A/N: Did I mention I hate writer's block? idstealer000, yeah, Wolverine has his moments. Maybe I'm making him too much of a jerk? I appreciate your review mystery Guest! I honestly didn't think anyone was still reading this story, but I am so glad you are! I certainly don't want to rush this story, but it's just been so long and the new movie will be coming out soon…Anyway, I have promised a confrontation between Scott and Wolverine. It's been building for a long time now and it's coming…just not this chapter…lol But soon, I promise! (So sorry that I left out a very important line from Wolverine that informed Scott about the loss of Rogue's absorbing power. I had to re-do that, didn't want to confuse anyone, sorry if I did!)
I feel fine and I feel good
I'm feeling like I never should
Whenever I get this way
I just don't know what to say…
"Rogue, I have been so worried about you dear. Are you okay?" The Professor wheeled his way over to her as she walked into his office. "Yeah, I just got that headache again, but it was really strong this time. I came here first, but I really want to go check on Logan and Scott." Rogue's eyes are weary and she looks worse for the wear.
"Dr. McCoy says he only needs to rest a while in the med lab. His vitals have been perfect." Professor Xavier reassured her. "We can go visit him, but we should discuss the events which took place in the kitchen. The students have had quite the story to gossip about today. Of course, it changes each time it's passed along and I'm not one to believe such gabble. I prefer to hear it straight from the source."
Rogue immediately turned red, "You mean me and Logan on the kitchen island-"
"Oh, well, not entirely each and every little action. I only need to hear the important details which led to Logan's collapse." 'The humiliation just keeps building and building.'
"I'm not sure how you two were able to…but, if you two are ever able to…experiment, again, perhaps you should choose a more secluded location?" He tenderly took her gloved hand in his and placed his other on top of hers and patted.
"I'd like to have a private session and see if I can detect something, anything, that may be ailing you, my dear. Perhaps, we can figure out what is happening before it gets out of hand? For now, would you be so kind as to inform me of the less embarrassing details, on the way? " He released her hand from his and looked up at her with nothing but sincerity.
Rogue walked with the Professor by her side. She filled him in on her new power, and temporary lack thereof, as they headed over to the med lab.
"Rogue? Are you okay?" Logan sat up and yanked the IV line out of his hand.
"Logan!" She rushed over to his table then Logan pulled her into his arms. A blush heated her cheeks as she glanced down. Logan beamed and pulled the blue sheet back over his legs. "Like what you see?"
The Professor moved near the Doctor, whom bowed his head in recognition. "I see he is fine now, good work Dr. McCoy."
"That was all Mr. Logan, sir. As you know, his healing capability is astounding. I've never seen anything quite like him." Dr. McCoy smiled as they watched the couple lovingly fret over one another. "About Rogue-"
"You called for me sir?" Scott stood in the doorway, looking disheveled in his tucked out and unbuttoned white dress shirt with a light pink tank top revealed underneath. "What's going on?" He glanced at Rogue, discomfort painted his expression.
Logan frowned, wanting to rip Scott to pieces, but knew it had to be just right. With the audience they had at the moment, it would cut his time too short for his liking.
"Hey twinkle toes, Rogue wanted to play doctor." Rogue shot Logan a nasty look and spun around to meet Scott's stare, "Don't listen to him Scott. You'll be happy to know my powers came back." Scott's brows furrowed as he bowed his head, "No, I'm not. I'm so sorry, Marie."
"Oh, so now you're back to being Mr. Nice Guy again?" Logan pulled Rogue in closer to his chest. She pulled her right glove off and dangled her naked fingers above his arm. He released his grip and let out a low growl, "Not fair Rogue."
Frustrated, she slipped her glove back on, "Just stop it Logan. Can you please just calm down? You have no right to be mad at Scott-"
"Seriously?! First Bobby, now Scott? Whose turn is it next, Rogue? I'll pick this time, how about Magneto?" Rogue looked at him in disbelief.
"You're such an asshole Logan! I was there whenever she needed someone! You just couldn't stand it if she chose me!" Scott stepped in and Logan readily shifted his legs over the side of the bed.
"It's not my fault you don't have what it takes to hold onto a woman! Stay out of this pretty boy or I'll-", Logan eagerly hopped off the bed, grasping his sheet with a tight fist.
"Stop it!" Rogue threw her hands up to both Scott and Logan's chests, lucky to still possess Logan's strength.
The Professor quickly wheeled over to the three, "Perhaps we should all convene in my office? Before you children wreck our only medical lab and Dr. McCoy's chambers along with it. Now!"
The Professor exited the room as Scott signaled to Rogue, "Ladies first." Rogue was flustered with all of today's events. She shook her head at both boys, "Come on Scott, I don't trust you two alone. Thank you Dr. McCoy."
Dr. McCoy nodded and quietly excused himself to return to the paperwork in his office.
Scott and Logan exchanged glares. Then Scott gently placed his hand on Rogue's lower back, guiding her out of the room. Rogue glanced back at Logan, wiped at a forming tear before it could escape and then continued allow Scott to lead her out.
"Hey! Watch your hands bub!" Logan snarled making a beeline for Scott, until he realized there was a rather cold draft.
Scott wearily replied, "It's called being a gentleman, Logan. I know, it's a novel idea for someone like you, but you should try it sometime. " With that, Scott left to catch up.
Quickly, Logan spotted his shirt, "Jean certainly liked the way I am." He huffily slid his shirt on, looking around the room. "Dammit! Hey Einstein! Where the hell are my pants?"
"Hey Marie, wait up." Rogue slowed her pace, decided to cross her arms and keep her back directed towards him. She was afraid to discuss her previous actions, wondered if she had made a mistake. Every time she was the guilty party in any situation, she automatically masked herself in anger.
Scott's hand cupped the side of her shoulder. "I don't know what's going on with your powers, but Professor will figure it out, he always does. Just know I'm here for you. I truly am sorry that you have to deal with all of this. Even though I know you'd be special without your powers, they are a part of you and you are truly amazing."
Rogue stiffened at his attempt to make amends, "Amazing? A mutant full of angst, anger and desperation? Not to mention, the self-loathing? Thanks for the pep talk Mr. Summers, but shouldn't we keep moving?"
Scott sighed, hating himself for letting his anger get the best of him earlier. Actually, it was more jealousy than anything, but did she have the right to be so cold to him? It didn't matter, he refused to return the hurt. He was raised to be a gentleman and to apologize, even if he wasn't completely at fault. "I shouldn't have talked to you like that in the kitchen, I had no right."
"No, Scott, you had every right. I don't know what I would have done if I had been put in your situation, but it still hurts." Rogue turned around, grabbed Scott's hand from her shoulder. "I wasn't trying to harm you, I swear. I wanted to find you, well, initially. But Logan kissed me and all my emotions I had for him came back, overwhelmingly so."
Scott's brow furrowed as she confessed everything to him, "I've loved Logan for as long as I can remember and he finally loves me back. I haven't been able to touch anyone without hurting them, so it all just happened so fast and I couldn't stop. Actually, I didn't want to stop."
She felt his hand twitch beneath hers, she lightly squeezed, "I felt something with you Scott, something I had wanted to explore...but now... I'm so sorry. You have every right to hate me. I know what happened with Logan and Jean. You showed me, at least the you I absorbed, showed me. I must be the stupidest girl in the world for wanting to give him a chance." She snorted and laughed at how pathetic it all sounded when she said it out loud.
The words clawed their way into the pit of Scott's stomach, but he knew she was in love with that animal. Hell, everyone knew, even her ex-boyfriend knew and that didn't stop him...
"I'm sorry you had to see that. Considering your power, I completely understand your...interaction, just hoped it would have been with me. But you chose Logan. Even so, I could never hate you." Rogue's face lit up with his declaration. "I just don't want you getting hurt. How do you think Logan's going to handle you having your powers back now? Given his reputation for being so patient and all." Scott's jaw clenched, wondering why he desperately took a stab at her insecurities. In the end, he just wanted her to be happy, even if it wasn't with him.
Rogue wiped at her eyes, turning to face Scott. "Yeah, I know damn well Logan has a lot to work on. And I want to be with him every step of the way. I can't just give up on him." She knew this wasn't easy for Scott.
"The way you gave up on us?" Rogue flinched at his words. 'Well, there goes being gentle.'
"Can you say I promised you anything, Scott?"
He bit down on the inside of his cheek, "Kind of thought it went without saying."
"The fact remains, we were unofficial. I didn't promise to be your girlfriend and I can't change what's happened..." Scott calmly sighed and lightly tapped his foot.
He nodded in defeat, it wasn't his right to hold everyone to his values,"Yeah, okay, you're right. It's not fair to assume we had an understanding. We can't help who we love. You don't deserve my anger and jealousy when you have Logan to deal with." Rogue took in a deep breath.
"I just hope it all works out for you, both of you. Even though I believe you deserve so much more. Marie, if it doesn't work out though…" Rogue released her grip on his hand and pulled Scott into an embrace.
"Oh Scott, you deserve a saint." She smiled into his shoulder.
The sound of someone clearing their throat broke the two apart.
"Hey foxy lady, I thought I was picking you up later? You took my ride, really?" John's back is leaned against the front door of their mock up dwelling. He crossed his arms as they made his way towards them. He looked clean cut in his cargo jeans and short sleeved black polo.
"Sorry to ruin your chance to show off your new cycle Pyro, maybe next time? " Mystique walked out from the garage with Sammy in tow, opened the gate and tossed the key to Pyro.
"I was working at the bar and had some…girl problems..." She really didn't know what else to say. Pyro smiled as he took her into view, wearing tight black leather pants with a red silky long sleeved blouse.
Pryo shook the thoughts from his head. He looked down to check his watch, "But it's only 9:30? I thought your shift didn't start until noon?"
Mystique stifled a laugh as she walked around the house towards the back gate. "Don't take too long Sammy darling. You don't want to keep daddy waiting."
Sammy ignored Mystique's jab, "Yeah, there's an early private party today and Sue wanted me to make extra preparations, but I had some really bad cramps and there was a lot of gushing blo-, " Sammy's words just kept spilling out of her mouth.
"Okay, okay, I get it. No offense, but I like thinking about you minus the monthly visitor images." He rolled his eyes and grinned, "So, how'd you like my wheels?"
"Great! Sorry to cut this short Pyro, but I'm not feeling so well." Sammy rushed to the back entrance.
"Oh right, the monthly thing. Well, I'll see you later?!" He frowned at the lack of reply.
"Hey John, why didn't you tell me about this entrance?" Bobby appeared from where the girls just set off, rounding the house towards Pryo.
Pryo smiled, "What are friends for?"
"Yeah, well, anyway, can I borrow your bike?" Bobby was dressed in red tennis shoes, dark jeans and a pale blue short sleeved shirt.
"What for, short stack?" He would never stop giving him a hard time.
Bobby shook his head in disbelief, "Dude, I knew it was Mystique. I wasn't all that excited! Anyway, I just want to drive around, that's all. I need to get away from here for a minute." Bobby darted his eyes off to the side in irritation.
"Dude, I was kidding, I wasn't given any specific details. But about my ride, you're not thinking of going back, are you?" Pyro took out his lighter and flipped it open and shut. "I know he's been hard on you man, but Magneto said-"
"Screw Magneto! He's a psycho! Just like everyone else here! All they ever talk about is getting back at the humans. Besides, I didn't ask for a reminder, I asked for your bike. Now quit dicking around and hand over your key!" His hands shaped into fists as he filled the gap that had distanced them.
"Well, isn't that gratitude at its finest?" A crossly voice from behind declared.
"I warned you man." Pyro patted Bobby on the shoulder and walked past him to join Magneto by his side.
"Here I was, offering to help you, advise you. Hoping perhaps you could become a part of my family, the brotherhood. But what do you do? You've only been here for such a short time and you've already managed to disrespect me and my family more than once."
Bobby grated his teeth as he warily turned around to face Magneto with a look of hopelessness. "You put me in that torture room just for sleeping with your girlfriend, whom you made sleep with me. And then you have some Rogue look-alike to try to talk to me about killing people? How did you possibly think that was going to help me?"
"He has a point, I mean he is Bobby, was a bit of a goody two-shoes. I thought we decided to gently ease him into-"
"Quiet Pyro!" Magneto furiously pushed Pyro aside as he moved to grab Bobby by his collar. "Listen, you pathetic excuse for a mutant, Professor Xavier's precious humans would sooner slit your throat than have you breathe the same air as they do. You've spent too long wasting your time at that school and here I assumed you you finally saw the light as Pyro had. We have to know whose side you're on and what you're willing to do. I will give you one more chance-"
Bobby kicked Magneto in the stomach and rushed out the open gate to the sidewalk. He ran as fast as he could without turning back. "No! Sorry John, I can't!"
"Don't just stand there, go get him!" Magneto fell to the ground onto his knees. He slumped over in pain.
A/N: I actually have the next chapter in the works, but I had to keep going over and over this chapter to make sure it set well with me. I think I'm okay with this. Thank you guys!