Apologies are in order. It has been months since I updated, I know. Believe me, it was not because I had forgotten. I just get such horrible writer's block over the summer, and I've been traveling to places where free Wi-Fi is a gift from the heavens. So bear with me.
I'm not gonna beg for reviews or say something like "I won't update again until I get _ reviews." But that doesn't mean reviews are not welcomed and inspiring. Thank you!
Today was the first day of Cameron's new job as a teacher. It was 8 in the morning, apparently too early for her students, as they trudged onto the huge expanse of grass with scowls and grumbles. All were dressed as Cari had specified, in gym clothes. There were twenty of them.
"Hey," Cam began nervously once they were all assembled and sitting down on the lawn. "For those of you who don't know, I'm Cameron. You can call me Cam. I can control the elements. And, in case you didn't get the memo, I'm your, um, teacher."
There were a few snickers. The rest were not awake enough to get the joke.
"So," she continued briskly. "I got a list of you guys, ages, and powers. I'll learn your names as I go along, I hate taking roll. This class is will be taken four days a week- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday. You'd better be here at 8 sharp, or you're screwed. You'd better not be whiny and bratty in this class, or you're screwed. You'd better not kill anyone in this class, or you're doubly screwed. This ain't just P.E. or whatever. You're gonna work more, think more, be more." Cameron could see all their faces fall, and held back a grin.
"But," she continued strongly. "You'll learn to use your powers like you've never even imagined. I know, I know, that's what Baldy is for. And I'm sure he's done a great job. But I can teach you new ways to fight with your powers, to hide with your powers, even just to walk with your powers. Whether you ever plan on fighting in this world or not, there's still so many things you could use your powers for. And it doesn't even matter what they are. I control the elements; simple, right? Wrong! I don't just spend my time shooting fireballs and making water fountains attack people. I can copy a telekinetic person, I can fly just as well as Bir- Angel, I can warm your coffee, freeze your ice cream, or whatever I want. I can teach you guys to do that too. Now, for those of you who don't want to take this class anymore, now's your chance. Walk away, no questions asked, no hard feelings. Go."
One girl got up and left. The rest stayed. Cameron heaved a sigh of relief. "Good, now let's get started. Ten laps around this lawn thing. Go."
From atop the hill nearby, Logan watched the Class Five push the kids to their limits. His lips quirked up; she was doing better than anyone expected.
His new "friend" was turning out to be a lot different than what the Wolverine had expected. It felt nice to find someone who could understand him without looking into his mind or giving a ten-minute lecture.
With a sigh, though, Logan turned around to gaze at two graves. Jean Grey and Scott Summers. Two people that he would always respect, and never forget. Scott, despite being a dick, was an honorable dick. That was more than Logan would ever be.
And Jean…
He was not ready to talk about Jean yet. It was too soon to let her go.
But that did not mean he had to ignore what was right in front of him.
"Everyone's talking about your class," Link told his 'sister' over a huge sandwich. "They said you're harder than Wolverine."
Cam laughed. "Scarier than Clawboy, huh? Wait till he hears that."
"Hears what?"
They both held in snickers as the object of their discussion strolled into the dining room.
"If you're looking for that hidden stash of beer that everyone knows about, I think Storm found it and threw it out."
"What?!" Logan snarled and slammed the cupboards shut. "That woman…no one touches my beer."
"So why do you have to hide it?" Cam asked cheekily.
The Wolverine growled at her. "That doesn't matter. Wait till I get my hands on Storm. Hey, Storm!"
"Yes, Logan, call her, I'm sure she'll come running," the black-haired woman said sarcastically. "And unless you want a lightning bolt shoved up your ass, you might wanna shut your mouth and just dig your beer out of the dumpster."
Logan rolled his eyes before a thought popped up in his head. A devilish smile lit his face. "Sure, you wanna come with me?"
Cameron and Link stared at him in surprise, though the young boy was too scared of the rugged man to open his mouth.
After a moment Cam shrugged. "Okay."
"Wow, who'd wanna throw this away?"
Logan glanced up and raised his eyebrows when his friend held up a lacy blue thong. He sniffed the air and then crinkled his nose; he knew exactly who that had belonged to, and she had thrown it away. He would need to have a talk with her later.
Cameron saw the look on Logan's face and burst out laughing.
"What?" the handsome man wondered.
"Your face," she chuckled. "You look cute when your nose is all scrunched up like that."
Logan blinked. "Cute, huh?" He had never heard that one before.
"Yeah, cute. Like a lollipop!" Cam burst into guffaws at that.
"Oh, yeah?" And suddenly large warm hands were around her waist and the thirty-four year old Class Five was dissolved into giggles as she was tickled by a merciless Wolverine.
"Stop, stop! Please stop!" She gasped, with tears of laughter running down her cheeks.
Logan stopped and only then realized that he was laughing. Actually laughing.
The sound seemed foreign coming from his mouth. But it felt good.
And only then did both mutants realize that his hands were still around his waist, and that her back was pressed against his hard chest.
For some reason, neither of them minded too much. But Cam pushed aside that thought and stepped away from him.
"C-come on," she said hastily. "I don't think we're gonna find your beer tonight."
Logan nodded and silently followed her back through the patio. But his body was begging for more of that warmth that Cameron excluded. So, masking the nervous pace of his heart with casual movements, he wrapped his arm around the woman's waist and held it there until they were inside. And although her body was tense, she did not move away.
