Saints and Sinners – By Darlin
A/N – Thank you all for your reviews: Gia, Isis Aurora Tomoe, LilWolvie, Nienna of Sorrow, Shadowface, skyz, xmenloganfan.
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Chapter Six – Barney Miller Anyone?
It was easy for Ororo to dismiss Logan as long as she continued to deny that he'd managed to get under her skin. However, Logan, who was used to living in a state of constant denial, found it wasn't as easy for him to dismiss her. Never the less he made a great effort to do so and whenever they happened to pass each other in the house or outside they both ignored each other. Of course no one but Hank, much to his delight, even noticed this. Ororo would have spoken to Logan if he had approached her as he usually did, totally uninvited and disregarding her privacy, but as he was acting as if nothing whatsoever had happened between them and almost like he didn't even know who she was; she had decided to treat him exactly like he was treating her.
It should have helped matters when Logan was sent on a solo mission but it didn't – not for Ororo. She couldn't stop wondering why he'd been so nice and touchy feely with her and then all of a sudden stopped speaking to her. It was driving her crazy and as she didn't know Logan very well she guessed that that was his intent. It didn't make sense to her and she didn't appreciate it but she had every intention of telling him this. In fact, she had rehearsed exactly what she was going to say when she saw him again – that is if he spoke to her. She wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of being the first one to speak and make him think she missed him or something.
Yet when Wednesday, Ororo's favorite TV day, came around she had an uneasy sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. He hadn't returned and she assumed that he wouldn't make it in time besides that she was sure he'd had enough of their silly evenings together. She convinced herself that she'd over reacted and didn't need to see him or speak to him ever again. Those thoughts didn't stop her from hesitating when she stepped into the dining room two hours before her show was due to come on. She found everyone there except Logan which was both a relief and an odd disappointment but she told herself it was fine with her and reluctantly took the nearest empty seat which was next to Jean. No one said a word as they were already eating and talking amongst themselves. Hank, however, smiled at her from across the table but she determinedly ignored him.
"Has anyone seen Logan?" the Professor asked when dinner was almost over.
"Nope," Scott finally muttered when no one else responded.
"I wish everyone would try to be a little friendlier to him," Charles said and it wasn't an appeal but more of an order.
"I thought he was on a mission," Kitty remarked.
"He returned early this morning," Peter said.
"Oh?"
Peter didn't elaborate.
"Do we have to have smoked salmon so often?" Jean mumbled through a mouthful of salad. "I hate smoked salmon – I'll be starving for the rest of the night!"
"Jean . . ." the Professor gave her a look that instantly quieted her down.
As the room grew silent, except for the clinking of flatware against china as they resumed eating, the door opened and Logan, looking more tanned and handsome than ever, stepped in. Without looking at anyone he took the closest empty seat which just happened to be next to Ororo. She, along with everyone else, was staring at him though she didn't realize it. This was the first time that Logan had deigned to eat with them and everyone one there was fully aware of this. Silently he looked over the selection of entrees on the table.
"You get the popcorn, Bob?" he asked without looking up as he reached out for the platter of salmon.
"Oh man! I forgot all about it!" Bobby cried despite his mouth full of rice pilaf.
"I thought it was my turn," Kitty said.
"Yeah?" Logan mumbled and risked a glance at her.
Bobby slid over a basket of rolls for Logan while Kitty looked at Logan with a worried expression on her small freckled face.
"I got it," Ororo said and everyone looked at her. She shrugged and started eating again. "If you want something done right do it yourself – no offense, Bobby."
It was Bobby's turn to shrug but he grinned, wiped rice off his chin, and said, "Women do everything better."
"Here, here!" Ororo said and raised her glass of ice tea to the ceiling.
"Amen!" Jean chimed in and the girls exchanged a smile.
"Some of us are trying to eat here," Hank muttered.
"So how was the mission?" Scott asked.
"Successful," Logan said as he looked Scott in the eye.
Scott nodded and continued eating as did everyone else. They were so caught up in their meal and plans for the rest of the night that no one seemed to notice Kitty. She had stuffed a large piece of salmon in her mouth and hadn't bothered to chew it completely before swallowing and now she was clutching her throat with one hand and yet trying to not draw attention to herself. Logan looked up when he heard her nearly inaudible sounds of gagging. Seeing Kitty choking he quickly leapt up sending his chair flying as he made his way over to her. Hank jumped up too with his great hands balled in tight fists as if he thought Logan was trying to attack him. But to Hank's surprise Logan grabbed Kitty and lifted her out of her seat in one swift movement and quickly performed the Heimlich maneuver pressing hard once then twice and a third time until the bit of salmon popped out of her mouth. Everyone was on their feet now surrounding the pair. Kitty was gasping and looking around with large eyes, a hand still at her throat.
"Are you okay?" Ororo and Jean asked as one.
"Y-yeah – yeah. I'm fine!"
"Oh, man that was wild!" Bobby said, not knowing what else to say. "You saved Kitty's life!"
"Good work," Scott agreed.
"Thank you, Wolverine," Kitty said with a weak smile.
"Yeah – no problem," Logan said as he calmly sat back down and began to eat as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
"Are you sure you're all right?" Ororo asked again.
"No – I mean yes. I'm fine," Kitty said though her face was quite red. Feeling very self conscious she stole a look at Peter who was standing close by.
"You are sure?" Peter asked when their eyes met.
She nodded and quickly looked away hiding a grimace wondering how much lamer could she get?
"Fine except for her pride," Jean muttered to Ororo.
"Can we finish dinner then?" Hank asked.
"Of course," the Professor said. "Everyone please sit down – that is if you're up to it Kitty."
"I am. I just need something to drink."
"Water or ice tea, Katya?" Peter asked as he pulled her chair out for her.
"Huh?" Kitty looked up at Peter questioningly, not familiar with the name the Russian had called her. "Oh, water's fine."
Peter smiled as he reached for the water pitcher and poured her a glass before sitting down beside her. Kitty felt uncomfortably shy and pleased and a little embarrassed too but as everyone went back to the business of eating she soon forgot her discomfort. The Professor watched his students for a while after the excitement died then coming to a decision he finally broached a subject that had long been on his mind.
"I'd like to get everyone's opinions about something that I've been thinking about for some time now," the Professor announced.
Everyone stopped eating and directed their attention to their mentor.
"I've
been entertaining the thought of enlarging our little group. What would you think if I were to invite several
new mutants to join our cause?"
"Who?" Scott asked.
"New mutants? Would that make us the old
mutants?" Bobby asked hopefully.
"Rogue and Kurt, Scott and no, Bobby it wouldn't."
Jean
and Scott exchanged a look then quickly looked back at the Professor.
"They've
both worked well with us before and I thought they would fit in quite well. Does anyone care to voice an opinion?"
"Cool," Kitty said while Bobby and Jean
nodded their approval.
Scott looked as if he were debating the merits of the proposal with himself and
remained silent.
"It's fine with me," Ororo said.
"I agree," Hank said with a glance at Ororo who continued to ignore him.
"I see no reason to exclude them," Peter said logically.
"Scott, Logan, I'd like to know what you think," Charles remarked after a few
minutes of silence.
Hank's large head whipped around at an alarming rate when he heard the
Professor's statement. The Professor asking Logan for an opinion had more than stunned
him it had angered him immensely. Charles looked expectantly at Hank who quickly
tried to mask his disapproval.
"Professor, I'd consider Kurt to be a valuable asset but Rogue – don't you
think she's a bit of a wild card?" Scott asked.
"Perhaps, however I feel she would greatly benefit from being around people
similar to herself and there is always the chance that we could help her
control her mutation."
"I have ta agree with Chuck," Logan said. "She's loyal, strong, an' she's got
heart plus she's all by herself now an' could use a fam . . . well, what Chuck
said."
Scott studied Logan for a moment as he considered what he had just said. Nodding his head slowly he spoke
thoughtfully, "You've made some good points. All right, it won't hurt to see how they work
out."
"Then it's settled."
"When will they be coming?" Kitty asked.
"I'll have to contact them both and see what they have to say. If they agree
then it's up to them when they'll arrive."
"Cool."
The Professor smiled, pleased that they had all agreed. Soon chairs were being scraped
across the wood floor as everyone got up to leave.
"Hank,
may I speak to you for a moment?" Charles asked quietly before Hank could
follow his teammates out.
Everyone took their dishes and glasses into the kitchen and quickly placed them
into the dishwasher, some without rinsing them as they were in a rush even
though they knew better. But it was
Wednesday night after all and what with Kitty choking and the Professor's small
delay it was almost eight o'clock. Hank
looked at the Professor eagerly when were left alone in the dining room. Ever
since the whole Internet deal he was determined to redeem himself and do whatever
the Professor asked him to. Despite his highly logical mind he was now inclined
to trust the Professor a little more and he did everything with in his power to
prove that he'd learned from his mistakes. He hadn't let go of many of his doubts, which
the Professor was fully aware of, but Hank had learned not to let those doubts
get the best of him now.
"Hank,
not to be insensitive or tactless, but I've sensed some animosity between you
and Logan. Would you like to talk about
it?"
"There's nothing to talk about," Hank snapped.
"Then I will expect you to be more civil towards Logan in the future."
"But, Professor I see no reason to believe that the man, if you can even call
him that, should be considered rehabilitated just because he saved Kitty's
life!" Hank responded coolly.
The Professor shook his head sadly as he looked at his most intelligent
protégé. Having come to know Henry McCoy he'd come to the sad conclusion that
truly some of the most intelligent people were also the ones most lacking in
common sense.
"Hank, I only ask that you give Logan a second chance. None of us are perfect
and each of us has made our share of . . . near fatal mistakes. Now I hope I
will not have to have this conversation again," the Professor finished with a
tone that left no room for argument.
It was hard to keep one's thoughts private when you were dealing with the most
powerful telepath in the world but it was something that Hank had been working
very hard to achieve ever since he'd thought Charles had brainwashed Ororo into
liking him and now his efforts proved fruitful as Charles took his leave
without one telepathic remonstration. Inside Hank was seething.
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Wednesday night had fast become not only Ororo's favorite night to watch TV but
also, Bobby, Kitty, and even Peter's favorite night. Logan didn't watch much TV,
some sports and NASCAR, but he was beginning to enjoy the comedy night as much
as the others. To his surprise and relief he found that his absence hadn't
caused anyone to be any less courteous than before and no one treated him any
differently. Bobby immediately switched the lights off and leapt onto the couch
spreading his long thin body along the length of it fast making himself at ease
while Kitty and Peter took the loveseat. Ororo placed a large tub of buttered
theater popcorn on the coffee table then started to sit in one of several chairs
off to the side but Logan stooped down and swung Bobby's legs off the couch while
motioning for Ororo to sit.
Not one to complain when the best seat in the house was offered, Ororo quickly
dropped down beside Bobby and Logan sank down beside her. Bobby scrunched up
his face as he glared at Logan from behind Ororo's head but Logan grinned and
held up a carton of beer that he'd just gotten out of the refrigerator. Bobby
looked from Logan to the beer and back to Logan like a wistful little boy full
of hope. Logan passed him a bottle behind the back of the couch and Bobby's face
lit up as he took it.
"It will stunt your growth watch and see," Ororo muttered as she heard him open
the beer.
"That's cigarettes, O," Bobby said after he took a large gulp and tossed the
cap on a table.
"Whatever."
"Hey, any room for two more?"
Logan closed his eyes hoping he hadn't heard what he'd just thought he'd heard.
Unfortunately his hearing was as accurate as ever and Scott came into the room
followed by Jean. Logan had heard them
coming down the hallway but he'd assumed they'd keep walking but now – well it
didn't look good.
"Bobby, is that beer you're drinking?" Scott nearly shrieked.
"Um, er . . ."
"Show's coming on – if you want to watch it sit down an' shut up," Logan
growled.
"Do we have to do this?" Jean whispered without caring if Logan heard her or
not.
"Please say no," Logan muttered under his breath.
"The Professor asked us to hang out more – it's for the team," Scott whispered
back.
"But . . ." Jean started to complain further but dropped it when Scott looked
at her as pointedly as the Professor had earlier.
There were still two empty chairs off to the side and Scott pulled them
together so he and Jean could sit beside each other. Jean looked around the
room resignedly then seeing popcorn her spirits lifted a little and she grabbed
a handful and turned her attention to the television. She'd actually been in the
habit of watching My Wife and Kids with Ororo before she'd been involved with
Logan but as some women are apt to do when they find a boyfriend she'd put her
friendship with Ororo on the back burner and had spent most of her time with
Logan. She never really saw it as a bad thing, after all a man was more
important than friends and friends – good friends that is – knew this so it was
hard for her to actually understand why Ororo was so mad at her all the time. It
made her uncomfortable to be sitting around watching a silly show with her best
friend who was ignoring her and she had no desire to be anywhere near her
ex-boyfriend whom, despite Ororo's words to the contrary, she was positive was
still in love with her. For the world she couldn't understand why Scott just
let Logan walk back into their lives but because she loved Scott now she was
trying her best to do what he wanted.
"So, Bobby . . ." Scott started but when five people shushed him, and none too
quietly, he decided to let it go. One beer couldn't really do much harm anyway.
Since the show was usually quite funny no one let Scott and Jean's sudden
appearance affect their enjoyment however half way through the show Scott was
becoming increasingly vocal. At first he made small 'tsk tsk' noises which
everyone did their best to ignore then he started to groan out loud which
wasn't too hard to ignore but when he started to complain verbally – 'Why would
he just keep hitting his son on the head like that?' it was beginning to grate
on their nerves. Unaware that he was irritating everyone except for Jean, Scott
finally voiced his opinion of the show during a commercial.
"They don't make them like they used to," he said to no one in particular. "I
mean this can't even compare to Barney Miller."
No one chose to comment so Scott continued.
"Can someone tell me how hitting your son upside his big head all the time is funny? That's got to hurt!"
"Um . . ." Kitty tried to be polite but she couldn't find a sensible answer so
she turned back to the hideous asinine creatures that were encouraging everyone
to eat at a certain fast food eatery that specialized in sub sandwiches. "Ewww,
what are those things?"
"Sponge Monkeys," Bobby quickly informed her while laughing at their antics.
"I think I'm going to be sick," Kitty mumbled.
"It's a witty commercial that Subway thought up for the competition," Ororo
noted.
Logan laughed though no one else did. The show came back on and shortly they were
all laughing or at least everyone but Scott was laughing.
"That's not even funny," Scott muttered. "I mean Barney Miller's so much
funnier than this!"
"Okay already! We heard you a million times!
Can you please be quiet?" Ororo yelled.
Scott was silent all of two minutes. He just
couldn't stand it any longer when everyone started laughing again.
"Doesn't anyone watch Barney Miller?" he moaned.
"Who he?" Bobby finally gave in and asked.
"Huh? You don't know who Barney Miller
is?"
"It's an old television show on TV Land," Jean said. "He loves TV Land."
"I don't love it."
"You worship it."
"I
don't worship it!"
"Oh, yeah I forgot Scott's second favorite thing to do is hog the remote," Bobby
said as he clutched said remote to his chest protectively.
"I don't hog the remote!"
"Yeah, ya do. Scott, codename Cyclops King
of Channel Surfing," Bobby joked.
"Can you two take it outside or just plain shut up?" Ororo asked irritably.
"Well I do have some things to take care of so I guess I'll see you guys
later," Scott said with a frown as he got up.
"You could just say sorry and stay," Ororo said with a frown of her own. She felt a little guilty for snapping at
Scott whom she usually got along with quite well.
"Um sorry – I guess I wouldn't want you interrupting when my shows on," he
admitted. "You ready, Jean?"
"You bet!" Jean said. She was already
half way to the door though she stopped to grab another handful of popcorn.
The show was no longer on anyone's mind as all eyes followed the attractive
pair out of the room.
"I thought they'd never leave," Bobby muttered.
"Ruined a good show," Kitty muttered back.
"I think I've gained two pounds," Ororo said and she could have been right.
While Scott was ruining the show with his sound effects and commentary she'd
been trying to ignore him and had eaten almost the entire tub of popcorn with a
little help from the starving Jean.
"You look fine," Scott said as he stepped back in the room sans Jean.
Several groans were stifled as he sat down again.
"Waiting for Barney what's his name?" Bobby asked.
"Well, it occurred to me with alcohol in the room I should kind of chaperone."
Bobby didn't bother to cover up his groan of despair this time. And so as Scott
took it upon himself to chaperone the evening came to a quick end – Bobby
remembered he had some unfinished homework, Kitty asked Peter if he wanted to
finish the painting he'd started of her and Logan just left with the remaining
beer, his grunts of disgust loud and unrestrained. Ororo remained the sole
survivor as she tried to block out Scott's little comments and the constant sad
shaking of his head when George Lopez came on. She loved George Lopez almost as
much as she love My Wife and Kids and for the first time she imagined putting
herself and Scott out of their misery with a quick lightning bolt to his brain.
The thought gave her a moment of pleasure but it was quickly replaced with
guilt and she tried to smile and nod politely as Scott conversed through the
commercials, after all who paid attention to the commercials – especially
Sponge Monkey commercials?