morning
"Wake up, sleepy head. Southern belles are supposed to be early risers."
Rogue heard the voice intruded her pleasant dream that was filled with Remy's skin and lips and eyes. "Where did you hear such a crap?" She rubbed her eyes groggily.
Kitty walked through her bed, folded a blanket into a smaller portion and placed it on her bed. "Get up, anyway. Mr Scott is raising hell at the baseball field with his pre-Christmas league."
"Pre-Christmas - ? What the hell?" Rogue slipped back between the covers. "Now that's a real crap."
"Not when," Rogue heard Jubilee's voice gleefully said, "Remy's on the team as well."
"Quit it, Lee. It's not working."
"And Logan's there, too…"
"Lee." Rogue's voice was flat, irritated.
"Maybe we'll leave her to her dreams, Kitty. Let's go and see the real things."
"Yeah," Kitty answered. "I bet Remy's looking very fetching in those tights!"
Rogue immediately pushed her bedclothes aside. "Wait, wait!"
It turned out no one in the mini league was wearing those 'fetching tights'; everyone was wearing warm clothes. It was cold outside, but not too cold to have some sort of activities. Plus, it had stopped snowing.
Scott's voice carried far and barely reached the girls. "Base three, look out!… lock it, Warren! … hey, that's unfair!"
Logan's deep, harsh voice sounded like rough sandpaper rubbed together in the crisp cool air. "Shut up, Cyke. The boy's got there in time!"
"Kurt teleported himself to that base. That's not a legal move!"
Kurt shook his head, his deep blue face a stark contrast to the white snow around them. "You Americans and your rules." He grinned.
Warren flew above them, the ball in his hand. "I'm sorry, Scott. My feathers are wet and they can't fly fast." He landed softly on the clearing that was their makeshift arena Hank and Peter had cleared earlier that morning . He flapped his wings repeatedly to dry them off. "Rats. Now I'll have to borrow hairdryers again."
"We'll lend ours, Warren!" squealed a bunch of girls at the far side of the clearing. Warren flashed his winning smile and waved. More squeals of delight issued.
Kitty shook his head. "What a bunch of immature girls."
"Hey, Kat. Look, there's Bobby," Jubilee said, pointing to Bobby at the second base.
"Oh, Bobby! Hi!" squealed Kitty.
The game resumed after Scott made everyone promised they wouldn't use their powers. Cheers and catcalls were aplenty as the sun rose higher. At eleven Logan's team was declared as winners and the game ended.
Scott's team task as the defeated ones were to collect the equipments and put them back into the PE room. Rogue waited because Remy was a member of Scott's team. She sat at a bench talking to Jean.
Peter was also in Scott's team, and couldn't believe they had just lost to Logan's. "I am certainly sure I made an honest home run just now! I did not certainly use my power! Did you see me use my power?" He turned at Warren who picked up bases off the ground. "Did you?"
"Oh shut up." Warren flew off, irritated. His wings were still wet and the girls who had been screaming for him now were reluctant to lend him hairdryers.
"I did not!" Peter shouted, his heavily accented voice filled the air. "I did not use my power!" He grabbed a bat and a ball and hit the ground repeatedly. "I did not use my power! If I did it would look something like this!"
Peter threw the ball upwards and gathered his strength as he focused at the ball.
Remy noticed this. "Hey, mon ami, stow it. We're done for."
Peter took no notice of it. "This would happen if I used my powers!" A loud thwack sounded and Remy suddenly saw Rogue fell flat on the snow, motionless.
Remy dropped everything he held except for a baseball glove. He charged it and threw it angrily at Peter as he ran towards Rogue. "Fool! Imbecile!"
5 a.m.
"… the blow must have been too hard on her head…"
"… but she's all right. I'll have to…"
The voices sailed back and forth in Rogue's murky mind. Like the game 'Pong' it bounced off restlessly, making her head pulsed and she let out a painful whimper.
All at once she felt people surround her as she slowly open her eyes. Logan's face filled her view at first, scowling. "Kid, you okay?" he asked.
Before she could reply another face replaced Logan's; Remy's dark eyes were tender and full with concern. "Mon ange, it's me -"
"Move away! Give her some room!" Rogue saw an arm push him away from her view and tried to stop it by stretching her arm towards it. It was pure instinct, and before she could stop herself, she had her hand around Remy's chin.
"Please don't leave me…"
Silence reigned. Remy, with Rogue's hand still at his chin, touched the hand himself, bracing himself for the shock. Nothing happened.
Eyes grew wider. Silence filled the ward.
Rogue was still muttering incoherently as her hand ran across Remy's chin, mumbling pleasant nonsense as she fell back to sleep, unaware of the growing shock around her.
"I'm not going to explain this."
"Why?" Jean asked.
"Because I don't know what happened."
Emma Frost sulked. "Coming from you, I find it hard to believe."
Hank nodded slowly. Somehow the blow Peter, or Colossus accidentally gave Rogue had render her powers ineffective. CAT scan offered no further clues. Her brain wasn't damaged or shaken and she clearly didn't suffer amnesia. She was fine when he let her out just now.
"So what the hell happened?" Logan asked angrily. "I'll be having that bulk of metal for Christmas pudding if he don't fix this! Stupid Russian! And that Cajun! Why wasn't he lookin' out for her? What the blazes was he thinkin' about?"
Prof Xavier shook his head. "It's not a time to point fingers, Logan. Hank did the best he could. Gambit was unaware of it, he told he honestly, and I'm sure Peter didn't mean to hurt anyone."
"Well, it sure looks he did the other way 'round. An' that Cajun's s'posed to look out for her," Logan mumbled as he sought his pocket for cigarettes and took out one. Suddenly it flew from his fingers and towards Jean.
"Jean, stop that!"
"No smoking in this room," she said coolly as she passed it to Scott who grinned at him widely. He aimed it at the wastepaper basket. Logan only growled angrily.
"I'll smoke outside," he said as he walked away in a huff.
They sat down facing the sunrise, Rogue rested snugly on Remy's lap while he cradled her as close as he could. Now and then he would drop butterfly kisses on her neck and cheeks and look at each other's eyes and smiled. He held her head slightly, the pain still there.
"You're so huggable. Why did God made someone as huggable as you also untouchable?"
Rogue stared at Remy's tender eyes and smiled. "Now you can. So use it wisely." She ran a finger down his chin that was covered by five o'clock shadow. "I know I am using it wisely." The feel of minute hair abrading her fingertip was both new and overwhelming. In fact, every part of human skin she thought she would never touch gave the same emotions she was feeling as she stroked Remy until he growled deep in his chest.
"I could stay like this forever," Rogue said with a sigh, resting her head on his broad chest, listening to his even heartbeat. "I want to stay like this forever."
Remy kissed her forehead, one kiss was never enough. He stroked her hair. "We can always be like dis."
Rogue thought Remy's voice wavered a bit. She lifted her face to meet his eyes. They were as tender, but clouded with uncertainty. "You don't like that idea?"
Remy's face lit up instantly. "Non, mon ange! I like it! Now I'll be your shadow, following wherever you go." He winked at her once. "Maybe even your bedroom."
She playfully pinched his cheek, the texture there smooth and rough at the same time. "That's one place you're not going to see for quite a long time, mister."
Logan saw this, and silently he sucked in at the cigarette, the red tip glowing under the golden dawn. He discarded and stepped upon it with unnecessary force. He vanished into the mansion without a sound.
"Kurt Wagner is driving me nuts!" said Melinda the cook. "First that darned elf takes my puddings, then he takes the cookies! Next goes half of the Christmas turkey, and goodness what else later! So, I need someone to look after my creations while I go out to find another turkey!"
Logan shook his head. "Not accepted. I can look after a place or even the Pope, but never 'your creation'. That's degrading."
"But then there'll be nothing for the Christmas dinner!"
"You won't die, Mel. Nobody will die just for not eating the Christmas dinner!"
"But it's this mansion's tradition - "
"Tradition my foot!" Logan walked out of the kitchen angrily. Guarding over food was certainly not in his list. "That can all go to hell."
Melinda gasped, her ears never quite used to curses and profanities. She silently went back to the kitchen and sat there guarding the foodstuffs alone while waiting for the cake to bake in the oven, her face sullen and miserable.
Logan watched this with renewed regret. He knew he was being impossible with everybody today. Jean had asked him to help cut ribbons for wrapping presents - "Your claws will make it easier" - and he rudely declined. Ororo had wanted him to help them with the Christmas tree and he did until he saw Peter the Russian helping him with the other end. He dropped the tree down at the driveway and walked away, leaving Ororo speechless.
There were more, but he refused to think of them.
He knew this whole impossibility had one source: Rogue. What he saw over the hedges earlier this morning made him realise she had grown, free to decide what's good for her being. Something in Logan's mind agreed. The rest just won't stand up to the facts.
He slowly tried to think rationally. She's all grown now, and you don't need to look out for her anymore.
But she's powerless now. How can she protect herself if this is permanent?
That Cajun'll do her good. You can smell it. I know he'll be good to her. If he didn't, I'll just have to remind him the way I always do with forgetful folks.
"Uh… Mel?" Logan stood on the kitchen's doorway.
She replied without turning. "What is it?"
"I'll look out for the foods. You go and do whatever you want to do."
Melinda immediately brightened. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah. Now buzz off before I change my mind."
Melinda got up from her seat and planted a quick kiss on Logan's nose. It was easy because he was almost the same height as she was, only his muscles made him look bigger. "Thanks for being such a dear."
Logan managed a smile. "You can eat any cookies you want there, Logan. Just remember to leave some for tonight'" Melinda said as she walked to the door.
"I hate cookies. And, Mel?"
She stopped. "Yes?"
"Do me some favor before you shop?"
Kurt was gasping for breath. Logan on hunting never failed to do that to him. Although he had the advantage of teleportation, Logan's keen sense of smell was Kurt's Achilles' heel. After several times of failed attempts on Melinda's sacred wares he gave up and teleported himself to other part of the mansion.
He was mumbling about the cakes and cookies he could have taken from Logan when he passed by Rogue's bedroom. It was open and she was sitting cross-legged on the bed with a small packet on her lap. Other girls were around her as she read aloud from a piece of paper:
"… it's almost Christmas, and I hope this can be a nice present for you." She paused and lifted the packet from her lap. "It's cookies!" she said, rattling it in her hand. "How sweet of him!"
"Who would have thought Mr Howler himself do something like that?" Ororo said as she picked up two tree ornaments from a box. "Will these angels do?" She showed it to them. Agreement came fast as Kurt walked in, playing with his tail.
"Hi Kurt, you're looking kinda down." Rogue pulled him to sit down beside her.
"Nothing. Just that Logan stopped me from grabbing cookies and cakes. Mel had him as a guard while she goes shopping." He inspected his tail wistfully.
A collective moan rose. "I'm sorry we asked you to slip the cookies for us," Jean said, pausing between the ribbons. "And Logan these days is SO touchy. Say one word to him and you'll be getting curses enough to put the three Witches of Hamlet to tears."
Kurt grinned. "Isn't he always. So," he turned to Rogue. "How does it feel to touch people?"
Silence slowly fell upon them. Only the rip rip of the ribbons and the clanking of ornaments filled the void. Every eye was upon Rogue, waiting for her answer.
She set aside the present but stared at the paper Logan had scrawled upon. "It's amazing, Kurt. You know, I cried at first when I learnt that my powers were gone. But now I feel comfortable with it."
"Only comfortable? Not happy with it?"
Ororo said without looking up from the box. "Of course she is, Kurt. Don't be so dense."
"Well, who's dense enough to wear that ugly Easter Bunny costume last Easter?" Kurt asked, swinging his tail.
"I was forced, Kurt. Forced. That's different."
"Still, you looked dense in that costume," Kurt said, checking his tail for dust. A red ball hit his head and giggles rose. Later the room was filled with loud laughter, flying stray ribbons, ornaments and cookie crumbs.
The uproar ended an hour ago. It was evening, and snow started to fall outside, making the evening darker than it supposed to be. Faintly Rogue could hear carollers singing outside. She rushed to the window and true enough, the driveway was filled with people dressed up warmly and holding candles.
She was downstairs a minute later and stood there watching the carollers. Prof Xavier, Ororo, Jean, Scott and Hank were also there. Thankfully, none of the carollers was unnerved by Hank's sheer size and blue fur.
Their sweet voices mingled in harmony as the old carol 'Hark the herald Angels sing' floated in the air. When they finished, everyone clapped. Prof Xavier later invited the carolers inside for tea, and Melinda proudly served her famous peanut cookies.
When they left, everyone was in good moods. Ororo immediately started decorating the tree with Warren flapping around to place the ornaments on too high a spot. Jean and Scott piled the presents under the tree. Kurt prepared the hall for the traditional midnight mass while Peter and Hank discussed the aesthetics of Christmas decorations in the hall.
"I've never seen such high spirits in them," Prof Xavier remarked as he quickly moved to Logan who was walking away from the hall. "And naturally I expect it from you, too."
Logan's nostrils flared. "Christmas's never been a favourable time for me."
Xavier stopped. "Is there something bothering you, Logan? I heard complaints. I'm not going to elaborate on them -"
"Good." Logan stared at him. "Don't."
"- but I need explanations."
"My 'Don't' refers to anything that has to do with it, Professor."
Xavier pushed on. "It's strange to see. Your sudden change of attitude coincides with Rogue's loss of power. Is there a connection?"
Logan stared at his feet, then at Xavier. His eyes were tiny slits. Xavier knew he hit a raw point.
"Why don't you just use your powers? That would save a lot of time." Logan's voice was sharply sarcastic.
"Look, Logan. I don't claim I know everything. What goes between you and Rogue is none of my concern -"
"Then stop." Logan started to walk away, deeply irritated.
"- but venting out your anger on unsuspecting people, not to mention friends, is not a good tackle to solve a problem. In the end they'll end up hating you."
Logan stopped. He stood still.
"Just a friendly reminder, Logan." He heard his wheelchair moved away from him. "Merry Christmas."
He muttered under his breath. "Yeah. Merry flamin' Christmas."
Everyone sang 'Silent Night' as the mass ended. Kurt had given a wonderful mass, but looking slightly out of place in a priest's garb with a tail stuck out from beneath the garment, swinging now and then. Later there were refreshments as half of the students started to retire to their rooms.
Logan, as usual, sat alone on a sofa with a can of beer in his hand. Jubilee had offered him punch and he had glowered at her. "Get me some beer, kid," he had said, and Jubilee returned later with three cans.
"Professor's treat for you, Logan. And thanks for the present you gave us." Jubilee dropped a peck at his cheek, bushy with hair. "They're delicious."
He only snorted as Jubilee sailed to the other group who weren't ready to retire yet. Hank was there, talking loudly, punctuated by laughter. Around him were the other X-Men; Jean, Ororo, Warren, Kurt, Scott, Bishop, Professor Xavier, the Irish guy (he forgot his name for the time being) and Emma Frost.
Logan drained the last can and got up, ready to retire to bed. As he walked to the stairs he caught two figures slipping out at the front door. He thought he saw a band of white hair.
Hank was about to tell his audience the one with a nun and a rabbi when suddenly they heard a loud crash from the front door. "What was that?" Emma asked.
"Logan," Professor Xavier replied. "He's been acting weird since last morning. I think I know why… don't look at me like that. I am not going to say a word to all of you."
"Maybe he's drunk," Scott said.
"That happens when the sun rises in the west, boyo," said Sean, swirling his punch glass. "Hank, go on!"
They walked outside, hand in hand. Rogue held Remy's hand a bit too tightly and Remy asked her to let go, which she did. "Gambit's not made of de organic metal, ye know?"
"Speaking of organic skins, where's Peter?"
"You want to thank him for becoming his target practice, yes?" Remy wrapped an arm around her as they walked down the snow-laden path. The darkness was pierced by light spilling from the windows and reflected on the snow. "I took care of dat."
"You mean, you took care of the beating part." She felt snowflakes fell on her forehead and brushed it aside. "I mean, really thank him, you know? Come to think of it, it's funny. I never thank someone for hitting me senseless."
She felt his hand grasped her a bit tighter. "Dat's not funny. What if it turned out bad? Peter's a very strong man. It's a wonder you ended up like dis instead of a - a vegetable."
"You know it didn't. So let's drop it." This talk was getting her emotions tensed up.
Remy blinked at her, the red pupils shone in the semi-darkness. He sighed and pulled her closer. "Oui, my queen. Now, shall we get on with… de touching topic?"
Her smile matched his in its eagerness. "I don't know," she said enticingly. "Why don't you show me? I'm quite a tyro with these matters. I need to learn from the master."
Logan laid still on his bed, the sheets riding low on his flat stomach. Coldness never bothers him. But that morning the core of his soul was icy cold.
So, did you like it? Wait for the second chapter, though. And please review =)