-'Who Wants to Live Forever'-
Pairings: Scott/Jean. Mentions of Kurt/Amanda and one sided Kurtty but well, you'll see
A/N: God knows you can't write more unless you get reviews. Speaking of reviews,
Ananova: Glad to see that I'm keeping you interested.
Arin Ross/Arain Rowan: Well I'm very glad that one of you is enjoying this, I'll win the over the other one later.
Scrawler: Thanks for the compliments.
Wolviesfan: Yeah, I'm not keeping to close to the comics besides some background information and such. As for Logan in the evo universe, since it's never made reference to him knowing German, I'm just assuming that he doesn't know German.
Justsomeone: Thanks for the review. I went back and looked at some pics and such, its usually white, although I the comics and everything its yellow so I'm gonna fix it to yellow, thanks for the help.
A/N : Sorry about the wait, But I got bit by a brown recluse, couldn't get around, got shot up with happy sleepy drugs and antibiotics and then Spring Break came and Well, you know how real life keeps you from the keyboard. But I'm making it up with my longest chapter ever.
A/N 2: If you like this story, do yourself, or more likely me, a favor and read and review some of my other stories. Now on to the story!
Disclaimers: I don't own anything relating to Marvel Comics or Highlander.
And because someone said that using single apostrophes to denote thought was a little confusing,
"" = Speech '' = Thought
Let me know if that helps or I need to change it.
Dedicated to everyone that has ideas but doesn't think they're good enough
////////////////////////////////////////////
"Come on Scott, we cant wait forever."
"Yeah, we've been waiting for twenty minutes."
"The mall closes at ten, we need to hurry."
"Amara, it only opened an hour ago."
"See, the peasant has caused an hour of shopping time to be wasted. I say..."
"THAT'S ENOUGH!"
The team leader sighed and turned around to face the occupants of the black X-van.
"Just a few more minutes guys, I promise."
He turned back to face the windshield and tapped his finger on the steering wheel. A soft comforting presence breezed through his mind and he turned to see a redheaded telepath smiling sweetly at him.
Jean reached over from the passenger seat and rested her hand on his shoulder. 'Its okay Scott, He'll be here.'
Scott returned his gaze to the digital clock. 'We _have_ been waiting for nearly half an hour.'
The slow warmth of emotion poured through his mind as Jean rested back in her seat. 'He's coming, don't worry.'
///////////////////////////////////
Kurt ran through the kitchen, a swirl of blue arms and legs as he reached out and grabbed a bagel, stuffing it into his mouth and shoving his other arm into the sleeve of his red jacket.
He felt a familiar tingle caress the base of his neck and spun around. He had gotten somewhat used to the small unearthly signal in the back of his mind. Logan had a hard time sneaking up on the blue furred youth and vice versa. Kurt rattled his head, trying to force the uncomfortable feeling from his head.
Logan shook his head as the electricity cleared from his mind as he walked into the pantry.
He locked eyes with the German mutant and mumbled a gruff hello.
Kurt gave him a little smile before going back to eating his bagel.
Logan took the newspaper off the counter and opened it to the national news section before pouring himself a cup of coffee and leaning against the counter. "Elf."
"Vas?"
Logan kept his eyes on the paper as he spoke. "I think you should restart your training."
Kurt stopped his flurried motion and looked solemnly at the elder mutant. "Are you sure Herr Logan? I do not know if..."
Logan kept his body still as his eyes wandered up from his paper and solidly rested on the blue mutant. "Elf. I don't want you to loose any of your combat readiness by being lazy. Every X-man has danger room drills at least once every two weeks and I don't make exceptions."
Kurt locked eyes with Logan and solidly stared into the dark brown eyes of his teacher. After a few second Kurt looked down at his feet and nodded. "Ja. Herr Logan."
Logan rustled the paper and went back to reading. "I don't want any of those skills I taught you to go to waste."
"Ja Herr Logan."
"Now I aint one to preach an' lecture, but I think it'd probably do you some good."
"Ja Herr Logan."
"And I want you in the danger room today after you and the others get back from the mall."
"Ja Herr..."
Logan raised an eyebrow. "Something wrong el..."
"Scheiße!"
-Shit! -
"Elf?"
Kurt quickly ran back to the table and grabbed his jacked and image inducer. "I'm late! Zhe others are probably outside in zhe van."
The young mutant acted as a tornado grabbing various items he had strewn about the kitchen.
"Yo Elf."
"Ja?"
"You left the other half of your bagel."
Kurt feigned innocence and sweetly said to the teacher, "Scott said zhat I can no longer eat in zhe car."
Logan rolled his eyes as he switched to the sports section of the paper, which Kurt took as his signal to leave.
*BAMF*
Logan quickly covered the top of his cup. After the smoke wafted away he took a sniff of his coffee. A low growl emanated from the kitchen as Logan walked back to the coffeemaker.
"Damn brimstone smell gets into everything."
//////////////////////////////////
*BAMF*
The occupants of the X-van looked outside to see a blue blur tear down the lawn and jump into the vehicle and hurriedly secure his backpack, turn on his image inducer, and fasten his seatbelt within three seconds.
"Vas?"
Bobby glared at the blue mutant. "You're late."
Scott adjusted the rear view mirror to see the passengers in the back of the van. "Guys, settle down now, we talked about this. Is your inducer charged Kurt?"
The blue mutant held up his arm. "Ja, charged and ready."
Scott nodded and turned the ignition.
Kurt shied his face down as the van started and lurched forward. He felt a small weight on his shoulder and turned to his left.
"You okay Kurt?"
He turned to face Kitty smiling warmly at him. Her light brown hair pulled back into a ponytail left two small strands framing her face. He looked down at his holographic hands and cracked 'two' knuckles at a time. "Ja, Herr Logan just wanted to remind me zhat I have zhe Danger room when we get back."
Her brown eyes filled with concern as she dipped her head lower to intercept his gaze. "You sure you're up for it?"
Kurt grinned mischievously and waggled his eyebrows. "I can assure you Katzchen, I am up for _anyzhing_."
That earned him a soft smack upside the head from someone in the backseat. Kurt turned around and boasted in mock indignation. "Who dares attack zhe Incredible Nightcrawler?"
Amara and Ray rolled their eyes while Rogue gave a small smile. Bobby whistled slowly and found that the roof of the van was very interesting. Kurt rewarded the young mutant's treachery with an evil glare before turning back to face to his beloved Katzchen.
"Where is everyone else?"
Scott turned on his signal and merged into the left lane. "Storm is driving them up later. They're supposed to go to meet us at the food court at noon."
Kurt raised an eyebrow. "Storm is in charge of zhe rest of zhe new recruits by herself."
"Yep."
"I shall pray for her soul."
"See that you do."
/////////////////////////////////////////
Ororo Monroe watched in horror as thirty Jamies trampled through her rose garden while chasing a screaming Samuel Guthrie.
"AAAAAAAGGGHHHH!"
A loud explosion erupted from the front lawn. A slightly burnt Tabitha Smith whooped in excitement as an equally burnt Roberto Decostas shortly chased her. "I swear on all that is holy Boom Boom, I _WILL_ _BURN_ _YOU_!"
A slightly amused Dr. Henry McCoy watched idly from the pantry window sipping a cup of tea. He turned to look at Logan, who was still reading the newspaper and drinking coffee. "Should I go out and help her?"
Logan's response was to turn the page of the paper and drink a little more coffee.
"ROBERTO! NOT THE..."
*CRASH*
McCoy nodded his head before looking back out the window and taking another sip of tea. "Yes I suppose you are right."
A loud thud reverberated through the institute as McCoy sighed and put his cup down. "I'll be reading in the library incase anyone needs me."
Logan grunted his acknowledgement.
Outside, Ororo ran in her high heels trying to catch up to the multiplying horde of Jamies ravaging her plants.
////////////////////////////////////////
The X-van pulled into the mall parking lot and the Xavier school students piled out of the vehicle. "So..." Ray yawned and stretched his arms. "What are we shopping for on this fine winter day?"
Scott pressed a small button on his key chain to lock the doors and cocked his head to the side. "Well it's that time of year again..."
Bobby rubbed his hands together evilly as they walked. "Christmas presents."
A low growl from behind him told him to revise his earlier statement.
"Or Hanukkah presents or whatever religious preference you have."
Kitty smiled sweetly at Bobby before turning back to Kurt. "So, what do you think I should get Lance?"
A collective groan was heard throughout the group.
"What? Like, I thought that we were over the whole 'Lance is from the Brotherhood' thing."
"Yeah, but we're not over the whole 'Lance is an idiot' thing."
Bobby had a three second head start before Kitty took off after him. "Come back here you coward!"
Scott shook his head as they walked towards the mall entrance. "I thought we were going to save beating Bobby into a bloody pulp for later."
Ray grinned as Amara rolled her eyes. "Nah, might as well get it out of her system now so Bobby'll be somewhat quiet while we shop."
Kurt walked slowly towards the mall, letting his friends get a little ahead of him. The warm sun was shining down on him, providing a nice contrast to the small breeze that was steadily picking up. He chuckled to himself as a thought suddenly occurred to him. 'I wonder if Fraulien Monroe is breaking out zhe big guns.'
A small voice giggled. 'I dunno Kurt. She wouldn't zap any of them unless it was absolutely necessary.'
Kurt grinned. 'Ja Jean. But you have to remember zhat Tabby is back at zhe house now.' [1]
Jean smiled and rubbed her hand over the back of Scott's shirt. 'I'm glad that you came with us today.'
Kurt gave her a small smile. 'Danke. I needed to get out a little, you know, and take care of a couple zhings.'
Jean looked pointedly at Rogue, who was walking quietly next to the group, looking somewhat dejected. 'Yeah, there _are_ some things you really need to take care of.'
Kurt blinked and bit the inside of his lip. 'Ja. I...we...'
"OW, Kitty that hurt!"
Kitty returned to the group smiling triumphantly, followed shortly by a slightly bruised and limping Bobby Drake.
Scott raised an eyebrow. "You okay there Iceman?"
Bobby opened his mouth to reply. "I..."
"OOOHHH!"
Kitty grabbed Kurt's head in a headlock and pointed to a Claire's Accessories. [2] "Oh my God, I have been like soooooo, looking for those earrings, come on fuzzy!!!"
Kurt's eyes bugged out in pure terror. "Why do I have to go?"
Kitty rolled her eyes like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "So you can, like tell me which ones look good on me."
Kurt replied sincerely. "But Katzchen, everyzhing looks good on you."
Kitty smiled down upon him. "Awww, that's so sweet Kurt, but it aint gonna work, now come on."
Kurt's face fell as he looked back to Jean as he was dragged off. 'Tell mozher and fazher I loved zhem.'
The redheaded telepath giggled aloud before stopping to realize that Scott and the others were staring peculiarly at her. Scott raised an eyebrow. "Something you want to share with us Jean?"
Jean blushed and shook her head. "No, just amusing myself."
Ray rolled his eyes before gathering a little electric charge in his hand and playing with it. "Okaaaay then."
Scott grabbed Ray's arm. "What the hell are you doing? You know we're not supposed to..."
Amara rolled her eyes and groaned before heading off to shop alone. The team leader had been switched to 'lecture mode' and she was in no mood to listen to another speech about the responsibilities and dangers of using powers in public.
///////////////////////////////////////
Rogue eyed the simple silver cross and chain. Most of the other 'Goths' in the school, if you wanted to call them that, appreciated the more elaborate and Gothic style of crosses and jewelry. This pendant was very simple and relatively small. A saleswoman walked over and eyed the girl suspiciously. "Can I help you dear?"
Rogue internally groaned as she acted nice to the salesclerk. "Yeah, could Ah see that necklace please?"
The black haired thirty-year-old mother of two raised her eyebrow before kneeling down and opening the glass case. She looked back up at the teenager. "The one on the left?"
"Yeah, that one."
The saleswoman nodded before taking it out and holding the pendant up for Rogue to see. "Yes, This is one of our Sterling Silver cross pendants. It's a rather simple design as you can tell. Most of our other necklaces are of a more ornate and intricate design..."
Rogue raised her left eyebrow before stating plainly, "Ah like that one."
The elder woman was taken slightly aback by the girl's statement and became a little more annoyed. "Yes, well this cross is priced at...one hundred and thirty dollars. Would you like to purchase it?"
Rogue sighed and held out her hand. "Could Ah at least hold it first?"
The clerk groaned and gently lowered the necklace into the young customer's hand. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed a couple at the cash register, she looked over at them and silently mouthed to wait for a minute before turning back to the Goth. "Can I trust you to not leave without returning the necklace?"
Rogue nodded her head while still looking at the cross. "Yeah, of course."
The saleswoman sighed and quickly ran over to the cash register, leaving Rogue standing alone.
She held the cross in the palm of her left hand, dwarfing the tiny icon. The cross itself was less than an inch long and half an inch across the t. The warm black gloves contrasted the shimmering metal. She could feel the silver cool against her skin even through the leather gloves she wore. As she twirled her fingers in the loose metal chain, she could feel that the chain also felt remarkable cool to the touch.
"It looks nice."
Her hand snapped shut and she quickly spun around. "Wha..."
The holographic Kurt stood infront of her. He had his hands behind his back with his head held low. "Zhe cross, it looks very nice."
Rogue blinked and shook her head to regain her focus. "Uh, yeah. Ah like it. Its simple, ya know. It aint trying tah be something that its not."
Kurt's face contorted into a look of extreme confusion. "I know zhat my English has greatly improved, but still, zhat did not make much sense."
Rogue grinned and opened her left hand to show off the cross. She traced the outer edge of the cross with her right index finger. "Its simple. All the other crosses around here and just...fancy ya know. This one is just..."
Kurt smiled. "Ja, I zhink I know what you are trying to say."
They stood in uncomfortable silence until Kurt spoke up. "Rogue?"
The seventeen-year-old girl looked up at him. "Yeah Kurt?"
"After..." Kurt shook his head and nervously leaned on one leg. "I know zhat it has been a while since we talked..."
Rogue rolled her eyes and playfully laughed. "We're talking now aren't we?"
Kurt laughed a little and looked down at his feet. "I mean, it's been a while since you and I talked like..."
Rogue felt her internal defenses pop up as her heart clenched in her chest. "Like what? Like 'brother and sister?'"
Kurt didn't notice as he continued to look down at his feet. "Well, at least like we used to."
Rogue internally screamed at herself. She wanted to let him back in. She wanted to just laugh at his nervousness and say that it was all going to be okay. But he was gone.
He came back.
And in her mind she knew he could be gone again.
The nervous teenager looked up and held up his hands in defense. "I just..."
Rogue's face flushed red as she felt her eyes start to well up with tears. "Stop, just stop okay? Ah don't really need tah be hearin this right now."
Kurt stepped in front of her and held her shoulders by the fabric. "Ja, but I need to say it."
Rogue closed her eyes and willed herself not to cry. "I know, I just..."
The saleswoman walked back over to the two mutants. "Is there something the matter."
Rogue thrust the necklace back into the woman's hand as she ran out. "Nah, It's just a little too much for me right now, ya know?"
The woman opened her hand and looked down at pendant. "I could have sworn that she wanted to buy it."
/////////////////////////
Logan looked down at his watch as the sensation took hold of him again. The Elf had a little less than fifteen seconds to make it into the Danger Room without being late.
The grizzly teacher grinned as his hearing picked up curses in German and the sound of running.
It was a new condition that Logan had enforced on their training. No porting and he had to be on time to every lesson. If the kid was on time, he had agreed to not beat the Elf half to death.
A loud crash reverberated through the corridor leading to the Danger Room. The sound of running feet stopped, while the cursing increased.
If he wasn't on time...Logan stopped himself from grinning and shouted down the time.
"FOUR SECONDS ELF!"
The running increased.
"THREE!"
"TWO!"
As Logan opened his mouth for the final count, a frantic Nightcrawler on all fours ran into the room.
"I'm here! I'm here!"
Kurt stood up and dusted himself off before looking at his instructor, who looked mildly confused and slightly "Vas?"
Logan raised an eyebrow. "You run on all fours?"
Kurt looked mildly embarrassed as he explained. "Well, ja, but only if I need to. I don't like to do it if it's not necessary."
Logan crossed his arms. "Why not?"
Kurt's mouth twisted into a sort of shameful sad grin. "Its like an animal."
Logan's other eyebrow became raised at that last remark. He slowly walked over towards the young mutant and brought his head within an inch of his face. "You aint no animal kid, and if I hear you talk about yourself like that ever again, jokin or not, I'll run you in here so hard, it'll make your mama hurt. You got me bub?"
Kurt slowly backed himself away from the Wolverine and nodded profusely. "Ja Herr Logan."
Logan leaned back into a trait posture and smirked. "So, you ready for your punishment?"
"No."
"Good."
/////////////////////////
Kurt stood in the pitch-black room. Even though his mutation allowed some partial ability to see in the darkness, with absolutely no light, it served little purpose. His ragged and torn uniform was covered in gashes and rips. The arms and legs of the suit were in tatters. But all of the impacts and bruises had gone as quickly as they had been made. He was lucky that the new 'healing factor,' or whatever the mutation was, came so quickly, otherwise he was fairly certain that his body would greatly resemble blue pudding by now.
A voice shouted out of the darkness "This is a new sim I've been working on, you like if Elf?"
Kurt rolled his head, allowing his neck to crack. "Well, you haven't beaten me senseless in zhis one yet, so I say zhat is of zhe good."
A low growl came out of the darkness from his left. Kurt spun around into a defensive posture. He could hear Logan make a small 'humph.'
"Good, good. I know your senses are a bit more acute than the norm, but they're still nowhere near my own."
Kurt grinned. "Well, we all can't be as gifted as you are Herr Logan."
An arm snaked out of the darkness and grabbed Kurt's arm by the wrist, another grabbed by the elbow and quickly flung him into the air.
Kurt flipped in mid air and landed on his back two legs in a defensive position. His eyes quickly scanned for any signs of his attacker.
"You aint bad at recovery Elf, but that aint the problem. You need to see the attack before it happens, you can't just always roll with the punches."
Kurt took several steps back into the darkness. "How can I see zhe attack? I can't even see mein own hands."
The disembodied voice floated back to him. "Use your other senses kid, that's what they're there for."
Kurt nodded and closed his eyes. The eerie silence continued with the only exception of his own haggard breathing and heartbeat. He listened as he slowed his breath down and tried to calm himself.
After several seconds a small escaped from his right. Kurt jumped to his front and snaked out his leg to kick his attacker, but only caught air. A large knee struck him in the stomach and caused him to cry out in pain as he hit the floor.
The voice returned from behind him. "Getting better, but you gotta use all your senses. It aint just sight and sound. Whenever you port, all I can smell is Brimstone, it has a very distinct smell, and you can never really get rid of it. The closer I am to you, the stronger it gets..."
Kurt slowly stood up and resumed his stance. "Is zhat supposed to be an insult? Because I expected better zhan an exaggerated 'you stink.'"
Logan's voice echoed off the unseen walls of the Danger Room "...I can taste your sweat in the air all around you..."
A quick breeze and the soft running of feet alerted Kurt to the fact that Logan had just run by him. He spun around and shouted. "Come on Herr Logan!"
"Did you feel the wind across you neck?"
Kurt quickly turned around, trying to pinpoint the voice.
"You just have to pay enough attention and..."
Kurt lunged forward and felt the cool breeze off a body quickly dodging out of the way. A hand shot out and grabbed him by the arm, throwing him several feet away again.
Kurt landed in another defensive stance closer to the ground.
Two claps came from where he had just been and the light jumped back on. Kurt covered his eyes as they strained to adjust. He heard his teacher slowly walk over and gruffly speak.
"Good job Elf, You're getting quicker and not relying on your eyes as much, but you still need to work on your technique."
Kurt absentmindedly rubbed his shoulders now noticing his lack of proper garments. "Danke Herr Logan."
Logan growled. "Don't thank me yet. Tomorrow I expect you back in here bright and early."
Kurt groaned. "How early?"
Logan eyed his student seriously. "_Early_."
Kurt fell back to the floor and groaned. He heard Logan start to walk away. "I'll see you at six sharp or else."
Kurt let his eyes roll into the back of his head as his response automatically formulated. "Ja Herr Logan."
////////////////////////
Kurt sat on his bed eyeing the tiny blue box infront of him. A tiny knock came from the door. "Are you in Kurt?"
Kurt looked around quickly before stashing the box under his pillow. He fixed his hair and quickly smoothed out his clothes. "Ja Herr professor, but you already knew that."
The professor smiled and nodded to Ororo as she closed the door behind him. He turned back to Kurt and motioned for him to sit back down on the bed. "Still, it costs nothing to be polite."
Kurt grinned and sat on the corner of the bed as the professor wheeled next to him. The bald man sighed and clasped his hands together. "As you know there have been many anti-mutant protests and activity in Europe at the moment...I just got off of the phone with a few of my associates in Scotland and Germany and there have been a few cases of...mob attacks."
Kurt unconsciously shivered and brought his knees up to his chest. "Has there been any..."
Xavier hung his head and nodded sadly. "Unfortunately yes. There have been a few confirmed lynchings and...burnings."
Kurt sighed. "Have you talked to mien mozher and fazher?"
The professor nodded. "Yes, they think that it might be a good idea if you were to stay in the states for the time being."
The blue mutant nodded his head and looked at the professor. "Ja...Ja I guess zhat would be for zhe best."
Xavier nodded and gave his student a reassuring smile. "I am sorry Kurt. I know how much you wanted to spend the holidays with your family."
Kurt shrugged his shoulders and helped wheel the bald mutant to the door. "Its okay Professor."
Xavier nodded and knocked back on the door. Ororo opened it back up and smiled serenely at Kurt, who eagerly returned the gesture. Together she and the professor exited his room, leaving Kurt alone.
Kurt sighed. He reached forward and locked the door before slowly walking back towards the center of his room and falling down upon the bed. He looked towards the head of his bed and reached forward with his left hand. He lifted up the pillow on his left, revealing the small blue box. "Maybe I still can."
////////////////////////
[1] Assuming that Tabitha has moved back into the Institute with the rest of the new recruits
[2] Speaking as someone with sisters, I can solidly say that store is on this earth as a conduit for the dark legions of hell to rein torment over all men.
Pairings: Scott/Jean. Mentions of Kurt/Amanda and one sided Kurtty but well, you'll see
A/N: God knows you can't write more unless you get reviews. Speaking of reviews,
Ananova: Glad to see that I'm keeping you interested.
Arin Ross/Arain Rowan: Well I'm very glad that one of you is enjoying this, I'll win the over the other one later.
Scrawler: Thanks for the compliments.
Wolviesfan: Yeah, I'm not keeping to close to the comics besides some background information and such. As for Logan in the evo universe, since it's never made reference to him knowing German, I'm just assuming that he doesn't know German.
Justsomeone: Thanks for the review. I went back and looked at some pics and such, its usually white, although I the comics and everything its yellow so I'm gonna fix it to yellow, thanks for the help.
A/N : Sorry about the wait, But I got bit by a brown recluse, couldn't get around, got shot up with happy sleepy drugs and antibiotics and then Spring Break came and Well, you know how real life keeps you from the keyboard. But I'm making it up with my longest chapter ever.
A/N 2: If you like this story, do yourself, or more likely me, a favor and read and review some of my other stories. Now on to the story!
Disclaimers: I don't own anything relating to Marvel Comics or Highlander.
And because someone said that using single apostrophes to denote thought was a little confusing,
"" = Speech '' = Thought
Let me know if that helps or I need to change it.
Dedicated to everyone that has ideas but doesn't think they're good enough
////////////////////////////////////////////
"Come on Scott, we cant wait forever."
"Yeah, we've been waiting for twenty minutes."
"The mall closes at ten, we need to hurry."
"Amara, it only opened an hour ago."
"See, the peasant has caused an hour of shopping time to be wasted. I say..."
"THAT'S ENOUGH!"
The team leader sighed and turned around to face the occupants of the black X-van.
"Just a few more minutes guys, I promise."
He turned back to face the windshield and tapped his finger on the steering wheel. A soft comforting presence breezed through his mind and he turned to see a redheaded telepath smiling sweetly at him.
Jean reached over from the passenger seat and rested her hand on his shoulder. 'Its okay Scott, He'll be here.'
Scott returned his gaze to the digital clock. 'We _have_ been waiting for nearly half an hour.'
The slow warmth of emotion poured through his mind as Jean rested back in her seat. 'He's coming, don't worry.'
///////////////////////////////////
Kurt ran through the kitchen, a swirl of blue arms and legs as he reached out and grabbed a bagel, stuffing it into his mouth and shoving his other arm into the sleeve of his red jacket.
He felt a familiar tingle caress the base of his neck and spun around. He had gotten somewhat used to the small unearthly signal in the back of his mind. Logan had a hard time sneaking up on the blue furred youth and vice versa. Kurt rattled his head, trying to force the uncomfortable feeling from his head.
Logan shook his head as the electricity cleared from his mind as he walked into the pantry.
He locked eyes with the German mutant and mumbled a gruff hello.
Kurt gave him a little smile before going back to eating his bagel.
Logan took the newspaper off the counter and opened it to the national news section before pouring himself a cup of coffee and leaning against the counter. "Elf."
"Vas?"
Logan kept his eyes on the paper as he spoke. "I think you should restart your training."
Kurt stopped his flurried motion and looked solemnly at the elder mutant. "Are you sure Herr Logan? I do not know if..."
Logan kept his body still as his eyes wandered up from his paper and solidly rested on the blue mutant. "Elf. I don't want you to loose any of your combat readiness by being lazy. Every X-man has danger room drills at least once every two weeks and I don't make exceptions."
Kurt locked eyes with Logan and solidly stared into the dark brown eyes of his teacher. After a few second Kurt looked down at his feet and nodded. "Ja. Herr Logan."
Logan rustled the paper and went back to reading. "I don't want any of those skills I taught you to go to waste."
"Ja Herr Logan."
"Now I aint one to preach an' lecture, but I think it'd probably do you some good."
"Ja Herr Logan."
"And I want you in the danger room today after you and the others get back from the mall."
"Ja Herr..."
Logan raised an eyebrow. "Something wrong el..."
"Scheiße!"
-Shit! -
"Elf?"
Kurt quickly ran back to the table and grabbed his jacked and image inducer. "I'm late! Zhe others are probably outside in zhe van."
The young mutant acted as a tornado grabbing various items he had strewn about the kitchen.
"Yo Elf."
"Ja?"
"You left the other half of your bagel."
Kurt feigned innocence and sweetly said to the teacher, "Scott said zhat I can no longer eat in zhe car."
Logan rolled his eyes as he switched to the sports section of the paper, which Kurt took as his signal to leave.
*BAMF*
Logan quickly covered the top of his cup. After the smoke wafted away he took a sniff of his coffee. A low growl emanated from the kitchen as Logan walked back to the coffeemaker.
"Damn brimstone smell gets into everything."
//////////////////////////////////
*BAMF*
The occupants of the X-van looked outside to see a blue blur tear down the lawn and jump into the vehicle and hurriedly secure his backpack, turn on his image inducer, and fasten his seatbelt within three seconds.
"Vas?"
Bobby glared at the blue mutant. "You're late."
Scott adjusted the rear view mirror to see the passengers in the back of the van. "Guys, settle down now, we talked about this. Is your inducer charged Kurt?"
The blue mutant held up his arm. "Ja, charged and ready."
Scott nodded and turned the ignition.
Kurt shied his face down as the van started and lurched forward. He felt a small weight on his shoulder and turned to his left.
"You okay Kurt?"
He turned to face Kitty smiling warmly at him. Her light brown hair pulled back into a ponytail left two small strands framing her face. He looked down at his holographic hands and cracked 'two' knuckles at a time. "Ja, Herr Logan just wanted to remind me zhat I have zhe Danger room when we get back."
Her brown eyes filled with concern as she dipped her head lower to intercept his gaze. "You sure you're up for it?"
Kurt grinned mischievously and waggled his eyebrows. "I can assure you Katzchen, I am up for _anyzhing_."
That earned him a soft smack upside the head from someone in the backseat. Kurt turned around and boasted in mock indignation. "Who dares attack zhe Incredible Nightcrawler?"
Amara and Ray rolled their eyes while Rogue gave a small smile. Bobby whistled slowly and found that the roof of the van was very interesting. Kurt rewarded the young mutant's treachery with an evil glare before turning back to face to his beloved Katzchen.
"Where is everyone else?"
Scott turned on his signal and merged into the left lane. "Storm is driving them up later. They're supposed to go to meet us at the food court at noon."
Kurt raised an eyebrow. "Storm is in charge of zhe rest of zhe new recruits by herself."
"Yep."
"I shall pray for her soul."
"See that you do."
/////////////////////////////////////////
Ororo Monroe watched in horror as thirty Jamies trampled through her rose garden while chasing a screaming Samuel Guthrie.
"AAAAAAAGGGHHHH!"
A loud explosion erupted from the front lawn. A slightly burnt Tabitha Smith whooped in excitement as an equally burnt Roberto Decostas shortly chased her. "I swear on all that is holy Boom Boom, I _WILL_ _BURN_ _YOU_!"
A slightly amused Dr. Henry McCoy watched idly from the pantry window sipping a cup of tea. He turned to look at Logan, who was still reading the newspaper and drinking coffee. "Should I go out and help her?"
Logan's response was to turn the page of the paper and drink a little more coffee.
"ROBERTO! NOT THE..."
*CRASH*
McCoy nodded his head before looking back out the window and taking another sip of tea. "Yes I suppose you are right."
A loud thud reverberated through the institute as McCoy sighed and put his cup down. "I'll be reading in the library incase anyone needs me."
Logan grunted his acknowledgement.
Outside, Ororo ran in her high heels trying to catch up to the multiplying horde of Jamies ravaging her plants.
////////////////////////////////////////
The X-van pulled into the mall parking lot and the Xavier school students piled out of the vehicle. "So..." Ray yawned and stretched his arms. "What are we shopping for on this fine winter day?"
Scott pressed a small button on his key chain to lock the doors and cocked his head to the side. "Well it's that time of year again..."
Bobby rubbed his hands together evilly as they walked. "Christmas presents."
A low growl from behind him told him to revise his earlier statement.
"Or Hanukkah presents or whatever religious preference you have."
Kitty smiled sweetly at Bobby before turning back to Kurt. "So, what do you think I should get Lance?"
A collective groan was heard throughout the group.
"What? Like, I thought that we were over the whole 'Lance is from the Brotherhood' thing."
"Yeah, but we're not over the whole 'Lance is an idiot' thing."
Bobby had a three second head start before Kitty took off after him. "Come back here you coward!"
Scott shook his head as they walked towards the mall entrance. "I thought we were going to save beating Bobby into a bloody pulp for later."
Ray grinned as Amara rolled her eyes. "Nah, might as well get it out of her system now so Bobby'll be somewhat quiet while we shop."
Kurt walked slowly towards the mall, letting his friends get a little ahead of him. The warm sun was shining down on him, providing a nice contrast to the small breeze that was steadily picking up. He chuckled to himself as a thought suddenly occurred to him. 'I wonder if Fraulien Monroe is breaking out zhe big guns.'
A small voice giggled. 'I dunno Kurt. She wouldn't zap any of them unless it was absolutely necessary.'
Kurt grinned. 'Ja Jean. But you have to remember zhat Tabby is back at zhe house now.' [1]
Jean smiled and rubbed her hand over the back of Scott's shirt. 'I'm glad that you came with us today.'
Kurt gave her a small smile. 'Danke. I needed to get out a little, you know, and take care of a couple zhings.'
Jean looked pointedly at Rogue, who was walking quietly next to the group, looking somewhat dejected. 'Yeah, there _are_ some things you really need to take care of.'
Kurt blinked and bit the inside of his lip. 'Ja. I...we...'
"OW, Kitty that hurt!"
Kitty returned to the group smiling triumphantly, followed shortly by a slightly bruised and limping Bobby Drake.
Scott raised an eyebrow. "You okay there Iceman?"
Bobby opened his mouth to reply. "I..."
"OOOHHH!"
Kitty grabbed Kurt's head in a headlock and pointed to a Claire's Accessories. [2] "Oh my God, I have been like soooooo, looking for those earrings, come on fuzzy!!!"
Kurt's eyes bugged out in pure terror. "Why do I have to go?"
Kitty rolled her eyes like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "So you can, like tell me which ones look good on me."
Kurt replied sincerely. "But Katzchen, everyzhing looks good on you."
Kitty smiled down upon him. "Awww, that's so sweet Kurt, but it aint gonna work, now come on."
Kurt's face fell as he looked back to Jean as he was dragged off. 'Tell mozher and fazher I loved zhem.'
The redheaded telepath giggled aloud before stopping to realize that Scott and the others were staring peculiarly at her. Scott raised an eyebrow. "Something you want to share with us Jean?"
Jean blushed and shook her head. "No, just amusing myself."
Ray rolled his eyes before gathering a little electric charge in his hand and playing with it. "Okaaaay then."
Scott grabbed Ray's arm. "What the hell are you doing? You know we're not supposed to..."
Amara rolled her eyes and groaned before heading off to shop alone. The team leader had been switched to 'lecture mode' and she was in no mood to listen to another speech about the responsibilities and dangers of using powers in public.
///////////////////////////////////////
Rogue eyed the simple silver cross and chain. Most of the other 'Goths' in the school, if you wanted to call them that, appreciated the more elaborate and Gothic style of crosses and jewelry. This pendant was very simple and relatively small. A saleswoman walked over and eyed the girl suspiciously. "Can I help you dear?"
Rogue internally groaned as she acted nice to the salesclerk. "Yeah, could Ah see that necklace please?"
The black haired thirty-year-old mother of two raised her eyebrow before kneeling down and opening the glass case. She looked back up at the teenager. "The one on the left?"
"Yeah, that one."
The saleswoman nodded before taking it out and holding the pendant up for Rogue to see. "Yes, This is one of our Sterling Silver cross pendants. It's a rather simple design as you can tell. Most of our other necklaces are of a more ornate and intricate design..."
Rogue raised her left eyebrow before stating plainly, "Ah like that one."
The elder woman was taken slightly aback by the girl's statement and became a little more annoyed. "Yes, well this cross is priced at...one hundred and thirty dollars. Would you like to purchase it?"
Rogue sighed and held out her hand. "Could Ah at least hold it first?"
The clerk groaned and gently lowered the necklace into the young customer's hand. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed a couple at the cash register, she looked over at them and silently mouthed to wait for a minute before turning back to the Goth. "Can I trust you to not leave without returning the necklace?"
Rogue nodded her head while still looking at the cross. "Yeah, of course."
The saleswoman sighed and quickly ran over to the cash register, leaving Rogue standing alone.
She held the cross in the palm of her left hand, dwarfing the tiny icon. The cross itself was less than an inch long and half an inch across the t. The warm black gloves contrasted the shimmering metal. She could feel the silver cool against her skin even through the leather gloves she wore. As she twirled her fingers in the loose metal chain, she could feel that the chain also felt remarkable cool to the touch.
"It looks nice."
Her hand snapped shut and she quickly spun around. "Wha..."
The holographic Kurt stood infront of her. He had his hands behind his back with his head held low. "Zhe cross, it looks very nice."
Rogue blinked and shook her head to regain her focus. "Uh, yeah. Ah like it. Its simple, ya know. It aint trying tah be something that its not."
Kurt's face contorted into a look of extreme confusion. "I know zhat my English has greatly improved, but still, zhat did not make much sense."
Rogue grinned and opened her left hand to show off the cross. She traced the outer edge of the cross with her right index finger. "Its simple. All the other crosses around here and just...fancy ya know. This one is just..."
Kurt smiled. "Ja, I zhink I know what you are trying to say."
They stood in uncomfortable silence until Kurt spoke up. "Rogue?"
The seventeen-year-old girl looked up at him. "Yeah Kurt?"
"After..." Kurt shook his head and nervously leaned on one leg. "I know zhat it has been a while since we talked..."
Rogue rolled her eyes and playfully laughed. "We're talking now aren't we?"
Kurt laughed a little and looked down at his feet. "I mean, it's been a while since you and I talked like..."
Rogue felt her internal defenses pop up as her heart clenched in her chest. "Like what? Like 'brother and sister?'"
Kurt didn't notice as he continued to look down at his feet. "Well, at least like we used to."
Rogue internally screamed at herself. She wanted to let him back in. She wanted to just laugh at his nervousness and say that it was all going to be okay. But he was gone.
He came back.
And in her mind she knew he could be gone again.
The nervous teenager looked up and held up his hands in defense. "I just..."
Rogue's face flushed red as she felt her eyes start to well up with tears. "Stop, just stop okay? Ah don't really need tah be hearin this right now."
Kurt stepped in front of her and held her shoulders by the fabric. "Ja, but I need to say it."
Rogue closed her eyes and willed herself not to cry. "I know, I just..."
The saleswoman walked back over to the two mutants. "Is there something the matter."
Rogue thrust the necklace back into the woman's hand as she ran out. "Nah, It's just a little too much for me right now, ya know?"
The woman opened her hand and looked down at pendant. "I could have sworn that she wanted to buy it."
/////////////////////////
Logan looked down at his watch as the sensation took hold of him again. The Elf had a little less than fifteen seconds to make it into the Danger Room without being late.
The grizzly teacher grinned as his hearing picked up curses in German and the sound of running.
It was a new condition that Logan had enforced on their training. No porting and he had to be on time to every lesson. If the kid was on time, he had agreed to not beat the Elf half to death.
A loud crash reverberated through the corridor leading to the Danger Room. The sound of running feet stopped, while the cursing increased.
If he wasn't on time...Logan stopped himself from grinning and shouted down the time.
"FOUR SECONDS ELF!"
The running increased.
"THREE!"
"TWO!"
As Logan opened his mouth for the final count, a frantic Nightcrawler on all fours ran into the room.
"I'm here! I'm here!"
Kurt stood up and dusted himself off before looking at his instructor, who looked mildly confused and slightly "Vas?"
Logan raised an eyebrow. "You run on all fours?"
Kurt looked mildly embarrassed as he explained. "Well, ja, but only if I need to. I don't like to do it if it's not necessary."
Logan crossed his arms. "Why not?"
Kurt's mouth twisted into a sort of shameful sad grin. "Its like an animal."
Logan's other eyebrow became raised at that last remark. He slowly walked over towards the young mutant and brought his head within an inch of his face. "You aint no animal kid, and if I hear you talk about yourself like that ever again, jokin or not, I'll run you in here so hard, it'll make your mama hurt. You got me bub?"
Kurt slowly backed himself away from the Wolverine and nodded profusely. "Ja Herr Logan."
Logan leaned back into a trait posture and smirked. "So, you ready for your punishment?"
"No."
"Good."
/////////////////////////
Kurt stood in the pitch-black room. Even though his mutation allowed some partial ability to see in the darkness, with absolutely no light, it served little purpose. His ragged and torn uniform was covered in gashes and rips. The arms and legs of the suit were in tatters. But all of the impacts and bruises had gone as quickly as they had been made. He was lucky that the new 'healing factor,' or whatever the mutation was, came so quickly, otherwise he was fairly certain that his body would greatly resemble blue pudding by now.
A voice shouted out of the darkness "This is a new sim I've been working on, you like if Elf?"
Kurt rolled his head, allowing his neck to crack. "Well, you haven't beaten me senseless in zhis one yet, so I say zhat is of zhe good."
A low growl came out of the darkness from his left. Kurt spun around into a defensive posture. He could hear Logan make a small 'humph.'
"Good, good. I know your senses are a bit more acute than the norm, but they're still nowhere near my own."
Kurt grinned. "Well, we all can't be as gifted as you are Herr Logan."
An arm snaked out of the darkness and grabbed Kurt's arm by the wrist, another grabbed by the elbow and quickly flung him into the air.
Kurt flipped in mid air and landed on his back two legs in a defensive position. His eyes quickly scanned for any signs of his attacker.
"You aint bad at recovery Elf, but that aint the problem. You need to see the attack before it happens, you can't just always roll with the punches."
Kurt took several steps back into the darkness. "How can I see zhe attack? I can't even see mein own hands."
The disembodied voice floated back to him. "Use your other senses kid, that's what they're there for."
Kurt nodded and closed his eyes. The eerie silence continued with the only exception of his own haggard breathing and heartbeat. He listened as he slowed his breath down and tried to calm himself.
After several seconds a small escaped from his right. Kurt jumped to his front and snaked out his leg to kick his attacker, but only caught air. A large knee struck him in the stomach and caused him to cry out in pain as he hit the floor.
The voice returned from behind him. "Getting better, but you gotta use all your senses. It aint just sight and sound. Whenever you port, all I can smell is Brimstone, it has a very distinct smell, and you can never really get rid of it. The closer I am to you, the stronger it gets..."
Kurt slowly stood up and resumed his stance. "Is zhat supposed to be an insult? Because I expected better zhan an exaggerated 'you stink.'"
Logan's voice echoed off the unseen walls of the Danger Room "...I can taste your sweat in the air all around you..."
A quick breeze and the soft running of feet alerted Kurt to the fact that Logan had just run by him. He spun around and shouted. "Come on Herr Logan!"
"Did you feel the wind across you neck?"
Kurt quickly turned around, trying to pinpoint the voice.
"You just have to pay enough attention and..."
Kurt lunged forward and felt the cool breeze off a body quickly dodging out of the way. A hand shot out and grabbed him by the arm, throwing him several feet away again.
Kurt landed in another defensive stance closer to the ground.
Two claps came from where he had just been and the light jumped back on. Kurt covered his eyes as they strained to adjust. He heard his teacher slowly walk over and gruffly speak.
"Good job Elf, You're getting quicker and not relying on your eyes as much, but you still need to work on your technique."
Kurt absentmindedly rubbed his shoulders now noticing his lack of proper garments. "Danke Herr Logan."
Logan growled. "Don't thank me yet. Tomorrow I expect you back in here bright and early."
Kurt groaned. "How early?"
Logan eyed his student seriously. "_Early_."
Kurt fell back to the floor and groaned. He heard Logan start to walk away. "I'll see you at six sharp or else."
Kurt let his eyes roll into the back of his head as his response automatically formulated. "Ja Herr Logan."
////////////////////////
Kurt sat on his bed eyeing the tiny blue box infront of him. A tiny knock came from the door. "Are you in Kurt?"
Kurt looked around quickly before stashing the box under his pillow. He fixed his hair and quickly smoothed out his clothes. "Ja Herr professor, but you already knew that."
The professor smiled and nodded to Ororo as she closed the door behind him. He turned back to Kurt and motioned for him to sit back down on the bed. "Still, it costs nothing to be polite."
Kurt grinned and sat on the corner of the bed as the professor wheeled next to him. The bald man sighed and clasped his hands together. "As you know there have been many anti-mutant protests and activity in Europe at the moment...I just got off of the phone with a few of my associates in Scotland and Germany and there have been a few cases of...mob attacks."
Kurt unconsciously shivered and brought his knees up to his chest. "Has there been any..."
Xavier hung his head and nodded sadly. "Unfortunately yes. There have been a few confirmed lynchings and...burnings."
Kurt sighed. "Have you talked to mien mozher and fazher?"
The professor nodded. "Yes, they think that it might be a good idea if you were to stay in the states for the time being."
The blue mutant nodded his head and looked at the professor. "Ja...Ja I guess zhat would be for zhe best."
Xavier nodded and gave his student a reassuring smile. "I am sorry Kurt. I know how much you wanted to spend the holidays with your family."
Kurt shrugged his shoulders and helped wheel the bald mutant to the door. "Its okay Professor."
Xavier nodded and knocked back on the door. Ororo opened it back up and smiled serenely at Kurt, who eagerly returned the gesture. Together she and the professor exited his room, leaving Kurt alone.
Kurt sighed. He reached forward and locked the door before slowly walking back towards the center of his room and falling down upon the bed. He looked towards the head of his bed and reached forward with his left hand. He lifted up the pillow on his left, revealing the small blue box. "Maybe I still can."
////////////////////////
[1] Assuming that Tabitha has moved back into the Institute with the rest of the new recruits
[2] Speaking as someone with sisters, I can solidly say that store is on this earth as a conduit for the dark legions of hell to rein torment over all men.