growling* gonna fuck you right through the wall as soon as I get
there, pretty boy.....

*muffled scream* fuck...........

*panting* oh fuck... fuck... Scott.... *ragged howl*

*rough, ragged breathing*

*shaky exhale* *hoarse voice* shit, Scott.... *weak laugh*

*embarrassed chuckle* what?

*grinning* gonna need a change of clothes before I get on the bike...

*blushing* probably a good idea... so when would it be that you might be
getting on my bike? *knocking* *frustrated* Jesus Christ... would you just
put her to sleep. *shouting* I'M FINE, JEAN! *muffled voice* *frantic* shit,
Logan, I have to go. *sound of clothes rustling* I'll... I'll talk to you
later, okay?

*snorting* hell yeah.... and I'll be getting on your bike just as soon as I
change.... *blinking* *muttered* shit.... *concerned* you.... you ok, Scott?

*smiling* happy to hear that... *distracted* yeah, Logan, I'm okay, I just...
we have a mission...

*nodding* *softly* good... *short pause* *tight voice* be careful, Scooter...
*barely audible* I don't... I don't wanna lose you...

*pausing* *tenderly* I can't wait until you get here... *tight nod* I will,
Wolvie... *softer* you're not going to lose me that easy... *short silence*
so, how soon will you be home?

*low laugh* neither can I.... *nodding* see that you are.... and.... I'm
glad.... *pause* probably be there in two... maybe three days...

*smiling* good... *nodding* don't worry about me, just be safe yourself...
*wistful* oh... well will I at least talk to you again before then?

*fiercely* of course I'll damn well worry about you! and this is the last
mission you go on without me... *deep breath* *calm, soft tone* yeah, you'll
talk to me before then....

*smirking* yes, sir, Mister Wolverine, sir... *laughing* *sobering* *sigh*
good... god, we haven't even hung up yet and I miss you already...

*muttered* fucking wiseass... *gruff laugh* *long pause* *quietly* I know
what you mean.... I almost don't want to hang up... but if I don't, I'll
never get there...

*wide-eyed* *snickering* what did I say? *weak nod* I guess when you put it
that way... *pause* *softly* I'll talk to you later, Logan. take care, be
careful and... good night or I guess more accurately, good morning...
*chuckling*

*shaking head* *laughing* you know goddamn well what you said, Scott...*long
pause* *quiet sigh* yeah.... too damn bad I ain't got one of those cell
phones... *shifting sounds* I'll... I'll call again tomorrow, ok? you take
care of yourself too, Slim - I'd hate to have to come all the way down there
just to save your ass again... *soft laugh* yeah, morning...

*blinking innocently* I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about Mister
Wolverine, sir…  *nodding* *scowling* yeah … damn, if I'd known I could have
sent one to you with my letter…  I sent it overnight priority so you should
get it first thing in the morning before you're ready to take off…  *smiling*
I'll be waiting for your call, Logan.  *chuckling* I'll be careful, Wolvie,
don't worry… *arching brow* you mean all I have to do is cry 'wolf' and
you'll come running?  *laughing* *sighing* I could get used to saying good
morning to you, Logan…

*choked laughter* *smugly* you're gonna get it for that one, bub... *slow
grin* so I'm getting another letter, huh? looking forward to it, Slim...
*chuckling* just don't drop the phone next time, ok? *blinking* *mock growl*
well you know what happened to the boy who cried 'wolf' too often, Scott?
*short pause* *softly* 'good morning'.. 'good night'... 'pass the paper'...
*snorting laugh*

*teasing chuckle* *smiling* *nodding* yeah, you're getting another letter...
*sharp exhale* hey, I wasn't exactly expecting to hear your voice...
*softly* it was a wonderful surprise... *loud, coughing laugh* *clearing
throat* *humored tone* as I recall he was eaten...  I might be wrong though,
children's stories aren't really my area of expertise… *sputtering* you
read... *hysterical laughter*

*grinning* good... like your letters... *arching brow* so my voice makes you
drop phones? *muffled laughter* *sobering* I... hell, took me a while to even
dial... *short pause* *feral grin* bingo, Slim. *longer pause* *harsh
breathing*

*soft exhale* good... I hope it makes sense...  *shaking head* *chuckling*
only when it wakes me up from a dream you were starring in...  *tender smile*
I'm glad you finally managed.  *clearing throat* *frantic tone* wolf wolf
wolf wolf wolf wolf wolf... *laughing* *sobering* *furrowing forehead* Logan,
what ... oh shit, you know I was just teasing, right? *pounding sounds*
*sharply* damn it, I really have to go... I'll talk to you  tomorrow...

*softly* they always make sense... even when you ramble... *arching brow
sharply* starring in, huh? gonna have to tell me about that sometime..
*shaking head* *smiling* yeah, so am I.... *blinking* *loud, barking laugh*
no sense of self-preservation, eh, Scooter? *shifting* *growling tone*
fuck... yeah, yeah you will talk to me tomorrow, Scott.  good night...
*barely audible* be careful...

*snorting* I always ramble ...*tenderly* I just have so much I want to say to
you, Logan... *blushing* encore performance... *embarrassed exhale* *short
pause* *quietly* good... *wiggling brows* *snickering* and you say I'm
smart... *heavy, sorrowful exhale* I'm really sorry, Logan...  *somber* okay,
I'll talk to you then... night... *click*

*smiling* and I look forward to listening, Scott...*blinking* *slow grin*
yeah, that so? now I really can't wait...*nodding* yeah, good... *loud snort*
smart, but no survival instinct.... *long pause* *gruffly* don't worry about
it, Scott...*muttered* fuck.... *click*

WARNING : This part contains a scene that has been labeled as HARD R
for sexual content. If you don't want to read it, that's perfectly
cool, email me and I'll send you a copy of this chapter sans said
scene. Youngsters this does mean you. :-)

We now return to your regularly scheduled programming:

TITLE: Slippery When Wet
AUTHOR : Melissa Flores
EMAIL: mistiec_flores@...

GENRE: X-Men: The Movie, Wolverine/Rogue, ensemble. Storm/Gambit,
Scott/Jean, Rogue/Augustus

RATING: R for violence and language, and sexual situations, and MAJOR
ANGST.

DISTRIBUTION: http://www.wolverineandrogue.com/mistiec


CHAPTER FOUR

Scott rested, his back against the wall, once again that his visor, his
"gift" was both a blessing and a curse.

From his still position, no one would be able to see his tension, but
he could watch, unobserved, the faces of every one of his teammates.

Jubilee had picked up his trait well, for she stood in very much the
same fashion, the sunglasses that she didn't need on her nose, face
closed, watching as Kitty and Iceman and St. John stood nervously, as
Gambit swallowed hard, face haunted as he kept his eyes riveted toward
the door.

The team was falling apart.

Scott felt the lump in his stomach, hard, making him nauseous, forcing
away the emotion to another time where he could hold Jean in his arms
and pretend none of this ever existed. That Rogue wasn't losing her
mind and Storm wasn't in the hands of a mad man and his surrogate
father hadn't just collapsed in front of the entire team.

His breathing hitched slightly, and he forced himself to steady it.

It was time to be the leader he always fancied himself he was.

"I know.. things seem pretty bad right now, but we've been some bad
situations before," he began slowly, thickly, "And we will get out of
it, everyone, together. I'm not sure how, and I'm not sure when, but
failure... that's never been an option for us. Not for our family."

It was low, quiet, but full of sincere emotion, and he felt his heart
lift slightly when Kitty offered him a soft smile, when he saw Bobby
nod almost unconsciously and when St. John let a deep breath out.

At least a few still believed.

The door opened, and eyes slid off of him and onto his wife, who gently
closed the latch behind her before turning slowly regarding them all.

"He's sleeping," she finally began, in a low, controlled, "Dr. Jean"
voice.

"What's going on with him?" Jubliee's question was flat, her posture
never moved, and Jean took a breath, reaching out and squeezing Scott's
hand for support as he looked on, his chest tight with emotion.

Her arms crossed tightly across her chest, and after a moment where she
seemed to be framing her words, she began.

"What I'm about to say cannot leave this room. Professor Xavier does
not want anyone to know, until he is ready to tell them, but
considering the circumstances, I believe it's best everyone here is
made aware of what is coming."

Jubilee pulled her glasses down slightly, Kitty's jaw ticked, the young
men only continued to look.  She didn't dare to see the look on Scott
or Remy's faces.

The wound that still hadn't healed completely ached, and she reached
out with her mind toward a chair, pulling it toward her, sinking into
it as she rubbed at her head.

"Professor Xavier has cancer, in his head," she began in the most
methodical tone she could muster. She didn't look up as she continued
to speak. "He's had it for the past... few years, but we never... the
tumors... we didn't think it was serious enough to alarm anyone...
until now."

Jubilee gasped, Kitty's hands covered her mouth, eyes wide with shock.
Scott tensed directly behind her, and she felt the moisture cloud her
eyes.

"He's gonna be okay though, right?" Bobby asked, eyes dark and hopeful.
"it's not that..."

"It's quite acute. I'm sure many of you have noticed that he has been
grooming me in my powers, trying to build them up. This is because...
we're not sure how much longer he will be with us."

"Oh, God."

"You're telling us dis now?" Remy asked, eyes narrowed angrily. "NOW?"

"We didn't want to alarm you, and we weren't sure at first. Now it's
beginning to take it's toll... it could be because of his powers,
because of the magnitude of them, or because he's one of the older
mutants... or it could be... just pure chance... but it is happening,
and..." her voice wavered slightly and she took a breath, blinking
twice to calm herself.  "And as of this moment, you should consider
me... his voice."

"Jean... I don't... " Scott's words were edged in hoarse, raspy
syllables, she felt the pain coursing through him, and more than
anything she wished she could turn and hold him like a wife was
supposed to. Instead she turned, staring at him with tired eyes and a
short shake of her head.

"That's how he wants it."

Feet shifted, and from the corner of her eye, she could see a lone tear
slip from Jubilee's face, making it's way clear from under her glasses.


"That's such bull shit," she whispered, vaulting away from the doorway.
"We don't need this shit now! I mean what the hell else can go wrong?
When did this fucking all go to shit?"

"JUBILEE." Jubilation froze, turning at the hardness in Jean's tone.

The telepath was standing straight and tall, and she teemed with
authority as she snapped, "We can deal with this LATER. Right now, we
have to find a way to get into that ice box, and get to Storm, and we
need to figure out how to guard ourselves from Augustus and how to save
Rogue before he does a mindjob on her. And we WILL save her, if I have
to go in her head and fight him off myself."  She swallowed, her eyes
narrowed. "Now, get to your posts, and keep your mouth shut about this.
All of you."

Jubilee took a breath, but nodded, motioning to Kitty, and both women
disappeared to take over the watch duty.

Bobby and St. John filed out after them, and a short second, Remy
hesitantly followed them.

She could feel Scott's gaze on her back, but she only shook her head.

"I'm sorry, Scott," she whispered, her back to her lover, her husband,
her best friend. "I wish we could talk about this. But we've got a long
night... and we can't think about this now."

She paused, waited until the hoarse, "I know" came from her husband's
lips, and she never turned, knowing if she did, her heart and resolve
and strength would crumble in her desire to cry out her frustrations in
her husband's arms.

Instead she gave him a short nod, and walked away, hastily wiping away
a tear from her exhausted face.

She had to find a way to get past her fear, to be willing to play
Rogue's game, get into the darkness without it overtaking her.

It was going to be a long night.

~*~

Every sense and feeling overwhelmed him, and he almost choked in an
attempt to keep it contained.

The brush of her skin against his, the moans and whispers that were
barely audible, the sweat and moisture that slicked across his fingers
as his hands roamed off her shoulder, lower, gently cupping one soft
breast, mouth buried in her shoulder, inhaling her scent.

Her legs kept him firmly settled between her thighs, her strength a
welcome factor in keeping them as they rocked, the pace growing
frenzied.

Hands with short fingernails buried themselves into his shoulders,
raking down over the contracting muscles of his back, sliding up to
bury themselves in the damp hair that was now plastered with sweat
against his head.

His mouth continued to move, worshipping the young body he would have
given anything to save, heart and mind full as his hands moved to
either side of her, holding himself above her as he moved, looking down
upon her face as her calves slid up his own, marking him, body writhing
beneath him as he fought to breathe, fought to control the torrent of
emotion running rampant through him.

Her eyes were closed, but her mouth was open, as she gasped for breath,
fingers now moving against the hair on his chest, sliding up to rub
against his pectorals in an unconscious effort to be closer to him.

Her body arched under his, hips rocking harder, and he groaned as her
hands moved against his skin, up his throat to cup his chin, pulling
down so that his mouth covered hers again, tongues moving in hot, moist
complete abandon.

His hips moved back and with a grunt he slid forward again, and the
kiss broke up as the body underneath him arched, writhed, and Marie
threw her head back and gasped, a squeak coming from the back of her
throat, her face full of so many emotions as the ride over took her,
her climax taking hold, and she tightened around him, and suddenly his
eyes closed and he growled, louder, harder.

And the world exploded before his very eyes, and his heart burst and he
spasmed against her, and suddenly he fell forward, body spent tired,
found a willing pillow awaiting him against her soft breasts, her body
gasping under his weight, but never allowing him to move as her hands
gently wiped the sweaty bangs from his face.

There was nothing he could do for a full minute but breathe, try
fiercely to get his mind under control, feeling her silent caresses
against the crown of his head, felt the soft brush of her lips against
his forehead, her breathing as loud as his, her chest heaving from
exertion.

But the peace was there, settled in his heart, the love threatened to
overwhelm as he felt the palm on his face as he leaned forward,
pressing his lips gently against her caress before nudging at the
swells that cushioned him, gathering his strength and rolling to the
side, taking her with him, until she was lying against him. And he held
her still, eyes closed, smelling her scent mingled with his, the smell
of sex that was so much more...

Large fingers slid through the silken strands that seemed to float
against his chest, and with the free hand he cupped her chin and took
her mouth with hers, eyes open to see her fluttering lashes against his
cheeks, the trail of dried tears against her own.

When she pulled back to smile gently at him, her eyes were a soft, dark
brown.

And he smiled, and pulled her closer, watching as she battled the
sleep, whispering words of love he never thought he'd say, never
letting her go, realizing he had just accomplished the impossible.

He had made love to Marie.

And it was going to be allright. It was all going to be all right now.

~*~

Fingers gently caressed the fur of the ball of warmth that rested on
his knee, as the man shuddered slightly, wincing as he heard the
purring that came from the cat, felt the vibration beneath his fingers,
soothing him, warming him.

At this moment, it was the only comfort he had.

His eyes closed, his heart beat, and he let out a soft breath, feeling
her drifting around in his thoughts, in his body, in his mind.

It wasn't enough.  Not anymore.

He had never placed much stock in the tangible, but as she whispered in
his mind, smiled in his eyes and laughed in his years, he wanted
nothing more than to take her completely, body and soul.

Destiny was a tricky thing, this he knew well. Perhaps his destiny was
not what he had supposed, perhaps instead of destroying the body in an
effort to keep the mind, he would keep the body and the mind... use
it... use her...

There was a reason she was created in the form of a women, a reason he
was created in the form of a man, a reason that the attraction ran so
rampant and a reason he was feeling entirely conflicted about a game
that should have been over.

The reason was an emotion he didn't dare want to comment on, and it
relied on so much, on a women who did not yet know herself, on an
entity that had yet to manifest itself, and on him... putting a life
above his own selfish needs, his own destiny, something he had never
done before.

Then again... he had never had reason to.

In his heart, in his mind, he called to the body, muttering wordless
incantations under his breath, pulling her, relating to her in spirit
and thought his carefully thought out plan.

The Rogue in his head that had battled him so completely instead
smiled, laughed, and when his eyes opened he saw an image in his dreams
that set his heart pounding and his blood coursing in white hot rage.

The cat fell from his lap as he continued to look, watch, as the man
known as Wolverine invaded the body of the mind he so desperately
wanted to posses, the body that was by rights and markers HIS, his to
control and possess and adore.

And the violet eyes flashed, and Augustus roared.

~*~

Her body jolted, and she sat up, breath coming in and out of her mouth
in huge gasps, her chest constricting for breath as she held a hand to
her breast, her eyes wide open, and yet completely unseeing.

Instead her eyes saw the invasion of her mind, the rush of memories and
future visions that flooded her, rendered her completely paralyzed and
never once was she able to look at the man lying beside her, lost in a
dreamless sleep as his free hand tangled in hers.

Her mouth formed a soundless groan as the violet eyes haunted her,
branded her, marked her, the furious rage and emotion at Marie sliding
through her, and she heard the roar of anger from the being that
possessed her other half, felt it inside of her, the piece of Augustus
she had taken now furious, jolting through her.

She saw the X-Men, littered on a field of snow, she saw Logan, bloodied
and beaten... she saw the eyes and the smile and her body quaked as she
continued to gasp, to feel the constriction and GOD it felt like she
was dying and she was because it was so clear...

Augustus had lost patience.

And her knees slid up to her chest and she cried, fingers desperately
combing through her bangs, biting down on her lip to keep from waking
the man next to her and the game continued to play and in that moment
she knew the game was inevitable, for in the last move she saw the
choice she knew she would have to make, saw the conclusion to the game
she had been fighting, the game that had already been lost :

Storm dangled helplessly from the hold of the man to whom she was bound
by fate, and when she shuddered, she knew Ororo's fate, and she knew
her own.

Her eyes closed and she shuddered and her body jolted, and suddenly it
was over, it was all over.

And when her eyes opened slowly, they were a pristine shade of violet.

She slipped out of the bed where the naked man slept and picked up the
black spandex that had been littered on the floor.

It was time to go home.

~*~

Neither Kitty nor Jubilee said one word to each other as they stood,
eyes drifting over the darkness, the white snow glowing in the
moonlight, beyond them the ice box, barely visible.

Jubilee's throat ached from keeping the emotion hidden, and she
suspected that her much more open friend needed only the slightest
encouragement before she would burst into tears.

So she said nothing.

Shadowcat, no longer a child, did not burst into tears, however. Her
voice was low, even, as she turned to her younger compatriot, and asked
frankly, "Are you scared?"

"Out of my fucking mind."

Silence followed that statement, and Kitty nodded shortly. "Seems like
everyone's out of their mind around here."

Jubilation crossed her arms, keeping her eyes on the darkness that
surrounded them, letting her eyes flicker back to the sleeping camp
once before replying, "How fucking ironic is it that I'm the voice of
reason here?"

That earned her a small smile from her friend, one that never fully
emerged because Kitty's eyes now caught the figure that was walking
slowly up to them. Her breath hitched and her hand squeezed Jubilee's
elbow.

"Is that..."

Jubilee jumped slightly when the figure in black spandex suddenly flew
forward, landing ten feet away.

"Rogue."

"Jubes," she responded, walking toward them slowly. "You guys really
don't get it do you?"

Jubilee heard Kitty take in a deep breath, saw her back up slightly,
fists clenched. "Rogue you're supposed to be back in camp. It's the
only place you're safe."

The comment made Rogue's steps falter, and suddenly a smile slid onto
her lips, and she laughed, shoulders shaking with mirth as she stopped,
regarding them. "You think any of you are safe in there? From him? From
me?"  Her eyes flickered to Jubilee. "The glasses, Jubilee, take them
off. I want to see your face."

Jubilee ignored the suggested, keeping her fingers out, her body
trembling against her will.

"You never trusted me, did you Jubes? No matter what I did you always
were scared of me."

Kitty was breathing hard, eyes glinting as she watched Rogue, shaking
her head slightly. "Rogue... come on girl, we know you're still in
there."

A short chuckle burst from their friend's lips. "Kay, how cliché is
that? 'We know you're still in there'. Yes, Kitty. I'm here, somewhere.
But I have to go, so if you could kindly step aside."

Kitty shot Jubilee a look and Jubilee shook her head, swallowing hard.
"Rogue, we can't let you go, okay? Come on, let's get you back to
camp."

"No.. I don't want to go back to camp. The camp is boring. I have to go
home. Let me go. It's a simple statement. Understand it."

"We're not letting you go, Rogue, so just shut up and get back or we'll
have to take you back." Her fingers lifted and despite the shakiness
that was visible in them, their intention was clear.

Rogue's violet eyes slid to the pointed fingers, and she nodded
slightly, rising slightly, floating a few feet above the ground.

"You know what your problem is Jubes? You're all spit and no fire.
Kinda forgot something didn't you? I've got him in my head... I've his
secrets and I've got yours." As her mouth closed, the winds above them
began to swirl, lifting their hair, sliding through their bangs, and
Rogue landed on the ground, coming forward, "Go for it, Kitty. I'll
give you the first shot."

Kitty's heart was in her throat as she watched one of her best friend's
staring at her with eyes of a stranger, challenging her to a level of
violence that she had never felt comfortable with, and never wanted to
attempt with this particular mutant.

Rogue had killed before, she hadn't.

Rogue's powers were to destroy, Kitty's were for stealth, and although
she had learned long ago to fight with the best of the X-Men, Rogue's
strength and memories of the previous warriors in her head far
outweighed any experience she might have had in her favor.

But Rogue still waited for Kitty to gather her strength, to gather her
gumption to use her powers against one of her closest confidants.

Kitty swallowed hard once again, took a deep breath, never daring to
take her eyes off of Rogue.

Remy's voice broke through the winds, Jubilee cried out to him, sparks
flew and cards exploded and that second, Rogue had waited long enough.

Her feet left the ground and before she could quite place her former
friend, Kitty was flung onto her back, mouth stinging, coughing blood,
head aching and shoulder searing in pain.

Her eyes fluttered with flashes of pain,  but she still saw through the
murky haziness, Rogue diving into Jubilee, Jubilee crying out in pain,
Rogue's arm reaching back and coming down again.

Kitty groaned, pushed herself up on one elbow, but suddenly Rogue was
back, straddling her, and the violet eyes bore into hers as she
whispered.

"Times up. Game's lost, Kitty."

Above her, Rogue put her gloved hands to her teeth, and biting down,
pulled off the covering, removing one deadly bare hand. Kitty's eyes
widened and she struggled, but Rogue's knees had her elbows pinned and
she was helpless when she touched her face.

Oh, GOD. She was falling, slipping, and the most intense pain she had
ever experienced jerked through her and her body froze, she screamed
and fell back, when the contact was lost.

It had to have been only a half second... but it felt like years.

Her mind reeled and when Rogue's hand descended again, her eyes
fluttered and she thought Rogue's eyes might have been brown-

In the second fatal caress she felt it all come back.

"Pretty damn cool, huh?" Rogue whispered, and Kitty felt herself blink
up in surprise.

The pressure of the body on top of her was gone and she gasped, fingers
on her face, as Jubilee fell in the snow beside her.

"Kitty!" Gloved, masculine hands lifted her up, cradled her slightly,
and her eyes opened groggily to perceive Gambit's dark red orbs staring
down at her.

Oh, God. She wasn't dead. She was barely even in pain. With a groan,
she nodded, sitting up, shaking her head, and motioning to the sky. "Go
after her. I'll take care of Jubes."

He hesitated once, but nodded, stumbling to his feet and racing in the
direction Rogue had disappeared.

Oh, God. She took in several deep gasps, wiping the blood away from her
face, smearing it across her cheek as she turned to Jubilee. The mutant
had a bleeding nose, and broken glasses were dangling from the crook of
her ear.

"Jubes!"

Her Asian-American friend groaned, reaching up to touch her nose
tenderly.

She sat up slowly, hands on her ribs, holding them tightly, and the
blood stained glasses fell onto the crisp white snow.

All Kitty heard was a whisper.

"We are SO screwed."

~*~

The darkness was inside her, and her chest was tight, so tight. She
fought for to breathe, battled for the right to take in even the most
minute amount of air.

Charles' kind eyes looked down upon her, and Jean felt helpless, bound
with her own fear of the darkness, of her own inadequacy and the terror
of the unknown.

Rogue smirked at her, and behind her, in the dark depths of her eyes,
she saw the murky figure of a man with the purple eyes, who called her
Predator and a coward.

"GOD!"

She came to with a sucking in of her breath, chest heaving with panic,
and when the hand squeezed her shoulder unexpectedly she shrieked,
lashing out with her mind.

"JEAN!"

Scott scrambled from the other side of the makeshift bed, dashing past
her. The familiar voice brought back reality, and thankful for it, Jean
blinked, the fear leaving her body only to be replaced by dread when
she realized who it was she had tossed to the other side of the room.

Scott was kneeling next to a very injured Kitty.

"Oh, God, Kitty," she threw off the covers and ran to her side, falling
onto her knees to inspect the damage. "What happened?"

"You kinda threw her across the room," Jubilee said, standing in the
doorway of the large tent. "And um... Rogue kinda beat us up and left."


"What?!" Scott shot Jean a quick glance, but she could only turn back
to Kitty.

Kitty coughed, wiping blood from her bleeding lip before she rasped,
"She's gone."

~*~

Pendulums were fairly hypnotic. They were soothing, and Storm suspected
that was the very reason this one was placed in her room, with its
clicking and rocking, the gold swinging back and forth, her eyes roving
after it.

It was meant to soothe, to take the mind and relax it, release the
anxiety.

It was meant to hypnotize, and Storm knew that Augustus' path was paved
with anything but good intentions.

When the door opened and the servants, the mutants who worshipped this
man and barely looked at her, brought in the trays with the food, she
barely raised an eyebrow.

When he strode in after them and offered her a drink, she accepted with
the grace of a Princess, knowing it would never be poisoned.

It simply wasn't his style. His game was of the mind, and although she
wasn't exactly a team player, she could hold her own for a short while.

Exactly what she was waiting for, she wasn't sure. Hope maybe... she
hardly expected the entire X-team to come trudging in here, guns
ablazing. Indeed, she prayed they would not, because she knew more than
one, a red-eyed Cajun in particular, wouldn't think twice, and that
just wouldn't do.

She had no idea what on earth would happen to her mind, to her heart if
she saw anything happen to him.

The fractured worry and the increased beating of her heart at the mere
thought of him was disconcerting enough.

As she sipped the wine, she turned, the silken robe that had been
provided quite a comfortable contrast to the chafing leather of her
uniform, but she never let her guard slip as he continued to ask her
questions about her well being, and when the question came, she almost
smiled.

"So how long do you think we have to wait before they arrive?"  The
tone was friendly and conversational, accompanied with a smile and a
look at his watch.

Storm finished her glass, setting it on the table, eyes never leaving
his as she slowly shook her head. "I have already told you they will
not come."

He was quiet for a minute. "You think so?"

"I think so. I know my leaders. They will not risk the group for the
life of one."

"They did it before."

"They also learn from their mistakes."

"They're a volatile bunch."

"Only when they choose to be. Deep down they are solid."

"You have tremendous faith," he pronounced, crossing his legs and
leaning back, regarding her, his body shaking slightly as his eye color
flickered slightly.

She raised an eyebrow. "They will not come."

"Well one of us is here right now."

Oh, God.

Storm froze, her heart jolting, thudding against her ribcage, breath
catching, and she prayed, literally, that the voice did not belong to
who she thought it did.

Her eyes slowly led to the doorway, watching as Augustus froze, his
head jerking back, rising out of his chair with an awkwardness that
seemed uncharacteristic, his glass sloshing as he slammed it down.

"Rogue."

Rogue smiled, leaning in the doorway, eyes only for Augustus, and good
GOD...

The eyes were violet.

Storm's fists rolled into balls, her figure trembling slightly as Rogue
walked into the doorway, hair tumbling wild and free, blood drying on
her knuckled, visible when she slid her hands through her long hair,
walking to meet Augustus in the middle of the floor, a torrid smile on
her face.

From her position, Storm could only watch, afraid to say a word, not
sure whether to be frightened or relieved.

But Augustus only glowered.

Rogue's hand reached forward, sliding down one powerful bicep, her eyes
twinkling in mirth. "What'sa matter, honey?"

There was one hard swallow from Augustus, and when he spoke, the tone
was dark, hoarse, and so terribly unsure that Storm had a hard time
believing it was him speaking.

"You were a very bad girl."

Rogue only smiled.

There was a long intense stare, and those damn orbs kept flickering,
and Storm could only breathe.

Until Augustus smiled and Rogue smiled back.

Large hands slipped about a small waist, and she was pulled against the
dark, hard body.

Rogue's mouth tilted up and Storm's stomach plummeted when Augustus
reached down and their mouths met in one hot, searing kiss.

Their lips clung together, eyes closed as they held each other like
lovers, and when he finally released her, Rogue just cocked an eyebrow,
sliding one hand down his chest before turning to her.

"Storm."

Her breath was shaky, but she managed, "Rogue. Welcome back."

"Thank you, nice to be back. I trust Augustus has treated you well."

Rogue advanced, and despite her shaky limbs and increasing dread, Storm
managed to rise to her feet and meet her.

"I have no complaints. You're looking better."

"Oh, darlin' I'm fucking awesome." Rogue's eyes bore into hers, and
Storm unconsciously jumped when Rogue reached forward and took her
hand, entangling their fingers, looking up to her.  She pulled back,
and the strength in the gesture caused Storm to stumble, falling into
Rogue's arms, feeling her lips on her ears as she heard, "Ever
deliberately lost control, Ororo? Feels DAMN good."

Just as forcefully, Storm was shoved back into her chair, her mind
reeling and her heart plummeting as she heard Augustus' laugh, dark and
crystal clear, overtaking her mind, her heart...

She was lost in her own fear, as the violet eyes of her friend looked
down upon her.

There was no hope.


=====
Melissa Flores aka Misty
~*~*~
http://www.wolverineandrogue.com/mistiec

You all know that I am a pacifist. So I am not interested in war in any way. But
you know what? When the revolution comes, I will have to destroy you all. Not
you Joey.
~Phoebe, The One with the Ride Along

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail - only $35
a year!  http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/

For disclaimers, etc., see part one.

*****

I had just settled into a really interesting article in my newly-
arrived People magazine, when the door flung open and Rogue stomped
in.

"Hey, Roguie, how's tall, dark, and growly?"

"Tired," Rogue answered as she set down a really disgusting dinner
platter on the table in front of me and plopped down on her bed.

Ok, the smell and sight of a bloody hunk of beef is really hindering
my worship of the full-page, almost-obscenely-unclothed Heath Ledger
picture laying in front of me.  He too is a hunk of meat, but in an
entirely different, much more pleasant way.

"Thanks for bringing me that, Rogue, but I already had dinner."

"Sorry, Jubes.  I brought that up for Logan, but he'd rather sleep
than eat it."

"Ok... so you thought I might want it instead?"

"No, sorry.  I just wanted to, well, maybe talk, but you're right.
I'll take this downstairs."

She picked up the platter again, but now she had my full attention.
Rogue's been in one kind of bad mood or another since Logan came back
and she hasn't told anyone why, or at least not anyone who'd tell
me.  Sure, I'm not exactly great at keeping secrets, but I'm her
roommate.  I should know everything.  Now, here she was offering to
bare all, and I wasn't about to let her get away.

"Rogue, set that down, girl," I said, taking her gloved hands and
guiding the tray back to the desk.  She flinched when I touched her,
but not bad enough to drop the food.  "Tell me what's been bugging
ya."

We both sat down on her bed, she up by the pillows and me down by the
base board.  She pulled a pillow up from behind her back, and
clutching it protectively to her chest, she crossed her legs and
leaned back against the head board.

With a sigh, she started, "It's... well, it's just..."

"Logan?" I asked, trying to jump-start the conversation.

She looked up at me startled and then she said, "Yeah, well, he's
part of it.  He's a big part of it, but also, it's my... my mutation."

She spent the next few minutes telling me all about the tests with
Jean and the discovery that she'd permanently acquired some of
Logan's and Magneto's powers.  She'd been avoiding everyone because
she was afraid of permanently stealing their gifts.

"That's why Logan came back.  He wasn't healin' as fast as he used
to, and he thought Jeanie might tell him why."

Rogue was slipping into some of Logan's phrases and her accent was
fading in and out, but I didn't interrupt her.  She needed to get
this out.  It didn't matter which personality in there was helping
her do it.

"Now that he touched me again, I've pretty much got all of it.
That's why he's been in the Med Lab so long.  Jeanie didn't say
anything, but I could tell she thought he'd die.  Venom sure thought
he would."

"Whoa, hold the phone there, babe.  Venom?"

Rogue explained to me that there'd been a mutant chick living above
us for the past eight years, never leaving her room when anyone could
see her, kinda like our own, private Quasi Modo.

"She wanted me to absorb her powers so she could be human again.
That's why this thing about my skin can't get out, Jubes.  There are
a lot of kids here that are lookin' for a cure.  You can't tell
anyone."  She leaned forward, her expression so intense.

"Ok, ok.  I won't tell anyone," I answered, leaning back and holding
up my hands in surrender.  "Not even Kitty if you don't want me to.
No worries, gal."

She kept staring at me, then she closed her eyes and breathed deeply
through her nose.

"Ok," she said, seemingly satisfied with my answer, and relaxed back
against the head board.  "Anyway, Logan stopped her but not before
she poisoned both of us.  Logan touched me to save my life, and now
I've got pretty much all of his powers."

"Dude.  You mean his healing and senses and all that?  Kewl."

"Jubes," she said, her voice dropping in disapproval.

"No, I mean.  Yeah, it's crappy for him, but it's kinda neat for
you.  You're, like, untouchable now."

"But Logan can't heal, not like he used to.  He's still recovering
and I don't know if he'll ever be the same.  What's he supposed to do
with the rest of his life?"

"Live it, gal, like the rest of us.  He's not dying; he's just not a
superhero anymore."

"But if he hadn't touched me..." she looked down and clutched the
pillow more tightly.

I leaned forward and grabbed her hand, getting her full
attention.  "None of that, babe.  I'm not letting you grab a ticket
for that guilt trip.  From what you told me about this Venom chick,
if he hadn't touched you, you'd be dead."

"Yeah, but..."

"No buts.  He saved your life, again."  And that just raised a whole
new question in my mind.  "Wait a second.  If he saved you, who saved
him?  From what you said, that poison was deadly."

"He was dying.  Seriously.  I can still see him lying in that dark
room, barely alive," she shuddered involuntarily at that mental
picture.  "Jeanie saved him.  She took some of the antibodies from my
blood and injected them into him."

"So he got the healing thing back with your blood?" I asked, slightly
confused.

"Nope, just the antibodies.  He's still takin' forever to heal, but
at least he didn't die."

"Yeah, see, he'll be fine."

"But he's still... it doesn't feel right, Jubes.  He slept the entire
day away and he's still sleeping.  That can't be good.  Could there
be something else wrong with him?"

"Nah, you know how much you sleep after the flu or something.  He's
just healing naturally.  If you're really worried you can check up on
him at breakfast before school."

-----

As it happened, we did see the Wolvster at breakfast right before we
had to leave.  Rogue, Kitty, and I were just rising our dishes when
he dragged himself in, still rumpled from sleep, in some dark pajama
bottoms and no shirt.

Heavens, I'd forgotten how good that man looked shirtless.  Of
course, last time I'd seen him dressed this way, he was shaking on
the floor after Rogue had touched him the first time.  Come to think
of it, he didn't look that much better now, obviously still
recovering from his latest Rogue encounter.  Even with all that
against him, the man still has a chest to die for.

"Hey, Logan," Rogue said, smiling for the first time in weeks.  "You
want breakfast.  You're steak's still in the fridge, and I could make
you some eggs."

"Naw," he said, shaking his head and rubbing his eyes.  "You go to
class, kid.  I'm just gonna grab a slice of toast."

"Toast?  A slice?" she asked with the same astonished expression I
might have if he said he was just gonna have some worms for breakfast.

"Yeah, toast," he answered defensively.  "Go on now, you're gonna be
late."

-----

The next time I saw him was later that week.  Rogue dragged him into
the TV room and they overruled my Real World episode for hockey.  I
never get a chance to use the big screen TV.  Every time I'm in
there, somebody comes in and steals it away from me.  I guess I
could've gone up to our room and watched my show on our smaller TV,
but I was pissed, so I stayed.

Some Canadian hockey team was playing another Canadian hockey team.
I kept asking stupid questions, hoping that they'd get sick of me and
leave, but they didn't, and I actually started to pay attention to
the game.  The pictures of some of the players came up on the screen,
and I had to admit that a couple of them were cute, in a chiseled
kinda way.  Of course, they probably all had full sets of dentures
from getting their teeth knocked out.

There were a couple of violent fights, with blood and everything, and
that's when Rogue and Logan really got really into it, cheering for
more gore.  It was like that movie, Gladiator, where everyone wanted
Russell Crowe to kill or be killed.

I was getting up to leave when Logan turned to Rogue and said, "Does
this taste metallic to you?" handing her his beer can.

Ok, so that's why she hung out with Logan.  He evidently didn't care
that she was under the legal limit.

She sipped at it and said, "Nope, tastes fine to me."

"Huh, I thought it was the can," he said, then when she tried to hand
it back to him, he said, "Keep it."

I was so getting in on this.  "Hey, Rogue, can I have some?"

"No, kid," Logan growled before she could answer.  "You're too young."

"But," I stammered.  "She's my age, too."

"Yeah, but she's got my healing powers and my taste for the stuff,"
he argued.  "You don't have either."

That's it.  I got up and went to our room to watch a sensible show.

-----

I didn't see him again until Friday night, and I really wasn't paying
attention.  St. John had just brought me back home three hours past
curfew, and we were making out on the porch.  Hell, if you're going
to break curfew, why not make the most of it?

Anyway, I had St. John's tongue exactly where I wanted it when the
front door burst open.  We jumped apart so quickly that I was backed
up against the stair railing before I realized I'd moved.  Logan was
standing there in the doorway, flushed and sweating, wearing only a
pair of boxer shorts.  He was breathing hard, and I don't even think
he knew I was there before I spoke.

"Hey, Wolvie.  What's up?"

He looked down at me and then over at St. John with a confused,
distant expression.

"Too... hot," he said, then he shuffled down the steps and started
walking across the lawn.

"Ok..." I said, staring after him.  Then, St. John sidled up next to
me again, and I forgot about everything else.

-----

The next day, Rogue shook me awake.

"Jubes, I can't find Logan.  No one's seen him, and I can't get a
fresh scent.

"Can't help ya," I mumbled, turning over to go back to sleep.  "Only
saw him last night."

"Last night?"

I was immediately yanked up from my soft, warm bed and being shaken
by none too gentle hands.

"Wake up, Jubes.  When last night?"

Squinting at her, I said, "About three, maybe?"

"Three?  Where?" she said, shaking me again.  She was practically
frantic, and I couldn't understand her worry, but it was starting to
make me worry, too.

"Hang on," I said, getting up and putting on my robe.  "I'll show
you."

I lead her downstairs to the front door and tried to remember which
direction he'd left in before St. John attracted my attention.

"I think...  Yeah, he was walking this way, towards the lake.  What's
wrong, Rogue?"

"I went in his room this morning, and it didn't smell right.  I don't
know how to describe it.  Sickly, maybe.  Anyway, then I couldn't
find him anywhere, and I..." she stopped mid-sentence, lifting up her
head to sniff the air.  "I've got him."

She started running, and I followed.  We made our way through the
woods towards the lake.  It was only after we'd cleared the foliage
that we saw him, collapsed on the shore, up to his waist in water.

*****

TBC.

I'm new to this list, I just watched x-men the movie for the first
time last night and i loved it. I used to read the comics and I was a
huge Gambit and Rogue fan. But after watching the movie I am loving
the Rogue and Logan. (Darn if only she was older! lol) I really and
loving the fic for them. And I was wondering if the writers of Rogue
and Logan fics could please send me their fics. I promise to send
feedback on each and every one. Thanks so much!

Monique

Nsync Lovers United
http://devoted.to/nsyncloversunited

Unique Reflections(Not finished)
http://devoted.to/unique

(Check out my fics at fanfiction.net) Search for author
monique_timberlake or search for story titles Life Changes and They
Think They Know

Skittles1711@...
monique_timberlake@...
timberlakeshottie@...
webmaster@...

AOL Screen Name= Skittles1711
Yahoo Screen Name= Skittles1711
MSN Screen Name= monique_timberlake@...

Title: Can't Run Forever (4/?) PG slash themes
Authors: Chris (teufelce@...) and J. Marie T. (jmariewolvie@...)
Rating: PG slash themes, profanity
Feedback: Would be very much appreciated!
Disclaimer: The characters and universe of X-Men are the property of 20th
Century Fox and the Marvel Entertainment Group. This story is for
entertainment purposes only and no copyright infringement is intended.
Pairing: Logan, Scott
Universe: Movie
Genre: Slash theme, introspection
Summary: Scott's second letter to Logan...
Series/Sequel: Sequel to Run, Series - Can't Run Forever
Archive: If you want it - please just let us know where.



CAN'T RUN FOREVER - 4

Okay, so finding you wasn't really that hard, Logan. I simply triangulated
your position down to a couple hundred miles from the postmark on your
letter.  After that, I calculated the time it took your letter to reach me
along with a rough estimate of how long I figured you'd stay in one place,
and what your next destination would likely be. Guess my math wasn't too far
off, huh? Yeah well, I don't usually get much mail myself. Besides, it isn't
polite not to reply to correspondence. Jesus, did I just write that? You're
not weak, Logan. There is NOTHING weak about you. We all have our weak
moments and that's all it was, just a moment. There's still time to fix it.

Well I'm not on my bike either and I know ALL about staring at your letter
trying to determine what to say. Can't say as I've been in many flea bitten
motels though. I hope you've had your flea bath for the month. Damn, I'm
sorry, reflex, you know?

That's good. I'm glad you get the point.

There isn't much to see, Logan, just my eyelids. It's the dimples. I smiled
when you flipped me off with your claw. Hell, I smiled when you called me a
'dick'. It's a long list but it's not important. It's kind of a long story,
Logan. We were engaged but Jean gave me back the ring when we decided we were
better off as just friends.  It was all make-believe, all just an illusion.

No, it's impossible to deny. I never have either, Logan.  Not by a long shot.
I didn't think that I could ever feel anything more powerful than what I felt
for Jean but ... I was so wrong.

Well then, I guess we're even because I didn't expect it from you in the
first place. I still don't know what to say, Logan.

Yes I did but only because I was talking about you. You know I don't drink
though I'm tempted to grab a beer at the very least to help me get through
this letter. You don't have to respond to it, Logan, just ... know it's how I
feel, what I think. Diplomacy. A leader is often times called upon as a
diplomat. That may be so but it's not like you're not good at getting
yourself out of trouble. I wish there were something I could do to help. Oh
shit, did I say that? Well I guess if you're lucky you'll see for yourself
what I like, Wolvie. Too late, already responded to it so I can't take it
back. Why are you drinking? I know you care about her, Logan, and you're
right, I shouldn't have but I'm sorry to say that I did. I mean it takes a
big man to admit that he's wrong, right? Well ... that seems to be a common
enough occurrence.

Yeah ... I guess it is... That may be true but isn't that better than hiding
in a hole? Better than living a measured, predicable life surrounded by
people who think they know you but don't? Isn't it better than feeling
trapped or caged with no hope of escape? Christ, where is this shit coming
from? Like? No, I don't like your chest, Logan, I LOVE IT!! I mean, my GOD,
your chest is a work of art! Anyway, yeah you guessed it; I'm stalling. Uh
... you have a great ass, Logan. Phew, glad that's out...

Hell, Logan, if you hadn't ... left, I wouldn't have realized... I wouldn't
have analyzed it. I would have continued on in my "perfect" little world of
delusions, fighting what I was feeling harder than I fought Magneto and the
Brotherhood. I mean do you really think any of this would have happened if
you hadn't left? Oh I looked at you a lot, Logan, and I'd take that prize any
day of the week! Yes, I do know what you mean and it is nice to know I wasn't
alone. So what did YOU do in the shower? I did not just write that... I don't
suppose I'd get away with scribbling that out? What DID I want? The same
thing I want now, Logan... YOU!

You're wanted... Hey, what can I say? You know ... I almost left a note on
her for you but I wasn't sure you'd appreciate it... More ... more of me
there? Damn... I wish all of me were there, Logan... Putting the bottle down
is good.

That I want you. That I've NEVER wanted anything more than I want you. That's
... that's nice to know. Looking forward to sleep, huh? Does that mean that
you haven't been so plagued with those nightmares? I don't mean to bring it
up if it's a touchy subject, I’m just ... concerned.

It's nothing major or serious, it's just... Well since Jean and I broke up,
it's like someone died around here. I don't know what it is but the kids ...
hell everyone is taking it harder than we did. I don't know... I meant I
don't know why everyone's taking it so hard. Didn't want you to think that I
didn't know what you would "come home" to... You'd come home to Rogue ...
Marie. She misses you a lot, Logan, and you did promise her you'd be back,
didn't you? You'd be coming home to the team; we need you there... Uh, there
are a lot of people here that care about you, Logan, not the least of which
would be ... me.  Don't worry, Logan, I'm hoping to live a long life and I
know getting Rogue hurt isn't the way to accomplish that! Really though,
she's doing great and she hasn't really gone on any "real" missions yet.
Chances are she'll go on the next one however, Storm and I both agree that
she's ready, and I will watch her like she's my own! I ... I need... I need
  ... damn, I didn't think it would be so hard ... hell there's a lot of
things hard right now. Holy shit, I did NOT just write that. Well, guess that
pretty much answers your last question, huh? I will, Logan, don't worry.
She's a great ... YOUNG LADY, she's not a kid anymore. There are a lot of
people here waiting to be your family, Logan. I take care of myself ... if
only so I'm here to take care of everyone else. Oh right, I guess you did
repay that little life debt I had on you. Guess our lives belong to each
other now... Shit, I just need to go to bed before I make a complete ASS of
myself.

Thanks for going on the record and as you can see, I've babbled my way
through another couple of pages. So ... I'll just get this ready for the mail
and…  Take care, Logan, okay? I'd like to see you in one piece again  ...
soon. Don't feel like you have to respond to this if you don't want to. I'll
see you.

Scott

Hi! Here's the next story of mine.. it's kind of a
"prequel" to the whole Scott/Jubilee series...

Tell me what you think!! mrs_james_marsden@...


Disclaimer: I don’t own the X-Men... Stan Lee does...
Note: I know Jubilee’s parents were killed and she’s
really from Beverly Hills in the comic book, but this
is movie-versed and so her past was not established.

Genesis: A Jubilee Story

I hate my sister. She was so young and immature and
lacked dignity, and common sense. She’s the reason
that I left. The reason why I ran away from home.
Well, partially. My family in general is so
unsupportive of me. When I found out about my mutant
powers, they weren’t there for me. They only isolated
me and I felt like a stranger in my own home. It was
for the better that I left.

I didn’t tell anyone what I was planning. I didn’t
want anymore unnecessary attention. So I bottled
everything up and planned my escape for months. I
didn’t really know where I would go. Being in Chicago,
there really wasn’t a good place to go. So I decided
to set out for New York. That city was so full of
life, I figured it would be easy to find a place to
live.

As the weeks and days passed, my day of leaving was
approaching. I had booked a train ticket that would
take me to New York State. I didn’t have enough to get
to New York City and so I took the one that would
bring me to Westchester. I supposed it was close
enough to where I wanted to go and I could make do
with what I could afford.

The week before I was going to run away, I began
packing my belongings secretly. I also wrote a short
note saying that it wasn’t working out here and I
hoped they were happier now that I was gone. I tucked
it under my pillow knowing they would find it once I
went missing.

After much anticipation, the day had finally come. I
got the train ticket out from my sock drawer and put
it into my knapsack. I only had that backpack and a
small duffel bag with me, but it was enough to carry
the essentials: clothing, toothbrush, towel, a
portable CD player and a couple of my favourite CDs. I
left all the photos and memories of this life behind
me. I didn’t want any reminders.

I put on my yellow jacket and my new sunglasses.
Without looking back, I left for the train station to
start a new life. I arrived half an hour before the
train was to leave so I found my seat and got settled
for a long ride. After what seemed like an eternity,
the train pulled out of the station and I was on my
way. It was going to be approximately a 7 hour trip,
or so the conductor told me. I fell asleep for 2 of
the hours and woke up wondering if the people back
home found my note yet. I listened to my music for the
remaining hours and I finally heard the words I had
been waiting to hear form the conductor: “Next stop,
Winchester, New York.”

I gathered my bags and when the train pulled up to the
station, I got out and looked around at the large
station. It was a beautiful place and looked very
historic. I glanced up and noticed the gorgeous carved
ceiling above me. I walked around a bit more and
absorbed the new environment. I walked outside and the
sun was beginning to set. Without realizing it, I
walked right into somebody standing at the newsstand
kiosk.

“Oh! I’m so terribly sorry,” I apologized as I looked
up at the man in front of me.

“That’s okay,” he replied with a smile. I thought to
myself how gorgeous this man was. His smile was so
kind and genuine, I felt compelled to talk to him. So
I approached him and asked him to direct me to an
affordable hotel that I could stay at. He asked me why
I didn’t go home and I explained to him my situation.
He looked at me sympathetically and offered me a place
to stay.

I was hesitant at first but he clarified that it was a
school for the gifted and there were other people my
age living there as well. I agreed and he introduced
himself as Scott Summers while we walked to his
motorcycle. I held on tight behind him, both to my bag
and Scott’s waist.

We soon pulled up to an enormous mansion behind
wrought-iron gates. Scott parked his motorcycle in the
garage, which held a large number of vehicles, and
helped me with my bag. I couldn’t help but ask him why
he was wearing sunglasses when it was so dark outside.

He smiled at me and told me to watch. He led me to the
side and aimed his gaze at a deserted wooded area. He
lifted his sunglasses and an intense red beam of light
shot out of his eyes. He put his sunglasses back on
and turned to me, expecting a look of horror. Instead,
a smile spread across my face. I stepped forward and
held out my hands. As I knew it would, my “fireworks”
started to form. I controlled these orbs into a
powerful sphere, then changed them into streamer-like
shapes and directed them into the woods which it then
exploded a small tree. “Oops,” I said sheepishly.

Scott looked at me in awe. “You mean... you’re a
mutant too?” he asked in disbelief. I nodded
excitedly, now that I had found one of my own kind.
Granted he was older than me by a significant amount,
he was really handsome nonetheless.

He carried my duffel bag for me and brought me into
the mansion. We walked into an office where a bald man
in a wheelchair sat.

“Professor, this is Jubilee,” Scott told the man.

“Ah, Jubilee,” he replied, as if he knew me. “Welcome
to my school for the gifted. I understand you also
have mutant powers.” I was amazed at how he knew that
and the “Professor” explained that he was psychic. His
name was Charles Xavier and he had started this school
as a place where mutants could go to learn about their
powers and attend classes. He informed me that Scott
was one of the teachers here and that he would show me
to my room.

I thanked him and followed Scott up the main staircase
to one of the rooms. He opened the door and put my bag
on one of the beds. There were two other beds in the
room and I wondered who my roommates were. Scott
turned to leave as I thanked him again.

He smiled and said, “Enjoy your stay here Jubilee.”


=====
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"So what do you say, Mr. Summers?"
"I say 'I love you', Ms. Grey. Today. Tomorrow. And every day for the rest of my
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TITLE: Slippery When Wet
AUTHOR : Melissa Flores
EMAIL: mistiec_flores@...

GENRE: X-Men: The Movie, Wolverine/Rogue, ensemble. Storm/Gambit,
Scott/Jean, Rogue/Augustus

RATING: R for violence and language, and sexual situations, and MAJOR
ANGST.

WARNING: This is a serious roller coaster, guys. There are a lot of
falls and I'm pretty sure by the end of chapter three half of you will
be ready to kill me. And after chapter five you'll all be wanting to
lynch me. What I ask is that you reserve all hangings and death threats
until you read the whole thing. :-) It's also a day long read, so I'm
going to be posting a chapter a day, two if I feel I can, cause it's
heavy stuff. :-)


CHAPTER FIVE


He had woken up alone.

Panic had seemed a very viable option, as his eyes roamed over the room
where nothing was out of place but his black uniform, thrown
halfhazardly on the floor.

Rogue's night gown was neatly folded and placed on her side of the bed,
the pillow looked fluffed, and her smell, mingled with the lingering
smell of sex and sweat, was fading. Her black uniform, her boots, and
the long black coat was gone.

He called out her name, heart suddenly pounding as he threw off the
covers, pulling on his boxers, searching the tent.

"Marie."

His voice was hoarse, and in that split second, when no one answered
but the winds that brought snow in through the flap at the door, he
grew absolutely terrified.

"LOGAN!"

His eyes flew toward to the door and saw Remy burst in, red eyes dark,
moist. Logan stood, hands clenched in fists, coming forward and
grabbing Remy by the arms, eyes narrowed.

"Where is she?"

Remy was gasping, long, in indrawn breathes, and he smelled of sweat
and blood. "She took off."

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE TOOK OFF?!"

"She took off, Logan! She attacked Kitty and Jubilee and left. I
followed her as far as the ice box but then the damn thing opened and
closed up behind her. She went back to him."

Logan gasped, chest constricted as his grip tightened on Remy's
shoulders. "No," he breathed, as he shook his head emphatically. "She
wouldn't do that."

"She did."

"SHUT UP! She wouldn't just leave! Not after-"

"Logan." The feminine voice was quiet, but it was firm enough to
squelch his protest. His panicked stance did not escape her, but Jean,
her glasses glinting the dark light, barely looked at the rumpled
sheets, and the half-naked man. "Get dressed and meet us in Tent C."

Remy swallowed, averted his eyes from his gasping friend, shrugging
sadly. "Sorry, Logan."

He too exited the tent, leaving Logan alone, with nothing but burning
eyes and a broken heart.

~*~

She waited for Logan, not saying a word and instructing Scott and Remy
to follow her example, as they sat at the table.

Her eyes were on charts, graphs, numbers, but her mind and her heart...


Slowly, very careful not to be obvious, her eyes flickered over Jubilee
and Kitty, both of whom were being tended to by Robert Drake and St.
John. She let her eyes take in the scene, the four friends who were
taking just enough comfort from each other not to break down, before
she tore her eyes away and took in a deep breath, trying desperately to
steady her trembling insides.

With a swift movement, she took off her glasses, laying them carefully
to the side of her notes, and turned, voice soft and low, to Scott.

"Any suggestions?"

He gave a short chuckle, harsh and brusque, shoulders shaking slightly.
From her viewpoint, the jaw and mouth seemed hard and angry, and once
again Jean would have given anything to see the eyes that he had told
her once were blue.

"Jean you do not want to know what is going through my mind."

Her eyes softened slightly. "On the contrary, I do."

He shrugged. "Then look."

"I want you to tell me."

He swallowed, and suddenly the red visors were directed at her, as he
turned, regarding the newly appointed leader. "I don't want to tell
you, Jean. Not right now. I'm sorry."

That stung. It really stung. She felt the moisture cloud her eyes and
she leaned back, blindly reaching for her glasses and putting them back
on, posture once more erect as the flap was lifted open and Logan
walked in, eyes bloodshot and wild, coming to stand next to Remy
Lebeau.

She waited a beat, as the whispering stopped and all eyes focused on
hers, before clearing her throat, no emotion in her voice as she began
to speak. "All right, we have a problem." Jubilee snorted slightly, but
one look from Jean silenced her. "Just to get everybody up to date, at
approximately, 2:30 this morning, Rogue left us, and left two very
damaged X-Men in her wake."

"Damaged, but not killed," Bobby replied, his voice hoarse and tense.
"That's a good sign right?"

"Uh... excuse me? Voice of reason here!" Jubilee looked understandably
pissed as she rose to her feet, eyes naked to them, the moisture in
them a testament to the emotion in her voice. "I love Rogue, okay? But
do you guys need like, a neon sign? She has lost it. It is a dangerous
situation."

"But-"

"No, buts, Bobby. She could have killed us."

"Jubilee's right." Remy sucked in his breath, his eyes narrowed,
ignoring the tense Logan beside him as he strode to the table.

"Don't even say it, Cyclops."

"HEY." Scott's voice was hard, and it ran with authority as he launched
to his feet, lenses directly on the Cajun thief. "Don't you start,
Remy. I trusted her with my life. But we have to face facts okay? She
has gone, she left us, she verbally threatened Storm, who might I add
is still missing, AND she has taken two members of the team. Do NOT say
this is unwarranted."

"She's still in there."

Logan's voice was low, but full of determination, and it made the group
pause, look at him. His form was tight, his stance defensive, but his
eyes were strangely hollow as he looked at  no one and every one.

"How do you know that?" Jean answered.

"I spent more time with here than anyone here, didn't I?" he snapped
angrily. "I know. She's... she's in there."

"Logan." Kitty's tone was gentle, but her eyes were firm as she looked
at him. "We can't... I want to trust you and take your word on it...
but the life of Storm, our lives... she touched me, and I don't know
how I didn't die. I'd like so much to believe you-"

"Believe it."

"We need proof Logan!" she demanded. "This is too dangerous to take
your word."

"I just know, Dammit. Marie's still in that body and as long as there's
something to save I'm not letting anyone get near her." The angry tone
was accompanied with a growl, making it a very real threat.

From the corner of her eye, Jean could Remy nod slightly. "Maybe she go
save Storm, eh?"

"That is taking SO much on faith," St. John snapped. "Look the time
comes when we have to cut our losses, no matter how much it hurts and
try to take her out."

Logan growled, and lunged forward. St. John stumbled back, hands ready,
but Remy caught Logan, holding him back.

"Guys. Enough." Jean interrupted, one slender hand coming up to shut
everyone up. Her eyes remained on Logan, and with a quiet nod, she went
around Scott, arms crossed, facing him. He gazed at her, but her eyes
never met his, mouth set in a grim line as she leaned forward,
whispered gently in his ear. "Logan, I'm going to ask you a question.
Do not nod, do not give any indication of an answer. Just think it for
me. Did you sleep with Rogue?" No one else heard the question, but all
eyes were on her, watching curiously.

His body tensed, she could hear the indrawn hiss, and her mind
immediately locked onto his answer.

She nodded shortly, leaning away from him, turning to the group. "As of
this moment, we do not consider Rogue as an ally, but as a threat that
we avoid at all costs. Right now our main concern is Storm, then we try
to salvage Rogue-"

"Jean-"

"THEN we try to save Rogue," she repeated firmly, her gaze pinning
Logan.

His eyes flashed, but he said nothing.

When she felt he had conceded, she turned back to the group. "I want a
layout of the mansion of what you two remember, Remy and Logan. The
rest of you, brief the others on what just happened, and make sure
everything is in working order. Scott... take over. I'm going to check
on the Professor."

With a headache pounding away at her brain, and the nausea at the
helplessness of the situation spreading through her abdomen, Jean
walked away from her team.

~*~

It was quite amusing, when one stopped to think about the situation he
had gotten himself into. If he really thought about it, he would have
to say that things had gotten quite domestic.

His eyes flickered above the book he was reading to the other side of
the room, where Rogue was sitting on the carpet, petting the cat with
one hand, the other raised high in the air, commanding her attention.

He found himself smiling, closing the book and cocking his head,
watching as her fingers danced in the flicker of the fireplace, as her
eyes shone.

His lover. Not in perhaps the physical sense, she had not yet allowed
that, and he humored her. She had her reasons, they were still dealing
with the very powerful bond that was still changing both their bodies,
and thankfully, some of the physical trauma had eased when he had the
body returned to him.

Her eyes had returned to a gorgeous soft brown as he allowed her to
carry the burden of her mind for him, but she seemed infatuated with
the gifts his interaction had brought, and he found it an interesting
learning experience as she combined their gifts.

"What are you doing?" he asked her, putting the book to the side.

She smiled, her eyes turning and regarding him, and she stood,
barefooted, walking toward him before kneeling down in front of him,
palms spread out on his knees. "You changed me." Her hands slid up his
thighs, her eyes rested on the contact. "I can... do things."

His eyes twinkled merrily. "Am I seeing Rogue?"

"I never understood that." She was quiet for a minute, rising up on her
knees to rest her elbows on his thighs, her face lost in thought. "It's
like... everything before doesn't matter anymore... because of who I
am... "

"I think it still matters. Your past will always haunt you, Rogue,
unless you destroy it."

She cocked an eyebrow, a smirk coming to her lips. "Like you did yours,
sugar?"

"I merely did what was necessary for the future." His fingers slid
through her hair, caressing the spot just under her jaw. "Which is
exactly what you should be doing."

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "What do you mean?"

His hands drifted to her shoulders, pulling her up with strength that
he inherited from her, until she was straddling his waist. "What I
mean," he began, violet eyes drifting,  "is that as long as your past,
as long as MARIE exists, you will never face your future."

Her smile faltered, but she stayed put. Her eyes hardened, glinted and
turned a soft purple. "Ah like my past right where it is. In the past."


He pursed his lips, and leaned forward, brushing her lips with his. Her
mouth opened to him, and her tongue slid across his teeth, sucking
slightly, pulling his own back with her. He moaned, eyes snapping open
at the very real loss of control, felt himself slipping when she opened
her channel.

His heart jolted, he felt the weakness, the pain, but with a few
muttered words, suddenly she was pouring into him.

She pulled away then, raising an eyebrow, lifting a hand to his cheek,
and with one caress, took it all back.

"That is the COOLEST thing," she whispered. "Show me more."

He grinned, felt her heartbeat thump against his chest, and he gathered
her face in his hands, and sealed his fate.

"I love you."

She smiled, leaned forward, pressed her lips against his, her hips
pressed against his own, and his mind was filled with her, as his hands
roamed and his eyes closed and her lips met his hungrily.

And never once, did he recall that she had never answered his
questions, nor had she ever said she loved him back.

~*~

When she closed the door behind her, his eyes opened.

Jean smiled tightly, coming forward and settling down next to the bed
where Charles was seated.

"Hey."

"Jean." His hand reached out and she clasped the soft, worn digits in
her own, pressing her face against them, her chest constricting as she
swallowed.  She felt the pressure of his hand on her hair.

"Oh, God, Charles."  Her eyes closed, her shoulders trembling as she
leaned over him. He held her as well as he could, not saying a word,
and she sobbed silently, knowing he knew it all already.

"Jean... shh.. It's all right."

"It's NOT all right!" she burst, lifting her face, eyes streaked with
tears. "We're falling apart out there."

"You're doing just fine."

"I lost Rogue. And I lost Storm. My best friend."

"Rogue lost herself."

She swallowed, looking away. "I wish I could believe that."

"Jean, listen to me." His voice was kind, firm, and it was exactly what
she needed as she straightened, looking into the clear blue eyes tinged
slightly with pain. "You are not the problem. Everyone has their own
mind. All we can do is steer it."

She swallowed. "How can I lead when I am so full of ... doubt and fear
myself?"

Charles could only offer a soft smile. "Everyone must deal with their
demons, Jean. You must accept yours. You are not perfect."

"Believe me professor, no one knows that more than I do."

"You and Scott have always had this mentality that everything you did
or said had to be 'right'. You never quite realized that there is no
right or wrong. There are actions, and consequences. Rogue has chosen
her path."

"But-"

"Jean."   He wheezed slightly, closing eyes, his features contorting in
pain, and her hand reached for his, squeezing.

"Do you want me to get you some medicine?" she asked, wiping the tears
away as she looked him over, instinct taking over emotion.

"No. I need to you listen to me. Jean... Eric and I were the best of
friends. I knew everything about him, but he chose his path." Jean
swallowed, keeping her eyes trained on him. "I lost the best, closest
and more dear person in my life, to a path that he chose. But it was
his to choose, and he accepted the consequences, just as I had to
accept that his path would harm, and MY path was to stop him."

She took in a breath, shaking unsteadily, and he continued, his eyes
trained on hers.

"Jean. I had to learn to let him go."

Her eyes closed and one tear drifted down her soft cheek.

~*~

She was through waiting.

Storm knew that an attempt to escape would more than likely get her
killed, but the very shocking turn of events had led her to take the
chance.

She was hovering behind the door, the heavy marble statue in her hand
when the door opened.

She waited until she saw the back of the head of her former friend, and
with a yell, brought it down.

Rogue moved a split second before it made contact, the statue catching
her in the arm, shattering against her.

"SHIT! OWW!" Rogue spit, her eyes flickering from brown to violet as
she kicked the door closed. "SHIT 'RO! What the FUCK IS THE MATTER WITH
YOU!"

Storm watched, drifting down into fight position, watching with growing
uncertainty as Rogue cursed under her breath, grabbing some of the
melted ice in the bucket of forgotten wine and placing it on her arm.
"Auggie is going to get so pissed. He liked that statue."

Ororo's eyes narrowed. "Rogue?"

"What? Geez." Rogue grabbed a towel, wrapping it against her arm as she
glared at her. "What the hell was that? When did you go all commando?"
Storm's gaze was leveled on her, and she resumed her fight position,
causing Rogue to roll her eyes. "Oh will you stop that? Ah'm not here
to kill you. Though you know if we were at home, I really would kick
your ass."

Storm's position wavered slightly, her milky white eyes resuming her
normal color as she straightened up. She licked her lips, feeling her
heart skip a beat. "Rogue?"

"Yes. It is me. Hello. Augustus is asleep. I took the opportunity to
pay a visit. Locked him away into his own dreams for a while."

Storm wasn't quite sure how to answer that.

"I'm here to get you out of here, preferably without you dying."

Storm swallowed as Rogue opened the door, tossing Storm her black
leather uniform. "Put it on, it's frigid out."

"I ... I'm not sure I understand."

"There's not much to understand. Augustus wants to kill you. I want
nothing more to do with you. My past is dead, but Marie..." she
shrugged, rolling her eyes. "You have to warn the others. She's dying,
little by little... every hour... and when she's dead... there's
nothing stopping me from winning the game."

"The game?"

"The Game, Storm!" Rogue slid on the long black trenchcoat, eyes
shifting color yet again as she looked at her in exasperation. "You
know about the game. It's lost." her steps faltered slightly, and her
mouth pursed as she gazed at Ororo. "Look. I care about you. This
heart... cares about you. But I am bound to that man, and my heart has
no room in his life. He will destroy it at the first crack."

"Would you let him?"

Rogue didn't answer, instead looking outside of the door. "Just get out
of here. Warn the others. When it's complete, my past will be
obliterated. Ah think you qualify as being a part of it."

The hardness in Rogue's voice struck a chill in Storm's body, and she
took in a breath, eyes narrowing. "I am afraid I do not trust you."

Rogue practically growled as she whirled, marching up to her taller
friend and pushing her back against the wall. Her eyes bore into hers
as she spoke heatedly.  "I don't care. You either take a chance and
come with me, or you die here, and trust me, that is NOT something you
want."

Storm's body heaved against her, her body tight with fear and
uncertainty, but she managed one sentence. "Would you destroy Logan?"

The eyes shifted and there was a wince, and Rogue stumbled back,
holding a hand to her head, and with eyes flashing, she turned,
backhanding Storm across the face.

"NEVER say his name around here again." Storm held a hand to her face,
the spot where Rogue had struck her stung, and Rogue swallowed, leaning
forward, and pressing her lips gently against the skin. "Ah'm sorry,"
she whispered.

And the tone was so small and young and full of hurt it Storm could
only swallow.

"Let's get out of here."  Storm weighed her options, and finally just
took a breath, getting to her feet.

"Fine."

Rogue paused in the doorway, looking back at her former best friend.
"Storm?"

"Yes?"

"This isn't going to be pretty. You're REALLY going to have to trust
me."

~*~

His chest actually hurt. It had stayed constricted, causing him to gasp
for breath. The red-eyed Cajun could only stand, his hands clenched
into fists and his mind whirling and it kept coming back to two women.

There was a lump in the back of his throat and an anger, a seething
anger at his helplessness because now that he was part of the damn team
he had to let his decisions be made for him...

He couldn't stand that... not when he was doing nothing but sitting
here and Storm was in trouble and any moment Rogue could lose her mind.

Not when he had just...

Oh God... he had never even told her...

He walked back slowly, leaning against the wall while the others
discussed under the leadership of Scott, eyes glowing with anger and
helpless frustration until the movements of Wolverine caught his eye.

Logan was pacing, when he suddenly stopped, and Remy watched curiously
as he moved slowly toward the door, taking care that no one saw him
slip out.

Seconds before he disappeared, he caught Remy's eye, and when Remy
cocked an eyebrow, he only shrugged.

Immediately Remy followed him.

The trenchcoat was pulled on as he jogged, catching up to him as
Wolverine trudged through the snow, leaving crisp, marked footprints in
his wake.

"What's the plan?"

"Don't have one, " answered Wolverine, breath coming out in misty
clouds in the frigid air.

"My kinda plan."

They walked, side by side, and when Wolverine began to run, his face
determined, angry and completely determined, Remy knew the expression
mirrored his own.

"We get to that damn icebox, find a way in, and get them the hell out,"
Logan finally answered. "that's the plan."

"Good one."

Logan gave him a look, but Remy never looked at him. Instead he
readjusted the trenchcoat, and fingered the cards in his pocket.

They walked in silence following the path that Remy had taken when he
followed Rogue before.

His heart beat soundly, but his mind was clear, void of anything else
other than finding his women.

His Storm.

He was going to save Storm and help Logan save Rogue, because those two
women meant the world to him, and if he had to die doing it...

He'd rather do that than have to wait for the beaurucratic bullshit
that was happening back at the camp.

~*~

A good three miles and half a hour later, the Ice Box came into sight.

Logan immediately slowed, and Remy followed his lead, hands reaching
into his pockets.

The attacks came almost immediately.

Out from the right a mutant jumped from the trees.

Logan grabbed him and slammed him to the ground.

Remy was plowed into by a snake like being that spewed poison.

Within seconds, the cards were flung and the creature flung with it,
ending with a satisfying explosion.

He caught up to Logan, dusting himself off in the process.

"Have fun?" Logan asked, keeping his eyes straight again.

"Always."

He was about to comment again when his steps faltered, as the ice, now
only fifty feet away, began to melt.

Logan paused, his eyes narrowing, the knives sliding from his hands, a
low growl coming from his throat.

The lean thief kept his hands in his pockets, drawing out two cards
slowly.

And then they froze.

"Storm," Remy whispered.

"Rogue."

The two women were now outside the wall, both dressed in black, both
tense, angry...

Oh, Shit.

"GODDESS!"

He began to run, barely taking note of Logan keeping the pace, eyes
only on the pair, watching as their heads whipped around, caught them
running toward them.

Storm's eyes widened, her eyes glazed a milky white as her hands
reached out, almost as if to ward them off.

"REMY! NO!"

Rogue's gaze was hard as she saw the two men, and for only half a
second, Remy thought he could see something other than the darkness in
her face.

But she only shook her head. "Sorry Storm. Gotta make the point."

Storm turned, and Remy felt his heart climb into his throat and he
tried to sprint faster, the cards catching heat.

"ROGUE! NO!"

"MARIE!"

But Rogue didn't listen, instead she had eyes only for Storm, as the
ebony-skinned wind Goddess stumbled back, watching as winds began to
whirl around them both, swirling and falling and suddenly Remy was
knocked to his knees, trenchcoat whirling as the wind bit at them, hard
and angry.

These were not Ororo's winds.

His eyes closed against the searing, biting snow whirling around him,
and he crawled forward blindly, barely hearing Logan yelling hoarsely
somewhere behind him.

The wind bit at his skin, but he continued forward, feeling his
strength ebb bit by bit... but he only grit his teeth and moved on.

And as quick as it had come, the wind stopped, silent and clear.

Remy coughed, groaned, pushed himself up, wiping the snowflakes from
his face, looking forward.

OH GOD NO.

He tried to mouth words as his heart dropped out from under him, and he
scrambled forward, on hands and knees, sliding down next to the fallen
Storm.

Ororo Munroe lay on the ground, eyes closed, a wound in her stomach,
and she was seeping blood. There was so much blood.

"Oror-" He gasped for breath, tears suddenly making it painful to see,
unsure what to do, unable to touch her for fear he would hurt her
further. "Godd... Storm... Storm... " He swallowed down, hard, his
heart pounding furiously, so low and so fast he felt it beating in his
ears,  gasping as he pressed a gloved hand to her wound in a desperate
attempt to stop the bleeding.

But she didn't move, her beautiful face never showed any emotion, and
when Logan kneeled down next to him, his eyes blood shot and his throat
raw, he voiced what Remy would have given anything not to hear.

"Oh God.. Storm... Oh God...  Oh... I think she's... "

"NO!" Remy roared, pushing him back, cradling the body to him. "She's
NOT. She's NOT."

Logan only stared, his body trembling, watching as Remy pulled her
closer to him, head suddenly pressed against her chest.  "She's going
to be okay... She will... she is going to fine.."

"She's not going to be fine. She's dead. Just like Marie is dead."

A boot landed in his chest and he was kicked back, losing his hold on
the body of Storm as he tumbled back into the snow drifts.

Logan had the knives out, and Remy scrambled up, his cards up, his
heart broken and his anger intensified. "ROGUE!"

Rogue only watched, standing over the body of her former best friend,
the deep violet of the eyes never more vibrant as she regarded the two
of them.

"I had to make a point. Now get out of here. Leave me alone."

"Marie-"

"I MEAN it LOGAN!" she snapped, interrupting the haunted, hoarse tone
of Logan's. "The girl you knew is gone, and I have no idea what I will
turn into. But get your asses back to camp and let them know. Maybe
then you'll finally play."

Gambit swore, his eyes flooding with tears as he looked at Ororo, and
when he threw his hand back to fling the card, the ice slid up from
under him, and he and Logan were flung back.

He landed with a jar, head jarred and arm bleeding from the fall, and
as he lost consciousness, the last thing he remembered was the pair of
violet eyes watching from the window.


=====
Melissa Flores aka Misty
~*~*~
http://www.wolverineandrogue.com/mistiec

You all know that I am a pacifist. So I am not interested in war in any way. But
you know what? When the revolution comes, I will have to destroy you all. Not
you Joey.
~Phoebe, The One with the Ride Along

__________________________________________________
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Title: The Mutant Bride
Author: Victoria P. [victoria_p@...]
Summary: Classic fairy tale adventure. Fencing, fighting, torture,
revenge, Beasts, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles.
Rating:  PG
Disclaimer: All X-Men characters belong to Marvel and Fox; this piece of
fan-written fiction intends no infringement on any copyrights. The
Princess Bride belongs to William Goldman and Castle Rock.
Archive: Lists, Muse's Fool, anyone else who's got my stuff. If you
want, ask.
Feedback: Almost as good as true love, and better than cough drops.
Notes: Thanks to Dot, Meg, Jen, and Pete. You knew it was bound to
happen. The story that no one was asking for!

~~*~~

The Mutant Bride

//   //  indicates reality intruding on Rogue's dream

Prologue

The mutant known to most of her friends only as Rogue lay propped up
against a bank of pillows, her face wan in the afternoon light.

Her best friends, Kitty and Jubilee, burst into the living room,
carrying a stack of DVDs.

"Hola, chica," Jubi sang out. "How's our little Camille today?"

"Camille died," Rogue answered dryly. "I'm recovering."

"Oh." Jubilee shrugged. She wasn't one to worry about minor details.
"We've got some movies to aid in your convalescence, including your
all-time favorite and mine, 'The Princess Bride.'"

She smiled. "Convalescence? You've been spending time with Hank again,
huh, Jubes?"

Jubilee grinned back. "I like the Hankster. He's the man. He's always
got a stash of Twinkies."

Rogue laughed, which quickly turned into a coughing fit. Kitty and
Jubilee exchanged concerned glances.  "Stop it!" Rogue exclaimed, once
she was able to speak again. "Just stop looking at me like that. It's
bad enough I've got everyone else in this place hovering over me, don't
you two do it, too."

"If Logan were here--" Kitty began hesitantly.

"Well, he's not," Rogue snapped. "And I don't want anyone calling him to
come back. He made his choice when he walked out of here three years
ago, and I haven't heard from him since." She began coughing again, and
Kitty decided to drop it.

Everyone had expected the gruff Canadian to come back to Westchester --
after all, he'd promised to protect Rogue, and left his dog tags as a
tangible reminder of his promise.

After the first year passed with no word, Rogue put the tags away and
started moving on with her life.

She'd recently contracted a new strain of the flu, which had deepened
into pneumonia by the time she'd agreed to let Jean examine her.

It had been touch and go for a while, and she knew, from the few times
she was lucid, that Hank and Jean had wanted to call Logan back to heal
her, while Scott argued against it. She made sure to tell them,
repeatedly, that they weren't to contact him at all. Since she'd been
running a fever of one hundred and three at the time, she wasn't sure
they'd understood, but once she was better, she'd made her wishes known
more clearly, and they'd respected them. So far. She knew Jean feared a
relapse, and at that point, she figured, they'd contact him regardless
of what she wanted. It just made her more determined to get well.

It was a long, slow process, however, and she'd gotten antsy lying in
her room all day for the past week and a half. Hence this trip down to
the rec room and the appearance of her favorite movies.

"Oh, Remy would be perfect as Westley," Jubilee sighed. She was forever
going on about how swoony her boyfriend was, much to the dismay of her
friends.

"No way! Bobby is more like Westley than Remy," Kitty defended *her*
boyfriend hotly.

"Please," Rogue said tiredly, "We all know Scott is the Westley of the
X-Men. And Jean is his Buttercup."

"I don't know, Roguey. You'd make a pretty good Buttercup," Jubilee
pointed out. She knew how beloved Rogue was amongst the inhabitants of
the mansion, even if Rogue didn't.

"Yeah, right. What kind of fairy tale has an untouchable princess?" the
southerner responded, blushing slightly. She thought she'd hidden her
crush on Scott pretty well. He thought of her as his little sister,
which was fine with her. She wouldn't have ever wanted to break him and
Jean up. They were the perfect couple.

"Every fairy tale, stupid," Jubilee said exasperatedly.

"Hey, you know you're not supposed to call each other stupid in front of
the kids," Scott said, coming in, sitting down next to Rogue and pulling
her to rest against him.

Some of the younger kids trooped in, having followed the leader of the
X-Men, who figured this was as good a way as any to keep them occupied
and out of his hair.

Rina, one of the youngest children at the school, turned to Jubilee and
asked, "What movie is this?" as the opening credits rolled.

"'The Princess Bride,'" Scott answered.

"Does it got any sports in it?" asked Thomas, a young boy who could
breathe under water.

Jubilee replied, "Are you kidding? Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge,
Beasts, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles."

"Hmph. It doesn't sound too bad," the boy replied.

"It's my favorite," Rogue interjected. "I'm gonna try and stay awake."

Scott smiled, since he knew, as did Jubilee and Kitty, that Rogue would
be asleep before Westley left for America. He gently brushed one of her
white locks behind her ear and said, "Of course, Rogue."

"Really, I am."

He nodded. "Of course, you are." And when, ten minutes later, her eyes
were closed and her breathing even, he dropped a gentle kiss on her hair
and told Jubilee to lower the volume, so Rogue could get some
much-needed rest.

***

victoria

--

"The begging, that comes later." Angel, _Angel_

--

The Muse's Fool - http://www.unfitforsociety.net/musesfool
Unfit for Society - http://www.unfitforsociety.net

Disclaimers etc. in part 0.

//   // indicates reality intruding on Rogue's dream

***

1.

Rogue was raised on a small farm in the country of West Chester.  Her
favorite pastimes were riding her horse and tormenting the farm boy who
worked there.  He was a mutant, as were most of the people in West
Chester. He could shoot percussive beams from his eyes. His name was
Scott.  But she never called him that.  Nothing gave Rogue as much
pleasure as ordering Scott around.

"Farm boy," Rogue said imperiously, "varnish my horse's saddle.  I want
to see my face shining in it by morning."

With a bow of his head, Scott replied, "As you wish."

'As you wish' was all he ever said to her.

Rogue held out two empty pails. "Farm boy," she commanded, "fill these
with water," a beat, "please?"

Scott said, as always, "As you wish."

That day, Rogue was amazed to discover that when he was saying 'as you
wish,' what he meant was,  'I love you.'  And even more amazing was the
day she realized she truly loved him back.

"Farm boy, fetch me that pitcher."

Scott brought her the pitcher and whispered, "As you wish."

// Thomas's voice, filtered through the haze of Rogue's sleep, could be
heard, demanding answers. "Hold it! Hold it! What is this? Are you
trying to trick me? Where's the sports? Is this a kissing movie?"

"Wait. Just wait." That was Jubilee, never one to suffer people dissing
her favorite movie.

"Well when does it get good?"

"Keep your shirt on, kid, and watch the movie." //

Scott had no money for marriage so he packed his few belongings and left
the farm to seek his fortune across the sea.  It was a very emotional
time for Rogue.

// "I don't believe this!" The boys were getting restless. //

Rogue cried. "I'm afraid I'll never see you again," she said, clutching
Scott's hands.

He tried to reassure her. "Of course you will."

"But what if something happens to you?"

"Hear this now," he told her firmly, "I will always come for you."

"But how can you be sure?" she asked.

He grinned, and it was so infectious she smiled through her tears. "This
is true love.  You think this happens every day?"

And Scott pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips to hers, kissing
her the way he'd always dreamt of doing.

Unfortunately, it was at this moment that Rogue's mutation chose to
manifest. Her skin was lethal -- she began sucking the energy out of her
beloved's body. She pulled away in horror as he fell to the ground,
unconscious. Her eyes glowed red with his power and she closed them
tightly, afraid of causing more damage.

"Oh, Scott!" she shrieked, and everyone in the house rushed out to see
what had happened.

She closed herself up in her room and refused to see anyone. Scott
finally woke from his coma a week later, and refused to agree that their
love was impossible.

"True love overcomes all obstacles," he reminded her, stroking her face
with a gloved hand before going off to catch the ship to the promised
land.

Regrettably, Scott didn't reach his destination.  His ship was attacked
by the Dread Pirate Sinister, who never left captives alive. When Rogue
got the news that Scott was murdered --

// "Murdered by pirates is good!" //

She went into her room and shut the door, and for days she neither slept
nor ate.

She looked into her mirror and promised herself, and Scott's memory, "I
will never love again."

And she never did.

***

Let me know how I'm doing, all right?

victoria

--

"The begging, that comes later." Angel, _Angel_

--

The Muse's Fool - http://www.unfitforsociety.net/musesfool
Unfit for Society - http://www.unfitforsociety.net