Hi guys!  I'm back again.  Not much of an update but the best I could do in such a short amount of time.  If it seems like this chapter is missing some vital parts, like the beginning, do not fear all will be revealed.  I have the next three chapters outlined all I need is the time to type them.  R&R

Chapter 15

Aftermath

By: Desert-Rose6

"But you don't understand Professor.  I love him and he loves me," Rogue said determinately, as she clung to Logan's waist.

"She's right Charles.  There isn't anything that you can do ta change that.  If you have a problem with it than we'll leave.  Because there ain't no way that I'm gonna stop seein' Rogue," Logan accentuated this by pounding his fist on the Professor's desk.

Professor Xavier blinked rapidly.  Perhaps due to his dream he didn't fully understand what was going on.  In fact he didn't remember coming into his office, with or without the stubborn couple, at all.  He took a quick sweep of their minds and found that Rogue had been sleeping in Logan's room when she'd had a nightmare and started sleepwalking.  They apparently had only been sleeping but...  He looked a little deeper.  Their feelings towards each other were intense.  He didn't know what to say so he said the first thing that came to him.

"Logan, you don't have to leave.  I'm simply concerned on the effect that this might have on the Mansion."

"Logan and I don't really care what anyone thinks about our relationship, sir."

"Than why did you hide it for so long, Rogue?"

The two love birds looked at each other and smirked.  "We just didn't want to be bothered for a little while, Chuck.  I mean, if it hadn't worked out like it did then there would have been a whole hoo-ha 'bout nothin'."

"And what makes you think that it will last now, Logan?"

Logan smirked and replied, smugly, "Let's just say our relationship has been blessed."

The poor Professor leaned back in his chair with a sigh.  He obviously didn't have a choice in the matter.  Even though he could feel their love for one another radiating off them, he couldn't help but remember all the times love had failed.  And with Logan being so much older than Rogue...  Not to mention the enormous mental stress both of them went through on a daily basis.  He felt he needed to give them a good dose of reality in order to save them for an eventual heart-wrenching disappointment.

"Logan, you are an adult.  Rogue you are a child," he was speaking to them as though they were three year olds with ADHD.  "There is no possible way for this to work." He took a deep breath and sighed.  "If the students found out that one of there teachers," he gestured towards Logan, "and one of their teammates," he gestured to Rogue, "were having a love affair... well let's just say the Institute would fall into utter chaos."

"No," said Rogue simply.

"No?" asked the Professor.

"I think that the others could handle our love affair.  And more," she added as an afterthought.

"More?  There's more that I don't know about?"

"Yes," answered Rogue, a kind smile crossing her face as she turned to look into Logan's eyes, and kissed him.

When they broke apart the Professor was dumbfounded.  "What the..." was all he could choke out.

"I've been able to touch for a while now.  I didn't want anyone to know because it would be a lot easier for y'all ta see that Logan and I were in a deeper relationship than y'all thought.  I didn't feel like havin' people chaperonin' us constantly.  It just made life easier if y'all thought that I had an electric fence 'round me that no one could get past.  And what's more... I don't think any one of the students, with the exception of my brother of course, would have a big problem with me and Logan bein' in love.  They're mature enough to handle that, at least."

Moved by her speech, the Professor gave in.  "You're right Rogue.  I should trust you, all of you, a little more than I do.  Especially when it comes to your personal lives, but there are going to have to be conditions with this relationship."

"You don't trust me enough to set my own conditions?" Rogue asked.

The Professor bowed his head, her thoughts clear, and smiled slightly, "Not those kind of conditions Rogue."  Logan raised an eyebrow wondering what he'd missed as the Professor continued, "They say that time-"

"Makes the heart grow fonder," offered Rogue, with a small smile and a raised brow.

"No, that's absence.  And it's not what I was going to say." Professor Xavier smiled and shook his head, "Time makes lies bigger.  By keeping this relationship a secret you're lying to all your friends, and," he added as an afterthought, "your family."  Rogue's brow furrowed as she absorbed this.  Logan sensing her uncomfort, held her closer.  The Professor watched all this closely before saying, "My condition is this at dinner I want you to announce that you two are seeing each other on more than a student-teacher level and answer any questions the students might have.  Is this understood?" he could practically see the waves of nervous tension coming off of them.

"Yes," they mumbled in unison.

"Good, now go get some sleep."