XRats Chapter 4: Still Raining, a x-men: evolution fanfic

X-Rats

Chapter 4 : Still Raining

Jamie was having a full on melt down. The baby was tired and ready to take a nap, but they weren't at the Home yet. They were still at the store shopping. He had a dirty diaper, was hungry, and wanted to go to sleep. However, his current adult didn't know what he wanted, and was trying to calm him down by waving the puppy dog toy in his face. "C'mon kid, stop cryin'." He noticed that people were looking at him. Some with sympathy and others with disgust.

Logan, along with the baby, Rouge and Rahne, had finished their list and were waiting at the spot that the professor had designated as the meeting point. Rahne was covering her sensitive ears while Rouge was watching Mr. Logan try to get Jamie to stop crying. "Maybe he pooped." The second grader brought up.

The feral's eyes widened at that possibility. He lifted Jamie from his seat and turned him over in his hands, "How can you tell?"

She shrugged, pulling the diaper bag from underneath the cart, "Why not smell his butt?" Rouge suggested, "I've seen Mr. McCoy do it at home sometimes."

Lifting the baby up to his nose, and with one big whiff, Logan held the baby farther away, "Well great." He mumbled. "He's definitely got somethin' in there."

"So, change his stinky booty!" Rahne cried, "That's a why he's cryin'!"

Rouge held up the diaper bag to the adult mutant, "The bathroom's that way." She pointed down the hall where they had parked their cart. "Rahne and I can wait here."

Logan adjusted the baby in his arms so he could take the bag, "I shouldn't be leavin' yah here."

The older girl shrugged, "We can't go in the boy's room." Jamie's cries seemed to increase and he reached for Logan's hair, pulling hard. "Mr. McCoy has us stand by the door, if that makes ya feel any better."

"It does." He admitted, "Push the cart this way, and stay out here. I'll be fast." Rouge pushed the cart with Rahne still sitting in to where the older mutant was headed to quickly. She moved the cart next to the bathroom and gave Logan and thumbs up. Thinking it over once more, the crying baby pulling on his hair made him decide to just trust that Rouge and Rahne wouldn't leave while he attempted to take care of Jamie.

The bathroom was empty and the baby's cries echoed on the tiled walls. Logan was surprised that there was a place to change Jamie by the sink. "Alright kid, calm down. I've gotcha now, we'll take care of it." He set Jamie down on the plastic changing table and placed the diaper bag down by his kicking baby feet. Logan saw that there were buckles for the baby, so taking extra precautions, he buckled Jamie in over his tummy.

Now, the feral mutant was at a loss of what to do. He's never had to change a diaper before, let alone a dirty one. "There's gotta be diapers in here right?" he mumbled, zipping open the blue diaper bag. Sure enough, the diapers were right on top along with a container of wet wipes. "Okay kid, let's get this over with."

Outside of the bathroom, Rouge and Rahne were beginning to wonder what was taking so long in there. Jamie was still crying, but he had to have had his diaper changed by now! "Maybe I should go check on them?" Rouge asked Rahne.

Rahne nodded, "Miser Logan never changed a poopy diaper. He might need help."

Before Rouge could push open the door to the bathroom, Logan and a still crying Jamie walked out. "Did you do it?" The second grader asked.

The preschooler stood up in the cart, "Was it gross?!"

"Yes I did." Logan mumbled, handing the bag back to Rouge. "Never want to do it again either."

The preschooler was confused, "Why is he still a cryin' then?"

Logan looked around for the puppy toy, not noticing Rouge pulling out a bottle of milk from the diaper bag. "He's probably hungry Rahne." She handed the bottle over to the adult mutant, "Try this."

"There's nowhere to sit." Logan said, wincing a little when Jamie found his hair again.

Rahne looked around for a spot for Miser Logan, "Over there!" she cheered, pointing to where a table with chairs was, "C'mon Rouge! Hurry and push, so Jamie can stop his cryin'."

Rouge rolled her eyes at the little girl, but pushed the cart to where she was pointing anyways. Logan followed behind them. They reached the bench, and Logan sat down quickly. Rouge and Rahne watched him adjust Jamie in his lap so that he was in the crook of his arm. "You know how to do this?" The second grader asked, handing over the bottle again.

"Yes," He answered, "now c'mon and hurry. He'll make himself sick if he keeps carryin' on like this."

The bottle was handed to Logan and he, in turn, gave it to the crying baby. Jamie was thankful and began drinking it quickly. "Finally!" Rahne whined, "That took forever! My ears hurt!"

Logan shook his head, "Sorry pigtails, but I'm not the baby whisperer like Chuck is."

Rouge laughed, "I don't think Jamie likes anyone like he likes the professor." She helped Rahne out of the cart. "And Scott. He likes Scott a whole lot too."

The older mutant was listening to what the second grader was saying while also taking in the way she was saying it. "Yeah, but the professor likes to play with us too!" Rahne added.

It became a one-sided conversation with Rahne after that. The little girl telling Logan about the different things that the professor and she had played together and what he plays with some of the other kids as well. Rouge didn't say much, but would correct Rahne on any words that she might have gotten mixed up.

Jamie finally finished his bottle, his eyes droopy and a content smile on his face. "Ah, there you are!" a woman's voice said, causing the group to turn around. Ororo and her group of children were making their way over to Logan's group, and full cart of groceries alongside them. "You are absolutely efficient Logan. I have to say that I am impressed."

"Jamie had a poopy diaper!" Rahne said, pulling on Ororo's skirt to gain her attention. "He was cryin' so loud and I don't think Miser Logan knew how to change a poopy diaper but he did! But then baby Jamie was still cryin' so Rouge gots him a bottle and now he's sleepy."

Ororo had a smile on her face, seeing that Logan was looking away from the woman with a blush on his face. "It sounds like you all did a wonderful job. Thank you for helping Mr. Logan today girls." Rahne beamed at the praise, then ran off to talk with Jubilee and Jean. Rouge was being bombarded with questions from Jubilee about Logan. The second grader was trying very hard not to look annoyed with Jubilee.

Logan was still holding Jamie, the baby cuddled in close. "It sounds like you were successful Logan." Ororo smiled, "Even if there was a…smelly dilemma." She couldn't help but chuckle at Logan's reaction.

"Who knew that such a little thing, could make such a mess?" He laughed quietly, looking down at the baby in his arms.

The professor and Hank met up with the others a little while after Jamie fell asleep. Ororo and Hank took the kids to the vans to load them up while Logan helped the professor in the checkout line. "Yes, we would appreciate some assistance out today, thank you." He smiled. "I take it everything went well Logan?" Charles asked, watching the groceries go down the convertor belt.

"Yeah Chuck, the kids were fine." Logan answered, "Rouge did have a lil fright towards the end."

That caused Professor Xavier to look up from the groceries passing him and to meet Logan in the eye. "Frightened over what?"

Logan thought back carefully. Of course, he knew what happened, but he had to make sure that he was giving the professor enough details. You know, because Rouge is just a kid and the professor was her guardian. So, he should know the important details about what happened. "We were just finishin' up the list and the kid ran into my legs. I almost buckled over with the grip she had around my legs. Anyways, she was actin' all nervous about a group of brats that were givin' their mama a hard time. Must've known 'em from school."

Charles took in this information carefully, "Can you describe the woman they were with?"

"Tall woman, dark hair, looked annoyed with the children." Logan recalled.

The feral watched Charles' expression change and his eyes widen. "I believe I know who Rouge was talking about." He handed the cashier the appropriate form of payment. "That was Raven Darkholme along with the gifted children an old friend of mine brought off the streets. Those children go to school with our children." With a nod towards the teenaged cashier, he wheeled away and let Logan take one of the carts to push ahead of them. "Rouge may have been talking about Lance Alvers. He was in Scott's class last year and now is with Rouge."

Logan pushed the cart to the entrance of the store and waited for instructions from Charles. It was still pouring rain outside, but Ororo and Hank seemed ahead of the game. Both of the Home's vans were right outside the doors, waiting for Logan and Charles. "I would not worry about them Logan." The professor reassured. "The children tend to tease or push the buttons of our children, but overall, they are not a problem."

Unloading the vans and bringing the groceries into the kitchen was routine for everyone in the Home, everyone but Logan. He sat back and watched as a child would walk into the kitchen, and place the bag down on the floor. Another child would then unload the bag on the island while a few others would begin putting away the items where they belonged. Hank was organizing the process as it went from the van to the doorway, Ororo was putting Jamie down for a nap, and Charles was supervising in the kitchen.

Jean and Scott were reaching the higher shelves while Bobby, Sam, and Evan were busy walking in and out of the kitchen with heavy bags in his arms. Ray and Roberto seemed a little busy stacking pasta packages into a building instead of actually putting them away. "Boys, please stop playing with the boxes and put them where they belong."

Both preschoolers looked up quickly, shock on their faces. "Otay Professare!" Ray smiled, knocking down the building of pasta. "C'mon Robbie. Let's go play!"

Roberto and Ray grabbed the pasta and put them into the cabinet before running off towards the play room. "They are some of the more active little ones. Good boys none the less." Charles explained. "Logan, how are you enjoying your day here? More adventurous than you thought?"

"If you can count shopping and changing diapers adventurous." Logan smirked, "But I haveta admit, they're good kids."

That made Charles smile, "They really are good kids. Sometimes, things can become a little hectic and seem to be out of control, but they do just need mentors who are just like them in order to guide them."

Logan nodded, thinking over his next question carefully. He did wait until Scott and Jean were done before asking, not believing the conversation was for little children. "Chuck, how do their parents know about this place? How do these kids get here?"

Charles Xavier thought about his answer, "It all depends on the child. For example, Evan and Ororo arrived together. She was seeking a sanctuary of sorts for her nephew from his own parents, and word does get around in the small community of mutants. I also use Cerebro, the machine I used to contact you. With that machine, I can come up on mutant signatures around the world. I contact the parents and explain to them about what I do here. Most agree to let their children come here to be mentored, while others would rather wait for their child to grow up a bit more before letting them attend school here." The professor waited a brief moment before continuing. "But some of them have been abandoned here, and I became their legal guardian."

It became quiet in the kitchen, "So, some of 'em really don't have anyone." The feral mumbled.

"I am afraid not." The professor sighed, "Except for Ororo, Hank, and I."

Logan let it all sink in. "You've gotta excuse me Chuck, I just need some air."

The professor nodded, watching as Logan left the kitchen. He almost bumped into Hank on his way out. The furry mutant had Kurt clinging onto his back, a large smile on his face. "Is everything alright Hank?" Charles asked.

Hank set Kurt down on an island's stool. "Kurt and Evan got into a bit of an argument. I decided that Kurt could help me with lunch preparations." Kurt had a large smile on his face, egger to be useful. "Is everything alright with Logan?"

"Yes Hank." Charles answered, "I just think he needed some time to himself right now."

Kurt was given a loaf of bread and was told to make piles of two. "Is Mr. Logan goin' to stay with us Professor?"

Professor Xavier looked over to his furry little 'student'. "I am still not sure Kurt. A part of me believes that he will, but another part of me does not think he will settle down well. But, he has until Sunday night to make a decision."

"It seems like he is more willing to stay for a while." Hank added, placing the deli meat on the island. "I think that today was an eye opener."

The furry blue mutant watched the telepath move his chair closer to Kurt's stool. "He mentioned something about running into Ms. Darkholme and the children who live with her."

Hank's eyes widened, "Really? What happened."

"From what Logan told me," Charles began, "Rouge spotted one of the boys from her class. Ms. Darkholme said a few words to Logan and that was all."

Kurt was busy stacking meat on pieces of bread to notice the adult's conversation. "Raven is someone we do not want on our bad side." Hank said, "From my past encounters with her, she can be very manipulative if she wants to be."

Charles nodded, "I agree. But, the children should not be discouraged from interacting with them. That is not what we are trying to accomplish here."

A loud clap of thunder interrupted the conversation and triggered some various shrieks from around the house. Kurt even jumped in his seat, "Wow! That was loud!"

McCoy laughed, "Yes Kurt, that was." He could hear running feet above him, "And it sounds like some others thought so too."

Amara, Jubilee, and Rahne ran into the kitchen from the dining room while Kitty and Evan came in from the kitchen door. Jubilee and Rahne ran into Charles knees, trying to climb into his lap while Kitty went to Hank. "Was that a bomb?!" Amara asked, shaking a bit as she made her way to the professor.

"No Amara, it was thunder." Charles adjusted the two little girls on his lap so that their elbows were not jabbing into his ribs. "It seems like the thick of the storm is finally here."

Evan climbed up a stool to sit next to Kurt, "Why can't Auntie O make it stop?" he asked, stealing a piece of ham from the large pile on the counter, "She does the weather stuff, 'member professor?"

Charles nodded, "Yes Evan, you are correct. Your aunt can control the weather. However, a storm this big, needs to run its course."

"I don' like storms." Rahne whined, covering her ears as another clap of thunder rolled through. "They hurt my ears professor!"

He rubbed her back, "I know Rahne, but there is nothing I can do to stop the storm."

She whined, trying not to cry. Jubilee rubbed Rahne's back too, "It's gonna be okay Rahne. We safe inside!"

"That is correct." Hank said, placing sandwiches that Evan and Kurt finished onto paper plates, "We have a roof over our heads, warmth from the rain, and each other."

The room grew silent, heavy rain pelting onto the windows. Hank, Evan, and Kurt finished preparing the meal for lunch while the professor convinced Amara and Jubilee to try and get the others for lunch. Charles wheeled himself and Rahne out of the kitchen to try and find where Logan went off to and tell him about lunch.

After a few moments of looking while passing a few children racing to the dining room, they finally found Logan standing in the library. The independent man had his back to the door, facing the window and looking outside. Charles cleared his throat, causing Logan to turn around. "Rahne and I thought we would let you know that lunch is ready."

Rahne smiled at the feral mutant, "Yeah! It's sand-mitches!" Logan said nothing, but walked out of the library and followed him to the dining room.

Saturday afternoon passed by smoothly. The storm was slowly passing through New York, and the kids made themselves busy in the playroom. Charles had some paperwork to finish up in his office, mostly dealing with the kids' extracurricular activities or up-coming field trips. Ororo was doing a load of laundry in the basement while Hank was working on a side project.

That left Logan to supervise the kids in the loud play room. Scott, Kurt, and Evan set up one of their video games on the large television. Bobby and Sam were watching them, cheering when something exciting happened and called dibs on going next. Ray and Roberto were watching the game too, but also had a pile of Legos in front of them to play with.

Somehow, he got roped into playing tea party with the girls. Rahne was busy trying to find something for Mr. Logan to wear while Jean and Kitty were 'making the tea'. Jubilee and Amara were putting on some dress up clothes, trying to find the most sparkly dress to wear. Rouge sat next to the man; arms crossed and a pout on her face. "Don't like tea parties, huh?" he asked, nudging her in the shoulder.

"Nah." She sighed, "But it makes Rahne happy if I play too."

Speaking of Rahne, the excited preschooler finally chose something appropriate for Logan to wear: a floppy sun hat covered in flowers. "Here Miser Lagoon! You gotsta look nice for the party!" Jean and Kitty finally came back, setting down a couple tea kettles on the table and taking their seats across from Rouge.

She was trying to put in onto his head, but Logan's hands were quicker. "Sorry pigtails, but the only hat I wear is my hat."

Rahne frowned, looking a little disappointed. "I'll wear it Rahne." Rouge mumbled, holding out her hands for the large hat.

She let Rahne smush it onto her head, trying not to moan when Jubilee and Amara cooed. "You look good Rouge!" Amara said, pulling on the dress over her outfit, "But a dress is better for a tea party."

Jubilee nodded, walking carefully in her plastic heels over to the tiny table. She was staring at Logan, almost like she was waiting for him to make a move. Logan watched her too, sensing that she was a little tense. "Jubie, can you pour a cup of tea for Mr. Logan?" Rouge asked quietly, taking the plastic blue tea cup that was set in front of Logan.

The kindergartener looked away from the strange man slowly, getting a reassuring smile from Rouge in return. "Okay Rouge." She whispered, picking up a kettle close to her and pouring in some pretend tea.

Rouge handed the cup back to Logan, giving him a look while nodding her head towards the nervous looking girl across from him. "Thanks, Sparky." He said, setting the cup in front of him, "But I would prefer a cup of coffee over tea."

"But it's a tea party Mr. Logan!" Kitty corrected, taking a kettle herself so she could pour some 'tea' into her cup, "You can't havea coffee at a tea party."

Jean laughed at Kitty, passing around the cookies that she made from the Easy Bake oven. "Next time, Mr. Logan, I'll make sure there's coffee for you."

The girls, except for Rouge who rolled her eyes, all giggled. Logan sat at the tiny table, watching the girls have their tea party. Occasionally, one of the girls would cheers with him and he would then pretend to sip at the 'tea'.

After about almost a half hour of sitting there, his legs began to cramp up and the girls were starting to get on his nerves. Thankfully, the baby monitor in the corner of the room went off, signaling that Jamie was up from his nap. "That's Jamie!" Amara said, setting down her cookie. "He's up! He'd wanna play tea party with us!"

"Go get 'im Mr. Logan!" Rahne cried, "He's real good at playin' tea party! Better than you!" Rouge nudged the preschooler in the arm, "Ow! What? He is! Mr. Logan doesn't even look like he's havin' fun!"

Logan shook his head, getting up from his spot on the ground, "No hard feelin's pigtails. This just isn't my kinda thing to play." He sidestepped away from the table, careful not to hit the table and knock anything over. "I should go get the kid or he'll keep cryin' forever."

The girls laughed, causing Logan to smile a little. He walked out of the playroom and to where Jamie was taking his nap. The baby was holding himself up in his crib, hands gripped tightly onto the rails on his cribs. "Alright kid, keep your pants on. I've gotcha now."

He lifted Jamie out of his crib and once Jamie realized someone finally got him, he began to calm down. "See, told ya it was gonna be alright." Logan shifted the baby so he was resting his head on the feral's shoulder. Logan subconsciously began to pat his back gently, making his way over to the changing table. "Probably should make sure that you don't have another surprise for me, huh?"

Charles was making his way from his office, hearing Jamie, and to the younger boy's room when he heard someone already taking care of the baby. As quietly as he could, the professor wheeled into the room and peaked his head in. Logan was taping up a diaper while having a one-sided conversation with the babbling baby. "Exactly kid, I think New York's team has a chance this year. The game is supposed to be on tonight. Chuck probably gets the channel they play on, right?" Jamie shrieked in glee, kicking his legs and Logan lifted him up with one arm. The other hand held the wet diaper, looking for the trash bin.

"The trash in underneath." The professor said, causing Logan to turn around quickly. Jamie laughed, thinking the fast spinning was some sort of new game. "And I am sure we get the sports channels here. Are you trying to instill the love of hockey into Jamie at such a young age?"

Logan threw away the diaper, brushing his hands off on the back of his jeans. "Gotta start 'em early Chuck."

The professor laughed, wheeling out of the room with Logan following him, "If you say so." The three mutants made their way back into the playroom, seeing that most of the kids looked their way when they walked in.

Amara ran up to the professor with a grin on her face, "Professor! Mr. Logan played tea party with us!"

"But he wanted coffee." Jubilee added, not looking at Logan. "Jean said next time."

Charles smiled, "Well, that was thoughtful of Jean to be thinking of Mr. Logan like that."

Kitty nodded, "Yeah, and he was talkin' real nice to Jamie. Even if it was about gross, icky sports." She stuck her tongue out in disgust, "Jamie should like ponies and princesses, not hockey."

"Jamie can like whatever he wants to like." Xavier explained gently, "If he wants to like hockey or princesses or both, that is just fine."

The brunette first grader shrugged, "I guess so, but ponies are better." With that, she walked away, taking Jubilee and Amara with her. "Come on, let's play make over now."

Charles looked up at Logan who didn't say much of anything since returning to the playroom. "I take it tea went well?" he asked with a smirk.

"It made the girls happy." He shrugged, moving into the room so he could set Jamie down on the rug, "I didn't want a riot on my hands."

The conversation ended there. Logan made himself comfortable again, but this time next to Jamie, giving him some toys to entertain himself with. Rain was still pelting the rooftop, but it was great background noise to the various activities going on in the play room. "Well, Logan. It seems like the girls approve of you if you wish to stay. Ray, Roberto, and Jamie do as well." Logan just nodded, paying more attention to the baby than to what the professor was saying, "Perhaps by tomorrow, you will have your answer."

Thanks for reading! Have a wonderful day!