Them Kids

A/N: This story was done by request for my friend, Myk.

Winter Break was one of the few times during the year when the Mansion was peaceful. Most students chose to go home during the vacation, leaving the instructors to their own devices. The Professor spent most of his time working with Rogue to control residual psyches. Remy and Hank were often found in the lab tinkering with a Genosha collar the Professor had mysteriously acquired. Logan was probably off doing his "lone-wolf" thing. Glancing out at the gentle snowfall, Ororo decided to venture out onto the Mansion grounds to enjoy the winter wonders.

Walking along the path, Ororo saw a figure sitting on the bench in front of her. Startled, but quickly realizing it was Logan, she walked over to him briskly. Logan was apparently trying to finish off quite a bit of liquor given the number of empty bottles next to him, worried Ororo approached him. "Are you quite allright Logan?"

Turning his head, Logan realized he hadn't even heard Storm come up. Realizing he must how he must have looked and that he didn't want to worry Storm, he muttered "It's those damn kids again."

"What about the children? Has someone been hurt?" asked Ororo suddenly alarmed.

Realizing his misinterpretation of his comment, Logan quickly corrected himself. "Found these bottles in Gumbo's room. Pretty sure he was gonna use them to try to get past Roguey's defenses, so I decided to get rid of his alcohol." he grinned madly at the last statement.

"Why didn't you just pour the alcohol down the sink?" asked Ororo who was answered with silence. "It was to annoy Gambit wasn't it, Logan?"

Logan began chuckling at Storm's comment, "I don't like Gumbo. Dunno why Roguey puts up with him."

"The children are all growing up, Logan. Whether we wish for them to do so or not, makes no difference in that we should respect their decisions. It was not easy for me to let Evan go, but we have raised these children correctly and it is for us to trust them." Ororo stated quietly.

At that statement, Logan frowned darkly in anger. How could Evan just leave Storm like that? He could understand the kid's issues and need to leave the X-Men. Hell, he himself has been known to do that from time to time! However, Storm was a beautiful, graceful, considerate and amazing woman, how could Evan just abandon his aunt so suddenly?

"Logan, did you hear what I just said." Storm asked breaking Logan out of his reverie.

"Yeah yeah sure Storm, I was just thinking whatever happened to Evan."

"I'm sure he's fine, Logan. It's like I just said, we need to trust them. The children can cause quite a bit of mischief but in the end I am happy they are here. More so I am happy that I am able to be with them and to teach them. I would not trade this family for the world and I love the children as if they were my own."

"It's hard to see these kids grow. It'll be harder to watch them age. It hurts to stick around and see people I know grow old and never aging myself." Logan bit out bitterly, not noticing his adamantium claws had *shnickted* out during his dark thoughts.

"Logan, you shouldn't let your abilities keep you from getting close to people. Follow the advice you give Rogue. I care about you and I know that aging without you is a much worse fate than aging with you." Ororo replied softly.

Realizing that for the first time Ororo gave the "we care" speech using the word "I" instead of "we" Logan was startled to notice her hand on his despite his claws. "Ororo.." he whispered, not calling her Storm in either speech or his mind for the first time.

"Would you like to try with this woman?" asked Ororo tentatively before placing a light kiss on Logan's lips. In answer Logan could only deepen the kiss as the sky began to clear and the sun shined brightly through.

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