Well This is Awkward…

Rogue turned to face the voice that had spoken, her body moving so quickly that she nearly gave herself whiplash. She would never forget that voice…ever…but it seemed as though her eyes needed to confirm what her ears had already given her reason to dread. Standing, by the opened doorway, was Dr. Jean Grey. Her hair long, straight and flowing majestically along her shoulders. Her eyes seemed greener than Rogue had remembered, and there was something about the look the doctor was giving her that made her heart stop. Momentarily of course. Her skin was pale, aged slightly, her stature thin—just as Rogue had remembered—with her jeans and red long-sleeved shirt tightly hugging each curve on the older woman's body. As much as Rogue had tried to prepare herself for the eventual meeting of her ex love—it was only at this moment that she realized that no amount of preparation could prepare her for the hard hitting emotions that would occur, when she would be face-to-face with Jean Grey. Rogue had never felt more vulnerable in her entire life, as she felt in that moment. No amount of physical or mental training could have prepared her for this. The confidence she walked in with, had quickly abandoned her at that moment. She felt like a child again, at the mercy of a more experienced, and authoritative teacher.

"Jean! I didn't expect to see you—didn't you have papers to grade?" The Professor greeted, his expression only slightly betraying his discomfort for the situation.

Jean's eyes never left Rogue, as she plainly answered her Professor, "I sensed the presence of someone I hadn't seen in some time. Papers seemed irrelevant…"

Rogue did her best to keep her eyes focused onto Jean's—never wanting to show weakness by looking away. So the girl defiantly stared back at Jean, not wanting to let the older woman know what affect she was having on her. She could tell that Jean had put extra emphases on her statement, and waited to hear the rest of the comment she knew Jean was about to finish.

Jean smiled slightly, her eyes still not leaving Rogue's as she continued, "…that and I heard the sound of a helicopter—not exactly something you hear everyday around here…" Jean let her eyes wonder to the Professor for a moment, before returning her gaze to the younger woman—whom continued to stare back at her, expression as defiant as the look in her eyes.

The Professor shuffled his hands uncomfortably, as he silently wondered how he was going to get these two women to stop making the room feel as if it were to spontaneously combust at any moment. He distinctly remembered giving a warning to Jean about how she should behave around, Rogue, though apparently unresolved issues was clearly rearing its ugly head.

"Yes, well, as we talked before, Jean…Rogue was to arrive today, and I think you two have some talking to do—"

"Oh, hell, no—"

"—Yes, I believe I heard you the first time, Marie" Jean interrupted, "though I'm not sure that you have much choice in the matter", Jean explained.

"Don't call me, Marie." Rogue warned, her hand raised and finger pointing at Jean, for emphases.

"You used to like it when I called you 'Marie'." Jean replied with a taste of attitude. Her heart begging her to stop pushing, Rogue, but there was some strange force that was preventing her from doing so.

Anger and hurt fueled through Rogue's veins, as she said the first thing that entered her mind, "that was before I knew you were a heartless bitch!" She would regret the comment later, but at the moment Rogue meant every word.

Jean's eyes widened at the comment, her arms crossed over her chest, and face hot with both anger and hurt. "What did you just say to me?" She practically yelled, as she marched up to Rogue, so that the two former lovers where mere inches from each other.

"You heard me, or has age really caught up to you?"

This comment floored Jean, and before she could respond, it was the Professor who would prevent any spilt blood.

"Ok, that's enough from you two! ENOUGH!"

Both women, breathing hard, adrenalin pumping, emotions threatening to cause a bloody murder scene all over the Professor 'newly' installed hard wood floors (and yes, they were damn expensive).

"Now you two listen to me, and listen good!" The Professor paused, struggling to find the strength within to phrase what needed to be said—without risk of having the two turn on him…for everyone knows, that two women fighting, especially when it's a lovers quarrel, is more terrifying than the risk of an apocalypse or an alien invasion combined!

"I know this is and will be difficult—for both of you—but the threat on the world is more important than what is going on between you two. You two, WILL work together, and you WILL find some way to do so without killing each other. Rogue, you are back on the team—and Jean is your teammate, just as she is yours." The Professor continued, watching the two women who were still nose-to-nose, but clearly listening. "Now I will say this, and I will say this ONCE" The Professor stated with as much authority as his fear would let him. "Settle this!"

The two women took a moment to digest what had been said, the adrenalin still pumping in their veins but control was maintained, within reason, between the two. They both knew that the Professor was right—though neither wanted, at that moment, to admit it. They both shifted uncomfortably, both knowing that at some point one of them would have to be the one to walk away—though neither wanted to give the other the satisfaction of defeat. As the moments passed, for what seemed like eternity, it was Jean—who made the first move…

"He's right, you know…" Jean began, a wicked grin playing her on her lips, "its funny that you made that comment about my age catching up to me…" she said flatly.

Jean took a step or two forward, forcing the younger girl to take a step back—this was a dominating act and Rogue knew it. Rogue berated herself, silently, for not maintaining her ground, but didn't have time to respond before Jean turned around and made her way towards the door leading out of the room. She opened the door, and turned slightly, pausing as she flashed Rogue a mysterious look that could not be transcribed into words…

"…my age wasn't an issue for you when your face was between my legs—and mine between yours…" and with that she left a visibly stunned Rogue (and grossed out Professor) to stare after her.

To make the situation even more uncomfortable. It just so happened, that Logan, on his way to the Professor's office after hearing that Rogue was there, was standing just outside the doorway, when Jean uttered that comment. He stepped into view, entered the room, and after watching Jean walk away, turned to give a surprised look at both the Professor and Rogue, before uttering the only thing he could manage.

"Well, that was awkward…"

"Yeah…and I doubt things will get any better…" Rouge finally answered, when shock finally escaped her.

Logan closed the door behind him before replying, "yeah, well, you don't get to run from your problems and expect them to not be there when you finally do came back again…". He crossed his arms, eyes staring at Rogue.

"Pfft" Rogue responded, feeling a bit cheated that such negative responses were so quickly affronting her. "Don't give me that, Logan. Not after my tiff with Jean…" She hoped that this would be enough to save her some peace…she eyed her old friend hopefully.

Logan, arms crossed, eyes shifting from the Professor to Rogue, and then back again, responded with a gruff, "from the looks of things…I think you'll get your just of things for walking out on us—"

"—come on Login!" Rogue interrupted with a slight tantrum. "Give me a break—I was barely 19—I did what I thought was right…at the moment…"

"Yeah, well you ain't gett'n away too easily…" Logan replied, trying to make Rogue believe that he was actually mad at her, he knew in his heart that he understood what the girl had to do. He knew that he wasn't actually mad at her—only sad that he had been without her for 3 long years—it's hard to be without a good friend for so long…I think that anyone else could agree…

"So, what? I'm gunna get lip for the rest of my days here?" Rogue replied, hands upright and muscles flexed—she was pumped for a fight no matter who it came from.

"I prevented a fight between you and Jean—don't you dare start one with Logan!" The Professor interrupted—understanding fully how the adrenalin in the room was starting to start up again.

"You aren't my master, professor. I mean, no respect, naturally…"

"No, but I can have him on the phone at any time—I'm sure he wont be pleased with your attitude so far!" The Professor responded with authority.

"This hasn't been a good day for you, has it?" Logan commented, as he watched Rogue's expression.

"I'm sorry, Professor. I'm just a little tense…" Rogue apologized, sighing heavily as she watched the Professor gesture a sign of understanding.

"That's alright, Rogue. I understand. Now Logan will take you to your room—where you can relax for a while. I think with all the excitement you'll need a rest…" The Professor said with a smirk.

"Urgh…" Rogue responded, turning to leave the room and following Logan.

The two made their way along the corridor, silent at first, before offering each other a playful shove on the shoulder. The two playfully shoved each other, smiling, as they enjoyed the friendly moment—occasionally shoving each other harder and harder…and at one point Logan shoved the younger girl so hard that she almost flew through to another corridor. Logan laughed, and Rogue uttered with a, "HEY!" before laughing to let Logan know that she 'ok'.

"I missed you, kid" Logan stated, as they approached Rogue's new room. "I'm glad that you're back on the team!" He finished, as he opened Rogue's door for her—to show her that it was a single bedroom with all the perks…something only offered to the adult members of the X-men.

"I missed you too, Wolverine" Rogue replied, her eyes enjoying the sight of her new room. "And I'm glad, for the most part, to be back on the team too. Hopefully things haven't changed too much…"

"Oh, you have no idea…" Logan answered while shaking his head. "A lot has happened since you cowardly ran off—"

"—Hey! Not a coward!"

Logan laughed, "as I was saying…a lot has happened since you've been gone. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow…get some rest, kid", and with that, Logan left the girl to rest and relax in her new room.