Disclaimer: None of these characters are mine, except for Aurora, Granite and Serpentine, and the weapons I gave to Orion, plus her name. But the character itself remains Marvel's. Plot is mine though.

Throughout story: " " = Speech ' ' = Thoughts ^ ^ = Telepath

Chapter 17

The colder months were well upon Xavier's school now, and the lessons had finished to welcome a festive holiday. The corridors of the school were decked with passionately twinkling fairy lights, and emerald Christmas trees sat in their corners, and their decorations sparkled enchantedly.

The school was filled with happy voices, and since there were no lessons, the entire day was spent with gleeful shouts from inside and outside of the mansion. A white carpet had spilled over the school's grounds and almost all students took this opportunity to engage in traditional festive activities involving snow.

Whilst the school was full of festive cheer and tinsel wearing occupants, Logan strode through in his usual manner and cast a dark look every time a student tried to present him with a tinsel halo or a glittery Santa hat.

Once, Logan passed the professor's office and in there was Charles, sat enjoying a cup of tea with fellow staff member Storm. Both were in cheerful spirits, Storm sporting a green bobble of tinsel that kept back her striking white tresses, whilst the Professor had a Santa's hat perched jauntily upon his bald head. The Christmas spirit affected everyone in the school, and it was impossible to not get dragged in as Christmas neared. But Logan remained solemn and frowned as a large Christmas tree, reaching 15ft had been erected in the main entrance, reaching to the roof of the second floor, passing the walkways that has sparkling banisters.

"Don't they ever go home?" Muttered Logan one afternoon, walking in on the Professor who was sat reading a book in his office.

Charles looked up at his entry and gave him a smile, "Many don't want to. And many simply can't. Take Rogue for instance."

Logan sat down in the window seat, arms folding over his broad chest. He cast a firm glance out of the large windows; down across the snow-covered lawns where a large group of students had began a snowball fight. More of a snowball war, since about 50 were involved.

"The singing is getting on my nerves." Muttered Logan, noting on an incident yesterday when he had to endure a good few hours of Christmas carols from younger students.

Charles provided Logan an amused smile, "Logan, you can hardly blame the students for having fun. And I'm not going to tell them to stop. It's not as if it's gone out of hand."

Logan grunted and looked to the door, he heard hurried footsteps and a shrill scream. He got up and stalked over to the door, carefully opening it and looking down the corridor.

Charles looked to him, apprehensive, "What is it?"

Logan frowned, looking up and down the corridor before he heard footsteps again. Rogue came hurtling round the corner at full pelt, gave Logan a giggly shout of Merry Christmas before she dived round the corner. Logan straightened; watching perplexed before Bobby then came along Rogue's path and followed after her, hands lit with created snowballs.

Logan slammed the door and sat back down in Xavier's room, "I'll be glad when it's over and we get some sanity back."

Charles shrugged gently, wheeling over to service himself with a new book, "It's not even Christmas day yet Logan."

Logan let out a quiet groan of suppressed agony.

"However, I take it you'll be reluctant to join our celebrations on the 25th?"

Logan looked over to Charles, "What, you're having a party?"

"For the students and staff, yes. It's traditional here."

Logan gave a laugh that came out as an amused snort, "Damn right I'll be reluctant. I'll be saying away from that." He stood and gave a small stretch, several adamanitum bones clicking, "Well away." He grunted, turning to leave.

"Aurora is considering going." Came Charles voice.

Logan turned and his brow rose.

Charles nodded and answered his silent question, "She'll be fit enough. It would be incorrect to leave her alone anyway when we are celebrating. Do remind her the main hall doors open at 7 would you Logan?"

Logan gave him an expression of disapproval, "Right, whatever." He murmured to himself, exiting the office. Unfortunately, Logan walked straight into a line of tinsel that was being put on over the doorway to the office, "God damn!" He cursed, shoving the tinsel from his neck and stalked off in a foul mood.

*** To view pictures and detailed profiles of my created characters, visit: (www.freewebs.com/xwotw)

Told you it'd be good. Poor old Logan, eh? This chapter made me laugh; imagine our Logan in a Santa hat. *grins* XD