X-men are the property of Marvel. Anything in between ( ) are thoughts
or mental exchanges.
A day and night has passed since the battle. The X-men begin to clean and repair the grounds. Hank takes samples of the dragon like creatures. Jean and the Professor keep an eye on Asa who has been the subject of many tests. Still he is not awake. Logan and Scott exam the grounds around the lake. The rest of the X-men and Gen X clean up and look for clues as to who the mysterious ship may belonged to. Rogue has not told anyone about her touching Asa.
The next day Asa starts to wake up. Hank looks him over some more as different people drop in to express their relief. Asa is sore and has some bruises developing on different parts of his body. He is also tired. Hank sends him to his room for complete bed rest. For the next two days Logan, Jubilee, Paige, Chamber keep him company when he is not sleeping. Different X-men drop in to see how he is doing. This continues into Thursday of that week.
Thursday Afternoon Asa takes a walk around the grounds with Storm and Jubilee. With his healing factor the bruises have come and gone. Hank, Jean, Scott, and the Professor have a meeting in the Medlab discussing the events of the past few days and their new ally. Professor -"What is the condition of your patients?" Hank - "Paige is perfectly fine, though I have no idea how those beams could have effected anyone." Jean- "What about Asa Hank?" Hank-"Well it seems the power he was using put a lot of strain on his body. He told me that he can go to different levels of power, but higher levels tire him out till he is used to it. It is a good thing he did not put everything he had in that final blast. He told me he felt as if he did not put everything he could have in that final blast which destroyed that ship." Scott -"You mean he can produce even stronger blasts?" Hank -"Yes, his not totally sure, but he feels he can use even stronger blasts. He also wants to know if we cam modify the danger room. He wants to start training in zero and increased gravity" Jean -"What are the results of your exam." Hank -"Well he is a mutant, and I get strange energy reading from him. Even the Shi'ar technology I used could not tell anything more other than that he seems healthy and no worse for wear. The more energy he uses increases his other powers as well. At one level Sabertooth's claws left a lttle wound at a higher one the claws might not leave a mark, As for passing out I believe his body just was not ready for the strain, yet." Professor -"Thank-you Hank. Jean next week I plan to have some sessions with Asa I may need your help." Jean -"Sure Professor." Professor "I think it is time to make him an official X-man, with the others approval. So I want the X-men to take a secret vote weather to make Asa an official X-man or wait a little longer."
The next day the word goes out and the votes are to be tallied Friday night. Asa slowly begins to train again. He is in the dangerroom when the Professor summons him to the War Room. He walks in to see everyone gathered together. Professor -"Greetings Asa we are all pleased to see that you are doing better. And I must thank you for helping defend the mansion. Asa I feel it is time to make our relationship official. I have asked the members of the X-men to vote on you becoming part of the team. I also will start to help you with your memory. The vote 10-0 in favor. Do you accept?" Asa shook - (I hope I know what I am getting into.)......I do." Professor- "Very well Asa, welcome to the X-Men, You will start training as a full member of the team. Do you have a code name you would like to be known by?" Asa grinned - "Just call me "Moose " Professor- "Are you sure?" Asa -"Yep." Professor - "Very well. X-men, Generation X, I present to you Moose." Jubes and Paige hug him. Logan shakes his hand but says -"Your still a rookie, you and me are going to do some training." Asa - "(Oh the joy.)" One by one Asa gets handshake or a hug.
The following morning it is time for members of Gen X to return to school. The X men have gathered, minus Marrow, to bid them farewell. Jubilee hugs the entire X - men and kisses Xavier on the top of the head. Paige Hugs Sam and Asa. Everyone else is shaking hands and the kids slowly pile into the school van. Penance is already in the back of the van. Asa taps on the window and waves to her, she smiles back at him. Emma gets in the passenger side as Angelo prepares to drive away. Emma - "No speeding." Angelo - "Who me, never...(hehehe)." Emma- "I heard that." Angelo - "Ok no speeding." In the back. Jubilee and Paige wave from the window. Jubilee -"Bye guys...see you later Wolvie....you too Asa email me." Paige -"Bye everyone.....Sam, Asa don't forget to email me too." Chamber is sitting in the middle of the two girls. Monet stares out the opposite window. Asa and the X-men watch as they disappear down the road. Penance curls up in the back for a nap.
Sunday morning Asa goes to church. When here returns help Hank refigure the Danger Room to increase the gravity on a higher scale then before. It is Champion ship Sunday in the NFL and Asa, Scott, Logan, Sam, Marrow, Bobby sit and watch a game together. Chips, dip, buffalo wings are everywhere. Marrow and Asa share a bowl of chips and some wings. Asa is not sure if Marrow enjoys the grace and beauty of the sport or the blood and violence.
Monday morning the team gathers in the War Room. Scott informs the team that there will be some tough training ahead. Scott - "In a few weeks the Professor will be attending a world wide summit on mutant and human relations in New York City. The Professors wants us ready in case there is trouble. I need not remind you that there are major tensions here and abroad on the mutant issue. And in attendance will be more than a few human world leaders. So it is important that we do our best to make sure nothing happens to those attentend. I except all of you to be familiar with the every possible detail of the summit. We will begin simulations of possible problems this afternoon. Be ready." The X-men begin to file out of the room. Logan -"Ok Ace I will see you in the Danger Room in an hour." Asa -"(Oh goody, did he just call me Ace?)...Ok." An hour later they agreed on a routine one on one 20 minutes at one of his power levels: base or normal, yellow and blue. A short break then an hour together going against what ever the Danger Room can throw. As the first workout progresses Asa cannot help but admire Logan's skill and determination. Even at his blue energy level he finds him a worthy opponent. Logan still wonders at just where his power comes from, he has faced very powerful mutants before, but if Asa can go beyond the power he showed the other night he could rank among the most powerful on earth.
That afternoon the team gathers for training. Asa sports his official uniform, at least for the moment. His is just like Scott's with a few changes other than it being a size or two bigger. From the waist down it looks the same. The waist up it the long sleeves have been cut into a tee shirt form. Instead of a yellow communication device across his chest there is an X logo/communication device the size of an Old West Sheriff's badge over his left chest. He is not wearing gloves but white wrist wraps and he is sporting a plain red bandana wrapped around his head. It is one o'clock they train until four. Most of this days training is getting Asa used to fighting with the team and they with him in different situations. Then after a break they train again from 5 to7. The training is intense with no breaks. A tired bunch of X-men crawl into the kitchen at 7:15pm. Sam -"Owwww, my aching back!" Bobby- "Ohhh my aching body!" Hank - "Now that was a little more intense than usual." Storm rubs her shoulder - "I can agree with that my friend." Jean - "I know a certain husband that is going to be giving a massage tonight." Rogue - "(Sigh a massage would be nice).......What is for dinner?" Marrow grabs some food and heads for her room, it is another seafood night. Gambit - "Gambit's head hurts." Logan -"Wimps." Asa -"That was refreshing." He gets dirty looks from everyone but Logan. "What?" Scott walks in and can hear the grumbling from down the hall. Scott- "Get used to it people. For the next month and a half Everyday day but Wednesday we will train all day, Saturday we will go half a day, Sunday we will review our performance, Wednesdays we will be a rest day." A collective -"Goan" went up from the X-men. Asa would also get up at five am on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday to lift weights as well as train in increased gravity. (I guess watching some that anime stuff does have some benifts) Asa Thought. (Oh I do so like Toonmi and the midnight run, altough i Have to tape it most of the time.)
The next day Asa woke-up and trained from 5am to 7am. He then had breakfast with a bunch of sleepy and sore X-men. Bobby -"I cannot wait to sleep in tomorrow." From 8 to 10 they trained. Asa then took a nap at 11 and got up at 12:15 and grabbed a nutrition bar. Scott decided to train the team from 1 to 7 with only a few breaks. At nine o'clock tired X-men were nursing bumps, bruises, and soreness, most wanted to head for bed early and were jealous of teammates with healing factors. Wednesday most everyone slept in and relaxed the entire day. Moose and Wolverine trained together from 9 to 1, but took the rest of the day off. They would train together On Wednesdays and a little on Saturday mornings.
On Saturday at 6pm the X-men were totally worn out. Hank was treating aches and pains, not to mention his own for most of the remaining evening. Moans and groans could be heard from all over the Mansion. Asa was heading to his room when he bumped into Ororo Munroe who is holding her shoulder. Asa - "Hello Storm, could I give you a hand?" Storm - "Thank you, I accept." Asa helps here up to her room and gently guides her into bed. Storm - "Thank-you Asa, I am afraid we have gotten lazy in the past few months and are now paying for it." Asa - "Is there anything else I can do?" Storm smiles "I do not suppose those powers of yours can help with soreness?" Asa - "As a matter of fact they can, plus I am told I give great massages." Storm - "Wait right here then." She goes to the bathroom, closes the door , and the returns wearing a pajama top and pants. She lies down on her stomach on the bed. Asa proceeds to rub her shoulders and back. Storm -"(Ahhhhh he is not bad.)" His grip is gentle but firm. Asa's hands start to glow with white energy. Storm starts to feel a warm pleasant feeling coming from her back and shoulders. Her muscles loosen up and she starts to relax. And she feels totally relaxed with him being in the room, she trusts him. Storm -"(Ummmm, this is nice.)" Asa continue for 20 minutes then stops Storm turns over - "Thanks Asa that was very relaxing." Asa - "Your welcome." Storm - "So how are you adjusting "Moose"?" Asa- "Fine, I am trying to get used to you all, and I am sure you all are to me." "But I am eager to get started with finding out about my past, if we find anything that is. " Storm - "When will that start." Asa -"Well in between training sessions I have been going into his office and spending time getting used to having him and Jean in my mind." Storm - "Have they found anything?" Asa -"No, they are not wanting to go too deep just yet, after the summit the Professor says we will try in earnest to find out about my memory and powers, but there is no guarantee." Storm -"Do you feel lonely a lot, not knowing if you have a family or not." Asa -"Yeah I do, but like I have said God has brought me through a lot." Storm - "You have a strong faith in God don't you." Asa - "Well I have my doubts, sometimes daily, but for a time when I walked out of that jungle God was the only friend and family I had." Storm -"You know I have a different set of beliefs, and I am considered a goddess, do you find that offensive?" Asa grinned -"Well I would most likely disagree with them, but I am not going to blast you over it, besides I would have some agreement on a certain part of what you said." Storm -"What is that." Asa - "You look like a goddess." Storm laughs - "Ha..Ha...I appreciate the compliment." Asa - "Hey when you, me and Rogue were out the other night it was not I that got all the looks it was you two." Storm - "Well my friend I would love to chat some more but certian mutants do not have healing factors." Asa stands up -"Of course, sweet dreams Ororo." Storm smiles- "Goodnight Asa."
Rogue is in her room. It is 9:30, she too is a little tired, but her mind wonders. Thoughts about Gambit dance through her head. She longed to touch him with out gloves or long sleeves. To touch, to kiss, to embrace. But she cannot. Then her thoughts turned to Asa. She smiled. He is very powerful, yet very kind and gentle. And she could touch him. Maybe she could get him to touch her. No he has his own burden's and maybe someone some where waiting for him. Someone he cannot remember. In frustation she flies out the window and lands on the roof and sits down. She was wearing long sleeves but no coat. It was a cold windy night, a storm was coming in. But for now the stars were still visible and beautiful. She could feel the cold and the wind. Suddenly she hears someone land on the roof behind her. She turns around to see a familar Raiders jacket.
Asa had decided to take a walk when he noticed Rogue fly to the roof. He follows and lands behind her. Asa- "Hey Rogue." Rogue - "Hi Asa, what are you up to?" Asa notices her face looks a little sad. -"Just wonering a round. You?" Rogue - "Oh just thinking about love, life, the lack of it..you know the usual." Asa sits down beside her - "Oh." Rogue - "Asa in the few years of your memory have you ever fallen for someone?" Asa-"Not really, I mean I have had some interests, but there are just to many questions about who I am, finding out does take up a good portion of my time." Rogue stares at the stars. - "What do you look for in a woman, one you would like to spend the rest of your life with?" Asa-"Ummmm....(good question).....ummmmm I am not sure, why." Rogue decied to take a chance - "What about me, what kind of woman do you think I am, and no joking?" Asa had a questioned look on his face - "Well...(Why do I feel as if Gambit will kill me) You are the type of woman that many men can only hope for. Kind, warm, gentle, yet is spirited and courageous. You have a smile that most men would do anything to see, especially if they be the reason for that smile. Your beauty is stunning and beyond my words to describe. All that together makes you what regular guys like me can only dream of " Rogue smile was a bit bigger than usual for a few seconds. She looked into his eyes and saw he was dead serious. Still he was rather confused. "You regular?" Asa chuckled -" I am no prince, I least I do not think so." Rogue turned and leaned close to Asa - "I think I can touch you." Asa-"What?" Rogue - "When you were still not awake in med lab you grabbed my exposed arm." Asa -"Wow, and nothing happened?" Rogue -"Nothing, then I....I..I.." Asa "What Happened Rogue?" Rogue - "I kissed you on the lips." Asa - "(I would be asleep for that).....How?" Rogue "I do not know." Asa -"Have you told anyone?" Rogue shakes her head. Asa does not know what to say. Rogue -"Asa I just want to touch someone.....sniff" Rogues eyes start to water and she returns to her room. Asa follows, not sure what to do. He finds her sitting on her bed head bowed and rocking back and forth. And sits down and leans against the wall near her pillows.
Rogue looks up at him. -"Please let me touch you and make sure." Asa took off his jacket, had a plain black T-Shirt on plus jeans. He leaned forward and held out his right hand. Rogue reached out and grabed it with hers. They waited for a few moment and nothing happend. She could touch him. She then reached out with her finger and began tracing on his face. Asa was getting increasingly nervous. She then leaned in and kissed him. Asa could feel a surge of emotion go through his body. This felt strange, good but strange. Rogue could feel it too, Arousal. She gently pushed her lips away from his, she held his face in her hands. They were touching forehead to forehead. Rogue - "That was my seocnd kiss and no one got hurt or I drain their power. Your voice is not in my head." Asa - "Rogue I....." Rogue puts her finger to his lips -"Shhhhh........I may regrate this for the rest of my life, but for just one night I want to feel a warm embrace. Please Asa, just for tonight." She started to guide his hand to her breast, but just before it reached Asa withdrew his hand. Rogue - "Please Asa....I am just so lonely...I need...." Asa - "I cannot...(Though I really want to, boy is it me or did it get a lot hotter in here)." Rogue - "Why, you just said...." Asa- "I met those words, but.." Asa gently holds both her hands -" I am not interested in a one night stand, I want a thousand and one. I took and oath before God that I would wait untill I am married. I do not know before my memory loss, but since then I have kept it. And because I care about you in this a moment of your need I cannot take advantage. A lover is not what you need right now, but a friend. Here I am, how can I be of service my friend?" Rogue huggd himand put her head on his shoulder and cried. "Oh Asa I am so confused." She cried for a few minutes more. She finally calmed down. Asa -"I think you need to get some sleep now." Rogue - "Asa I do not want to be alone tonight. Could you stay with me just for tonight I promise not to suduce you?" Asa -"Ummmmm....(i really do not know about this.)...ok" Asa pulled down the cover and laid down on his back. Rogue laid down next to him and pulled the covers upover them. She laid her head on his chest, he put his arm around her. They chatted a few more minutes and Rogue feel asleep. She lay there her head on his chest, curled up beside him. Sleep did not come so quickly for him. He prayed for all his new friends and teammates, he also prayed that Gambit would not murder him. Finally sleep came.
At 7am Rogue was the first to wake up. She could not recall sleeping as well in a long time. She sits up and studies the sleeping mutant before her. He was snoring softly. She smiled. Still she wondered at what kind of man was this. Powerful and honorable. Last night she wanted him to make love to her so bad, just because he could. Just to touch in a warm and tender embace she still longed for it. But she was glad they did not. It would have caused too many problems. Though her opinion was pretty high of Asa itwas simply soaring now. She knew it would come out that they could touch, she could only guess how that would effect Gambit. She tickled Asa's nose and giggled when he swatted at invisible flies and mumbled something. He wakes up a few minutes later. Asa -"Good Morning.....(man what a beautiful sight to wake up to)" Rogue-"Good morning Asa." Asa- "Well ummm about last night I......" Rogue puts her finger to his lips -"Shhh sugah, don't speak. I am glad we do not make love last night, you will never know how much it meant to me for you just to hold me. I do not know what the future holds, but for one night maybe I got a glimance of what true love is. I am still confused, but I will always thank you for that." Asa-"Your welcome girl, I think I better go now...(I need a cold shower)." As Asa gets up to leave Rogue has a evil grin on her face. Rogue-"Need a cold shower do you?" Asa's faced turned red - "Ummmm pretty much so, see you later." Asa leaves Rogue goes to the window and looks out at the morning sky. Her thoughts race between the dashing and handsome Gambit and the soild, kind Asa. (Well I better tell everyone about being able to touch Asa, I just hope Gambit does not get jealous. But then again the way he acts around other women maybe a little jealousy is what the doctor ordered.)
After a quick, and cold, shower Asa went down to the kitchen dressed in some sweats pants and shirt. He found Marrow there. Asa-"Good Morning Marrow." Marrow-"Going to Church this morning preacher?" Asa-"(Church? Opps almost forgot, its only 8am I still have time) Ummm yeah, would you like to come I found a real good one just 30 or so minutes from here." Marrow-"Oh I am sure they would like me, they would most likely think I am a devil or something." Asa-"Well if you change your mind let me know." Marrow-"Ummmm are you going to fix some of those walffes you made the other day?' Asa-"I wasn't planning on it..." Marrow frowns and starts to get up to leave. Asa-"But if you want me to I would be glad to make them." Marrow kept her head down-"Yes." With that Asa went to work and fixed them both some. After fixing a plate for them both he sat down across from her. She kept her eyes on her plate, only glancing up to grab the surp. Asa was munching away and smiling at her. Usually smiling people made her nervous, but she was getting used to his. She finished and went to her room. Asa started to claen up. Marrow suddenly returns. Marrow-"Ummm...Thanks again." Asa smiles-"Your welcome Sara, it was my pleasure." Marrow smiles a non-evil smile at him then leaves for outside. Asa-(Ummmm..is that the second or third real smile she has given me? You know bones sticking out or not she looks good with a smile, and not a growl.) Still Asa noticed she had some new bone growth coming from her face. He has noticed how painful it can be for her to remove them.
Asa leaves for church and has lunch with some people he is starting to know there, they still do not know he is a mutant. When Asa returns he walks into the Mansion and finds Gambit waiting on him. Gambit in an angery tone-"Danger Room now!" Asa-(I'm dead) Asa walks into the danger room as Gambit stands waiting on him. Gambit-"Rogue just told Gambit she can touch." Asa -"(gulp!) Yeah Gambit we can but....." Gambit cuts Asa off-"And just how much "touching" have you two been doing?" Asa-"Gambit honest nothi......" Gambit leaps toward Asa- "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Gambit proceeds to punch Asa in the face, and keeps punching. Asa just backs-up but makes no move to defend himself. Gambit- "I saw you follow Rogue into her room last night, and I know you did not return to yours till this morning!" Suddenly Jean and Rogue walk in. Rogue is in tears. Gambit stops and turns and looks at her with a disgused look and leaves. Rogue leaves the opposite direction and goes to her room. Jean goes over and checks Asa out, he has a busted lip. Jean-(Well it seems Asa is not totally invicible.) Are you all right Asa?" Asa-"Yes, what happened." Jean- "Well Rogue informed the Professor this morning that she could touch you without her powers taking effect. She told Gambit a little later and he exploded. And he stood at the front door waiting for you ever since." Asa- "Oh boy, looks like I made a mess." Jean-"Asa did you and Rogue.........?" Asa - "No Jean we did not, we could have, but we did not." Jean-"Ok Asa I believe you, but word is spreading around fast." Asa-"Great." Jean puts her hand on his shoulder -"Just becareful Moose, I do not think even your powers are going to be able to fix this anytime soon." Jean leaves Asa alone with his thoughts in the dangerroom. After a few minutes he returns to his room. And lays down on his upper body hanging over the bottom of the bed staring at the floor. Asa - (Well this is another fine mess I have gotten into.)
Next chapter- The X-men continue to prepare for the conference, will recent events put a wedge between the team?
A day and night has passed since the battle. The X-men begin to clean and repair the grounds. Hank takes samples of the dragon like creatures. Jean and the Professor keep an eye on Asa who has been the subject of many tests. Still he is not awake. Logan and Scott exam the grounds around the lake. The rest of the X-men and Gen X clean up and look for clues as to who the mysterious ship may belonged to. Rogue has not told anyone about her touching Asa.
The next day Asa starts to wake up. Hank looks him over some more as different people drop in to express their relief. Asa is sore and has some bruises developing on different parts of his body. He is also tired. Hank sends him to his room for complete bed rest. For the next two days Logan, Jubilee, Paige, Chamber keep him company when he is not sleeping. Different X-men drop in to see how he is doing. This continues into Thursday of that week.
Thursday Afternoon Asa takes a walk around the grounds with Storm and Jubilee. With his healing factor the bruises have come and gone. Hank, Jean, Scott, and the Professor have a meeting in the Medlab discussing the events of the past few days and their new ally. Professor -"What is the condition of your patients?" Hank - "Paige is perfectly fine, though I have no idea how those beams could have effected anyone." Jean- "What about Asa Hank?" Hank-"Well it seems the power he was using put a lot of strain on his body. He told me that he can go to different levels of power, but higher levels tire him out till he is used to it. It is a good thing he did not put everything he had in that final blast. He told me he felt as if he did not put everything he could have in that final blast which destroyed that ship." Scott -"You mean he can produce even stronger blasts?" Hank -"Yes, his not totally sure, but he feels he can use even stronger blasts. He also wants to know if we cam modify the danger room. He wants to start training in zero and increased gravity" Jean -"What are the results of your exam." Hank -"Well he is a mutant, and I get strange energy reading from him. Even the Shi'ar technology I used could not tell anything more other than that he seems healthy and no worse for wear. The more energy he uses increases his other powers as well. At one level Sabertooth's claws left a lttle wound at a higher one the claws might not leave a mark, As for passing out I believe his body just was not ready for the strain, yet." Professor -"Thank-you Hank. Jean next week I plan to have some sessions with Asa I may need your help." Jean -"Sure Professor." Professor "I think it is time to make him an official X-man, with the others approval. So I want the X-men to take a secret vote weather to make Asa an official X-man or wait a little longer."
The next day the word goes out and the votes are to be tallied Friday night. Asa slowly begins to train again. He is in the dangerroom when the Professor summons him to the War Room. He walks in to see everyone gathered together. Professor -"Greetings Asa we are all pleased to see that you are doing better. And I must thank you for helping defend the mansion. Asa I feel it is time to make our relationship official. I have asked the members of the X-men to vote on you becoming part of the team. I also will start to help you with your memory. The vote 10-0 in favor. Do you accept?" Asa shook - (I hope I know what I am getting into.)......I do." Professor- "Very well Asa, welcome to the X-Men, You will start training as a full member of the team. Do you have a code name you would like to be known by?" Asa grinned - "Just call me "Moose " Professor- "Are you sure?" Asa -"Yep." Professor - "Very well. X-men, Generation X, I present to you Moose." Jubes and Paige hug him. Logan shakes his hand but says -"Your still a rookie, you and me are going to do some training." Asa - "(Oh the joy.)" One by one Asa gets handshake or a hug.
The following morning it is time for members of Gen X to return to school. The X men have gathered, minus Marrow, to bid them farewell. Jubilee hugs the entire X - men and kisses Xavier on the top of the head. Paige Hugs Sam and Asa. Everyone else is shaking hands and the kids slowly pile into the school van. Penance is already in the back of the van. Asa taps on the window and waves to her, she smiles back at him. Emma gets in the passenger side as Angelo prepares to drive away. Emma - "No speeding." Angelo - "Who me, never...(hehehe)." Emma- "I heard that." Angelo - "Ok no speeding." In the back. Jubilee and Paige wave from the window. Jubilee -"Bye guys...see you later Wolvie....you too Asa email me." Paige -"Bye everyone.....Sam, Asa don't forget to email me too." Chamber is sitting in the middle of the two girls. Monet stares out the opposite window. Asa and the X-men watch as they disappear down the road. Penance curls up in the back for a nap.
Sunday morning Asa goes to church. When here returns help Hank refigure the Danger Room to increase the gravity on a higher scale then before. It is Champion ship Sunday in the NFL and Asa, Scott, Logan, Sam, Marrow, Bobby sit and watch a game together. Chips, dip, buffalo wings are everywhere. Marrow and Asa share a bowl of chips and some wings. Asa is not sure if Marrow enjoys the grace and beauty of the sport or the blood and violence.
Monday morning the team gathers in the War Room. Scott informs the team that there will be some tough training ahead. Scott - "In a few weeks the Professor will be attending a world wide summit on mutant and human relations in New York City. The Professors wants us ready in case there is trouble. I need not remind you that there are major tensions here and abroad on the mutant issue. And in attendance will be more than a few human world leaders. So it is important that we do our best to make sure nothing happens to those attentend. I except all of you to be familiar with the every possible detail of the summit. We will begin simulations of possible problems this afternoon. Be ready." The X-men begin to file out of the room. Logan -"Ok Ace I will see you in the Danger Room in an hour." Asa -"(Oh goody, did he just call me Ace?)...Ok." An hour later they agreed on a routine one on one 20 minutes at one of his power levels: base or normal, yellow and blue. A short break then an hour together going against what ever the Danger Room can throw. As the first workout progresses Asa cannot help but admire Logan's skill and determination. Even at his blue energy level he finds him a worthy opponent. Logan still wonders at just where his power comes from, he has faced very powerful mutants before, but if Asa can go beyond the power he showed the other night he could rank among the most powerful on earth.
That afternoon the team gathers for training. Asa sports his official uniform, at least for the moment. His is just like Scott's with a few changes other than it being a size or two bigger. From the waist down it looks the same. The waist up it the long sleeves have been cut into a tee shirt form. Instead of a yellow communication device across his chest there is an X logo/communication device the size of an Old West Sheriff's badge over his left chest. He is not wearing gloves but white wrist wraps and he is sporting a plain red bandana wrapped around his head. It is one o'clock they train until four. Most of this days training is getting Asa used to fighting with the team and they with him in different situations. Then after a break they train again from 5 to7. The training is intense with no breaks. A tired bunch of X-men crawl into the kitchen at 7:15pm. Sam -"Owwww, my aching back!" Bobby- "Ohhh my aching body!" Hank - "Now that was a little more intense than usual." Storm rubs her shoulder - "I can agree with that my friend." Jean - "I know a certain husband that is going to be giving a massage tonight." Rogue - "(Sigh a massage would be nice).......What is for dinner?" Marrow grabs some food and heads for her room, it is another seafood night. Gambit - "Gambit's head hurts." Logan -"Wimps." Asa -"That was refreshing." He gets dirty looks from everyone but Logan. "What?" Scott walks in and can hear the grumbling from down the hall. Scott- "Get used to it people. For the next month and a half Everyday day but Wednesday we will train all day, Saturday we will go half a day, Sunday we will review our performance, Wednesdays we will be a rest day." A collective -"Goan" went up from the X-men. Asa would also get up at five am on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday to lift weights as well as train in increased gravity. (I guess watching some that anime stuff does have some benifts) Asa Thought. (Oh I do so like Toonmi and the midnight run, altough i Have to tape it most of the time.)
The next day Asa woke-up and trained from 5am to 7am. He then had breakfast with a bunch of sleepy and sore X-men. Bobby -"I cannot wait to sleep in tomorrow." From 8 to 10 they trained. Asa then took a nap at 11 and got up at 12:15 and grabbed a nutrition bar. Scott decided to train the team from 1 to 7 with only a few breaks. At nine o'clock tired X-men were nursing bumps, bruises, and soreness, most wanted to head for bed early and were jealous of teammates with healing factors. Wednesday most everyone slept in and relaxed the entire day. Moose and Wolverine trained together from 9 to 1, but took the rest of the day off. They would train together On Wednesdays and a little on Saturday mornings.
On Saturday at 6pm the X-men were totally worn out. Hank was treating aches and pains, not to mention his own for most of the remaining evening. Moans and groans could be heard from all over the Mansion. Asa was heading to his room when he bumped into Ororo Munroe who is holding her shoulder. Asa - "Hello Storm, could I give you a hand?" Storm - "Thank you, I accept." Asa helps here up to her room and gently guides her into bed. Storm - "Thank-you Asa, I am afraid we have gotten lazy in the past few months and are now paying for it." Asa - "Is there anything else I can do?" Storm smiles "I do not suppose those powers of yours can help with soreness?" Asa - "As a matter of fact they can, plus I am told I give great massages." Storm - "Wait right here then." She goes to the bathroom, closes the door , and the returns wearing a pajama top and pants. She lies down on her stomach on the bed. Asa proceeds to rub her shoulders and back. Storm -"(Ahhhhh he is not bad.)" His grip is gentle but firm. Asa's hands start to glow with white energy. Storm starts to feel a warm pleasant feeling coming from her back and shoulders. Her muscles loosen up and she starts to relax. And she feels totally relaxed with him being in the room, she trusts him. Storm -"(Ummmm, this is nice.)" Asa continue for 20 minutes then stops Storm turns over - "Thanks Asa that was very relaxing." Asa - "Your welcome." Storm - "So how are you adjusting "Moose"?" Asa- "Fine, I am trying to get used to you all, and I am sure you all are to me." "But I am eager to get started with finding out about my past, if we find anything that is. " Storm - "When will that start." Asa -"Well in between training sessions I have been going into his office and spending time getting used to having him and Jean in my mind." Storm - "Have they found anything?" Asa -"No, they are not wanting to go too deep just yet, after the summit the Professor says we will try in earnest to find out about my memory and powers, but there is no guarantee." Storm -"Do you feel lonely a lot, not knowing if you have a family or not." Asa -"Yeah I do, but like I have said God has brought me through a lot." Storm - "You have a strong faith in God don't you." Asa - "Well I have my doubts, sometimes daily, but for a time when I walked out of that jungle God was the only friend and family I had." Storm -"You know I have a different set of beliefs, and I am considered a goddess, do you find that offensive?" Asa grinned -"Well I would most likely disagree with them, but I am not going to blast you over it, besides I would have some agreement on a certain part of what you said." Storm -"What is that." Asa - "You look like a goddess." Storm laughs - "Ha..Ha...I appreciate the compliment." Asa - "Hey when you, me and Rogue were out the other night it was not I that got all the looks it was you two." Storm - "Well my friend I would love to chat some more but certian mutants do not have healing factors." Asa stands up -"Of course, sweet dreams Ororo." Storm smiles- "Goodnight Asa."
Rogue is in her room. It is 9:30, she too is a little tired, but her mind wonders. Thoughts about Gambit dance through her head. She longed to touch him with out gloves or long sleeves. To touch, to kiss, to embrace. But she cannot. Then her thoughts turned to Asa. She smiled. He is very powerful, yet very kind and gentle. And she could touch him. Maybe she could get him to touch her. No he has his own burden's and maybe someone some where waiting for him. Someone he cannot remember. In frustation she flies out the window and lands on the roof and sits down. She was wearing long sleeves but no coat. It was a cold windy night, a storm was coming in. But for now the stars were still visible and beautiful. She could feel the cold and the wind. Suddenly she hears someone land on the roof behind her. She turns around to see a familar Raiders jacket.
Asa had decided to take a walk when he noticed Rogue fly to the roof. He follows and lands behind her. Asa- "Hey Rogue." Rogue - "Hi Asa, what are you up to?" Asa notices her face looks a little sad. -"Just wonering a round. You?" Rogue - "Oh just thinking about love, life, the lack of it..you know the usual." Asa sits down beside her - "Oh." Rogue - "Asa in the few years of your memory have you ever fallen for someone?" Asa-"Not really, I mean I have had some interests, but there are just to many questions about who I am, finding out does take up a good portion of my time." Rogue stares at the stars. - "What do you look for in a woman, one you would like to spend the rest of your life with?" Asa-"Ummmm....(good question).....ummmmm I am not sure, why." Rogue decied to take a chance - "What about me, what kind of woman do you think I am, and no joking?" Asa had a questioned look on his face - "Well...(Why do I feel as if Gambit will kill me) You are the type of woman that many men can only hope for. Kind, warm, gentle, yet is spirited and courageous. You have a smile that most men would do anything to see, especially if they be the reason for that smile. Your beauty is stunning and beyond my words to describe. All that together makes you what regular guys like me can only dream of " Rogue smile was a bit bigger than usual for a few seconds. She looked into his eyes and saw he was dead serious. Still he was rather confused. "You regular?" Asa chuckled -" I am no prince, I least I do not think so." Rogue turned and leaned close to Asa - "I think I can touch you." Asa-"What?" Rogue - "When you were still not awake in med lab you grabbed my exposed arm." Asa -"Wow, and nothing happened?" Rogue -"Nothing, then I....I..I.." Asa "What Happened Rogue?" Rogue - "I kissed you on the lips." Asa - "(I would be asleep for that).....How?" Rogue "I do not know." Asa -"Have you told anyone?" Rogue shakes her head. Asa does not know what to say. Rogue -"Asa I just want to touch someone.....sniff" Rogues eyes start to water and she returns to her room. Asa follows, not sure what to do. He finds her sitting on her bed head bowed and rocking back and forth. And sits down and leans against the wall near her pillows.
Rogue looks up at him. -"Please let me touch you and make sure." Asa took off his jacket, had a plain black T-Shirt on plus jeans. He leaned forward and held out his right hand. Rogue reached out and grabed it with hers. They waited for a few moment and nothing happend. She could touch him. She then reached out with her finger and began tracing on his face. Asa was getting increasingly nervous. She then leaned in and kissed him. Asa could feel a surge of emotion go through his body. This felt strange, good but strange. Rogue could feel it too, Arousal. She gently pushed her lips away from his, she held his face in her hands. They were touching forehead to forehead. Rogue - "That was my seocnd kiss and no one got hurt or I drain their power. Your voice is not in my head." Asa - "Rogue I....." Rogue puts her finger to his lips -"Shhhhh........I may regrate this for the rest of my life, but for just one night I want to feel a warm embrace. Please Asa, just for tonight." She started to guide his hand to her breast, but just before it reached Asa withdrew his hand. Rogue - "Please Asa....I am just so lonely...I need...." Asa - "I cannot...(Though I really want to, boy is it me or did it get a lot hotter in here)." Rogue - "Why, you just said...." Asa- "I met those words, but.." Asa gently holds both her hands -" I am not interested in a one night stand, I want a thousand and one. I took and oath before God that I would wait untill I am married. I do not know before my memory loss, but since then I have kept it. And because I care about you in this a moment of your need I cannot take advantage. A lover is not what you need right now, but a friend. Here I am, how can I be of service my friend?" Rogue huggd himand put her head on his shoulder and cried. "Oh Asa I am so confused." She cried for a few minutes more. She finally calmed down. Asa -"I think you need to get some sleep now." Rogue - "Asa I do not want to be alone tonight. Could you stay with me just for tonight I promise not to suduce you?" Asa -"Ummmmm....(i really do not know about this.)...ok" Asa pulled down the cover and laid down on his back. Rogue laid down next to him and pulled the covers upover them. She laid her head on his chest, he put his arm around her. They chatted a few more minutes and Rogue feel asleep. She lay there her head on his chest, curled up beside him. Sleep did not come so quickly for him. He prayed for all his new friends and teammates, he also prayed that Gambit would not murder him. Finally sleep came.
At 7am Rogue was the first to wake up. She could not recall sleeping as well in a long time. She sits up and studies the sleeping mutant before her. He was snoring softly. She smiled. Still she wondered at what kind of man was this. Powerful and honorable. Last night she wanted him to make love to her so bad, just because he could. Just to touch in a warm and tender embace she still longed for it. But she was glad they did not. It would have caused too many problems. Though her opinion was pretty high of Asa itwas simply soaring now. She knew it would come out that they could touch, she could only guess how that would effect Gambit. She tickled Asa's nose and giggled when he swatted at invisible flies and mumbled something. He wakes up a few minutes later. Asa -"Good Morning.....(man what a beautiful sight to wake up to)" Rogue-"Good morning Asa." Asa- "Well ummm about last night I......" Rogue puts her finger to his lips -"Shhh sugah, don't speak. I am glad we do not make love last night, you will never know how much it meant to me for you just to hold me. I do not know what the future holds, but for one night maybe I got a glimance of what true love is. I am still confused, but I will always thank you for that." Asa-"Your welcome girl, I think I better go now...(I need a cold shower)." As Asa gets up to leave Rogue has a evil grin on her face. Rogue-"Need a cold shower do you?" Asa's faced turned red - "Ummmm pretty much so, see you later." Asa leaves Rogue goes to the window and looks out at the morning sky. Her thoughts race between the dashing and handsome Gambit and the soild, kind Asa. (Well I better tell everyone about being able to touch Asa, I just hope Gambit does not get jealous. But then again the way he acts around other women maybe a little jealousy is what the doctor ordered.)
After a quick, and cold, shower Asa went down to the kitchen dressed in some sweats pants and shirt. He found Marrow there. Asa-"Good Morning Marrow." Marrow-"Going to Church this morning preacher?" Asa-"(Church? Opps almost forgot, its only 8am I still have time) Ummm yeah, would you like to come I found a real good one just 30 or so minutes from here." Marrow-"Oh I am sure they would like me, they would most likely think I am a devil or something." Asa-"Well if you change your mind let me know." Marrow-"Ummmm are you going to fix some of those walffes you made the other day?' Asa-"I wasn't planning on it..." Marrow frowns and starts to get up to leave. Asa-"But if you want me to I would be glad to make them." Marrow kept her head down-"Yes." With that Asa went to work and fixed them both some. After fixing a plate for them both he sat down across from her. She kept her eyes on her plate, only glancing up to grab the surp. Asa was munching away and smiling at her. Usually smiling people made her nervous, but she was getting used to his. She finished and went to her room. Asa started to claen up. Marrow suddenly returns. Marrow-"Ummm...Thanks again." Asa smiles-"Your welcome Sara, it was my pleasure." Marrow smiles a non-evil smile at him then leaves for outside. Asa-(Ummmm..is that the second or third real smile she has given me? You know bones sticking out or not she looks good with a smile, and not a growl.) Still Asa noticed she had some new bone growth coming from her face. He has noticed how painful it can be for her to remove them.
Asa leaves for church and has lunch with some people he is starting to know there, they still do not know he is a mutant. When Asa returns he walks into the Mansion and finds Gambit waiting on him. Gambit in an angery tone-"Danger Room now!" Asa-(I'm dead) Asa walks into the danger room as Gambit stands waiting on him. Gambit-"Rogue just told Gambit she can touch." Asa -"(gulp!) Yeah Gambit we can but....." Gambit cuts Asa off-"And just how much "touching" have you two been doing?" Asa-"Gambit honest nothi......" Gambit leaps toward Asa- "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Gambit proceeds to punch Asa in the face, and keeps punching. Asa just backs-up but makes no move to defend himself. Gambit- "I saw you follow Rogue into her room last night, and I know you did not return to yours till this morning!" Suddenly Jean and Rogue walk in. Rogue is in tears. Gambit stops and turns and looks at her with a disgused look and leaves. Rogue leaves the opposite direction and goes to her room. Jean goes over and checks Asa out, he has a busted lip. Jean-(Well it seems Asa is not totally invicible.) Are you all right Asa?" Asa-"Yes, what happened." Jean- "Well Rogue informed the Professor this morning that she could touch you without her powers taking effect. She told Gambit a little later and he exploded. And he stood at the front door waiting for you ever since." Asa- "Oh boy, looks like I made a mess." Jean-"Asa did you and Rogue.........?" Asa - "No Jean we did not, we could have, but we did not." Jean-"Ok Asa I believe you, but word is spreading around fast." Asa-"Great." Jean puts her hand on his shoulder -"Just becareful Moose, I do not think even your powers are going to be able to fix this anytime soon." Jean leaves Asa alone with his thoughts in the dangerroom. After a few minutes he returns to his room. And lays down on his upper body hanging over the bottom of the bed staring at the floor. Asa - (Well this is another fine mess I have gotten into.)
Next chapter- The X-men continue to prepare for the conference, will recent events put a wedge between the team?