A/N: A new chapter guys! hope it is to your standards haha i am looking to getting someone to proof read for me so hopefully i can fix all these dang typos :) Once again thank you for all the comments, i love reading what you all think so keep em coming guys!
[Chapter 11]
Logan barreled down the illuminated hall of the sub-level with the intention of ripping some drones to pieces. Shopping with Ororo was one thing but spending it with the Cajun was a whole other ball game. He didn't think he had ever been so close to losing it over a mate before.
'Mate? What the hell?! Ororo my mate? Well there was Vegas… I mean, hell, I married the Goddess. So there must be sumthin' there' Logan frowned as his thoughts processed "To hell with that."
He pushed is thoughts to the back of his mind and punched in his code for the Danger Room; he needed to work off some steam. The doors opened with a 'swoosh' to reveal Ororo in a pair of grey running shorts and a neon pink sports tank stretching her legs out, she looked up at the sound of the doors and tilted her head to the side at the sight of him.
"Didn't think anyone signed fer tha room tonight" He didn't ask to join but instead began stretching out him self
From her place on the floor she looked up at him while she stretched her hands to reach her toes "They didn't. I am very tense for some reason and could use the release of a good session"
"I hear ya Darlin'" He spread his legs so that they were shoulder width then leaned forward to place his palms flat on the floor between them
Ororo watched him bend frontward taking in the length of his legs. She told herself it had nothing to do with the fact the she had a nice view of his backside. As if reading her thoughts Logan spoke making her turn to hide her blush
"Like what ya see, 'Ro?"
"You are a dreamer Logan" She tossed him a smirk as she stood and loosed her shoulders "Shall we begin?"
"We doin' a scenario or hand to hand?"
"Your choice"
Logan clapped his hands together "Alright, hand to hand. We didn't finish tha last time"
"Yes, well lucky for you Charles interrupted your loss" Ororo smirked and took stance
"Well if that's not a challenge, I don't know what is" and with Logan bared his canines in a feral grin.
It was an hour later Ororo lay panting on the floor, her chest heaving as she tried to regain a normal breathing pattern. Logan was on sitting on top of her hips with his legs hooked over her thighs and his hand holding her hand above her head; he leaned down so that his mouth was an inch from hers "Say Uncle."
Ororo licked her lips still breathing heavy and grinned "Like I said earlier… You are a dreamer"
She used distraction of him watching her lips to lift her hips enough to get her feet flat on the ground then somersaulted backwards so that they tumbled and Logan found himself pinned to the mat with Ororo straddling him. Her knees pinned his hands at his side and her hands held his shoulders down.
This time Ororo leaned down, their noses almost touching, and smirked "Say Uncle."
Logan lifted his head enough to capture her lips with his, he felt her stiffen but soon she responded and returned the kiss. He pulled his hands from under her knees and grabbed her hips, pulling her against him, his thumbs slipping under the hem of her shirt to caress the soft skin there.
-THEN-
Logan carried Ororo over the threshold to their hotel room and kicked the door shut with his foot. He made his way to the bed and playfully tossed on it. She tossed her head back and let out a laugh then sobered and got to her knees so the she was eye level with him and grabbed the collar of his shirt pulling him in for a fierce kiss. His hand flew to her hips drawing her flush against him.
Ororo pulled back from the kiss long enough to push off his jacket and lifted an eyebrow "Shall we make it official, Mr. Howlett?"
Logan let out a primal growl and slowly pushed her to the bed, his hands undoing the front of her blue corset "I was born ready Mrs. Howlett"
-NOW-
Ororo's eyes flew open as she pulled back and crawled off him. Logan held in his growl at the loss of her heat and watched her wipe her mouth with the back of her hand, he could see the confusion on her face.
"'Ro.."
"This," she motioned the space between them "was a mistake."
She stood shakily on her feet and didn't even look back as she left Logan sitting in the middle of the Danger Room. Logan stood and let out a frustrated growl that reverberated off the walls as he released his claws, slashing one of the punching bags in the corner making the sand fall at his feet. Then growled at the mess he had just made and kicked a clump of sand. He could still taste her; her smell cocooned him making him feel lightheaded. Logan closed his eyes and tried to push any thoughts of what just happened out of his mind but her intoxicating scent was too much to ignore.
Ororo didn't bother to change before she made her way to the main level of the mansion; she needed to get away from Logan as quick as possible. She stood in the elevator and waited to arrive at her floor. She leaned her back against the cool metal wall and closed her eyes. More flashes of their night in Vegas invaded her mind; the way he caressed her, the way her name tumbled from his lips, they she could make him purr.
She slammed her palms on the wall behind her and opened her eyes just as the doors slid open. Things just became more complicated then she would have ever dreamed, her lips still tingled from his touch. Making her way down the empty halls she groaned at the thought of sitting in the car with Logan when they took Brennan to school in the morning.
Ororo was making her way passed the kitchen she heard the clinking of glass, she glanced at the grandfather clock in the hall for the time, 11:45pm, far too late for any student to be up. She walked into the kitchen set on giving whoever it was up passed curfew a tongue lashing of a lifetime. When she turned in the kitchen with a face of thunder, she was thrown off guard at who was in the kitchen. Sitting on the kitchen counter was none other her old school friend Elizabeth Braddock.
"Rory!" the purple haired women jumped off the counter and threw her arms around Ororo, who still wore a face of shock until she came to her senses and returned the hug
"Betsy…why are you here?"
"Thanks mate, I missed you too" she said with a thick accent as she rolled her eyes
"Of course I missed you. I just meant…"
"Yeah, yeah. I know what you meant"
"Why wasn't I informed of your arrival?" Ororo leaned a hip against the counter and Betsy shrugged her shoulders.
"That, my dear, is because you chose to let Jean come alone when I asked for the both of you"
Ororo tried not to look like child who was just chastised as Xavier came into the kitchen and held out his hand to Betsy, who smirked at Ororo before shaking the waiting hand.
"I take it your flight went well?"
"As well as you could imagine I suppose. Though I did 'reach out' and calm a teething toddler who kept fussing" she paused at the look Charles tossed her and held up her hands "Yeah, I know I shouldn't 'ave but you try sitting on a eight hour flight with a fussy one year old, no thank you"
"Same old Betsy" Ororo smirked until Logan walked into the kitchen
"Who's the broad?" he pulled out a beer and popped the cap off with his hand before taking a long gulp
"Logan this is Betsy Braddock. Betsy this Logan, our resident trainer, if you will"
Betsy raked her eyes over Logan's form appreciatively "Well 'ello there handsome. Please tell me you are single… on second thought who cares if you're not"
Logan raised his eyebrows at her brazen greeting and smirked "Welcome ta grand central station"
Ororo rolled her eyes at the flirt-fest happening in front of her and decided to break it up "So, not that I'm not happy to see you but why are you here?"
She hoped it didn't sound rude but could help the annoyance at the way Betsy eyed Logan or the way he seemed to eat it up. Had he not just made a move on her in the Danger Room? Ororo tried to focus on current events as Charles spoke but could only focus on the kiss.
"Oh girl you got it bad"
Ororo looked up at Betsy who was grinning like the Cheshire cat at her then to Charles who was looking at her expectantly. Logan was now leaning against the counter, now on his second beer. She realized she has zoned out and missed an entire conversation and mentally kicked herself for letting her thoughts carry her away.
"I apologize, My mind took me elsewhere for a moment"
"A moment? Darlin' ya missed the whole damn reason tha new girls here"
Trying not to look at Logan as he spoke she gave Charles an apologetic smile "I must be more tired than I feel"
"Yes well it is late, why don't you show Betsy to her room and she can fill you in. Though I must say Ororo you have not been your astute self as of late"
"Give 'er a break Charlie, The girl said she was knackered"
Charles let out a chuckle and smiled "Always sticking up for each other… some things will never change. Good night everyone."
Charles left the room leaving Logan, Ororo and Betsy alone. Betsy notice the way Logan and Ororo avoided eye contact and her curiosity peeked.
"Well, night" Logan took his exit for the evening.
"Well isn't he a tasty morsel" Besty grinned "Wouldn't mind 'im giving the full tour to this joint… 'e single? Rory please tell me 'e is single. I am not about to play the role of 'omewrecker"
"Again?" Ororo smirked
"Hush you… how was I supposed to know the bloke was engaged?"
"The bachelor party you met him at"
"It was a bar and he didn't tell me" Betsy defended
"You're a telepath"
"Touche. Point to Ororo" Betsy used her finger to act as if she were keeping score. They looked at each other before busting up in laughter.
"Come on, I'll show where you'll be staying"
"Hopefully on the same floor as that Logan chap" Betsy wiggled her eyebrows then her eyes widened as she stopped Ororo from walking further "Are you and he an item… cause if…"
"No." Ororo said a little too fast
Betsy let out a laugh "You can lie to me all you want but... One, I am a telepath and two I am an empath."
Ororo rolled her eyes a said through gritted teeth "If you want him he is all yours"
The purple haired women gave Ororo a skeptical look "riighhhttt. Does it look like I want bolt of lightning to the arse? No thank you."
"I have no idea what you are talking about. You're jetlagged. So you're here for Brennan?"
"Still the same Ororo, I see. Changing the subjects quicker than one can blink. Okay I'll take the bait. Yes, Charles told be about your young empath and I was summoned to help her get control of her ability, she'll be as good as me in no time"
"Goddess help us"
"Oi! I resent that… okay, I don't but you can bet damn sure she will be a bloody good empath when I'm finished with 'er"
"I have no doubt in that Bets"
They stopped in front of a room not far from Ororo's "Well this is your stop, if you need anything you know where I am"
"Cheers mate. You and I are up for a bender to catch up on life, men, the evil baddies…men"
Ororo shook her head "Good night, go to sleep"
Betsy watched her old friend make her way down the hall and right before she made it her own room shot her mental message *he's hot for you just as bad as you are for 'im*
It took every inch of will power not to stop midstride and frown at her old friend, instead she kept walking into her room like she was unaffected. Betsy rolled her eyes at her comrade and flopped down on her bed, not even changing before passing out.
The next morning the mansion was alive with chatter and chaos, as always on a school day. Children rushing to get ready, Ororo in the kitchen making sure everyone was fed, Logan making sure everyone was out of bed while Jean and Scott made sure everyone had their book bags and lunch.
Ororo had just finished separating Rogue and Kurt from one of their regular arguments, Rogue not finding it amusing that Kurt and teleported right next to her scaring the daylights out of and Kurt laughing that he was able to make her spill he glass of orange juice. A very sleepy looking Jubilee made her way into the kitchen with Logan behind holding Brennan's hand, you could see the discomfort at her touch but he grinned bared it.
Once all the kids finally were fed Ororo made sure they all made it to the van where Scott was waiting with the car running. She watched them drive down the long driveway before heading back in to the house to gather everything Brennan would need for her first day. When she entered she seen Logan tucking Brennan's folder into her new backpack, Brennan wearing a subtle pout on her face.
"We're good ta go" Logan ruffled the little girls hair and she lightly swatted his hands away before smoothing out her locks.
"Are you sure I can't start tomorrow?" she gave both adults her best puppy dog eyes
"Not a chance, Runt"
"It's like removing a band aid, it's best to get it over with" Ororo smiled gently
Brennan grumbled "If you say so" before sluggishly making her way to the door, leaving Ororo and Logan alone together for the first time since last night.
Ororo shifted uncomfortably before stiffening "Well, we do not want to make the child late on her first day. Do you still plan on joining us? Though I know which answer I prefer."
She didn't wait for his response before walking out the door Brennan and previously walked through. Logan knew that he aloft attitude with him would normally make him want to grab a beer and forget about it then this game of hot and cold and somehow turned into a game cat and mouse. It was a change in the game and he liked it.
The car ride was quiet except for the soft music coming from the radio. Brennan not talking because of nerves, Ororo and Logan not speaking for obvious reasons. The little girl sat in the back seat wringing the strap of her backpack in her hands as she thought about starting her new parentless, friendless life, What if they didn't like her? What if she made no friends and was a loner all year? She tried to push her nerves down but it felt like she was going to lose her breakfast. Brennan closed her eyes and let her head fall back against the seat and tried to concentrate on anything but the day that was ahead of her. She tried to focus on the music that was on but she instead grabbed on to whatever emotions were rolling off Logan and Ororo.
Brenna couldn't find a word for what she was feeling from them it wasn't an emotion she could place. There were regular emotions underneath the mystery feelings like frustration and irritation but she this new sensation was appealing to her mainly because she had no clue what it was. She made a mental note to tell Jamie about, it could be one of the mysteries they solve. The little girl opened her eyes when the car was put in park.
"Well Runt, ya ready?" Logan took the keys out of ignition and glanced back at her in the rearview mirror.
Brenna rolled her shoulders "If I say no…do I still have to go?"
Ororo let out a chuckle "It will not be that bad…"
"I don't know no one!"
"Anyone, and yes you do. Jamie has the same teacher as you"
"See kid? Already have an insider's help. He can show ya tha ropes"
Brennan held in her sigh and opened her car door where was met with Logan waiting for her to cross the street. She took Ororo's hand then looked both ways before stepping off the curb.
Brennan watched her feet as they walked down the empty hall to the attendance office. Ororo and Logan hadn't said a word since they were still seated in the car. They stepped into the office and Ororo dropped Brennan's hand and tossed Logan a look before heading to the desk to talk with the secretary there. Logan looked down at Brennan and gently rested a hand on her head and smirk before squatting down so that they were eye level.
"S'gonna be alright Runt"
Brennan looked up at him through her long lashes "Promise?"
Logan watched her hold out her tiny fist with her pinky sticking out, he raised an eyebrow then hooked his pinky with her and held it there "I more than promise kid. 2:30pm will be here before ya know it"
He reached his other hand out to tweak her nose and she let out a small giggle. When he looked towards Ororo she was watching them with softened eyes and he head slightly tilted. She joined them, letting Brennan know a student was going to be accompanying her to class. Logan stood up and shoved his hands his pockets as Jamie came in to the office with goofy grin "Ready ?"
Ororo and watched Brennan and Jamie make their way down the hall, satisfied that Brennan was at ease with seeing a familiar face. Logan broke the silence when they could no longer see the kids at the end of the hall "Kid'll be okay 'Roro"
"I have no doubt in that, Logan"
They stood for an awkward moment before Ororo was the first to move down the hall. Again the drive was quiet except for the radio until Ororo noticed they weren't headed home.
"What are you doing? I have things to attend to…"
"Yer roses? They'll be fine. Relax" he didn't even glance her way when he spoke but instead kept his eyes on the road.
"No Logan, I don't have time for these games. I am due to speak with professor and Betsy soon"
The only answer she received was Logan turning up the volume on the radio and smirking. Ororo sent him a hard glare before giving up and flopping back in her seat with her arms crossed holding back her own smirk.
"You don't think they actually killed each other do you?"
Scott looked over at his girlfriend and took a bite of his apple "I highly doubt it, Jean"
"Well then where are they? It's been," she glanced at the time on her cell "2 hours! What if something happened… like the FOH or…What?"
Scott had been giving her a doubtful expression as he chewed his fruit.
"It wouldn't be the first time you know"
Before Scott could reply Betsy flounced in with a fascinated Remy "What's a gal 'ave to do to be fed around 'ere?"
"Try being up in time for breakfast" Scott joked with his old friend
"What can I say that flight had me bushed"
Remy hopped on the counter "Remy t'inks he can solve your problem chere. He know just what you crave, no?"
"Really Remy it's not even noon yet. Put your libido away" Scott joked
"Remy's heart knows no time" He put a hand to his chest and smirked
"Speaking of time… when is Rory due back with that handsome lumberjack?"
"Handsome?" Remy snorted "Here Remy t'ought you had taste"
Ignoring the Cajuns comment Jean answered Besty "They left this morning to take Brennan and haven't returned since… "
Remy slid from the counter and pulled a card from his pocket and flipped in his fingers "Dere trouble?"
"SEE?!" Jean exasperated "I'm not the only one"
"Relax. I am sure nothing is wrong or the professor would have pinged it by now"
"Don't t'ink that's a chance Remy want to be takin… Stormy tol' me stories about that Sabertooth"
At the mention of the name Betsy stopped rummaging through the cupboard "Hold on a tick. Is this a legit threat?"
"No," Scott looked to Jean "Look what you started"
His girlfriend shrugged a little "Well, what do you suppose their doing?"
Scott reached his hand back to rub his neck "I'm not sure I want to know"
Ororo watched Logan in the rearview mirror as he tossed a back pack over his shoulder then averted her eyes as he came to her side of the car and opened the door "Ya comin'? Or do ya plan on stayin in the car all afternoon?"
She tossed him a small glare "No. I planned on a meeting with Charles"
"Well it's a long walk back Darlin" he smirked as he watched her cross her arms be she rolled her eyes and climbed out of the car.
Logan watched Ororo she took in her surroundings and hid his triumphant smile at the surprised gape on her face. Once on one of his many trips away from the mansion he came along this hidden but beaten path in the woods the hike wasn't hard but it wasn't for beginners either but the view was worth it; or he hoped Ororo would think so.
"Why are we here?" she question with a raised brow
"Ya shared something with me, now I'm gonna share somthin' with ya"
He said it so nonchalantly that Ororo had to replay his words over in her head. Logan started for the wall of trees before she cleared her throat "If you think I'm hiking in this you have lost your mind"
She motioned to her outfit; a flowy floral skirt with a white wrap around top, an outfit she decided to wear in case of the event of having to meet with Brennan's teacher that morning.
"Oh yeah, almost fergot" He put the back on the hood of the car and dug through it then pulled what he was looking for "Here ya go"
Ororo's mouth fell open then she realized he was holding out a pair of her jeans and sneakers. When she finally found her voice he beat to the answer "Jubes. Don't worry I didn't dig through yer delicates"
"So that's why she was late to breakfast this morning" she said more to herself then out loud as she took the clothes being offered "And I am to change… where?"
Logan felt the heat in his cheeks and prayed that it didn't show in his face, he hadn't thought that part through so he did the only thing he could think of and covered his eyes and turned around.
Ororo watched the back of Logan's head before walking to the back of the car and kicking off her sandals then slipped her jeans on under her skirt before removing it. There was a pair of socks stuffed in one of her shoes so she dusted off her feet and put them on, making a mental note to talk to Jubilee about entering her room without permission.
"Alright"
Logan turned around with his eyes still closed before peaking one open and grinned "Not gonna change yer shirt? Trust me 'Ro its gonna get dirty"
Ororo looked down at her blouse "There was no other top"
Logan took off his flannel and tossed it to her, he had on a white tank underneath "That's my favorite, don't mess it up"
"You mean you have more than one?" she smirked at him before twirling her finger motioning Logan to turn then when she was sure he couldn't see she turned to make sure there was no one else around before she stripped herself free of her previous top and replaced it with Logan's shirt. It was far too long so she left the bottom half unbuttoned and tied both sides together in a knot in front instead then rolled the sleeves to her elbows; the few top buttons were also left undone revealing her long neck and collar bones.
Logan heard the rustle of fabric and tried to keep his mind from wondering down a dangerous path. When he felt a tap on his shoulder he turned to face and a swallowed hard at the way she looked in his flannel.
Feeling self-conscious she shifted her feet "Something wrong?"
"Hell no 'Roro. In fact that shirt never looked better" he drank in the way she filled out his shirt in all the right places before walking onto the dirt path "Ya comin'?"
The trail was tranquil; they walked in companionable silence for about 15 minutes until Logan stepped off the trail and headed deeper in to the forestry. Ororo followed his lead, looking up at the sun trying to push its way through the canopy of green above them not bothering to hold back the small smile that crept up on her. She was so captivated by the sounds of the birds and the beams of sun that she ran right into Logan who had stopped in front of her but before she could complain about the sudden halt he put a finger to her mouth and pointed with his other hand.
About 6 feet in front of them in a small clearing was a doe and her fawn. Ororo drew in a breath and her smile widened in delight; Logan watched her profile and knew he had made the right choice in sharing this place with her. Her eyes sparkled as she watched the baby deer prance around its mother. Logan gently took her wrist "Come on"
At the soft whisper of his voice the deer looked up and twitched its ears towards them before bouncing into the bushes, her baby following her. Ororo bottom lip popped out much like a small child pouting would after not getting their way; Logan smirked at her and said "We still have a way ta go, come on"
She let herself be tugged by the wrist to a steep incline of trees and shrubbery "If you think I am climbing that you have truly gone mad"
Logan let out a chuckle "It's not as bad as it looks"
Ororo watched as he began the trek up the side of the mountain, he turned around and lifted a brow at her "Yer telling me yer gonna let a lil' mountain take out the Goddess?"
After a moment of thought she stepped forward and started to step up on the inclined mountain side. Logan held out his hand to help her up to where he was waiting but she brushed it off and made it a few steps passed him. Logan rolled his eyes at the woman's stubbornness and followed behind her, not minding the view at all.
Awhile later Ororo leaned back against a tree out of the breath and had sweat beads on her forehead "How much farther?"
Logan tossed her a water bottle which she gladly opened and to a big gulp from "Not too much further ta go"
Ororo had her head titled back and she took another gulp from the bottle then she looked back, refreshed "Well, what we are waiting for?"
Logan caught the bottle she tossed back at and took a sip before saying "Ya sure ya can handle it?"
"I have made it this far haven't I?... this better be worth it Logan"
"Have I ever steered you wrong?" at the look Ororo tossed him he back pedaled "Okay let's ferget I asked"
Charles entered the common room and found Scott and Remy playing pool. At his entrance Scott smile his greeting with a nod "Professor"
"Have either of you seen Ororo? We were supposed to meet this afternoon at 11 and it's now 12:15. She has been very inconsistent lately"
Scott pulled out his cellphone but paused when Charles held up hand "Don't bother. I have tried reaching her several times and it goes straight voicemail"
"Trouble?" Remy asked
Charles steepled his fingers "No, I don't believe so but if you see her please tell I would like to see her in my office. Immediately."
Scott nodded and watched his mentor leave the room and turned to Remy who let out a long whistle "Stormy is busted"
"You can say that again"
"Logan… this… when did you find this?" Ororo stood at the top of the mountain ridge, a soft breeze blowing her hair as she took in the amazing view.
"Once, when I took off. Came across it" he watched her and could help but want to save the look on her face forever so her whipped out his cellphone and snapped a picture.
At the sound of his phones shutter she looked at him and tried to reach for the phone "Delete that! I probably look horrid after that hike"
"Not gonna happen Darlin'" he pulled his hand out her reach and smirked "'sides I don't think ya could look bad if ya tried"
Ororo watched he shoved his phone back in pocket "Did the Wolverine just give a compliment?"
Logan snorted "You're gorgeous and ya know it 'Ro" he caught her gaze and held it. She continued to stare back not sure how to respond to him. It was when he took a step forward while licking his lips did she find her voice "Thank you for bringing me here"
She took a step away from him and looked out at the view. Logan held in his growl at not being able to kiss her again. 'yer not her type ya damn fool. Give up.'
"Logan… lastnight…"
"Will never happen again. Don't worry about it"
Ororo opened her mouth then snapped it shut then opened it again to speak "Thank you for understanding"
"I didn't say I understood anythin' but I know when I'm not wanted"
His voice sounded wounded and it made Ororo look at him, taking in his profile. He was truly handsome in a rugged way, she let out a sigh "Can we just start over? Get pass these next few months, worrying only about the children?"
"That's right Storm let's not face our problems"
Ororo frowned at the way he used her code name and the tone in his voice grated her nerves "You are one to speak about facing ones problems. I am surprised you have yet to leave us for months on end again"
Logan let out a grumble "This ain't got nuthin' ta do with that"
"Doesn't it? You are the master of running, don't blame me for being cowardess"
"Look, if yer worried about the swamp rat finding out about our romp in the sheets AND the danger room… don't. I wouldn't say anything ta tarnish that storybook romance"
"You have some nerve, you know that?"
"What? Like ya ain't worried what yer boy toy is gonna think 'bout ya bumpin' uglies with me while he was away, yeah right"
"You are an idiot!" her eyes faded to milky white as she called the winds to lift her from the ground "And trust me I will not be taking it back this time"
Logan watched her fly off until he couldn't make out her form anymore then he kicked tree stump he was standing near so hard that it split down the center at the same time he heard a cracking noise coming from his foot. He knew he had busted it and let out a raspy growl then plopped to the ground to wait out his healing factor.
Ororo was fuming by the time she reached the mansion. She landed in the back by the pool and stormed her way up to the house. When she entered the kitchen Scott and Jean were in the middle of a rare moment alone and pulled apart to look at their friend.
"Rory? Is everything okay?"
Jean watched as her friend tromped passed them and out of the kitchen muttering to herself. She looked to Scott who nodded his understanding that she needed to be with her bestfriend.
It didn't take long to find her 'sister' in the locker room in the sublevel pacing back and forth in front of a bench.
"Anymore pacing and you might dig a trench." she asked with a smirked trying to lighten the mood
Ororo stopped her movement and looked up then rolled her eyes before sitting down on the bench "Logan is just so infuriating!"
Jean had to keep her smirk from spreading into a full blown grin "Man troubles?"
She sat beside Ororo and nudged her with her shoulder. The weather goddess looked to her old friend and opened her mouth to speak only Jean beat her to it "I know, I know. You aren't an item"
"Soooo… why are you where his shirt? Come to think of it. That's not at all the outfit you had on when you left!" Jean watched Ororo's eyes widen as she looked down at herself "There IS something between you two!"
"NO! It is really not what it looks like" at her friends unbelieving look she continued "After we dropped of Brennan he took me on a hike… he had a change of clothes for me"
"Logan? Surprised you… with a hike?"
"I know how it sounds but yes, that's what happened"
"Okay, but that doesn't explain why you are here and he isn't"
Ororo let out a Logan-like growl and her head into her hands while her elbows rested on her knees "I didn't even want to go I told him I had to meet… CHARLES!"
Jean scooted away as Ororo whipped her head up at remembering the meeting she had missed "Is he upset that I missed the meeting?"
"Again you mean? I am not sure but I do know Scott said he was looking for you"
The white haired woman let out a groan and stood and smirked "Well, it was nice knowing you"
Jean let out a laugh and stood to join her friend "I'm sure you'll live… now, I can't say you'll be sitting comfortably at dinner but…"
Ororo blushed and shoved her friend "THAT hasn't happened in ages and it will most definitely not be starting again tonight… Right?"
Letting out another laugh at her sister's uncertainty and linked elbows with Ororo "Like a Band-Aid Rory, Like a Band-Aid"
Logan had decided to stay away from mansion for a bit and decided to go to Harry's. He had been there for about 2 hours when he got a call from Scott asking him to pick up Jubilee, Kitty and Evan from school. When Logan asked why he was going so late he was informed that the three miscreants had had to serve detention, mumbling his okay he hung up the phone and tossed a big bill on the counter before leaving.
When Logan pulled up in front of the school all three teens cringed at who was their ride home. They slowly walked to the car and shared and look before deciding to both sit in the back seat as far away from Logan as possible, problem with that was that that left one sucker for the front seat. They began tussling for the car door and eventually Kitty lost and slowly mad her way to sit next to Logan. Logan watched them buckle up from the rear view mirror and smirked and their lack of eye contact, he put the Jeep in drive and pulled onto the main street before breaking the silence.
"Well, what do ya have to say fer yersleves?"
They shared a looked and both began defending themselves trying out speak the other. Having heard enough Logan let out a loud whistle "One at'ta time. Evan yer up"
"Well ya see it was all a misunderstanding really…"
"Well, make me understand."
"Uh," Evan rubbed the palms of his hands in his jeans "We heard that there was gonna be test today in Biology"
"And?"
"And…" he looked over at Jubilee for help
"Long story short Wolvie we were caught trying to get the answer sheet. The end." She chimed in like it was no big deal, Evan and Kitty's eyes about popped out of their heads before slowly shifting their sight to the only adult in the car.
"Yer right. It is the end. The end of yer freedom, yer all grounded. I'll get the details later."
"But.."
"Not a word til I get ya home." He ground out "When we get there I suggest hightailin' it ta yer rooms"
Needless to say the rest of the car ride was eerily quiet. When they pulled into the garage Logan waited for them to exit the car, Jubes had booked it the moment the car stopped. Kitty was grabbing her hoodie from under the seat when she stopped "Uh… Like, why do you have Ms. Munroe's skirt in your car?"
Evan and Logan froze and both whipped around so fast to look at Kitty. Logan walked over to the younger girl and snatched the skirt from her hands crumpling it into a ball. Evan stood with his mouth open "Oh…I think I'm gonna hurl"
Kitty looked between Evan and Logan before the light went on then her eyes widened and she blushed. Her face was the color of a tomato and Logan had a feeling his was too, he cleared his throat "Donch'ya have a room ta be gettin' ta?!"
They jumped into action at is crisp tone, grabbing their book bags and rushing out of the garage.
It was later in the evening that Ororo found herself surrounded by children asking for help with their homework. She had them all sit in the library where she could go table to table to help each and every one of them. She was in the middle of helping Jamie and Brennan with their times tables when she heard a loud murmurs behind her. Turning around to look at the culprits she found everyone with their nose in their books, quietly, too quiet. She lifted her brow for a moment before turning back to Jamie.
After finishing with Jamie she walked around the room and felt several pairs of eyes on her but when she would look up they would all quickly look down at their work. When she would look away the murmurs would start up again from the older children until she had finally had enough she walked up to Rogue, Amara and Tabitha had their head close together as they whispered to each other.
"I'm sorry is study hall interrupting more pressing matters?" she didn't bother keeping the irritation out her voice and she frowned at her pupils.
"Sorry teach. Just heard some stuff that was too good not to investigate" Tabitha smirked and leaned back in her chair so that the front legs were of the ground.
Amara blushed and looked down at her paper and Rogue rolled her eyes and pushed the back of Tabs chairs so she rocked forward and was seated properly again "Ahm sorry Ms. Muroe. Won't happen again"
Tired of all the students acting weird she decided to let them go a half hour early. Ororo walked the halls making sure everything was in order and felt eyes on her everywhere she went, it was getting bothersome. When she entered the kitchen Remy was at the stove holding a bottle of tabasco over a boiling pot.
"Remy enough. Most everyone would appreciate not having their taste buds singed off tonight" she said with a teasing smile
"Can't stand da heat den get outta da kitchen Chere" he said with a wink
She came to stand next him and looked into the huge pot "Why are you cooking tonight? I thought it was…"
"Hanks turn? He had som'ting to take care of so Remy offered to help out. Nice of Remy, non?"
They stood next to each other in comfortable silence "Stormy gonna tell Remt 'bout why she was a no show today?"
"No."
Remy put a hand to his heart "A secret from Remy? Das not very nice Stormy."
"I'll fill you in later" at Remy's look she added "I mean it." She put a hand on his shoulder and then he pulled her into a hug "Dere's no'ting you can tell ole Gambit that would make him t'ink diff'rent of his Stormy"
Ororo was confused by this statement and was about to pull away to question it when Logan came in from the garage covered in grease and oil and rolled his eyes "Get a room"
They pulled away from each other, Ororo with a scowl on her face and Remy with a smirk. "Remy heard tru da grapevine you had troublemakers ta deal with"
"Yup, thought they'd get away with cheating on a test. They didn't" Logan tossed back is beer and then chucked into the recycle bin before leaving the room. Ororo watched him go by staring daggers into his back. Remy noticed but chose to leave it alone… for now.
Kitty was lying on her bed feeling sorry for herself after Logan left her room. Grounded. How could she be grounded? This weekend was the school carnival and she was supposed to go with kids from the mansion and her Bayville friends. She tried to explain to Logan that she didn't technically use her power in public since there was no one around but he wouldn't have it, now she was grounded for 10 days plus training sessions with him. She grabbed her pillow and smothered herself with it. 'Wasn't being in love supposed to make you nicer? Well it didn't work with Mr. Logan'
Evan couldn't look at Logan when he had entered the room to lecture him and ground him trying to cheat on a test. All he could think about was Logan and HIS aunt playing tonsil hockey… his face grew hot at thinking what else happened that her clothes were in his jeep. He wanted to punch Logan for some reason he couldn't explain and his spikes tore through his shirt after Logan left the room. Evan groan and changed his shirt 'another one bites the dust' he thought as he tossed the ripped shirt in the trash bin. 'I can always take it out on him during these stupid training sessions'
Jubilee watched Logan leave her room before she let out a sigh of relief. She sat down on her bed and smiled at the fact that she could sit then frowned and though about how Logan seemed distracted. Oh sure, he let her have a lecture of lifetime, so much her ears still burned but his mind seemed to be somewhere else. She should have known training with the Wolverine was inevitable after the stunt they pulled but still being told that her weekend was going to consist of waking up at the butt crack of dawn was still a blow to her hopes. She didn't even want think about when he found out that Mrs. Carter wasn't going to let them make up the test to make up for missing it to begin with. 'Awe man we are soooo dead. Here lie the dumbest kids in history…or biology?' she flopped back on her bed and grumbled.
Ororo had finished getting ready for bed when Betsy barged into her room grinning like the cat that ate the canary "You sneak lil' devil Rory!"
"What are you talking about?" she asked with a wrinkled brow
"Oh pah-lease like you don't know. I KNEW you and the lumberjack had a tryst going on!"
Ororo watched Betsy bounce on her bed as she sat down "I told you we didn't…"
"Yeah, you lied to me. No need to cover your tracks now mate, the school alive with gossip"
"What. Gossip?" Ororo asked not sure she wanted to actually know the answer, she started to get a nervous knot in the pit of hers stomach and absently rubbed where the wedding band had once rested on her finger.
"You and Logan getting' down and dirty in the back of 'is jeep" she wiggle her eyebrows
Shaking her head "I have no idea what you are…"
"Rory I told you no need to keep hush now"
Ororo held up her hands and shook her head again "Bets, I honestly have no idea what you are referring to"
Betsy rolled eyes and crossed her arms "Alright, I'll humor you. Rumor 'as it that your knickers were found in the lumber jack's jeep"
Ororo mouth dropped open making her look like a fish out of water "My what?!"
"Your knickers, bloomers, panties…ya know"
"I know what knickers means." She started to pace at the foot of the bed "How on earth did these rumors start?"
Betsy shrugged and crossed her legs at her ankles "Beats me. So you and Logan…"
"Not in a million years"
"She says to the mind reader" Betsy said more to herself then outloud.
Ororo sat on the bed next to the purple haired women "Well this explains why all the children were acting to strangely this evening"
"Quite. Oui, did you 'ear about that nephew of yours?"
At the shake of Ororo's head Betsy began to fill her one the kids attempting to cheat on a biology test. She sat there listening to how Jubilee and her nephew had talked kitty into using her powers to their advantage and shoot her head in disapproval and made a mental note to task them all to task. School was one thing she was lenient on. Betsy then slipped into talking about going out soon and Ororo mind slipped to how she was going to quash the rumors and saving her dignity 'it's going to be long week'
"You can think that again, Mate"
Ororo stared at Betsy before smacking her in the shoulder and trying to keep a mock frown on her face. Both women began to laugh and Jean entered the room "Ororo! We need to talk!"
Besty got her laughter under control "Eh, nothing but rumors. Our dear ole Rory and the Wolverine are not doin' the dirty"
Jean's lips turn downward "Oh."
The white haired women looked between two of her oldest friends "Really? The both of you should know me better"
"Call me a wishful thinker" Jean said as she joined the two on the bed
"Really Jean? You know how much Logan and I despise each other"
Betsy and Jean shared a look but said nothing. Ororo picked at a piece of invisible lint on her comforter but was shaken out of her thoughts when Betsy clapped her hands together and stood from the bed "I am going to get my things. We need girl time and I am bunking over"
Jeans eyes widened "Me too!"
"Are you serious? Where do you plan on sleeping…the floor?"
"Your bed is as big as the Titanic; you can fit more than Jack and Rose in there"
And just like that a sleepover was set in motion. They spent all evening catching up and reminiscing about the good old days of their time in the mansion. Laughter could be heard down the teachers quarters and Charles shook his head at how some things will never change and for that he was grateful.
[TBC]