Enduring Zeal
Acceptance
Logan pulled a cigar from his leather jacket lighting it up; their walk had been slow and quiet either the girl was oblivious to what was going on or she was good at hiding her feelings. They were crossing the field their tower not too far away. The girl paused her nose twitching; Jean had seen Logan do this many times and the girl turned to Logan one brow raised in confusion.
"I smell mom, but where's D.K?"
The girl broke into a run Jean and Logan sprinting behind her exchanging worried glances; who was D.K?
"Kid stop come back."
She never paused not for a second, but if she had his sense of smell then she most likely heard him call out to her.
"It's Kendall dad; stop calling me kid."
Still she never stopped not for a second. Kendall ripped through the tower using a gust of wind to propel her forward. Stopping just outside Storm's door she didn't stop she pushed through the door eyes were fading from grey to white a snarl on her face as she looked around. Storm was on the balcony tending to some plants despite Kendall's entrance her face still remained calm and as she walked into the room eyes asking her friends questions.
"What is the meaning of all this?"
"Mom where's D.K?"
"Who?"
"D.K mom David Kurt; baby brother? Mom where is he?"
Realization dawned on Storm's face and she walked over towards the girl she supposed that she might as well explain everything and considering Logan was already there now was the perfect time. Storm urged the other two in moving behind them to shut the door. Storm prayed the girl was like her and would be understanding, but if she was anything like Logan... this was going to be difficult.
"Child-"
"Kendall mom."
"Kendall-"
Storm corrected and looked up to catch Logan smirked arms crossed he was enjoying it and she hadn't even gotten around to the hard part.
Kendall was watching Storm waiting for the explanation and she could already tell the girl was getting agitated; she was like her father.
"We believe that you have somehow managed to jump dimensions; we don't know why , but-"
"Wait wait wait. Jump dimensions? Mom you're kidd-"
Kendall stopped and noted the look in Storms eyes. If this was coming from someone else she wouldn't have believed it, but her mom was a no nonsense kind of person. Kendall turned to look at her father his expression was almost apologetic.
"Kendall if you explain what happened before you got here I'm sure we can find a way to get you back home."
Jean walked over to the girl placing a hand on her shoulder; her eyes faded once more to white a cool breeze filled the room. The room grew colder and the wind picked up the girl's fists clenched into angry fists.
"How did I do this? How could I be so stupid?"
"Kendall please calm down."
Storms own eyes faded white the breeze was picking up strength, but Storm was containing it keeping the strong winds from destroying the whole room. The windows cracked under pressure and in a burst the winds blew out of the room leaving a gentle breeze. As the air pressure in the room returned to normal Storm and Kendall's eyes returned to their regular colors. The girl threw her arms around Storm she didn't cry, but by the way she buried her face in Storms shoulder they could all tell she was clearly upset.
"I left my team; I left them all behind and now their probably all dead."
"Calm down Kendall it's quite alright- Logan?"
Storm turned to her teammate she needed him to help her she had no idea how to comfort someone angry. He crossed the room standing in front of his daughter unsure of what to say.
"Listen Kendall-"
He had his hand on her shoulder fishing for the right words; she turned her head to look at him and he mentally cursed. What was he supposed to say?
"Ya did what ya had to do. If your team notices your gone then they be smart enough ta leave the battle."
If they were smart enough at least. Logan wondered who they were battling in the first place. Probably a couple of rogue mutants; there was no possible way he'd allow any of the kids involve themselves in something greater than that.
"You're probably right we've taken on sentinels before."
Logan cursed under his breath; Sentinels of all things. They all didn't allow themselves to show concern, but Logan can sense it on both Jean and Storm. The girl's head hung as she stared at both Logan and Storm.
"So am I born here? Or... how are things in this world."
They were so concerned with having to explain that they were another dimension they never really thought about how she would react to their relationship.
"We're just friends kid."
Storm was grateful she didn't have to respond, and for a moment Storm thought Kendall would be upset, but the girl shrugged turning to look at all three of their faces.
"At least you're not running off dad. In our world before you got married to mom they all used to complain about how you'd disappear for months at a time."
"Not much is different here, but he always comes back."
Jean's voice broke through them all. Kendall stood up and reached into her pocket grabbing a ruby stone handing it over to Storm.
"It's the ruby you gave me. You told me with a little bit of lightning I'd be able to teleport myself anywhere I wanted. I think I overdid it and that's how I got here."
"Well then if ya just tried it again maybe-"
"No Logan. She might end up in a completely different dimension; it could be dangerous. We have the blood of sorceresses, but none of it's training"
"Well then until we can find a way to get you home Kendall you can join the school as our newest student. I'll take you to the dorms."
Jean took Kendall by the shoulder leading the girl out of the room leaving Ororo and Logan alone in the room; for some odd reason Storm felt like it was intentional and she couldn't wait to corner her friend.
"Not one, but two. I gotta admit never thought I was dedicated."
"You do not give yourself enough credit."
Storm began picking things off the floor the gust of wind misplacing papers, pillows and more. Bending over she grabbed a little box and opened it up. Inside was her own ruby and she added the one Kendall gave her. Storm knew she'd have to contact their old friend Forge he would be able to figure out a way to get Kendall back, but ever since her breakup with him she' never made an effort to contact him and none were sure where he was. They would find a way.
"Poor child she might find out that most of her friends don't even exist in this world."
"She'll get over it. Besides she wont be here for very long."
Logan knew it would be best for her, but there was a part of him that wished Kendall would stay much longer.
"How much longer until they're compl-?"
The sounds of screams filled the room only to be quickly muffled as the woman's body disappeared below a green tank of liquid. He didn't even look back unfazed by the sounds while scientists flinched. Most were there against their will, but it was easy to assemble an army that held no tolerance for mutants. Guards stood around the room weapons aimed at the backs of the scientists; of course just as there were guards who hated mutants there were scientists who took pleasure in creating an army.
"As I was saying-"
"Another month maybe longer sir. Some of the subjects get overwhelmed by the process and are either left comatose or dead."
Turning to look at his lead scientists he grit his teeth wanting nothing more than to crush the mans throat; and he could, but he needed him.
"Get more subjects. No one will miss homeless men and women. Use the database to find those with no families and no one to miss them. The last thing we need is to alert the public."
"Yes sir."
"And how about the sentinels?"
"They haven't really been doing much damage, but most of the data has been retrieved."
"Perfect. As long as you get the information for where all the mutants are we should be fine."
"USA and Canada should be free of mutants by the end of this year."
"Where are you ambitions? By the end of this year all mutants on this world shall be rid of. Perhaps after that we can deal with the Avengers and other super heroes."
"But most of them are just humans-"
"Anyone with great power is a threat to our society. We don't need superheroes in this world anymore. With regular people all our world will have to deal with are murderers and thieves; cops can handle it."
The scientist eyed his boss wearily; he was starting to have second thought, but the more and more he thought about it the more it made sense.
"I guess..."
Despite not having to teach a class for a while; Ororo was always up bright and early papers on her desk and a frown permanently plastered on her face. She would have preferred spending her time grading papers, but for some strange reason Logan had talked her into doing their finances and already was she starting to regret it.
Ororo stood up pulling her hair up in a ponytail her red blouse was smoothly tucked into her white pencil skirt and she almost wished she picked a different attire. According to Hank they would be graces with the presence of government officials and she had taken the opportunity to put on something that looked professional. Drumming her fingers on the desk she pushed herself up perhaps taking a walk around the school would revitalize her mind and she could have her work done later.
At some point she had come across the danger room and decided to take a look knowing full well who was having a class in there. The program was set on a simple setting a training room no obstacle just an open room for easy one on ones. She could see the back of the heads of Jubilee and Kitty whispering under their breaths with- Kendall.
Already the three girls were hitting it off she could see her daughter smiling bright and chatting animatedly until they were cut off by Logan.
"Alright Kendall since you're gonna sit there and chat how bout a one on one with me?"
"Nothing new watch your back old man."
The kids broke into hushed whispers and giggles. She didn't plan on lingering, but something piqued her curiosity and she may as well stay and watch.
He got into position Kendall mirroring it perfectly many had trained with Logan and while he usually held back he was still close to being impossible to beat. Decades of training and with all the skills he mastered she wondered how well their daughter would fair.
Kendall leapt up her leg extended ready to crash down on Logan's head. He brought his arms up holding the girl and tossing her to the side, but because of how much he held back he was hit smack on the face with the heel of her other leg using his toss to propel herself out of his range. The class let out a short gasp and excited whispers return.
"Come on dad; you taught me way better than that. In my dimension you never fell for silly tricks."
Logan snarled and Storm couldn't help but giggle herself. It was an amusing display the girl had almost all his powers and was clearly trained well in hand to hand combat.
"Alright kid I can see you're getting cocky."
Kendall ran at her father delivering a quick right jab and following with a left hook. Logan blocked the first and ducked out of the second clearly going a little bit harder on the girl than his other students. Kendall didn't stop she delivered blow after blow she was fast and she knew it. Leaping back Logan found an opening and pushed himself forward driving his elbow into her abdomen clearly using the least amount of force as he needed. She wasn't hurt though and landed on all fours springing herself back as Logan continued the assault. While Kendall was doing well keeping up Logan was faster and with every blow she dodged he picked up his pace pushing the girl far.
Ororo felt worried she wanted to step in badly, but Logan knew what he was doing and would never do anything to hurt the girl. Kendall went for a spin kick Logan grabbing her and throwing her into the ground she reached up to punch him but he grabbed her fist and pinned it down at her side using his other hand to hold her free wrist down.
"Damn it."
"Nice try kid."
He let go she was snarling at him her temper flared arms crossed heavily over her chest. Storm could see the girl wasn't too pleased with being defeated. Storm was about to burst in fearing that the girl would summon an element endangering the rest of the class, but as everyone began to clap loudly the girl turned to look at them bewildered and almost timid. Logan helped Kendall up looking up at her father and wrapping her arms around his frame.
"Next time dad; I will win."
"Bring it, but till then class dismissed."
Kendall's arm was grabbed by Kitty and Jubilee exiting the danger room bombarding Kendall with questions she barely had time to answer.
"Wait till I tell Kurt!"
"Wait till Petyr and bobby hear this. Can you imagine; someone actually took on Logan... and landed hits!"
"Come on guys I used to always train with dad."
"You know you calling him that completely throws us off and to think your mom is Stor-"
"Hey Ms. Munroe."
Kitty was cut off by Jubilee the girl rubbing at the back of her head as if she had been caught committing a crime.
"Hey mom."
Storm couldn't get over being called that, but she would be lying to herself if she didn't enjoy it.
"Hello Kendall. Now run along don't you have biology with Hank?"
"Snooze-fest."
"I actually enjoy biology classes."
The girls continued walking waving at Storm as they walked away. Storm turned to return to her office, but the sound of his voice stopped her. An odd feeling tugged at her heart and she wondered if it had something to do with the battle she just witnessed.
"Enjoyed the show."
"A teenager landing a kick on you; best show I've seen."
He threw the towel at her playfully which she side-stepped and let drop to the floor. The two were heading in the same direction and the fell in step together under a comforting silence.
"She's probably the only kid I'd have taught to fight like that. If Wolverine of their world is anything like me. Wonder if he had to off his own kids too."
"You didn't know."
"Fuck Storm I didn't but I shoulda. This might be my last shot; my chance to make up for killing my own blood."
Storm walked ahead and turned around cutting him off. Her hands were on her hips and in that moment did Logan really appreciate how beautiful her figure was. The skirt hugged at her hips the blouse flowing over her frame emphasizing the small of her wait where it was tucked into her skirt. He was snapped out of his train of thought ashamed of where his mind had wondered- 'She's your friend and she'd never see you like that bub'.
"Whatever happened to your wives and everyone you've ever loved shouldn't stop you from pursuing a family Logan. Kendall is not just a reflection of us, but a reflection of how you can have a family. You need to have more faith in yourself my friend."
He stared at her long and hard and could see why the Logan that fathered Kendall would have fallen in love with this women. Different conversations and different experiences could have shaped that time-line, but in this one their conversations was always platonic and the prospect of a relationship with Storm seemed unrealistic and improbable to him. Logan pulled out a cigar lighting one up and watching her through the smoke.
"Women; always gotta lecture us on how we do things."
Storm shook her head and turned to continue walking Logan catching up and falling in step beside her once more.
"Not all women Logan, but sometimes if men stopped to listen you'd hear how much more simple your lives could be."
"Now yer pushin it."
Blue and grey eyes met and once again there was a mutual understanding that passed through them. As they made their way down the hall Storm paused before turning into her classroom.
"It's been a while since I've trained with you."
"Set the time and day darlin."
"Midnight tonight; don't hold back on me."
"Never was an option."
She ducked into her classroom a smile playing at the ends of her lips. Logan watched as her white hair disappeared into the classroom appreciating her skirt from the back giving an appreciative look. Yeah. He could definitely see what his counter-part was thinking marrying Storm.
A/N: Sorry I'm a day late; I've been having huge problems with my ISP they're not really reliable, but this country only offers one ISP so I'm kinda screwed in that sense. Anyways hope you enjoy this chapter I really want to get the ball rolling with the problem plaguing them ie: the sentinels. It's hard for me to catch my own mistakes even though I read through it twice when editing, but if you guys see any please shoot me a PM and I'll have them edited. Thanks for sticking around and I hope this chapter is too your liking. I'm planting seeds for their relationship already Logan is certainly humoring the idea in his mind. Guess you'll have to see how it works out; as usual reviews are very much appreciated they really motivate me to write. I know this is a dirty tactic, but with very few reviews updating twice a week doesn't seem worth it if not many are reading. Besides with another story I'm writing simultaneously twice a week for both stories can be tiring. So yea if I find I have more people reading though I'll be more willing to update twice a week. Anyways thank you for following my story!
