A/N: This is a LOOOOONG Chapter! But I hope it's worth the read! I'm trying to make sure I wrap up all the loose threads as we head for the home stretch!
-Med Lab 1, evening-
After some time Beast sends all visitors away, hoping to let Jean get some real rest.
She couldn't glean from the others how Scott had died, none of them had been present and a body was never recovered. But Logan and Storm had both been present at Xavier's last moments. Picking up Logan's memories had been the worst. Because of his enhanced senses she was aware of the smell of ozone and disintegrating flesh. The sound as the molecular bonds holding flesh together separated. It was too much to bear. She wondered for the thousandth time how he dealt with that type of sensory overload on a daily basis. She couldn't imagine having those abilities while she was being prodded and experimented on. Just being able to sense the cold detachment in the minds of the scientists who were around her were enough for her to put herself into a coma.
Everyone had been kind and warm enough to her, Kitty and Piotr especially. It made sense since they'd known her the longest of all the other students. Sean and Alison stayed for quite a while and although she never met Sean in person, he seemed genuinely glad to see her. According to Ororo there were other students here who did not come down, but didn't go into detail as to why. And when Jean tried to lightly probe her friends' mind to find out why, she found a massive wall blocking her. There would be time to get adjusted to life on campus again, she guessed. Although not having Charles or Scott around would make it painful.
-Later-
She sleeps for the better part of the day until Alison brings her some dinner.
Jean was glad that Alison came and not Betsy or Ororo. She loves Ororo dearly and Betsy seemed like a likable enough woman, but if anyone can take your mind off tragedy it's Alison.
The woman just had a knack for making you laugh even when you didn't want to. By the time Beast shoed Alison from the room Jean has having trouble breathing from laughing so hard. It was nice to be around someone who wasn't trying to reassure her that it wasn't her fault. Alison didn't dwell on pain, she preferred to have fun and she insisted everyone around her did the same.
But once Jean was alone, the doubts and pain came rushing back to her making her wonder if after everything that's happened, would she ever feel like she belonged here at all? Interrupting her pity party was a presence that she hadn't noticed before.
"I know you're there, so you can quit lurking in the shadows…" Jean stated trying to sound confident.
"I wasn't lurking…" a male returns stepping into view.
"And I wasn't talking about you…" Jean states struggling to hide her surprise. She hadn't even known this young man was in the room. The fact that he was able to shield his mind so well put her off guard. There was someone else here and that's who she'd sensed.
"Hello, M-Ms. Grey. I- I'm Rachel. I joined the school while you were… gone." Rachel stammers, coming up beside the young man. "I wanted to see you but it was too crowded earlier."
"And who's your friend?" Jean asks keeping her voice calm and level. She doesn't like the fact that she can pick up nothing from this boy. Even Logan, with all his natural psychic defenses left some type of impression, a sense of being. But this young man left nothing at all for her to pick up.
"I'm Aaron. I got here a few months ago… listen: As much as I'd like this meeting to be a love fest every mutant in this school is at risk unless you help us."
Jean sits up further in her bed taking in the two.
"If that's true young man," Jean starts sliding almost seamlessly back into her teacher mode. "There is plenty of senior staff here that you can convey your concerns to."
Rachel falters a bit at Jean's tone, but Aaron only smiles further. "You X-men," he starts moving closer to Jean. "So concerned with protocol… it's amazing the lot of you aren't in holding tanks being experimented on right now, the way you all tend to drag your feet."
Jean smiles nastily feeling her anger rise. "Would you like to know what it's like? To be experimented on that is? Because I can make that happen."
Aaron crosses his arms clenching his teeth. "Even if you could break through my psychic defenses which you already know you cannot, you wouldn't have to. I've already watched my mother go through that pain."
Jean loses some of her fire at that admission and she loses even more when she sees the tender look Rachel gives him as she rubs his shoulder comfortingly and says: "Which is why we're here. What happened to you, Wolverine, Aaron's mom; we don't want that for anyone here."
"What can I do…?" Jean asks in a voice barely above a whisper.
Aaron finally softens his tone. "I'm sorry Ms. Grey; there was no reason for me to lash out at you. Call it overflow from my encounter earlier…" Aaron smirks at Rachel before turning serious again. "I came here to this school to resolve the two biggest issues in my life; where I come from and making the ones responsible for my mother's death pay. The first can wait until later… but the other I need to resolve tonight."
Jean can't help but wonder if her clone might have been responsible for his mother's death. She opens her mouth to ask-
"No, that pitiful stand-in of yours was not responsible for her death," Aaron answers picking up on her body language. "But that shape-shifter is at the heart of why we need your help." Aaron offers Rachel the seat next to Jean's bed. Again Jean notes the obvious admiration that Rachel bestows on the young man.
Not that I can blame you sweetie, he's an absolute cutie. Kinda reminds me off Logan.
"The woman, who took your place, believed she was you, had your abilities even your memories. Making it impossible for any of the X-men to sense anything amiss before it was too late. McCoy would be better at explaining the how but suffice it to say the scum that held you developed a way to create the perfect sleeper agent. Someone only you or Xavier would have a hope of detecting one and even then…"
"Even then m- Jean you would have to enter the shifters' subconscious and locate the original personality then force it to come to the forefront. Otherwise the agent just believes they are whatever form they've taken and nothing you can say will make them think otherwise." Rachel completes for Aaron, narrowly avoiding revealing who Jean is to her.
"The reason why it's such an effective technique is because they are given subconscious objectives that a normal telepathic scan would never uncover. Once complete they feel an overwhelming pull to return to a predetermined location, either for further instructions or deprogramming. My sources indicated that the person I'm looking for was sent on assignment here, an assignment we obviously cannot allow to be completed." Aaron says definitively. "I thought I'd be able to unearth the agent myself, but after looking over Beast's notes on the NextGen project, I realized that was never possible."
"I appreciate the vote of confidence, kids. But I'm in no shape to traipse through the rigors of anyone's subconscious right now. I could end up doing more harm than good…" Jean admits looking at Aaron and Rachel.
"We know that," Aaron answers somewhat annoyed. "We need you to project us into another persons' mind so that we can determine the truth. Rachel's telepathic skills have not yet reached the point of being able to project, but she can guide us. Once inside our combined abilities should be able to uncover things, but we need an anchor in the real world. Someone to monitor us as well as be able to pull us out if needed."
Jean considers what they are asking and is uncomfortable with their plan. "I don't see why we can't involve the other X-me-"
"Because we have no way of knowing who the sleeper is!" Aaron exclaims in a harsh whisper. Jean notes how his eyes flare with the same fire she's seen in Wolverine's eyes. It's a light that tells her that he cannot be convinced of taking any other action. "You are the only one we can be absolutely sure of!"
His logic was sound, but she still was apprehensive. What if he was a sleeper, trying to get into the X-men's subconscious for his own gain? And just who was this girl Rachel anyway? She could tell the girl was hiding something, but it didn't seem to be about this situation. Even still she had no reason to trust them, if anything she should be sounding the alarm. But she was pulled in by their words; they had a ring of truth to them that she couldn't deny. She couldn't tear away from Rachel's pleading green eyes; eyes that made her think she was looking in a mirror.
"So… who's first then?" Jean asks taking Rachel's hand and notes how strong it is. The smile that lights Rachel's face could melt steel, but Aaron's next words force that smile to fade away.
"Me of course," Aaron states simply sitting down on a nearby couch. "Between the two of you, it should be clear whether I'm the one or not. And if I turn out to be…Rachel knows what to do." Aaron winks at a nervous Rachel before closing his eyes and dropping his defenses.
-The kitchen-
"Ugh!" Ororo yells in frustration, kicking her covers off her. She has been trying for almost an hour now to fall asleep, but to no avail. There's too much on her mind right now. "Maybe some tea will settle my mind…" She murmurs. Putting on a long blue silk robe she travels downstairs to the kitchen. She can't help but notice how quiet the mansion seems, especially considering that Jean has returned.
Maybe it's just not that big of a deal to anyone but-
"Couldn't sleep either, eh?"
Ororo yelps in surprise hand still poised over the light switch. She flicks the lights on to find Logan sitting at the island in the middle of the kitchen drinking what looks like brandy. He is shirtless clad only in a pair of sweat pants. No matter how many times she's seen his body she can never get enough of the sight of his tight torso.
Taking a breath to calm down, she folds her arms over her chest. "Must you always drink in the dark? You nearly caused my death!" Ororo watches his mouth twitch into the smallest of smiles.
"Wouldn't want that, would I?" As he finishes the last bit in the glass, he looks over the form fitting robe Ororo is wearing. "Never needed much light to see…" Ororo tightens the belt to her robe self-consciously before clearing her throat.
"Well, try to remember we are not all similarly fortunate…" She then turns to grab a coffee mug from the cabinet. As she reaches for her favorite mug, she feels Logan presence behind her. She turns quickly to find him looking her over again with his keen eyes. Heat is emanating off his body that is almost suffocating. She needs space. "Would you… like a cup of tea as well, Logan?" Ororo asks trying to keep her voice as level as possible.
Logan shrugs, reaching past her to grab a cup of his own, causing his chest to press up against hers. "'Preciate it." Setting his cup on the counter he leans back on the island, hands bracing against it. "You smell nice…"
Ororo wrinkles her nose subconsciously running her hand through her long hair. "You're kidding; I'm an absolute mess!" She laughs nervously when she notices the seriousness in his eyes. Then she remembers his enhanced senses and Aaron's complaint concerning them and turns as red as her skin tone will allow.
Logan snorts crossing his arms over his chest. "Women. Always thinking it's about Channel #5…" Logan takes a step towards her as she turns her back to fill their cups up from the sink. "If ya smelt bad, I'd let ya know."
Ororo places the cups into the microwave before turning to face him. "You most certainly would not!" Playfully she pushes him away from her, not wanting him to see how his closeness is affecting her. "Though you pretend to be otherwise, you are a gentleman."
Logan laughs rubbing the silken material of the belt to her robe. "Never been called that before…" His eyes remain fixed on hers regarding her intensely. She breaks their gaze to look down at his hands still rubbing the belt, almost undoing it.
Oh just do it! Take me and quench this fire building in me before I burst!
Beep… Beep
The sound of the microwave finishing snaps the spell between them, making Ororo jump slightly.
"I'll get them…" Logan opens the microwave door grabbing the two steaming hot cups and setting them down while Ororo grabs two tea bags. Despite the steam rising from the mugs Logan doesn't even wince while handling them.
The two of them sit at the island in silence; Ororo dunking her tea bag watching the water change color while Logan allows his bag to sit as he scoops sugar into it. It's not an awkward silence, in fact the both of them feel very comfortable in the others presence. Ororo can't help but marvel at the peacefulness of the moment. Considering this was a day that featured Jean coming back to them and the discovery their newest admission was for all intents and purposes is Logan's son. She has had some crazy moments as an X-man but today definitely took the prize. Yet here the two of them were; enjoying a late night sip of tea as if nothing of the sort had happened.
Taking a sip of her tea, Ororo steals a glance at Logan as he adds a healthy dollop of brandy to his. She smiles watching him. "This is nice…" She murmurs more to herself than to him.
"What is darlin'?" Logan asks looking up at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Just… having a moment to breathe," She sighs rubbing her hands over her mug. "Two people, having a cup of tea together… a moment of peace amidst the usual chaos. Enjoying each other's company…" She worried that after their brief moment of intimacy that such a thing would be impossible.
"You could be enjoying it even more if ya want." Logan asks smiling cockily.
"You are incorrigible…" she chastises him smiling radiantly.
"What can I say, beautiful?" Logan leans back stretching. "I'm a wild animal; impossible ta tame."
"Maybe," Ororo counters meeting his eyes again. "It would be so much fun to try though…"
"Careful whatcha say 'Ro. I'm liable to take advantage…" he answers leaning forward taking her hand in his. For a long moment there are no other words. Ororo finds her boldness silenced by the simple touch of his hand. She wonders if things would have been different if he'd directed his attention to her instead of Jean when he first arrived. In the beginning though she thought he was too volatile, too angry. Maybe she would have rejected him? Not that it seemed to stop him when Jean turned him down…
"Logan…" Ororo cannot tear her eyes away from his hands as they lightly caress hers. "I want to know something…"
"I know that tone…" he removes her hands from hers and sits back. "And it's NEVER good."
Ororo smirks as she looks up at him again. "I just want to know… when you first arrived here… why Jean? I mean-" she fights for the right words. "What made her irresistible to you?"
Logan sighs as if he was expecting this question. Pausing as if to figure out the right way to explain, he takes a sip of his brandy infused tea.
"I didn't know it then, but there was someone… someone from my past she reminded me of. This woman was my first love and my first loss." Logan smiles bitterly. "The first of many it would seem. On a subconscious level I think I wanted Jean to be that person. And it didn't hurt none that she's gorgeous." Ororo nodded her head. There was no denying her sister was absolutely beautiful. "I could tell she wanted me, but she wouldn't cave into her desires, so that added to it the challenge of conquering her. The idea of making her mine taking her from Scooter appealed ta me."
"Am I another challenge then?" Ororo asks avoiding his eyes again. Despite being an exotically beautiful woman in her own right, the men of this school always favored Jean. Whether it was Hank, Scott or any of the other men to pass through these walls; she was the crush of choice. Even Forge, the man who professed to love her before breaking her heart in a thousand pieces, was after Jean first. A fact she didn't know until later which only added to her self-esteem issues.
Logan lifts her chin up so that their eyes meet. "Yes. But you're one chosen by me, not by fractured memories of a half remembered life. If I had been the man I am now, complete and whole, it would have been you who received my attention. Whether ya wanted it or not." He adds definitively.
She couldn't hide her smile at his words. "How can you be so sure…" She whispers. She wants desperately to be convinced. More than anything Ororo wants the man she wants so desperately to be just as hungry for her.
Logan stands up and walks around the island until he is right next to her. He reaches out his hand to her and she takes it without hesitation. He motions for her to stand and when she does he slips his strong hands around her waist, pulling her close. She gasps at the feel of his hard body against hers. "I could take all night telling you the reasons why, but I don't know if you'd understand. So I'll try my best… ta show ya."
His lips press to hers with a tenderness that dissolves any reservations she might have had. Her tongue savors the sweetness of brandy on his breath as he caresses her face with his free hand. His other hand, once around her waist has dropped to her butt rubbing the silk robe against her. She kisses him hungrily feeling the heat growing between her legs as a low rumble in Logan' chest vibrates against hers. Turning her body slightly he presses her against the island before he lifts her easily onto it. She makes room for him between her legs as their mouths find each other again. Her hands dig into his thick hair pulling his head harder against hers; he grunts his approval as her nails dig into his scalp. Ororo can barely catch her breath, but it doesn't stop her from wanting more.
Untying her robe he breaks their kiss to look over Ororo's frame. Her blue bra and panties are a nice contrast to her chocolate skin. The bra cradles her ample chest well, but it is not able to contain her hardening nipples as they poke through the material. Logan runs his hands up her sides, both tickling and exciting her skin. Ororo coo's her approval as rough hands settle on the clasp on the front of her bra.
"'Ro…" Logan whispers almost too low for her to hear. It's a final warning as much for her as it is for him. As it is now his senses must be picking up the scent of her dampening panties and the sound of her pounding heart. He wants her to be sure that she's ready for everything that's getting ready to happen.
Ororo is nearly shivering with anticipation and in picking up on his hesitation she grabs his hands to assist him. She's so tired of pretending that she doesn't long to be touched. To be loved. She wants him to do whatever he wants to her. "Please Logan, don't-"
"STOP!"
Both Logan and Ororo turn in the direction of the scream. Wolverine is able to tell right away where it's coming from.
"Marie…?" Logan questions aloud, moving with the same speed Ororo has seen so many times before, he's bounding up the stairs to Rogue's room. Storm is close behind taking a moment to tie her robe back up before following.
"Kid?" Logan calls out as he bursts into Marie's room. Once inside he sees the young girl on her knees holding her head with both hands. He can tell she is crying and in great pain. He drops to his knees in front of her holding both her gloved hands tight. "Talk ta me kid, what happened?" She's shaking from the intense pain; her eyes squeezed shut and her face a mask of anguish.
"Telepathic attack?" Ororo asks coming into the room taking in the scene. None of the other students have come to investigate yet, but she imagines it's only a matter of time.
"But from who?" Logan asks. It's a fair question considering that the telepaths capable of breaking down Rogue's natural defenses are all in this mansion. "We gotta get Fuzzball up here. Fast!"
"Get away from her Wolverine! Now before it's too late!"
Ororo turns to see Aaron running past her to approach the two of them. "Aaron what are you-"
That's as far as Storm gets before Wolverine unsheathes his claws and turns menacingly towards Aaron. "Not another step boy," Wolverine warns. "I can tell what you're here to do." Rogue is still clinging to Wolverine's arm hiding behind him, making it impossible for Aaron to get any closer to her.
"If you know what I'm here to do, then you know there must be a reason." Aaron states not backing down.
Wolverine snarls, now in full defense mode. "Don't matter. Leave or I make you leave." Ororo knew he viewed Rogue as a daughter and he was determined to protect her from anyone, even his own blood. Ororo also knew it would be dangerous to try and get between the two of them. She simply hoped they would settle down.
"Fine." Aaron relents appearing to turn away, before taking off after Wolverine with speed Storm would have thought impossible, driving them through the second story window. The two land in a heap on the soft grass beneath Rogue's room with Aaron on top. Using the momentum of the fall Aaron flips off of Wolverine's body and landing several feet away on the grass. Wolverine takes a few seconds to shake off the effects of the fall. Before Aaron can press his advantage however, Ororo glides from the room taking to the air above him. Unfortunately for him that distraction allows Wolverine to not only recover but charge at him full speed.
Aaron ducks to avoid losing his head and delivers a kick to Wolverine's midsection. It doesn't even slow him down as he slashes again with those terrible claws of his. Aaron is able to lean back to avoid major damage, but he cannot avoid them completely. First blood goes to Wolverine as three red marks appear across Aaron's chest leaving his shirt in tatters. Jumping back to remove the shirt fully Wolverine watches as all three cuts close in rapid succession.
"Ya heal pretty quick punk," Wolverine admits circling Aaron looking for an opening.
"That's likely because I haven't weakened my regenerative abilities with, cheap cigars, cheap booze and cheap women." Aaron returns moving carefully around Wolverine. "But since you're listening now; Rogue is-" Wolverine darts forward nearly impaling Aaron on his claws, but Aaron is able to avoid that strike by flipping clear over the lunging Wolverine.
"Dammit you idiot!" Aaron spats angrily. "Rogue is a copy just like Phoenix was, and she's loose in the mansion where dozens of powerful mutants are sleeping!"
"Aw man, you told…"
Aaron turns to see Rogue fully armored, with fire encircling her right hand and ice on the left, walking towards them. She fires a blast of searing flame at the two of them missing Aaron completely as he leaps out of the way; Wolverine takes the brunt of it.
"Why are you so stinking slow old man?" Aaron yells before telling Storm. "Give us some rain woman! It'll keep her from using Amara's powers effectively; Rachel should be bringing the others!" Storm, still not sure of what's going on, cannot argue with the logic of Aaron's request. She provides a torrential down pour complete with high winds.
"You weren't on my list Aaron, so I can let you leave if you want to." Rogue offers with no trace of her former accent, licking her lips. "Or you can stay and we can have a little fun. Personally I'd rather you stay, if that kiss was any indication, you're a terror in the sack… and I already know you like this form." At that she drops her armor briefly to show off Marie's curves, curves he has been recently acquainted with.
"No thanks," Aaron answers smiling. "Besides, you're about to have all the attention you can stand…" Pointing behind her.
From the mansion Beast, Psylocke and Banshee come out, poised and ready to attack. Aaron helps a quickly healing Wolverine to his feet as Storm comes down next to him.
"Six against one…?" Rogue pouts, "Seems a bit unfair. Mind if I even the odds a bit?" Rogue then throws up a huge ice wall separating him from her. Storm could fly over it with ease, but he and Wolverine would have to find another way through.
"If that ain't Rogue…" Wolverine still not quite healed up enough, his face a mass of badly charred flesh. "Where is the real one?"
"That's a question we can figure out later…" Aaron answers, pointing at the wall of ice in front of them. "For now I need you to get busy with the slice and dice."
"Kids today," Wolverine smirks, unsheathing his claws. "No respect for their parents."