Disclaimer: I don't own the X-men. All rights belong to Marvel, Sam Lee, and whomever else hold rights. I have not nor will I receive any compensation for this story.

Author's Notes: Hey everyone. First let me get say how sorry I am for the delay with this chapter. For some reason this story just nags at the back of my head, but I'm not complete sure where I'm going with it just yet. I do have some ideas forming. However this is just a little ficlet, so I'm trying to not get to carried away. I hope everyone likes the new chapter. If you do, please review. If you don't and think it sucks, then please just pass on by, and know I appreciate at least you giving it a chance. Now I'd like to thank all you lovely reviewers out there who so kindly reviewed, and to all you wonderful people who have favorite and alerted this story. My humble thanks. Now onto the show.

Chapter 9

Hank gave Marie a encouraging smile. "It will not be that bad, my dear. Nothing we haven't done before. Just a small blood sample, and saliva swab."

"I know. Are you heading back to the medlab now?" Rogue asked wanting to go ahead and get it over with.

"Yes, if you would like to join me now?" Hank nodded.

"Okay." Rogue answered then looked over at Logan who was frowning. Rogue figured he didn't like the idea of going back down the medlab, after having only gotten out of it this morning. Plus the Wolverine in her head was not liking the idea of Hank sticking her with a needle anymore than she was. She knew Wolverine was only being protective of her, which made her feel cared for and wanted, giving her a welcoming warm feeling inside. However, she figured it might be best if the real Logan didn't accompany her downstairs. She also had something she wanted to speak with Hank about privately.

"You want me to go with you, Ma.. Rogue?" Logan asked catching his slip of her name at the last minute. Remembering that she told him that she didn't want anyone else knowing her real name. He wasn't crazy about going back to the medlab, but he would if Marie wanted him too.

Giving Logan a warm smile, thankful of is consideration, knowing how he hated anything medical. "Thanks Sugar, but I'll be okay. It shouldn't take to long, plus I think the Professor is wanting to speak with you. Ro's garden has a small fish pond out back, with some benches; how about we meet there after we're done?"

"Sure Darlin`, whatever you want." Logan said then glancing over at Hank with a calculating gaze. He didn't smell any malice on the man, and Marie did really like him. He could tell she was more comfortable in the big blue man's company than Scooter and Red's.

Hank could see the measuring glare in Wolverine's eyes as he stared at him. Wishing to put the feral man at ease, he spoke calmly, non threatening. "I'll have her back to you shortly, Wolverine."

"Names Logan," Logan said willing to give the people here some trust. After all Marie cared about them, and they had tried to help him. "And make sure you do." Logan stated seriously.

Hank smile pleased with Wolverine's step toward trusting them. Hank knew that was what Logan. was doing, by giving him his real name. The feral man had only told them his name was Wolverine. all the time he had been down in the medlab. Hank could also see that something had apparently taking place between Logan and Rogue. He wondered if he should be concerned with the new development between them, but decided to hold off any type of judgment. It wasn't any of his business really. If the two could find some happiness together, then who was he to judge. He cared deeply for Rogue, and did not wish to see her hurt. He only hoped that Logan would not break Rogue's heart.

Rogue had been right, as soon as she and Hank left the kitchen to head downstairs, the Professor called out to Logan, asking him to come to his office.

"I really hate how you do that. Stay out of my head, Chuck." Logan growled as he made his way to Xavier's office.

"Oh my stars." Hank exclaimed as he stared at the six bone claws protruding from between Rogue's knuckles, a set of three from each hand. "When, I mean, how is this possible. Wolverine's, I mean, Logan's claws are made from a type of alloy, metal. How is it possible that you have them? It scientifically impossible. Even with your mutation, it should be impossible to transfer something that was surgically done to him." Hank frowned as he stared between Rogue's claws and staring out into space as his scientific brain scrambled to come to some conclusion. It was Rogue's next statement that seemed to be the most sensible answer.

"Hank, what if, Logan always had the claws, but they were bone before? Isn't it possible, that with his feral mutation, he could have already had them before the metal was put in him? I mean, Sabertooth has claws, and he's feral."

Hank nodded agreeing. "Certainly. You are correct. I will need to take some x-rays, and I'd also like to get a CT and MRI scan, to be sure of exactly what has change since your absorption of Logan." Hank's mind going into over drive about what needed to be done.

"Okay, but Hank, I don't want you to say anything to anyone until I've had a chance to talk to Logan about this. Will you please promise me, to keep this just between us for now?" Rogue asked biting her bottom lip, hope shining in her eyes as she gaze at Hank.

After a few moments of debating silence, Hank nodded, but held up his hand to stop whatever she was going to say next. He could see the relief in her eyes, but he had to make something clear first. "I will agree to keep this quiet for now, but this is a very important discovery, and change in your mutation, my dear, as I'm sure you realize. It is important that the Professor be made aware of these changes as soon as possible, so we can be able to be proactive in being prepared for any future changes." Hank warned gently, but firmly.

"I understand Hank, and I agree. I just need to tell Logan first. He's going to be upset enough with learning I have his nightmares. I don't think Logan even knows about his claws before the metal was put in him. He deserves to know before anyone else. I'll tell the others afterwards, I promise." Rogue said earnestly.

"Very well," Hank smiled warmly at the young woman he considered a close friend. Sometimes he forgot that she was still young. She was so much more mature, and level headed than others her age. However, Hank was sure with her mutation, and what was inside her head from the others she had touch, it was impossible for her not to be mentally far ahead of others her age, even some much older.

"Thanks Hank, I knew I could count on you. Come on, we better get the tests done before Logan comes looking for me." Rogue said hoping whatever the Professor was talking to Logan about would keep him business a little while longer.

Stepping out onto the patio, Rogue spotted Logan reclining back against one of the benches in Ro's garden smoking a cigar. She only took two steps in his direction before his head turned to look her way. Giving him a smile, hoping her expression didn't show any of the nervousness she felt, she made her way to him.

"Is this seat taken?" She asked with a shy smile.

"Help yourself, beautiful." He smirked stretching out his arm along the back of the bench. Once Marie sat beside him, he draped his arm around her shoulders, bring her closer to his side. At first Marie tensed at the touch, but after a few moments relaxed into Logan's side. Logan gave her shoulder an squeeze glad that she was quicker to relax in his touch than she had been earlier this morning. They remained silent, just enjoying the peace and quiet, and each others presences.

The quiet lasted until Logan finished his cigar. Snubbing it out, and tossing the remains into the bushes.

"How did your meeting with Charles go?" Rogue asked hoping Logan would open up to her. She knew that the Wolverine was a very private person, and didn't usually share his business with others. She only hoped she was an exception to that rule now. If they were going to try out whatever it was that was between them, she wanted them to be open with each other. That was why she was trying her best to think of the best way to tell Logan about what she and Hank had discovered. Along with what she now had floating up in her head.

"Chuck offered me a spot on the team, and a job teaching self-defensive classes. Along with something call Danger room classes." Logan said then gave out a sound between a huff and a chuckle.

"What is it?" Marie asked looking up to see his eyes. A mix expression on his face. He looked between annoyed and amused.

"Never saw myself as a teacher. What do I know about teaching kids." Logan grumbled. "Plus, I'm not really a team player, Darlin`."

"You know a lot about fighting and protecting yourself. And I'm positive you'll enjoy the Danger room. You may not know a lot about teaching, but I'm positive you'd be better at teaching the kids how to protect themselves, and survive than Scott could." Marie said knowing how Logan didn't care much for Scott, and it would boost him on to know she thought he'd be better at it than, Scott. Sure enough as the words were out of her mouth, a smirk was evident both on his lips and in his eyes. Which she loved the sight of both of them. It made her inside do funning flipping things.

"You think so, huh, Darlin`?" Logan glanced down at her and winked. Causing her to blush and her heart to flutter. Logan loved the way, Marie looked when he made her blush. He never considered someone cute before, except for small children, but he'd have to say right now, Marie was definitely cute, and he liked it. He could also hear her heart rate increase, and he enjoyed that even more. It only went to prove that she enjoyed his attention. Something that would be needed for him to get her to relax with him so they could truly become mates in every way.

"I'd place my money on you, any day, Sugar." Marie purred with a smile. "As for not being a team player, we're a team." Marie started then became nervous, adverting her eyes from his. "That is if you're still wanting to stick around, with me." The last part was whispered, and Logan frowned hating knowing Marie was waiting for him to say that he had changed his mind. Logan was pretty sure, nothing would get him to change his mind about her. He knew it down deep in his gut, that Marie was his, and the Wolverine's mate. There was no way she was going to get rid of him so easy.

"I'm sticking with you, Darlin`. So you might as well get ready for a butt kicking. 'Cause I'm going to make sure out of everyone else here, that you know how to take care of yourself." Logan said dead serious. He meant every word. Marie was his to protect, and one of the ways he was going to protect her, was to teach her how to take care of herself in a fight.

Knowing this was her opening, the best time to tell Logan about the claws, because she was going to need help in learning how to fight with them. She was also pretty sure, she wouldn't be able to keep them in if she got pissed off, which could happen during training. She was still nervous, that after she told him what she had stolen from him, he'd might change his mind about sticking with her, but she knew it had to be done. Marie only hoped he'd still want her afterwards.

Sure that Logan could smell her nervous scent, because she could smell it herself, she forge ahead. "I can't say I'm looking forward to getting my butt kick, but I am going to need your help in training me."

"Don't worry, Darlin`. I'll teach you everything I know." Logan promised not wanting to take any chances with Marie's safety. He'd teach the other brats how to fight, but he was going to be sure he taught Marie every dirty trick he knew, which was a quite numerous.

"Good, because I coming to need your help in teaching me how to fight with these." Marie rushed out, her nervousness racking up even more, as she let the set of claws on her left hand slid free, showing him what she meant.

Logan gaped in complete and utter shock at her small hand sporting three bone claws between her knuckles. Unable to look away, he grasped her gloved hand in his, managing to force out only two words that seemed to summon up everything pretty well. " Well Damn."