Hey, guys, me again! Just to clarify something about the uniforms mentioned in this chapter. This story was actually written between the first two X-Men movies. (I'm just updating it a little and adding some new stuff!) At the time, Marvel decided to change the team from their usual brightly coloured spandex into black leather ensembles, which closely mirrored the uniforms used in the movie. I liked them, and decided to change the uniforms in my story too, hence Wolvie's new black attire. However, Marvel have since gone back to the bright spandex, but I decided to stick with the black leather! I like it, so there! And there's just something incredibly sexy about Wolvie in black leather ...... !

Thanks to my reviewers for the last chapter - nileena, Hukkanen, Frozen Voices, Sabrielle-X and Laudine! Glad you're still with me, guys, and enjoying the story!

So now, onward - further developments await ...... !

4. Something For the Weekend

Scott was standing at the bedroom window when Jean came out of the bathroom, arms folded and staring down into the mansion grounds as though he wished he could just phase through the glass and take off running into the sunrise and never look back. She watched him for several moments, lips pursed as she rubbed vigorously at her damp hair with a towel, but he was wrapped up in his personal thoughts and completely unaware of her presence. He was obviously brooding about something and she had a sneaking suspicion she knew what it was. She hadn't been attached to Scott all these years for her not to gain some insight on how his mind worked. She was a telepath, after all.

Finally, tossing the towel onto the bed, she crept across the bedroom towards him, although she reckoned her stealthy approach was completely unwarranted – she could have been stark naked and letting off firecrackers all the way and he still wouldn't have known she was there.

He jumped slightly as she slipped her arms around him from behind, resting her head on his back. "You seem awfully quiet this morning, lover. Still thinking about the training session?"

Scott sighed, patting his fiancee's hand absently. "Is it just me, Jean, or is the team not gelling like it used to?"

"Give them time, Scott, they will. They've been through a lot of changes recently and have a couple of new members. They just need time to adjust."

"Adjust? Jean, I sometimes feel as though they have no more idea of teamwork than a room full of monkeys. If Psylocke's not mooning over Warren then it's Blizzard coming up with ways to annoy Wolverine. And Logan …… when he's not on Blizzard's case, he seems so …… distracted. It's not like him."

"Logan's in love, Scott. Of course he's going to be distracted." Jean smiled against her fiance's back. "Don't you remember how 'distracted' we were when we first fell in love?"

Scott shook his head. "Are you sure, Jean? About Logan, I mean. I've been watching him and Kristi over the last few weeks and they don't seem like a couple in love to me. More like just good friends."

Jean released her fiancé and moved around him so that she could look into his ruby glasses. "I think they're keeping everything quiet until they feel the time is right to go public." She grinned. "It's quite sweet, really."

" 'Sweet' and 'Wolverine' are not words I would normally associate together, Jean." Scott sighed and pulled her into a close embrace. "God, I feel so tired lately, Jean. I used to enjoy leading the team through training sessions, but now ……"

Jean pulled back slightly, looking up at him with piercing green eyes. "Scott, you've got to stop worrying about the training. It'll come together in time."

"But ……"

"No 'buts', Scott. This isn't the first time a session has gone awry and it probably won't be the last. Remember the time Colossus nearly got crushed to death under that press? Or when Jubilee accessed the Sentinel programme by mistake and panicked because she couldn't turn it off? The programmes themselves have been known to run wild on a couple of occasions too."

Scott nodded. "So what's your point, Jean?"

"My point is, lover, that the Danger Room exists to help us hone our powers and perfect our teamwork. If mistakes are made, we learn from them. Far better to make those mistakes in the Danger Room, than out in the field."

Scott considered this. "I understand where you're coming from, Jean. Why is it that you always know exactly what to say to make everything make sense?"

"Because I'm a telepath, honey." Jean patted his shoulders and grinned. "What good is my ability if I don't use it now and then?"

Scott grinned, pulling her close once more. "If I thought that was true, Jean ……" He let the thought go unsaid and tilted his head, capturing her lips in a passionate kiss. Jean moaned against his mouth and wrapped her arms around his neck just as a soft tap sounded at their door.

Scott pulled back with a muttered oath. "Dammit! If that's Bobby complaining that Jubilee's put fireworks in his shoes again, I'll ……"

Jean detached herself from Scott's ruffled embrace, straightening her damp hair. "Come in, Ororo. The door's open."

The team's resident weather witch entered, looking cool and radiant in a flowing blue kaftan. She smiled at the two lovers standing in the window. "Jean. Scott. I wonder if you could spare me a few minutes?"

"For you, 'Ro, anything." Scott moved away from Jean to welcome Ororo further into the room. "What's on your mind?"

"I am worried, Scott," admitted the white haired beauty, hesitantly. "There seems to be a great deal of tension within the team of late."

"So you've noticed it too, huh?"

"Yes, but I believe I have a solution."

"Oh?"

"The team needs a distraction – something to divert their attention and lighten the mood for a while. I believe I have come up with a plan to lift everyone's spirits."

"Go on, Ororo, I'm all ears."

And as his team-mate and friend began to outline her idea, Scott's face broke into a wide grin ……

oooOOOooo

Breakfast in the X-mansion was one of the quietest meals of the day, a time when sleepy eyed students tried to stay awake long enough to wolf down plates of bacon and eggs, and teaching staff discussed training schedules over steaming mugs of coffee. Several students were already present when Kristi entered the kichen this particular morning, listening to Hisako recount the details of a recent self defence class. Kristi collected a plate and helped herself to bacon, eggs and tomatoes, lovingly prepared by Betsy who was on cooking duty that morning. Her mind was elsewhere, but when she heard Hisako mention Wolverine, she paused in the act of picking up a couple of slices of toast to tune in to the conversation.

"I swear his claws came this near to poking my eye out!" Hisako described a ridiculously tiny distance from the bridge of her nose with thumb and forefinger. Calling herself Armor, and having the ability to project an impenetrable shield around herself, it had always been assumed that the only things allowed through were light and air. It seemed as though Hisako had just discovered – the hard way – that this list now included Logan's claws.

"What did he say?" asked Jacquie, wide-eyed, with a laden fork halfway to her mouth, wings fluttering nervously.

"He said – and get this! – he said he hadn't realised his hand wouldn't go through my shield!" Hisako was incredulous. "I mean, he's standing there, with his knuckles pressed to my shield, claws just millimetres from my eyes and he has the cheek to tell me he hadn't realised his hand wouldn't go through! How freaking awesome is that?"

"Whoa!"

Kristi grinned, turning slightly so that the group sitting at the table couldn't see her. It seemed as though the irrepressible Wolverine had just unwittingly impressed another youngster. No matter how he tried to be the big bad bruiser, he just couldn't seem to help gathering a ragtag group of admirers, all drawn to his devil may care attitude. And, despite the fact that Hisako could have been seriously injured if his hand had gone through the shield – although Kristi suspected he would have sheathed his claws and pulled the punch at the last second if that had been the case – it was this very act of bad boy recklessness that seemed to have impressed the young trainee the most. She had to give the trainees their due – absolutely nothing seemed to faze them.

Finishing off collecting her breakfast, she trotted over to the table to take a seat next to Gina, noticing for the first time that several of the youngsters were already in standard uniform, including her friend. Gina grinned at her as she pulled out a chair and Kristi smiled back, remembering how proud she had felt the day she had received her own trainee uniform. She had only worn it the once in a Danger Room session before graduating to an elite uniform, but she still remembered it fondly.

"The guy's a freakin' nutcase, if ya ask me." A familiar voice cut into her reminiscing, and she looked up to see Blizzard leaning against the counter top in the corner, a bowl of cereal resting in his hand. With a jolt of annoyance, she realised he was talking about Wolverine. "He coulda killed Hisako an' all a'ya think it's freakin' hilarious. What the hell's wrong with ya?"

"Nobody got killed, Daniel, so quit griping." Paige Guthrie came to Wolverine's defence, unwittingly cutting in before Kristi could compose a scathing reply. "Wolverine's too much of a pro to allow anyone to be injured in one of his own self defence classes."

"Are ya sure about that, Husk? 'Cause I'm not." Blizzard put his bowl down beside him and folded his arms, fixing Paige with a steady glare. "They say he's a killer. A trained assassin. Maybe ya oughta remember that the next time he nearly skewers one o' ya."

"Maybe you ought to shut your mouth, Daniel, before one of us shuts it for you." The words were out of Kristi's mouth before she realised, but it was too late to call them back. She'd made her bed, now she had to lie in it. The table around her grew quiet, recognising a confrontation when they saw one. Even Betsy paused in the act of frying more bacon to watch with a narrowed eye.

"I shoulda known you'd jump to the headcase's defence." Blizzard gave her a look that made her skin crawl. "You sweet on him, or something, Wildstar? Are you lovers?"

There was a collective gasp from several people sitting around the table. Kristi's hands curled into fists and she jumped as she felt a gentle touch on her knee – Gina's hand under the table reminding her not to do or say anything she would regret later.

Bobby Drake came unwittingly to her rescue. "Are you nuts, Daniel? Everybody knows he holds a torch for Jean Grey. No other woman'll ever come close."

"Are you calling me crazy, icecube?" Blizzard stepped forward and Bobby rose from his chair to meet him, provoking a shout from Betsy which both youngsters ignored. Blizzard's face twisted with hatred. "Any time you're ready, ya second rater ……"

"Less yakkin', more eatin'." Logan suddenly strode into the kitchen, dousing the charged atmosphere faster than a bucket of water. Bobby sank back into his chair and Blizzard tossed both Logan and Kristi a glare before stalking from the room with a face like thunder.

Kristi swivelled in her seat as Logan headed for the coffee pot, seemingly unaware of the situation he'd just interrupted. He caught her eye and looked away quickly, grabbing a mug from the overhead cupboard and filling it with coffee. Breakfast was the one meal of the day when he could be seen with a drink other than beer in his hand.

He eyed the softly chattering students over the top of his mug for a moment, weighing up the innocent atmosphere. Betsy tossed him a glance which clearly said some sort of telepathic exchange had just occurred. He passed Kristi another discreet look, sending a rapid image of himself standing with a claw to Blizzard's throat. Kristi smiled to herself as she turned back to her breakfast. His outward demeanour was all a front – he knew exactly what he had interrupted.

With a low rumble, he put his mug down on the counter top beside him and leaned back. "Armor, Mirage, Firefly, don't ferget ya have a defence class with me in fifteen minutes. I'll take it personal if yer late."

Gina swivelled in her seat to flash him a smile. "We won't be late," she assured him. "We're almost finished."

Logan nodded. "An' if ya see Blaze an' Psyche on yer way ta the Danger Room, tell 'em if they're late ta one more session they'll get extra practise. I don't tolerate tardiness on my shift."

Several of the more seasoned trainees seated around the table actually gulped at this, having being on the receiving end of Logan's punishment regime in the past. He was well known for his willingness to push a disobedient student well beyond tolerance levels.

Kristi got up and moved to the coffee pot, in the guise of refilling her mug. This close to Logan, she could smell the new leather of his black fighting uniform, and she breathed deeply, savouring the scent. Recently, Jean had decided that the old brightly coloured uniforms were outdated and fussy, and had taken it upon herself to design new ones. She had come up with designs in black leather which were all variations on a theme, but which were hardwearing and serviceable, and allowed their wearers to mix comfortably with the general populace and not look out of place. Wolverine's uniform comprised black leather trousers and Kevlar enhanced jacket, which he usually wore over a simple black spandex T-shirt – or occasionally over no T-shirt at all, which always set Kristi's pulse racing. The team's trademark gold X adorned the jacket's collar and the backs of his gloves, which were currently tucked into his belt. Kristi had purposely chosen a more feminine version of Wolverine's new look, wearing her new jacket over a gold T-shirt, specifically chosen to compliment her power signature. In her opinion, Wolverine had always looked hot in his old yellow and blue spandex, but the new uniform definitely had the 'Wow' factor.

Kristi helped herself to milk and sugar, deliberately taking her time. "I was worried about you yesterday," she whispered softly, knowing his enhanced hearing would pick up her words perfectly.

He leaned forward to snag a piece of toast, using the movement as cover to whisper back. "No need. I was fine. Just remembered somethin' I had ta do, that's all."

Kristi frowned, sensing his evasion. He was keeping something from her, and she knew it, but before she could come up with a reply Jubilee barrelled into the kitchen as if the very hounds of hell were right behind her.

"Guys! Hey, guys, listen up! There's going to be a barbecue tomorrow!"

"A barbecue?" Bobby looked up from his breakfast with a frown.

"Sure, Drake, a barbecue! Y'know, food an' stuff. Outside. In the open." Jubilee snagged Logan's piece of toast from his fingers, earning herself a low growl, which she totally ignored.

"I know what a barbecue is, Lee, but who says we're having one?"

"Scott an' Jean just told me." Jubilee plonked herself down on a chair and waved the piece of toast dramatically. "I am the bearer of glad tidings, so rejoice! It has been formally announced that the whole team and resident students will gather for a day of wholesome food and frivolities at the boathouse tomorrow! Attendance isn't compulsory, but the Professor'll take it personally if ya don't turn up, seeing as he's organising the shindig!"

An excited babble of voices greeted her words, punctuated by a comment from Paige. "But it's not warm enough for a barbecue. It's only March."

"Which is why we have a weather witch on the team," remarked Ororo, entering the kitchen just then and overhearing Paige's words. "Do not worry about the weather. It will be warm enough."

"Alright!" cheered Bobby, enthusiastically, punching the air. "Yay for the Prof!"

Gina caught Ororo's eye. "Do you think it would be alright if I asked a friend along?" she ventured, somewhat hesitantly.

Ororo smiled. "Gina, you need never ask permission to bring Mark to the mansion," she said softly, correctly guessing the reason for the young girl's question. "You and your friends did us all a great service and we will be forever in your debt."

"Thanks, Ororo." Gina stood, pushing back her chair with an excited grin. "I'll go and give him a call now, before he leaves for work."

"Hey, Gina, don't forget to tell him to bring that yummy friend of his!" called Paige, as Gina left the kitchen. "He's a bit of alright, that one!"

"Hey!" Jubilee turned sideways in her seat to toss Paige a withering glare. "Hands off! I saw him first!"

"So what, Jubes?" Paige sat back in her seat, arms folded in a satisfactory fashion. "He's too old for you. But just right for me!" She winked at her fuming team-mate.

Jubilee was just forming a scathing reply when a hand dropped onto her shoulder. She tilted her head back and looked up into the stern face of her mentor. She waggled her fingers at him. "Hi, Wolvie!"

Logan gave her a look which clearly said there'd be trouble if she even had the slightest intention of making ga-ga eyes at a guy who was six years her senior, then stalked back to his coffee, point made. Jubilee poked her tongue out at him behind his back, making Firefly snort into her cereal.

"Mr Logan, will you be going to the barbecue?" asked Hisako, innocently. "It sounds like fun."

Logan shook his head. "I don't think so, Hisako. I don't do picnics."

"Bull!" retorted Jubilee, crossly, still piqued at being warned off looking at Coffey. "You've joined us at the lake loads of times. Don't tell me you're on one of your macho loner stunts again."

Logan's eyes narrowed and a low growl rumbled around the kitchen, causing most of the students to suddenly take an intense interest in their food. He was prepared to make many sacrifices for Jubilee's sake, but being snapped at in front of a group of trainees by a fourteen year old definitely drew the line.

"If Wolverine does not wish to go to the barbecue, then respect his decision and leave him alone, Jubilee," broke in Ororo, recognising the awkward situation and reacting quickly to diffuse it. "After all, I am sure he has better things to do than lie about with a group of rowdy youngsters all afternoon."

Logan grunted, but said nothing in return. Jubilee shrugged. "Fine. Don't go. Miss all the fun. See if I care."

Under the pretence of reaching for another piece of toast, Kristi managed to move nearer to Logan. "Y'know, Logan, I really would enjoy your company at the barbecue tomorrow," she said, softly. "Are you sure you won't go?"

Logan considered a moment, before shaking his head. "Picnics aren't my style, Kris. I'd only be in the way."

"But ……"

"To tell the truth, the Harley's been stallin' somewhat lately. I thought I'd strip her down tomorrow an' find the problem before it's too late."

Kristi nodded slowly, recognising an excuse when she saw one. "Okay," she managed to say. "Some other time maybe?"

Logan nodded and Kristi returned to her breakfast, but now it tasted like ashes in her mouth ……

NEXT: Will Logan have a change of heart? Or is he simply destined for more pain?