The Test of Time 4

She growled low. In front of her was the most intimidating thing she'd ever had to deal with.

"There is no way I'm wearing that." She snapped at Rogue. The girl with the strange streak in her hair just sighed and laid the garment on the bed.

"Malena, ye're gonna have ta wear one eventually." Rogue pulled her shirt off to show hers. "Its a hell of a lot more comfortable than goin' without, the bigger they get."

"It's stupid. It hurts. I can't fasten the damned thing with these..." She held up her claws. She hated bras.

"That's why this one fastens with a simple hook in front. Ah tried ta think of what would work with your fingers." Rogue said. Malena grumbled and pulled off her t-shirt.

She'd been at the school a year and her body was definitely starting to grow, her Mom and brother visited every chance they got, and The Professor helped them get an apartment in town. Her brother wasn't a mutant, something that gave her a secret relief. She knew somehow that HE would be back, and if her brother'd been like her, HE would have killed him. Now Nate was safe, at least from Sabretooth.

She'd started learning about the mutants, and especially about the one who's mutation hers was most like. Victor Creed, AKA Sabretooth, assassin, murderer, rapist, terrorist, without a merciful bone in his body and completely ruthless when there was something he wanted. She hated him. Hated his involvement in her life.

She wasn't an idiot. She'd figured out, quickly, that if she asked for something it showed up, no matter what the cost...and that The Professor didn't pay for it. Now she was having to deal with that most hideous of female garments, a bra.

"Let me help you with it, this time." Rogue said.

"I want my Mom." She hissed.

"She's working, and asked me to help you with it. Mal, please. Jest try it on." She slipped her arms under the padded straps and felt Rogue straighten them on her shoulders so they wouldn't dig in. Malena pulled the padded cups around and fastened the hook. She growled. The fabric bunched and pushed her flesh in strange directions.

"Watch me." Rogue said, and reached into the padded cups of her own bra and started adjusting herself. Malena started to follow her example and everything seemed to drop into place, and she had to admit, her back stopped aching so badly. She wasn't that big on top, but it had started bothering her, especially in gym class and self defense classes.

She pulled her T-shirt on and glared at herself in the mirror. They were at least even...and didn't seem as ready to move around when she did, but she still didn't like the whole idea. Couldn't she just cut them off?

"There, much better." Rogue said, smiling. Malena just growled, and looked at the stack of the offending garments on her dresser. There were at least seven, in either white or a beige color, one for every day of the week.

"Do I have to wear them?' She asked.

"Well, ya don't have to, but you're back's really gonna start botherin' ya soon if ya don't." Rogue said. "Ah remember when I started wearin mine...Ah hated it, but now Ah just can't live without the support."

"I'll try it, but if I hate it I'm throwing them away." Malena growled.

"Up ta you." Rogue smiled.

Malena just stuffed the offending things into a drawer. She wasn't going to admit to anyone her back felt better...maybe she'd give the damned things a chance.

XXXXXXXXXX

Logan watched as Rogue and Malena walked into the dining room. There was something different about the girl, her shoulders were a little straighter, and her chest...he stopped. When had she grown those? What the hell?

He shook his head. Kids grew up way too fast these days. He took a long drink of his coffee. His eyes brushed past Malena, and took in Rogue's figure. Yep, way too fast. Where was the kid he'd picked up on the highway? Where the hell did this woman come from...a teacher, team mate, and he'd be damned if she didn't have a very impressive rack too. He growled and picked up his plate and cup. He had to get out of here for a while. Things were moving way too fast.

Logan, children grow up.

Stay out of my head, Chuck.

I couldn't help but notice your thoughts. She's going to grow quickly, that happens with those of us who are mortal. I've given you suggestions on how to fix the issue. All you have to do is...

I'm not kidding, Chuck stay the FUCK out of my head.

She's not adver...

CHUCK! I'm warnin' ya.

Very well, just remember, there are ways to make things work, even at this delicate stage in her development. Her mutation is far from finished developing and...

Back the fuck off.

He felt the old man sigh. Logan growled. Yep he needed to get out of here, before someone got hurt.

He stormed up the back stairs and grabbed his jacket and bag. He was heading north. Chuck could find him, if there was trouble, but he really needed to get out of the path of temptation.

Malena caught him at the garage door.

"You runnin' again?" She asked. His mind caught the echo of another time, another voice.

"No, just followin' a lead on some stuff. I'll be back. Keep an eye on Rogue for me, will ya, kid."

"Sure." She just nodded, her tawny curls pulled back in a simple pony tail. He pulled her close for a rough hug.

"Countin' on ya, Kid." He said softly, brushing his lips across her forehead.

"You better come back." She growled at him.

"I will."

He walked out the door to the garage and climbed on his bike. She watched him, her black eyes gauging every movement. He knew she was going to be a handful someday, and he didn't want her to know, yet, how much he knew, or remembered, about his past. Someday he was going to have to tell her everything, but for now, it was best she just form her own opinions.

He felt the bike throbbing between his thighs and pushed it into motion. She had time, and he had some information to gather...and a ring to buy.