Authors Note: Well I had been hoping to get this done before the movie came out… But there is nothing I can do about that now. I've seen the movie, and I like the FRIENDSHIP between Kurt and Ororo. Obviously this story takes place BEFORE the X-Men 2 movie and will not have any spoilers to it. I especially hated the way they portrayed Professor X… HE WOULD NEVER ABUSE HIS POWERS LIKE THAT!!!!!! For heaven sakes, he preaches about only using powers in emergency situations and to never abuse them. Nor do I believe he is just that powerful…
Sorry that it took so long to update… I had finals… evil things… Then there was vacation…which was fun… then Harry Potter came out and I just HAD to read it… Damn that book was good, but Siruis…. =(
Thanks for reviewing Verena Gruen, lordanhur, BerserkerRageX-Girl, 4Rogue, Jewelz, Voli, Abrodd, Goddesss001, Scarbie, psychotic chaos, estrella bird, Stacey, and Isis Aurora Tomoe.
****
Jean woke up warm, content, and rather sore. But the soreness wasn't in any way unpleasant. Quite the contrary, it only served as a reminder what happened over and over and over again…
Opening her eyes, she was blinded by the sunrays and instinctively raised her free arm to shade her eyes form the glare. It was then that she saw the gold band on her finger that she remembered the other events of last night.
A big grin split her face.
[Attention everyone, a situation has arisen. Please assemble in the library.]
Jean gave a groan, just as life was getting good, an emergency has to pop up.
It figures.
"Come on, Jean. We better get going." Scott reminded her.
"Fine." She answered reluctantly.
****
Professor Xavier watched as his students – his bright hope for the future – waited patiently for the bad news he was about to give them. Sighing sadly, he regretfully announced, "I believe that Logan and Ororo have been kidnapped."
After the short stunned silence, protests and demands for explanation filled the room.
Raising his arm to successfully quite them down, the professor proceeded to explain.
"Logan and Ororo did not come back home last evening. While I did found that odd, I decided to not violate their privacy. When they did not return this morning, I became worried and tried to probe each of their minds. However, I could not establish a connection, which indicates they are unconscious."
Giving them a few seconds to digest the news, he dreaded to voice the other option, but it needed to be said. He would not lie to his students, by omission or otherwise, if he could help it.
"However, it could also mean that they are dead."
Kitty was the first to regain her voice. "What do you mean dead? Is it even possible for Mr. Logan to, like, die?"
"I'm afraid it is. But let us not loose hope yet. It is only a possibility that they are dead, but I will not loose hope. I am going to go use Cerebro to locate them and as soon as they regain consciousness, I will be able to track their location."
With that, Charles Xavier wheeled out of the library, hoping that his words would prove to be true.
****
Rogue was stunted. That, regretfully, didn't last long. Her anger, built from yesterdays screaming session with Bobby, grew white-hot at the possibility the professor had proposed. It grew into a smoldering icy flame with Kitty's idiot question.
And when the Professor dared – DARED – to leave them – her – without further answers, leaving them to think the worst without further assurances…
Well, the nerve of him…"'e's not dead, Ah tell yah, LOGANS NOT DEAD!!" She screamed, her drawl coming out thick with emotion.
Ignoring the stunned looks from her fellow classmates and the sympathetic look Scott was giving her, Rogue ran as fast as her legs could carry her back to her room. There, she collapsed on the bed and dissolved into tears once her face hit her pillow.
Through her tears, she did not hear the door open and close. But she did feel the dip on her bed indicating someone had just sad down beside her, as well as the gentle rubbing of her back and making soothing shhh sounds.
The gesture was so motherly. And for a second – for one, brief, glorious, second – Rogue thought it was her mother. Then she turned her head, the word about to leave her mouth, when she was met with a jarring sight.
"M-Jean?"
Jean gave her a sad smile but continued to rub her back.
"Oh Rogue, the Professor said there was a possibility he could be dead, not that he WAS dead. You know Logan. He's made of sturdier stuff. He'll probably whine that he had it under control when we save his tight ass." Jean said, giving her a knowing smile.
"Tight?" Rogue squeaked out, mortified that Jean had read her mind and found out she liked Logan more then just as a friend.
"I'm not blind Rogue, nor do you shield very well. You really should pay more attention when either Professor Xavier or myself give you lessons on that sort of thing. You do project your daydreams about Logan rather loudly, especially when you're fiddling with your dog tags…"
Rogue, embarrassed beyond words, just turned her head back into her pillow and prayed she could just disappear. Jean seeing Rogue's reaction quickly changed the topic.
"Er… well I'm going down to Cerebro to help the Professor look for Logan and Ororo… um… don't worry about him, I'm sure he's fine…" Said Jean, clearly uncomfortable with embarrassing Rogue. She had wanted to sooth the girl, not mortify her.
Giving a look of pity at the embarrassed girl, which Rogue unfortunately saw, Jean muttered a quick good bye and slipped from the room.
Hearing the door close, Rogue turned over and gave an audible groan.
The crush of the guy she loved (for Rogue was a hundred percent certain that she loved Logan) knew that Rogue loved Logan and Jean pitied her. SHE PITIED HER!!!!
Glaring at the ceiling, she wallowed at the injustice of it all.
"Ah don't want yah pity." She mumbled darkly.
This, of course, was an excellent distraction from worrying incessantly at Logan's disappearance. Her stomach soon began to grumble and she decided to go downstairs and get breakfast.
The first person to come across her on her way to the kitchen was Kitty.
"Look Rogue, I'm, like, totally sorry for even IMPLYING that Logan was dead. I'm really sor-"
But Rogue cut the poor guilt ridden girl before she could finish her apology.
"Look, don't sweat it Kitty. It was me that went outta wack. Ah just caught up in the worst-case scenario cause Ah was too afraid to hope for the best. Not really in a good mood to start with when Ah woke up with the Professor in mah head and I guess I just need to get it out… Mamma always said when it rains it pours…" Rogue said, rather stunned at the truthfulness of her words.
Kitty just nodded happily and ran to where Peter was calling to her from up the hall.
Rogue, on the other hand, was back to sulking about last night. She had been more then disappointed when Bobby hadn't come back begging on his hands and knees to take him back. His boyfriendship had been one of the steady components of her life. Even if she loved Logan, she wasn't sure he was ready to love her back, and she'd rather stay safe with Bobby then wear her heart on her sleeve.
But no matter how long they argued, it was always Bobby that came back, with his goofy smile, and his incessant whining and pleading expression. Then she would take him back and forgive him and they'd live in content happiness until the next fight.
The fighting between them usually ended with her declaring it was over due to the fact that they couldn't touch. Yesterday, strangely enough, the subject hadn't been broached at all. That made Rogue nervous. Yesterday they had had a real fight.
With that pleasant thought in mind she entered the kitchen. Immediately she wished she hadn't.
There was Bobby talking to Emma Frost, the spoiled rich girl that had come to the school just five days prior.
"Come on babe, you know you want some of my loving, go out with me this Saturday."
Emma looked at him in disgust.
"I already told you know." Giving a little pause during which she gave him a glare promising him a painful and slow death, she continued. "And don't call me babe."
Bobby opened his mouth to give a clever come back, Emma spoke again.
"And don't you have a girlfriend already?"
"Nah, broke up with her. We're history. Now its just you and me baby and I know we'll make wonderful music together."
Rogue didn't stay long enough to hear Emma's reply.
Any other emotion that she had felt for Bobby vanished instantly replaced by smoldering anger that made her see red.
How dare he? That… that… that weasel. But I guess he did always have a thing for unattainable women. Stupid son of a bitch.
Rogue walked rigidly outside, unable to keep still and ready to bite someone's head off. Unfortunately, no one bothered her and she made it outside still thoroughly enthralled in her anger.
It was a regular clanging sound that brought her back to real world. Slightly confused at first as to what was making the racket, it wasn't long before Rogue realized the culprit. It was the dog tags. HIS dog tags.
Staring at those pieces of metal, she deflated. All the emotions she had subconsciously put to the back of her head came surging forth. She was suddenly over come with worry and guilt at getting too involved in her situation with Bobby and forgetting about Logan's disappearance.
But Rogue was unable to deal with uncertainty. It was gnawing at her.
The Professor will find him.
Rogue struggled to believe.
If Ah repeat that enough, Ah know Ah'll believe it.
She assured herself.
The Professor will find him. The Professor will find him. The Professor will find him. The Professor will find him. The Professor will find him. The Professor will find him. The Professor will find him. The Professor will find him…
****
Back at the underground military base disguised as a warehouse nestled right against the Appalachian Mountains, General Hammond was currently greeting his most promising researcher, Dr. Gadula. Lithuanian in origin, the good doctor spoke with a heavy accent and practiced an unorthodox, immoral, and very unethical branch of science. Dr. Gadula was perfect for the kind of work General Hammond had in store. Genetics.
But before he could utter one word in greeting, the doctor spoke.
"Good morning General Hammond. You lead me to believe that you have work that would spark my interest. After reviewing the blood sample you sent me, I must admit that my interest is sparked. Now let us get to the point. I want full authorization. I want everyone to answer to me and me only, no one else. I want freedom to do what I want in addition to what you have planned for me to do."
"Yes, that is the agreement we have agreed to-"
"Yes, yes, yes… now take me to the subjects."
"Right this way."
They arrived in a big chamber with four cylinders at even intervals around the room. Inside the cylinders there were four figures floating in a green substance.
Walking in a clockwise manner, the doctor started to comment.
"You say this is the first subject you captured?"
"Yes."
"And this one could be used to evaluate the x-gene's progress throughout life. It could answer the question if the x-gene mutates or if the mutant power grows stronger and can be controlled." At this the doctor grew excited and gave the general a rare smile.
But before the general could comment, the doctor had already moved on.
"You say that out of all the subjects you have acquired this one is the most promising?"
"Ye-"
But she didn't let him finish.
"And that this one is a mystery? How could that be? Didn't you study her as you studied her companion? Because if read the report you sent me right, then you captured both of them together and the woman does contain the x-gene."
"Well, we have just captured her two days ago and we have not had the time to test her powers, but since you have arrived, it will be under your job description."
"Understood. When can I start my examination of the subjects?"
"As soon as you'd like Dr. Gadula."
"Alright then, unless you have more information for me, I'd like to get started right away."
"Let me ask Dr. Stuart. He has been in charge of their sedation and imprisonment until your arrival."
At this, a scrawny looking guy in his early thirties appeared out of seemingly nowhere. His black hair short, though not buzz cut, and if he had glasses, he would have looked like a stereotypical geek.
"We have only 5 chyro chambers and I am waiting for more subjects to be coming in soon, therefore subject 3 is going to move into cage especially designed for his unique abilities. I can do the same for subject 2, but her abilities indicate that she can kill with just a touch, whether or not she's conscious." Lectured Dr. Stuart.
"Oh really… well then, perhaps it would be advisory to-" but the General cut Dr. Gadula off.
"Well, I'll leave you two to it then."
"Yes sir." Dr. Stuart replied automatically, he was after all, militarily trained.
"Good bye General." Was Dr. Gadula's response.
The general then left the two doctors alone to discuss all that medical shit that he could never hope to understand.
****
It had been three and a half months and still no word on either Logan or Ororo. While all of them grieved, the professor had come to the conclusion that everyone needed to move on. In all likely hood, both were dead.
It had been a though decision to make, but with the impending wedding of Jean and Scott, he felt that this joyous event would be put off indefinitely if he kept searching for the two lost X-Men. Especially since Jean had taken over all his classes and had no spare time to plan the wedding or honeymoon. In addition, he needed to use the Cerebro on other things more and more often, like finding other mutants and helping his X-Men on missions.
Straining his mind, he contacted each of the residence in his mansion and asked him to assemble in the library.
Opening his eyes again, he watched with a heavy heart as they all slowly filtered in. As soon as all had arrived, he spoke.
"It has been three and a half months since Logan's and Ororo's disappearance. I have been searching for them tirelessly using Cerebro. However, I have had no indication of their being still alive. It is with a heavy heart that I have come to the conclusion that they are dead."
This announcement was met with great protest.
"You can't give up Professor, they're alive, I know it!" Said Jean.
"Professor, Logan's alive. He can't die." Replied Rogue.
"They can't be dead, they just can't." said Kitty venomously.
"Perhaps if you just kept trying… Ororo is bound to turn up eventually. The last time she disappeared she turned up down in Florida, chasing hurricanes." Said Scott.
"But she was only gone for a week Scott and this was before Cerebro had the special modifications Forge put in." the professor answered Scott. "Now please, the rest of you, settle down."
But none of the students paid any attention to the professor. The ruckus had gotten so loud that he was forced into using his powers to ever hope of being heard.
[Please, all of you, settle down. I have yet another announcement to make.]
That did the trick, and soon it became quite enough for the professor spoke again.
"In light of the fact that Logan and Ororo are most likely dead, we are going to arrange a funeral in their honor."
"But-" Rogue interrupted.
"It is the only way for all of us to move on. We need to get past the tragic disappearance of our two X-Men and teachers in order to move on in our lives. I feel that the last three months have been filled with sadness and heartbreak. It was foolish of me to hope that they would still be alive after three months, and for prolonging this pain I ask your forgiveness." Said the professor wearily.
"But you can't just give up! You have to keep looking!!" declared Rogue.
"Oh Rogue, please accept that they are dead. I know its hard, but the funeral will help all of us deal with their death."
"THEY'RE NOT DEAD!!" shouted Rogue and stormed out of the room.
This outburst only prompted the rest of them to start up talking and protesting. However, the professor had enough. He knew it would be hard for them to accept his decision, hell, even he had trouble accepting it yet. But it was the right thing to do, he was sure of it. To keep them in a state of limbo would be cruel.
"The funeral will be at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning. Please inform the rest of the students Scott."
"Alright professor, I'll do that. But are you sure-" replied Scott.
"Yes, I'm positive Scott." Said the professor, cutting Scott off before the latter could finish.
Scott nodded in acknowledgment, and gave no further protest.
[If any of you still want to discuss Logan's and Ororo's deaths, please visit me in my office. However, my decision will not change. Their funeral will be tomorrow.]
With that, the professor hovered to his office and waited for the stream of students and their protests. Not that he could blame them. Most of students, with the obvious exception of the newer ones, knew Logan and Ororo. When he had first made the announcement of their disappearance, they had feared the worst. He had done his best to allay their worst fears and for the most part had succeeded. To claim that they were dead when he had for the last three and a half months claimed they were alive made him a big hypocrite.
Giving a weary sigh, he composed himself and greeted the first of these.
[Come in Jubilee.]
****
The funeral was somber. Logan and Ororo were both 'buried' on the property of the mansion. The tombstones were both made from real white marble and an angle stood to watch over the two empty graves. The professor gave a beautiful Eulogy and they all spent the rest of the day trying to come to terms with the apparent death of Logan and Ororo.
Everyone but Rogue had come to the funeral.
Rogue had refused to come and was nowhere to be found. The professor had respected her privacy and asked that no one look for her.
But Rogue couldn't stay away indefinitely. She was soon drawn to Logan's grave.
On the gravestone, in block letters, the following was carved:
Logan
Great Teacher, Loving Friend
May he finally rest in peace.
Upon seeing that message, Rogue broke down into sobs.
"Oh Logan, how could you leave me alone. How could!!" she cried.
****
Back at the base, Dr. Gadula had finally finished testing and examining the first two subjects. While the doctor was nowhere done in her experiments, there would be time for extensive studies later. It would not be fair if she did not examine each and everyone one of her patience and decide which would be best to examine extensively first.
However, before the doctor moved onto subject 3, it was decided that subject 4's powers needed to be known. Therefore, the doctor put in the sedated woman in subject 3's cage and waited patiently for the beautiful woman to wake up.
****
Ororo woke up in a cell. Or would be considered more of a box? But before she could get her bearings, a voice rang out.
"How was your sleep?"
Getting her bearings, Ororo decided that she wouldn't give her capture the pleasure of hearing her speak. Therefore, Ororo remained stubbornly silent.
"Will you give us a name to call you subject 4?"
Ororo still remained silent, thinking.
She called me subject 3, like I'm some sort experiment. Like some sort of test subject. But what am I the test subject of?"I'll make this simple. You will have one choice and one day to decide your answer. You have the x-gene. We do not know what your power is. You will tell us what that power is, or you will be the first member of our breeding program. The program will answer the question of whether or not mutants will be stronger if one of the partners is human. You may tell us at anytime what your power is, for we will be constantly monitoring you." And with that, the voice grew silent and didn't speak again.
Ororo considered her options. She could tell them what they were, but lie about their full range. But what if they brainwashed her and she would use her powers to the full extent? The whole of the earth would be devastated. Should she really put the whole of the earth in danger just to avoid sexual activity, which would probably, but not necessarily, be rape?
Ororo really considered this folly decision.
Oh Goddess, how can I even consider it? I do not know what they plan to do and if I tell them millions could die!! Their death would be on my hands. What is rape compared to that?
Counseling herself, but not really believing it, Ororo waited the next 24 hours with dread in her heart
****
Dr. Gadula was not happy. Subject 4 had refused to provide the information that was expected of her and the doctor was furious. After putting subject 4 back into the cylinder of green liquid, subject 3 was taken out and laid on the table.
The table was made from adamantium and so where the restraints. Dr. Gadula, even after reading the reports, was still startled when the subject 3 woke up from the sedative before it was humanly possible.
When the patient woke up, he started thrashing so wildly, and violently that Dr. Gadula was forced to resedate him.
She decided to start out with a full body X-Ray, followed by CAT Scan then perhaps an MRI.
However, her plan was ruined when she came to the conclusion that the six-inch claws that popped out of his knuckles weren't the only things metal. His whole skeleton was made of metal, and every good doctor knows that there can be no metal when performing an MRI.
Attaching subject 3 to a heart monitor and an EEG, Dr. Gadula assigned Dr. Stuart to monitor the sedative while she prepared for surgery.
It was after she had finally finished scrubbing and was sterilized (with the help of Nurse Judy) enough for the upcoming surgery that she heard the rhythmic beeping of the heart machine stop and give a different, monotone, and prolong sound.
Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Running to the side of her patient, Dr. Gadula stared at Dr. Stuart.
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
"Ooops. I think I killed him." He replied, looking genuinely sorry.
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee…………………………
****
Once again I apologize for the lateness of this update.
A note on the whole Rogue thing. I was reading this article about the false break ups. You know, the whole Rogue and Remy thing (X-Men comics), Ross and Rachel (Friends), etc. The whole they break up, get back together, break up again, and so on and so forth. Well, I have always hated it. Sure it's a great marketing thing, but its sooo annoying. Therefore, I'm making Rogue face the whole breakup cycle with Bobby so that she'll know not to do it with Remy… Did I say too much? ^_^
Read and Review!! ^_^