Professor Xavier waited with a composed face as the X-Men settled in around the table in the War Room. Storm sat quietly to his side, her regal countenance serene and alert. Cyclops and Jean had just entered and Xavier could feel a tension between them. He sighed to himself. Things had been tense since Rogue and Wolverine had arrived at the mansion. It was time to set some things straight.
"You all know why I called this meeting," he began as they all sat down. There were nods all around the table. "Now you all know that I abhor breaking a confidence, but recent events have made me realize that I must put the safety of all of you and all of my students first. And so I have decided that there are certain things about our guests that you all need to know. I'm going to try to explain things as best I can without betraying anymore than necessary." He took a deep breath.
"The reason Rogue is here is because she was attacked by a mutant called Sabretooth. In the course of the attack, Rogue's powers flared up and she absorbed Sabretooth's powers, strength, and memories." There were murmurs around the room. "It is my belief that the trauma of the attack affected Rogue's powers so that this transfer may be permanent, however, without examining Sabretooth I cannot be positive."
He turned to Jean. "Jean, I believe that the reason Rogue is now able to control her powers is due in part to the enhanced senses that she absorbed from Sabretooth. If she had any level of control, the physical awareness she has now may have helped her to master them completely."
"Whether she has control or not, Professor, Rogue doesn't seem to have the discipline she needs," Jean pointed out. "I'm not comfortable around her."
Xavier looked sad. "Unfortunately, Jean, I believe your concerns may not be entirely unfounded. There was an incident last night concerning Rogue in Storm's attic loft." Jean and Scott straightened up in their seats. Storm remained calm.
"I do not believe she meant me any harm," Storm said. "She seemed disoriented and confused."
"I'm afraid she may have had good reason to be," Xavier said slowly. "If Rogue did indeed permanently absorb Sabretooth, it may be possible that his psyche could take control of her body when Rogue is not actively maintaining control."
"Professor, correct me if I'm wrong, but are you saying that Rogue now has what amounts to a split personality?" Cyclops asked.
"No, Scott. Rogue is still the dominant psyche in her body. Sabretooth's mind is merely a sort of co-pilot. When Rogue sleeps or is otherwise knocked unconscious, Sabretooth's persona is able to take control of her body. Again, this is all mere speculation," he added quickly. "I will not know anything for certain until Rogue agrees to speak with me."
Cyclops cleared his throat.
"I would like to say right now that I think Rogue is obligated to help explain all of this. We have too many young mutants here, as well as ourselves, to consider. We can't allow Rogue to roam around the grounds like a ticking time bomb. From what you've told us, it seems like Rogue herself doesn't know exactly what's happened to her so we can't possibly expect her to maintain the level of control she needs to avoid harming another person."
"I agree with Scott," Jean spoke up. "And I think we all need to remember, as unpleasant as it may be, that Rogue is for all we know still a member of the Brotherhood. Even if she has left that team, she may still be susceptible to their influence."
"What about Wolverine?" Cyclops added. "He's not exactly a boy scout either." Jean looked perturbed by her husband's statement. It was clear that she hadn't considered Wolverine a threat, as she did Rogue.
"I believe that Rogue and Wolverine are here because they desire our help," Storm said clearly. "I have spoken with Rogue and Wolverine on separate occasions and I do not believe they mean us any harm. Rogue is simply a headstrong young woman, not a surprising fact considering who raised her." There were nods around the table. Each of the X-Men had run into Mystique any number of times and were familiar with her no-nonsense approach to each task she undertook in the name of mutantkind. "As for Wolverine, I believe he is protective of Rogue, and has no other concern with us besides getting Rogue the help she needs."
Professor Xavier had listened intently to his students as they spoke their minds. Now he cleared his throat, and waited for their attention before he explained his decision.
"I understand your concerns, all of them. It is my decision that Rogue and Wolverine shall remain here as long as they are in need of our help." Jean opened her mouth to say something, but Xavier held up his hand. "Under the stipulation that Rogue will speak with me about her state of mind, as it concerns the safety of those at this institute."
As the Professor left, the other X-Men looked around at one another. Everyone knew the next couple of days would be interesting and they all wondered how the strangers in their home would react to the Professor's involvement in their lives.
* * *
Wolverine squinted one eye as the sunlight shone through the window and into his face. He was about to growl at the intrusion when he became aware of the warmth pressed against his body. Opening his eyes, he looked down to see Rogue lying there still asleep. She had turned over in her sleep and was lying on her back. Wolverine's arm was still protectively draped across her body with his hand on her side.
Wolverine watched in amusement as her nose twitched in her sleep. Her eyebrows knitted together and her head turned slightly as her enhanced sense of smell picked up something. He grinned. There were still times when his enhanced senses woke him up. People didn't realize how much easier it was for things to wake him up. To Wolverine the smell of fresh coffee brewing in the morning was like someone hitting him over the head with a bag of Colombian Roast. He lifted his head slightly, wondering what it was that was teasing Rogue's olfactory senses. Wolverine sniffed lightly. There wasn't really much in the air of interest. The room had obviously been cleaned thoroughly before Wolverine's occupancy so the only underlying scent was carpet cleaner. Maybe it was Wolverine himself that Rogue was sniffing out. As he watched her, Rogue's brow smoothed out and she sighed, turning over on her side to face Wolverine. The sheet moved with her and Wolverine watched with interest as her backside was bared.
It struck Wolverine as odd that he'd seen as much of Rogue's bare flesh as he had and yet to this day they hadn't shared so much as a kiss, at least in the sexual sense. Leaning over he let his eyes roam over the line of Rogue's thigh and hip. She was wearing just his flannel and it had ridden up around her waist showing smooth pale skin. Wolverine looked down between their bodies. The shirt gaped just enough to expose the velvet curve of one breast. An image of Rogue, naked and bloody in the snow, flashed into Wolverine's mind. He remembered the blood on her breast, the spot he knew Sabretooth had sank his fangs into. The beast in Wolverine howled for him to lower his mouth to that spot. To erase all claim Sabretooth had on Rogue with his own carnal kiss. Wolverine's primal urge caused his adrenaline to pick up and his blood begin to flow south. Rogue's nose twitched again.
He swallowed hard as Rogue leaned in, bringing her face a hair's breadth away from his chest. Wolverine cursed hormones as he realized Rogue could smell his arousal. He held perfectly still as her breath tickled his skin. As her head tilted downwards, Wolverine closed his eyes. He felt her head brush against his chest and heard a soft sigh. Opening his eyes he saw Rogue's eyelashes flutter as she woke up. Part of him was relieved, but certain other parts screamed out in protest.
"Wolverine?" Rogue murmured sleepily. She looked up and smiled at him before snuggling back against his chest. "You're warm," she sighed.
Wolverine's arm was still in place around her waist and he squeezed her lightly.
"Glad to be of service," he joked lightly.
Rogue laughed and lifted her head. Her amber eyes were soft with the last traces of sleep and they sparkled when she laughed. Wolverine found himself leaning a little closer as he felt drawn to those eyes. He was vaguely aware of Rogue's breathing becoming a little quicker as she watched him drawing closer. Everything seemed to go in slow motion as their lips met.
At first Wolverine tentatively brushed his lips over hers. Rogue seemed frozen at the unfamiliar tenderness of the contact, but she soon relaxed under his ministrations. Sighing, Rogue parted her lips and Wolverine accepted the invitation to deepen the kiss. He could smell her arousal growing and as Rogue began to arch into his touch he pulled his head back. Before Rogue could moan her objection, Wolverine's head swooped down again. This time the kiss was demanding, his mouth plying hers as his tongue delved in to caress her own. A soft purr rumbled in Rogue's throat and Wolverine growled in response, his hand sliding over her thigh and up her hip. Rogue gasped and Wolverine pressed her down into the bed. His pulse raced as he felt Rogue's heart beating hard against his chest.
By the time they parted, the were both breathing hard. Wolverine's hand still rested on Rogue's exposed hip and his gaze bored into hers. Rogue's eyes were glassy as she stared up at Wolverine. For an endless moment neither of them said anything.
"That was nice," Rogue said breathlessly. Her heart was still racing.
Wolverine grinned, his chest heaving as he regained his composure.
"I'm the best there is at what I do."
Rogue felt her body tighten at that thought.
"And what is it you want to do?" she asked steadily.
Wolverine's face suddenly got serious. His eyes darkened with hunger as he let his gaze brazenly run over her body.
"More," he whispered.
In a burst of self-control, Rogue laughed and slid out from his grip. Wolverine watched her in amusement as she hopped off the bed and stood in the center of the room.
"Ah know you didn't think Ah was gonna give it all up to you in one morning," she teased.
Wolverine quirked an eyebrow. Keeping his eyes locked on Rogue, he slowly lifted his body from the bed into a crouching position. Rogue felt her pulse speed up as she watched a wild light spark in his eyes.
"Well, Ah think Ah'll just go back to mah room and get dressed. Gotta go talk to Xavier and all," she rambled, grabbing her towel from the night before.
Wolverine kept his gaze on her as she backed away towards the door. Part of him itched to block her retreat. His blood was still pounding through his veins and he could easily give in to the impulse. Still, something held him back. She was right about doing everything in one morning. When they did go all the way, he wanted it to be a mutually made decision. It was important to him that she didn't think she was just another conquest. They'd had their first kiss this morning, that would tide him over. And so Wolverine watched her edge out of the room, closing the door behind her. As it clicked shut Wolverine smiled. He was willing to wait . . . how long was still a matter for consideration.
* * *
Jean was disturbed as she walked down the hallway in the basement of the X-Mansion towards the Med Lab. She had told Cyclops that she needed to finish some bloodwork for some of the students, but that hadn't been true. She'd been caught up in her work ever since that night at the army base where they had first run into Rogue and Wolverine. Ever since she'd needed her work to be a distraction for thoughts she shouldn't be having.
As the Med Lab's door swished shut behind her, Jean walked over to a cupboard and pulled on a pair of gloves. She needed to think and cleaning the lab always kept her hands busy enough for her mind to focus. As she lifted a disinfectant and began to scrub down the various metal surfaces, Jean let her mind wander to thoughts of the strangers living in the X-Mansion. More specifically, to Wolverine.
A pang of guilt stabbed at Jean as images of the masculine Canadian flooded her mind. Ever since she had first seen him in their first fight, she had been attracted to him. Then again, she consoled herself, what woman wouldn't be? The man was sex personified with his primal nature and toned body. He was a man who needed to be tougher, stronger, and smarter than his enemies to survive and Wolverine had survived for a long time. A long time, Jean reminded herself.
Maybe that was part of the reason Jean felt herself having these adulterous thoughts about Wolverine while she was married to Cyclops. After all, she was a thirty-four year old woman and Scott was a twenty-seven year old man. A lot of people looked at them strangely, even among their own kind, because of the large age difference. Sometimes Jean didn't feel as feminine as she should around her young husband. The time seasoned Wolverine with his age-defying body drew Jean like a moth to a flame. His animalistic demeanor also helped her to forget that her biological clock was ticking away.
Jean squeezed her eyes shut and slumped into a chair. She hated herself for feeling like this. Cyclops was such a loving man, she couldn't ask for a more devoted husband. It's just he's so organized, so ordered. Jean knew Cyclops couldn't afford to let loose, not with the devastating effects his powers would have. But that didn't help her to resist the attraction she felt towards the wild man that fought with the razor sharp claws. The one that hung around Rogue like an alpha wolf protecting his own.
Rogue. Jean felt an irrational rush of jealousy and dislike for the younger woman. At first, Jean had felt some superiority over the other woman because Rogue had been unable to touch. Her powers as well as her controlling mother, had made her an unlikely candidate for the sexual attentions of any man, let alone the bestial Wolverine. Now Rogue not only had a carbon copy of Wolverine's own enhanced senses, those heightened senses allowed her full control over her mutant absorption powers.
A voice in Jean's head reminded her that Rogue wasn't the real problem. Wolverine hadn't shown much of an interest in anyone since he'd arrived with Rogue at the mansion. He'd been to worried about Rogue's survival to think about anything else. Still, Rogue was out of the woods now. And with all the time she would be spending with Xavier, Jean would have the perfect opportunity to talk to Wolverine.
Not that she had any intention of cheating on Cyclops, Jean told herself firmly. She simply thought that Wolverine would make a valuable addition to the X-Men, and she wanted to convince him to stay.
Assured that she was not a lecherous spouse, Jean smiled to herself as she put away her cleaning supplies and left the Med Lab. She had to talk to Cyclops about recruitment.
* * *
Cyclops frowned as he stared down at his desk. He had just finished talking to Jubilee and he felt exhausted as usual. Jubilee had always been a wild one, in a hurry to earn more privileges. Ever since she had joined them on that mission to stop Rogue and Wolverine she had been on him to let her join the team officially. Cyclops sighed. Why couldn't she just enjoy her youth?
Then again, why couldn't he just enjoy his? Hadn't he been just as guilty as Jubilee? When he had arrived at the mansion and first laid eyes on Jean, it hadn't mattered to him that she was seven years older than him. It hadn't mattered that he was still a youth and she had already matured. It had seemed perfect at the time, and he had thanked all he held holy when she had returned his affection. He had worked hard to turn himself into a man deserving of the leader's role on the X-Men. He had trained and worked and pushed himself until all of his boyish dreams were gone and all that remained was the drive of a warrior leading his people into battle. He'd thought that would make him more appealing to her.
The memory of catching her in Wolverine's room came back to Scott's wandering mind. It had been easier for him to blame Wolverine for everything, to warn him to stay away from his girl, but deep down Cyclops knew it hadn't been Wolverine's fault. He remembered the look of anticipation and concentration on Jean's face as she reached her hands out to Wolverine's unsuspecting temples, like a child reaching for a strange and shiny new toy. She'd looked as if she believed she would find in Wolverine everything she was looking for.
It had been a long time since she'd looked at him like that. Sighing, Cyclops stood up. Regardless of his initial motives, he couldn't undo the man he had made himself into. It was all he had left.
* * *
Jean smiled softly at Scott as she ran into him in the hallway. She'd just come up from the Lab and he'd just exited an office.
"Scott," she said to get his attention.
Cyclops turned and waited for her to reach his side. Jean could tell he was a little distracted and she stifled a sigh. Why couldn't he just relax?
On an impulse, Jean slid her arms around Cyclops neck. Surprised, his arms automatically raised to put his hands on her hips to steady them. The kiss was soft and gentle as Jean tried to calm her restless husband.
"Mmm, what was that for?" Scott asked with a small smile. He pressed his forehead to his wife's and gently brushed his fingers across her cheek.
Jean smiled back.
"Oh, just for being a wonderful husband." Jean played with a stray lock of his hair. "You seem distracted, Scott."
Scott sighed. He felt almost silly that a few minutes ago he was worried about Jean's devotion to him. Knowing that he could not simply dismiss her concerns, he rummaged around his mind for a plausible explanation.
"Jubilee was just talking about joining the team again," he said finally. "I just think she's too young."
"I agree, Scott," Jean soothed him. "Jubilee knows she's too young right now, she's just testing her boundaries. You shouldn't let it get to you."
"I know," Cyclops said, getting into it. "Still, it wouldn't hurt to have another member on the team. I'd like to be able to keep more X-Men here for defense purposes when part of the team goes on a mission."
As he said the words, an idea sprang into Jean's mind. Before she could think it through, she blurted out her inspiration.
"Cyclops looked at her like she'd grown a third head, and stepped out of their embrace.
"Jean, his experience comes from the illegal acts he's been committing for God knows how long."
"Scott, that's in the past. Isn't Xavier always teaching us to look at people for their potential without holding their pasts against them?"
"What about all that stuff you said about Rogue this morning?" Scott said incredulously. "Weren't you the one who said we shouldn't forget that Mystique had raised her? That she couldn't be trusted."
"Scott, Rogue has a mutant's psyche in her head that's hardly any better than a savage beast!" Jean objected indignantly.
"And *Wolverine* is so civilized?" Scott fired back.
Jean opened her mouth to argue, but then closed it. There was an amazing similarity between Sabretooth and Wolverine. She took a deep breath and tried to sound logical.
"Scott, you said so yourself, we could sue more members. Now I think that Wolverine could be a valuable part of the X-Men if we just gave him a chance."
"Fine," Scott said tightly. "maybe you should go talk to him."
Jean felt her face flush and cursed herself for it. She did not want to feel guilty about this and a part of her clung desperately to the belief that she was just being logical in wanting Wolverine on the team.
"I will then," she said lightly.
As he watched his wife walk away from his a sense of purpose came over Cyclops. Two could play at this game.
* * *
"Rogue, how would you like to begin?"
Rogue took a deep breath and met Xavier's gaze. His kind blue eyes had no trouble meeting her own feline orbs and he didn't seem uncomfortable in her presence in the least.
"Honestly, Professor, Ah'm here because Ah realized it's time for me to admit Ah don't know how to deal with this. Ah can plan a raid, Ah can train an operative, and Ah can keep the memories of a total stranger cleanly filed and stored in mah mind, but Ah don't know how to deal with having a sentient psyche in mah mind fighting me for control." Her voice lowered to just above a whisper. "And Ah'm not sure Ah can deal with being raped."
Xavier listened to her in a compassionate silence. Rogue could feel him giving off a calming aura and knew he was using his telepathy to help her remain calm. She didn't say anything though. Finally, Xavier nodded.
"You don't need me to tell you that you are a very brave and very strong woman, Rogue. I have every confidence that you can overcome any obstacle you put your mind to. Look at the way you mastered your powers.
"Aw heck, if it weren't for Wolverine, Ah don't think Ah'd ever have mastered them."
"Why is that?" Xavier asked conversationally.
"Well," Rogue started, warming to her topic. "He's the one that told me all Ah had to do was practice. He made it sound so simple. Just touch people and try to stop the transfer. Then one night, Ah was practicing in Banff and Ah did it."
"You were able to touch someone without opening the transfer?" Xavier asked.
Rogue shook her head. "No, but Ah was able to stop it after it started."
Xavier paused for a minute before continuing.
"Jean seemed to be under the impression that you were now able to keep your powers from activating at all," he said carefully.
Rogue quirked an eyebrow.
"You can be blunt you know. Jean told you I tapped her."
"She seemed to feel it was meant to be a threatening gesture."
"Ah didn't mean any harm," Rogue insisted.
"I do not believe you did. I am simply curious as to how you knew your powers would not be a problem if you touched her."
That made Rogue stop and think. She hadn't really thought about how her control had become complete.
"Ah'm not sure. It's like . . . it's like Ah could just feel it. Ah could feel everything, hear everything, smell everything. Every detail became crystal clear. Ah could feel mah blood, mah pulse, it just seemed natural that Ah could feel mah powers more clearly too."
"When did you notice your senses were heightened?"
Rogue furrowed her eyebrows.
"Ah guess as soon as Ah woke up. It all seemed to flow into me, it didn't seem strange and Ah didn't even notice anything was different."
Xavier was nodding.
"Sabretooth's psyche and memories must be integrated enough into yours to make the transfer seamless."
Rogue tried not to look upset.
"That can't be, Professor. Ah've always been able to keep other's minds and memories filed away, separate from mahself."
"Rogue," the Professor said gently. "Have you looked at any of Sabretooth's memories?"
Rogue shook her head. She was trembling slightly.
"You've been repressing them," Xavier stated.
"Ah've always filed them away before, they never got out," she said shakily.
Xavier kept his face and voice calm.
"Rogue, there is a difference between consciously filing a memory away and repressing it. When you refused to acknowledge or deal with Sabretooth's memories it was like putting a lid on a bottle of soda and shaking it up. It was going to come out sooner or later." Rogue ducked her head and Xavier was hit by a wave of fear rolling off of her. "Rogue," he said softly. "I think we've done enough today. I want you to know that I am available to talk to you at any time, as are the other members of the X-Men."
Rogue nodded and stood up. She felt raw, but she was determined to see this through. What the Professor had said made sense. As she moved to close the door behind her, she heard the Professor's voice.
"You will overcome this, Rogue. All of it."
Rogue smiled and closed the door.
"Hi, Rogue."
Rogue jumped slightly. Cyclops was standing a few feet away from her, smiling shyly. Rogue narrowed her eyes slightly. He smelled nervous.
"Hi," she said slowly. "Can Ah help you?"
Cyclops raised an eyebrow and if Rogue didn't know any better she'd swear he was looking her over. His visor hid his eyes, but his head tilted slightly to look her body over.
"Maybe," he said simply.
Rogue's jaw dropped.
"Are you trying to *seduce* me?" she asked in amusement.
Cyclops flushed but, to his credit, he didn't back down.
"Actually, I want to offer you a place on the team."
"You want me to be an X-Woman?" Rogue asked suspiciously.
"Yes."
Rogue shrugged in confusion.
"Actually, Ah was just on mah way to see Wolverine. I'll think about your . . . offer."
She winked at him and suppressed a laugh when the blush spread out to his ears. She turned away and went to find Wolverine.
* * *
Wolverine sipped his beer as he watched the two hockey teams duke it out on the television. Hockey was just about the closest thing he could get to Canada right now. Well, hockey or Due South. Still, there was something off about the relationship between that Mountie and that cop . . .
Wolverine's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone walking towards the Rec Room. Sniffing the air, he turned just in time to see Jean enter the room. Smiling demurely, she sat down on the couch with him. Wolverine could tell by the set of her shoulders that she had something to say. Some male instinct deep within him told Wolverine if Rogue came back from talking with Xavier to find him talking to Jean, after the kiss they'd shared this morning, he would die a slow and horrible death. He turned back to the television.
"How's the hockey game going?" Jean asked casually.
"Fine," he said, not taking his eyes off the screen.
Jean bit her lip. He wasn't going to make this easy, and sexy or not, she didn't want to make a fool out of herself for him. There was only one subject she knew of that would get his attention.
"Xavier is one of the most understanding and gifted telepaths in the world. I'm sure he'll be able to help Rogue."
Wolverine turned to look at her.
"That would be why I'm here."
Jean smiled.
"Actually, that's kind of what I wanted to talk to you about. I see how you help Rogue. You know, if you joined the X-Men, you could help others too."
Wolverine snorted and turned back to the television.
"I'm not interested in joining your cult."
Jean frowned, but before she could say anything Rogue entered the room.
"Hey, Wolvie, you're not gonna believe this but Ah think Cy—" She stopped when she saw Jean and her eyes widened. "It's a tag team!"
Wolverine raised his eyebrows and Jean looked confused. Rogue just stood there for a minute before waving her hand towards Wolverine.
"Ah'm hungry, let's go get something to eat."