I just had to revise this chapter because it was driving me mad...
Help!
(Rogue's POV)
Its been three weeks since the events at Alcatraz and I couldn't be happier. Honestly, I was rather worried about the welcome home I'd receive but I made the best decision of my life taking the cure and ridding my skin of its curse. Bobby has been so much more attentive and has even stopped the embarrassing public flirting with Kitty.
I'm so content with my life that I'm sorely tempted to scream, "I'm normal!" from the rooftops for all to hear. I want to show as much skin as possible, well without running the risk of being arrested for indecent exposure, buy a hundred bikinis, visit the beach, sunbathe topless, shop till I drop for brand spanking new revealing clothes and most of all I want to get closer to Bobby.
I mean real close, as close as lovers could be. I probably shouldn't be telling you this but, oh my God I can't contain myself. It's finally going to happen tonight, I've been smiling so much my face is starting to ache. Storm even asked me this morning at breakfast if I was feeling okay. I guess a smiling and blissfully happy Rogue isn't seen as a regular occurrence in the mansion, not that my face is fixed in a permanent scowl of course.
Not everyone is on cloud nine though, which brings me to Logan's hasty departure yesterday. When I found out that he packed up his shit and left on his bike without a word to anyone, you could say I was upset at first. We had a deal, if he ever started to feel like a caged animal and needed to take off for a break he'd always say goodbye to me. I understand that Logan's not used to having to answer to anybody, but a 'See you later, Kid' would have sufficed. Hell, I would have taken a hastily scribbled note just so I'd know that he'd actually come back. After all there's nothing left for him here now, Jean's gone.
What Logan forgets is that I know him better than he probably knows himself, he was after all rattling around in my head for a number of years. He's gone off to do his usual Grrr-I'm-Wolverine-the-bad-ass-mother-fuckin'-cage-fighter routine and I can't blame him.
He's spent the past three weeks locked in his room mourning Jean's death and I've been a crappy friend. When he was in need where was I? Out shopping with Jubilee or making out with my horny boyfriend.
I just hope he realises how much people care for him here, he's found his family and if he doesn't come back, I'll hunt down that ass of his and let him have it. In other words 'hell hath no fury than a woman scorned'
Yeah I love the big lug, but no I don't want to get in his pants thank you very much. Logan is the closest thing I have to family. I just hope he comes back soon, it won't be the same around here without the growling, those sweet threats he makes and the smell of his cigar smoke, he makes me feel safe.
Four months later...
Standing outside the mansion cigar in hand, he couldn't quite believe he had returned. He'd never been one for all this sentimental crap before. No, he was the Wolverine, a natural loner to the day he died but here he was.
Why he'd returned he had no idea, Storm could handle the school on her own... Hell she had the patience of a saint and then some. The X-Men didn't need him and there was no Magneto or Brotherhood to pose a threat any longer. No sign of a potentially catastrophic situation that he was aware of, so why was he here?
It was the Kid, for the first time he could remember he actually cared for the well being of someone else other then himself. Yeah, he had probably loved Jean but she was different. Marie was his responsibility, he had promised to take care of her and he'd done a rather lousy job of it so far. He'd make it up to her though, he would stick around and prove that he could be the good guy, even if Jean wasn't around to see it. He would keep his promise if it killed him.
Snuffing the remainder of his cigar out on his inner palm with a painful hiss, he sighed deeply. He guessed it was time to show his face.
Welcome back, Logan." Storm greeted him with a warm embrace and a tender smile.
"Hey, 'Ro." He returned the hug although he was somewhat surprised at her seemingly sunny disposition because she looked exhausted. The dark rings under her eyes were certainly a new addition, yet not an improvement.
"So, are you back for good this time?"
"Yeah"
"No more taking off?" She enquired with a hint of amusement at Logan's obvious discomfort.
"No" He grunted whilst shuffling his feet and readjusting his back pack.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I'm sure. What's with the twenty questions?" He really didn't mean to growl, but Christ was he tired.
"Well, I need your help with something..."
Logan snorted with a dose of uncharacteristic humour.
"I ain't babysittin' again, do you remember what happened last time around?" He grunted with a shake of his head.
How could Storm forget, they all know how much Stryker's invasion on the mansion cost them. Losing three members of your family wasn't easy to gloss over.
It was the beginning of the end of an era. They lost Jean days later, then Scott and the Professor less than two years after. Two key X-men and the founder of the school, how could any one forget?
Storm sighed tiredly, it was time to work on Logan's ego. All men had egos, it just took a little time to know what buttons to push and the Wolverine was no different. It was time to play the damsel in distress card.
"Look, I really do need your help with this Logan, just hear me out that's all I ask."
His eyes were darting everywhere other than Storm's face and she knew the time had come to stroke his ego.
"I could really use your expertise in these matters. I believe you possess many attributes that will help me immensely in the running of this school, and I don't just mean teaching those fantastic classes of yours."
Now it was Logan's turn to sigh deeply, he always was a sucker for a pretty woman.
"Fine"
"Let's go to the office then, we have lots to discuss."
Trailing behind him, Storm smirked to herself, he really wasn't half as difficult as he made out, Wolverine was an absolute pussy cat in fact.
Sitting in the late Professors office, Storm related the changes that had occurred since Logan's abrupt departure. Leaving for four months even if you did return eventually did not mean that life just stood perfectly still. Anything and everything can change in a matter of moments, he didn't need to be told that.
"So Worthington's joined us?" He asked her, sitting in a rather uncomfortable seat with his muscular arms crossed over his chest.
"Yes, Warren's been covering your classes alongside Hank. They've both been an absolute God send. Kurt's been a terrific help to of course and Remy also agreed to teach a few classes."
"The Cajun, he's still here? Thought he'd be long gone by now."
"Logan, Remy's a good friend of mine. He's really knuckled down and he's been here when I've needed him. You two are just going to have to get along."
In response he put his hands up in mock defeat, he was more amused then anything. Ro sure seemed protective of the Cajun.
"Okay, okay, what's in it for him, though? You payin' him in gold bars, hookers and whiskey shots?" Logan quipped along with a raised eyebrow.
"Honestly, men, you're worse than some of the students. Let's just agree to disagree. I came across some of the Professors old papers the other day and it appears that before he passed away he was researching the benefits of a mentoring scheme."
"Mentoring scheme?" Logan looked positively puzzled.
"Yes, a mentoring scheme, one for the more troubled students of the school."
"Right, so what's this gotta do with me?"
"Well, I'm getting to that. There are two students that are currently on probation, they're really screaming out for guidance in their lives and they would be perfect for this."
Logan could obviously see where the conversation was headed because he groaned in frustration.
"Ro..."
Storm carried on regardless. "We have a new student who's already on their last warning, you may remember him; A Mr. John Allerdyce?"
"You mean that Pyro punk? Fuck Ro, what the hell were you thinkin'?"
"It's what the Professor would have done, Logan, you know that. Certain people deserve a second chance, he's young and I believe he can change. Now the mentoring..."
"Aw, hell no, I'd kill the little shit."
Smiling knowingly Ororo replied, "That's why Hank agreed to work with him."
"Good."
"That brings me to the next student, I've found her harder to place but I believe you're the right man for the job." The smile that was growing more defined on Storm's face was worrying him, he had a feeling he would not like whatever else she had to say.
"Her, how can she be worse than Pyro for Christ sake, who is she?"
"Logan do you have to repeat everything I say? Yes, her. Well, Rogue to be exact."
"The Kid!" He bellowed, looking outraged and slightly bewildered at the thought.
"Here take a look at this, it'll explain everything." Storm passed a folder to Logan across the ornate mahogany desk, hoping the information it held would pacify his growing agitation towards her.
"What the hell's this?"
"Her file."
Taking a casual glance through the folder earmarked 'Rogue' a thought occurred to Logan, "Is it supposed to be this thick?"
"Shit" He hissed as he scrambled to pick up the fallen papers detailing Rogue's misdeeds.
"No, not exactly, she's been busy these past few month. In all honesty it's been one thing after another. We've all tried talking to her, but let's just say it didn't go down to well and I was forced to put her on probation." Recognising the look on Logan's face she hastily added, "Honestly, I've tried my best but she won't talk. I can't help her if I don't know what's bothering her."
"Oh, come on, 'Ro, I know the Kid's gotta mouth on her, but she ain't that bad." Logan had had enough run ins with Marie's mouth over the years, however she was never uncontrollable.
"Logan, how many of your classes has Rogue missed over these past few years?"
He shrugged as he contemplated the question " Uh, none, I guess."
"Exactly, since you left she's been attending only a handful of her danger room sessions. The ones she claims that don't clash with her social activities, skipping most of her other classes too. Add her bad attitude into the mix and well, it's hardly been a riot around here lately."
"Okay, I get it, I'll go yell at her. Just let me take a shower first." He grimaced, running a hand through his hair.
"I don't want you to shout at her, not if you can help it. Just go talk to her, be a mentor, she's respectful of you, she'll listen." Storm implored knowing fully well that Logan and Marie's arguments were legendary.
"Yeah, she'd better."
Logan strode impatiently out of the room muttering about meddling weather goddesses and stupid damn Kids.