Saints and Sinners – By Darlin

AN – Sorry for the delay in this chapter but I was having a bit of a problem.  I'd already written this chapter months ago but I felt it needed to be revamped a bit.  Unfortunately it seemed pretty boring and a little pointless but I thought over what I wanted to do and figured this chapter will give you at least two hints as to what's going to happen in the future. 

Now let me say thank you to all who read and especially to those who reviewed as well.  Bluebell, I agree that he needs a friend more than someone he fancies.  Dark Topaz, sorry I didn't update sooner but this chapter is longer than usual.  Been busy.  You know how it goes.  At least I'm not waiting several months before updating this time.  Isn't that a good thing?  Okay, just smack me upside my head.  I'll be better.  I will.  I'm going back into my dark little room prepared to type like crazy.  Dlord, I have to agree with you.  Logan's character in the Ultimate book is deplorable.  It's the funniest thing but I was just thinking about the exact same idea for a romance that you had and then I read your review!  I was telling my friend/sometimes beta skyz that I thought it would be fun to spice it up a bit but after seeing your thoughts I thought maybe that would be too predictable.  Hmm.  Gia, thank you very much.  Gypsy, I'm not very good with action so there might not be much of that but thanks for reviewing chapter seven.  Isis Aurora Tomoe, I really appreciate your kind words, thanks.  JamesGirl0512, thank you so much!  Lerie, thank you!  I really liked hearing that!  I never thought of my stuff like that.  Makes me feel really good!  Nienna of Sorrow, thank you, glad you liked it.  Orlimoon, they're up to no good – well, not really but guys, being guys, you can never tell.  Storms_rose, Ro will be better after she gets out of the hospital and thanks. Shadowface, thank you – will you be finishing your Scent of Rain story?  TheWolf, here you go.  It's not much but enjoy. 

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Chapter Twelve – Fun and Games

"I think you should have told me you were planning something!" Ororo seethed quietly while pulling at Logan's arm furiously.

The lights came back on when Kitty and Peter came in shortly after Bobby, Peter carrying a large television with a small VCR on top. Logan motioned for Peter to put it on a dresser which Kitty cleared off. After she was finished Kitty stared at Logan while Peter adjusted the set. She couldn't figure out why he looked different but still the same. She could tell Ororo was a bit perplexed but watching her friend pulling at Logan's arm Kitty thought they made a cute couple.

"I asked you if you were up for company, didn't I darlin'?"

"Warning here!  I said you should have warned me! I'm not even dressed!"

"You smell good."

Ororo threw him an evil look and he laughed.

Bobby who had rearranged her furniture was now sitting in the comfortable rocker donned with several pillows behind his back. Kitty ducked out of the room and returned with two folding chairs.  She set them by the window for her and Peter then she ducked out again and soon returned with two extra large tubs of movie theater popcorn from and Ororo's face lit up like a child at the zoo.

"Knew it," Logan muttered when he saw the look on her face. "Sit down darlin', we're gonna watch a little TV."

When her face fell he pushed her gently back onto the bed. She looked over at Kitty who was standing in the middle of the room now watching Peter, her head tilting up then down as Peter moved up and then down as he connected the VCR to the TV.

"You know the Professor doesn't want us having TV's in our rooms," Ororo said. "Does he know about this?"

"Since when would that matter to you?" Kitty asked and Bobby laughed.

"Gee, Kitty . . ."

"Well, it's true," Kitty muttered.

"Hey, Ororo, how're you feeling today?" Jean asked as she came in laden down with bowls and followed by Scott who was carrying extra folding chairs.

"What is this? A convention?" Ororo asked.

"You don't know?" Jean asked, giving Logan an annoyed look.

Logan returned the scathing look and snatched the bowls from Jean. He started handing them out when a complete stranger entered the room and Ororo glared at Logan almost as hard as Jean was.

"Oh, Forge, I guess I didn't get a chance to introduce you to Storm, I mean Ororo. You remember Forge from the . . . um, the danger room – you know, when . . . well, remember him?" Scott finished lamely, his voice trailing off.

"Forge? Is that your real name or your codename?" Ororo asked as she held got up and held out her hand.

"Forge is what I do," the Native American youth said as he took her hand, his eyes never leaving her face.

"Nice to meet you," she said politely wondering what kind of answer that was. "So did you and Hank get the place cleaned up?"

"You pretty much destroyed it beyond repair so we've had to start all over again."

"Oh," she said, wondering when he was going to give her back her hand.

"So you stayin' or what?" Logan asked as he came up to the small group.

"No, I'd like to and I appreciate the offer," he said not realizing it wasn't an offer. "But Hank and I are pretty busy."

"That's too bad, bub."

"Maybe another time," Forge said with a tinge of hope in his voice as he released Ororo's hand.

Logan scowled at Forge as he started to leave. Ororo slipped her arm through his and pushed him down on the bed.

"Like, can't you two wait till we leave?" Bobby said with a guffaw.

"Shut up B! You're getting on my last nerve here," Ororo warned.

"Ah, man! I was just kidding. Can't even take a joke!"

"Well, just tell me we're not having a Super Bowl party in my room without my knowledge and I'll be in a better mood," Ororo said.

At this comment all the men in the room laughed including Forge who was leaving rather slowly.

"What? What?  Somebody tell me what's so funny?"

"Nothing," Scott said soberly but when he and Logan exchanged a look he couldn't help snickering behind his hand.

"Oh, whatever!" Ororo muttered as she sat down beside Logan.

"You see, O the Super Bowl was a few months ago.  It's baseball season now," Bobby informed her.

The news did nothing to lighten her mood.  She wasn't inclined to watch the Worlds Series either she thought imprudently.  Her mood grew even darker when she saw Hank come into her room carrying a cooler. Forge came in after him and waited at the door.

"I can't stay," Hank said without looking at anyone as he sat the cooler down. "Got a lot to do but you guys have a good time."

The room was suddenly very quiet as everyone watched Hank and Forge leave. Jean glanced at the pair on the bed and shook her head but she refrained from voicing her thoughts. Everyone else, except the pair on the bed, looked around at anything but the pair in the bed. The pair in the bed looked at each other and burst out laughing.

"Well," Scott jumped up from his seat beside Jean and walked to the TV as Peter joined Kitty. "Everyone got your popcorn and drinks?"

Everyone nodded or grunted to affirm they had and those who didn't got up to ensure that they did.

"I thought you'd have a DVD," Scott said with obvious disappointment.  "I brought my Barney Miller DVD's. Maybe I should get the DVD. Why didn't you bring it up?"

Everyone now looked at Scott, all secretly pleased that they didn't have a DVD player readily available.

"That woulda been me," Logan admitted with a shrug and a smirk.

"Oh, well. I can get it later," Scott remarked calmly. "Everyone ready?"

"Ready for what?" Ororo asked.

Logan thrust a bowl of popcorn at Ororo which made her quiet down.
He gave Scott a short nod. Scott hit the play button and started to sit down when Bobby yelled at him to turn the lights off.

"Oh no! You didn't! How did you – who did this?" Ororo squealed when she saw My Wife and Kids coming on.

Most of them laughed though Scott couldn't see why she was so excited. He just didn't think the show was that funny although he was glad to see Ororo back to her usual lively self.

"Hank got 'em," Logan admitted.

"Huh?"

"He did his thing on the Internet and found some bootleg copies."

Ororo looked mystified, and pressed her lips tightly together trying to contain her sudden anger.

Finally she said, "Looks like the Internet's not all bad after all."


The evening progressed quite nicely as Logan had procured not just one tape but six with two shows per tape. While the second tape was playing Ororo's head fell lazily onto Logan's shoulders which Jean noted with upraised eyebrows and open mouth. She was only able to look away when the Professor knocked on the slightly open door and poked his head into the room.

Peter stood up and turned the TV off nodding congenially to his mentor.

"I'm glad to see you're feeling better," Charles said. "Never the less I've scheduled a doctor's appointment for you tomorrow afternoon. I just want to be sure you'll okay."

Ororo nodded and tried not to frown. She hated hospitals, hated doctors, hated getting up early! But then she remembered what he'd said – he'd scheduled an afternoon appointment which definitely gave him bonus points with her. Usually he scheduled medical appointments bright and early first thing in the morning.

"Do you want to hang a bit?" Ororo asked and ignored the looks Kitty, Bobby, and Logan threw at her.

"Thank you but no and I want the television put back in the recreation room no later than midnight – understood?"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"And, Logan, regarding the beer – I know I don't have to warn you to be responsible but I see Bobby's hiding one behind his back – and he's below the minimum age. As this is a celebration I will allow it this one time but please don't give him any more in the future," Charles finished with a brief smile.

"Yeah," Logan said with a shrug as the Professor turned in his wheelchair and made his way down the hall.

"Man, how's he see behind my back?  He didn't see Scott's!" Bobby moaned.

"You're drinking?" Jean immediately piped up and socked Scott in the arm.

Scott had been drinking but he'd kept his bottle to his side out of Jean's view, turning and drinking only with the utmost subterfuge.  Fortunately It had been out of the Professor's view when he'd come in.

"It was just one beer!" Scott groaned.

"Give The Cyclops a break," Logan muttered. "He's gotta relax sometime."

Jean glared at both men but said nothing while Peter turned the TV back on and took his seat beside Kitty again. Kitty was enjoying his company more than the entertainment.  She was just glad the Professor hadn't told them to put the TV up.

After an hour of Ororo's favorite show Logan felt a hand on his thigh and he jerked, startled. He saw Jean pointing at Ororo who had fallen asleep on his shoulder and he let out a short sigh of relief. He realized he'd dozed off too.

"Um, I guess we better call it a night," Logan whispered, his voice thick with sleep.

"Huh?" Ororo stirred and twisted away from Logan as she stretched a little.

"You've been sleeping," Jean whispered. "Logan thought we should say goodnight, let you get to bed."

"No!  No I'm fine. Stay," Ororo said with a sleepy nod. "It's almost off. I love this one."

Logan ignored her and got up and turned the TV off.

"Hey! Why'd you do that?" Bobby yelled.

"Ro's tired. She needs . . ."

"It's okay, they can watch the end – it's almost over," Ororo insisted.

"No," Peter said as he stood up. "We were not even being thoughtful. Go ahead and rest. We will watch the rest later."

"Can't we – shouldn't we clean up first?" Kitty asked eagerly.

"That's a first," Logan commented.

"It's just – we've made such a mess an' all you know? I mean we really can't leave her room looking like this," Kitty stammered defensively.

"I will get some bins," Peter said and off he went.

Kitty smiled. Logan started picking up empty bowls and stacking them. When he passed Bobby he swatted him hard on the back of his head much to Bobby's chagrin.

"What the . . . ! Why'd you do that, man? That friggin' hurt!" Bobby wailed.

"Get off your lazy butt an' help," Logan ordered.

Peter returned with several dustbins as he called them and everyone pitched in.

"Anyone wanna play spin the bottle?" Bobbie asked hopefully when the trash had been disposed of, the bins lined up neatly outside Ororo's door and the bowls stacked neatly beside the TV.

Kitty looked around wistfully.  Logan glanced at Ororo who grinned.  He pulled out a long neck beer bottle from under her bed and handed it to Bobby who took it with delight.

"You can't be serious?" Scott asked.

"It's just a game," Bobby said with a careless shrug. He plopped down onto the floor expectantly.

Ororo laughed and joined him.

"You're serious?" Scott was amazed.

"As a heart attack," Ororo said as she leapt up to retrieve something from her night stand then sat back down. She popped a piece of gum into her mouth then passed the small pack around.

"Ack!" Scott whined when he bit down on the piece of gum. "What kind of gum is this? I think it opened every cavity in my body!"

Ororo laughed. "Real men never complain," she said. "It's good gum. Potent.  Besides we all have popcorn breath so everyone take a piece or if it's too strong then just take half a piece, Scott."

Scott said nothing though his face was scrunched up as if he had bitten into something bitter as he continued chewing the artic-strong gum. He noticed that Kitty and Peter were now sitting down forming a half circle. Logan sat down beside Ororo and popped two pieces of gum into his mouth. Jean glanced at Scott not sure what to do but when she saw Scott reluctantly take his place on the floor she went to sit beside him.

"Isn't this a kid's game?" Scott asked no one in particular.

"You can leave if you want," Logan said as he took the bottle from Bobby and handed it to Ororo.

"Um, Peter should go first. It was his turn last time," Ororo said with authority.

"Last time?" Scott almost yelled.

"Just spin, Petey," Logan growled as he tried to control his growing anger.

Peter looked from Scott to Logan then stole a glance at Kitty and gave the bottle a good spin. All eyes were on the dark amber colored bottle as it danced on the smooth wood floor. It was slowing. They waited.  Some eager, other's a little appalled, and some busy using just the right amount of wind to angle the bottle in the direction of her choice.

"Oooo!" Bobby laughed when the bottle pointed at Ororo who looked quite surprised. "Go Peter, go Peter!" he chanted.

Peter rolled his eyes and leaned towards the center of the circle where Ororo met him. Their kiss was chaste, nothing like the first time she'd kissed him and she giggled when they parted.

"My turn!" she shouted cheerfully.

"Oh, brother, watch out," Logan muttered.

A deft twist of her hand sent the bottle spinning across the floor. Again all eyes were glued to the empty beer bottle.

"Kitty you smell nice, what kind of perfume are you wearing?" Ororo asked in an attempt to distract her young friend.

Everyone directed their attention to Kitty as if waiting for her reply.  Kitty threw out her hands as if she didn't know and said as much.

"Yours is very nice," Kitty said, returning the compliment.  "Kinda unique.  What's it called?"

"Why thank you, Kitty.  It's called Dirt."

"Dirt?" Bobby cracked up.

"An' here we were thinkin' you were the goddess of clean.  Guess you had a reason to be smellin' so funky," Logan joked.

Ororo glowered unmercifully at Logan and the little wind that she'd been generating died; the bottle left to spin on its own accord.  Logan slid forward a bit and the bottle almost leapt towards him.

"What was that?" Ororo asked.

"Don't know but come here," Logan said with a wink.

Ororo held out her hand to Logan as if she were royalty barely deigning to suffer his touch.  Everyone, including Ororo was surprised when he knocked her hand away and then pulled her to him laying a long, wet, and very loud kiss on her cheek.

"Eww! Eww!  Wet and sloppy!  Eww!" Ororo shuddered as she wiped at her cheek furiously.  "Don't ever do that again!"

"Just what the doctor ordered," Logan laughed.

"Your turn, Ororo," Bobby said casually.

"I just went, it's Logan's."

"This blows!" Bobby was ticked off.

Logan picked up the bottle and gave it a hard spin quickly moving away from it.  Intriguingly it ended up pointing back at him again.  He picked the bottle up and handed it to Peter.  Peter felt a little safer being in control of the spin so he took it without complaint.  He held the bottle as his flesh turned into metal as he meant to spin that bottle as if there was no tomorrow.  With a look at Ororo he twirled the bottle as hard as he could. 

"Wow, that's some spin," Scott said.

"Sorry I could not help it," Peter replied with a huge grin.

Ororo saw he was looking at her.  She wondered if he was on to her and looked away.

"I think if the bottle points to the person who spins it that they should get to kiss who ever they want and get another turn," Peter teased her.

The bottle continued to spin. 

"Good idea," Bobby agreed.

Still the bottle spun.

"Yeah, good idea, Petey," Logan laughed.

The bottle finally slowed and actually seemed to be inching towards Peter. He moved away as Logan took the bottle up.  Kitty was concentrating on the floor when Peter touched her shoulder.  She looked up and closed her eyes tightly and Peter's lips touched for a brief moment.

"Isn't this a little childish?" Scott asked.

No one paid any attention to him.

"When's it my turn?  When's someone going to kiss me?" Bobby fumed.

In answer Logan slapped Bobby on the back his head.

"Ow!  That hurt!  Why'd you do that?  That's twice!"

"Felt like it."

"You've been watching My Wife and Kids way too much!"

Peter's metal body reverted back to normal and he took another try with the bottle.  When it pointed to Logan Bobby let out a cat call but Logan held out his hand which Peter laughingly took for a brief handshake much to Ororo's relief. 

"This is boring," Jean muttered.

No one paid any attention to her.

To the great annoyance of Bobby and Ororo, Logan and Peter were proving to be the only players in the game as Logan, having taken his turn once again, ended up with the bottle pointing at him for the third time.

Ororo jumped up.  "You're cheating!"

"I resent that," Logan chuckled.  "After all I don't have any control over bottles.  I can't control them like Jean might be able to."

Everyone looked at Jean suspiciously while Logan got up and followed Ororo into the corner where she'd retreated.

"Give me my kiss," Logan whispered.

"Take it then."

"Don't mind if I do," Logan said and he let his lips taste the saltiness at the base of her throat. 

"Oh!" Ororo moaned as his lips played across her neck.

"I didn't do anything!" Jean was shouting now.  "Why would I make you guys always get each other?  Do you think I want to see you kiss or something?  Wouldn't I choose Scott?  I mean to kiss me not you!"

Ororo pushed Logan away and rejoined the game.  She was clearly flustered.  Logan swaggered back and started to take another turn but Ororo grabbed the bottle with a fierce look and spun it herself.

"New rule, if it lands on you spin again and you don't get a double turn," she spat.

"Good rule," Bobby said.  "Come on baby!"

Scott laughed but when he saw where the bottle landed he quickly choked and started coughing and sputtering.

"Scott!" Jean cried out in alarm.

"Cool!" Ororo smiled. She leaned in to get her kiss but when Scott hesitated she just laughed and pulled him to her saying – "Kiss me now you hunk!"

Scott obliged much to Jean's horror. Not quite as chaste as the kiss between Ororo and Peter, it brought a rosy shade of pink to Scott's face.

"Not bad," Ororo said with appreciation when they were finished and she was very good as she didn't once look over at Jean.

She smiled and added, "Your turn." Although she was thinking more along the lines of 'take that' but only the gleam of mischief in her eyes revealed her thoughts.

Scott found his hand was shaking when he took hold of the bottle but he gave it a little spin and prayed that Jean would be its target.

Unfortunately the bottle pointed to no one.

"Darn," he muttered.

"Try again," Jean insisted.

"Right!" And so he did.

"Do we have to?" Bobby wailed as he stared at the bottle that was pointed directly at him.

"Shake and spin," Ororo said.

They shook, Bobby spun the bottle next and Jean was the lucky winner.

"Hoo boy!" Bobby licked his lips and eagerly scooted over to Jean.

Jean's eyes were wide with conflicting emotions – shock and horror but a few.  She tried to smile but the effort seemed to go awry and she looked more like a damaged mannequin left in the dumpster than the attractive Jean everyone knew and liked.  Bobby barely noticed. He kissed her and enjoyed it. Surprised to find that Bobby wasn't a bad kisser Jean started to relax and enjoy it herself until she felt his tongue trying to gain entry and then she pushed him away.

"No tongues!" she hollered. "Make that a rule – no tongues!"

"Bobby, you know better!" Ororo scolded and gave the bottle to Jean. 

"Make it a rule or I'm leaving!" Jean snapped. 

Ororo shrugged.  "New rule, no tongues!"

Jean frowned but took her turn. Her frown grew even deeper when she saw she had to kiss Logan. She leaned over and pecked him on the cheek then sat back down and spun the bottle again.

"Hey, no fair – you only get one turn!" Bobby cried.

"Whatever," Jean said. She started to stop the bottle but saw it had stopped on its own.

Bobby looked at her and she didn't hide her displeasure.

"You said I didn't get another turn so it doesn't count," Jean said with a happy smile.

"Yeah, right!"

"Isn't this a little childish?" Scott asked once again.

"Yeah, it is. Let's go," Jean agreed and stood up reaching for her man as she did so. She fairly yanked him out of his shoes in her eagerness to escape.

"Party poopers," Bobby laughed but he didn't seem to mind. He took a turn and prayed for a kiss with Ororo or even Kitty. No hand shakes for him thank you very much!

"This is fun," he said when he got his wish and pulled Kitty to him.

"It's better when you cheat," Ororo mumbled.

"What was that?" Logan asked with a rakish grin.

"You heard me," Ororo muttered.

Kitty was beet red when Bobby let her go. She wanted to disappear.

"Cheat?" Logan whispered to Ororo.

"Thank you!" she whispered back.

Peter had been quietly amused with the antics of his team mates. It was indeed a silly childish game but it was fun to see Jean and Scott joining in the fun for a change and fun to watch everyone's reactions.  It wasn't quite as fun to see Bobby holding Kitty though.

As Kitty took her turn he didn't detect the sudden light gust of wind as he'd thought he had the first time he'd been forced to kiss Kitty but if he had he wouldn't have held it against Ororo. Better that he was the one kissing Kitty rather than anyone else there especially Bobby.  He was almost as pleased as Kitty was when the bottle pointed straight at him. Ororo and Logan shared a satisfied look while Bobby played with the bottle sticking it on his thumb.

Finally Bobby yelled, "Get a room why don't you?" And Peter and Kitty, remembering that they were not alone, fell apart.

"Now that's what this game's all about," Logan laughed to Kitty's embarrassment.

Peter looked sheepishly at Logan but he laughed good naturedly.

"Your turn, Peter," Ororo reminded him, ready to use her powers again.

It felt good to feel the winds at her fingertips after being out of commission for so long. It didn't seem quite as easy to maneuver the bottle now but this time she managed it so Kitty won another kiss.

"This is fun," Ororo said quietly as she watched the two share a very chaste peck this time.

"You should go next," Peter said, having caught on to her little game once again. He had said nothing the first time and he would say nothing this time if he could help it as he knew Ororo meant well but it was becoming a little embarrassing.

Ororo stifled a yawn and Logan took the bottle from Peter then stood up.

"She's tired," he said.

"Am not."

"Yeah, you are."

"I . . ." her words died as she yawned deeply. "It's my turn, give me the bottle."

He did. She spun. He smiled. She smiled. The bottle was pointed right at him. She tilted her head exposing her cheek for him to kiss and tapped it with her hand.

"You gotta be kiddin'," Logan said.

Ororo moved away looking at him warily but Logan followed her and once up on her he took her face into his hands starring hard at her. It was a most uncomfortable moment for Ororo who wanted to laugh and tell him to be good but yet wanted to close her eyes and say nothing just let him have his way with her. She chose the latter option and waited for him to him kiss her at his will.

"Okay, is it me or does everyone here but me need a room?" Bobby balked. "Come up for air why don't you? Someone else might like to get a chance!" he added.

"Whoa," Ororo murmured when Logan let her breathe again.

He was grinning at her but the look in his eyes threw her. It was predatory and full of lust. She swallowed nervously.

"Somebody take a turn," Bobby said hopefully.

Logan spun without looking at the bottle then sat up on his haunches.

"Man!" Bobby groaned when the bottle pointed at him. "Just pretend we shook."

Logan shrugged and let Bobby have another turn.

"What on earth are you doing?"

Everyone looked up to see Hank staring at the little group.

"We were just leaving," Bobby said quickly.

"Sure, Ro's pretty tired," Logan said when he saw Hank wasn't going to just take a look then depart as he usually did.

Bobby left with a smile on his face. Life was good. Two nice kisses. Yeah, life was good. Peter, his hand on the small of Kitty's back, left with a smile on his face. He really liked Kitty despite her age. And of course Kitty was all smiles as well. That had been the first time Peter had kissed her like he meant it. Logan shut the door behind him without looking back.

"I didn't think I would be – well I thought I'd be in the way with everything that happened and all," Hank stammered. "You look good. You're doing better then?"

"Yeah."

There seemed nothing to say and they both looked away awkwardly.

"Um, thanks for the tapes," Ororo said after a while.

Hank gave an indifferent shrug and the silence resumed.

"So you've put the Internet to good use then," She couldn't help but say.

"Oh yes! You can do anything on the Internet - for instances I have these friends . . ."

"Please, Hank I don't even want to know!"

"But it's not like - well I'm - its not like last time it's just . . ."

"Hank, I know!  This is me you're talking to!  Those people wanting to know all about us - they aren't your friends, they're just freaks that don't have lives! I mean how can they be online all day and all night?  Don't they have anything better to do?  And that's just my point!  They have nothing else to do but write stupid stories about us and discuss our powers like they know everything about us.  Do you think Storm can beat Thor – can she take on Spiderman?  Can the Beast beat the Hulk?  As if we'd really go up against the Ultimates or Peter Parker! Okay, well we did have to go up against the Ultimates but that's not the point.  We weren't their enemy, you know what I mean."

"I know what your point is, Ororo but you don't know what I've been doing.  I have two friends, Arcade and Mesmero – geniuses!  They don't get into that fanboy stuff!  They've got such great ideas! Arcade is an expert with machines and inventions and I think with some of his ideas I can turn the danger room in to a state of the art . . . "


"What?  A state of the art arcade, an amusement park?" Ororo retorted more rudely than she'd intended.

"That's not funny Ororo."

"Sorry, but I think you should tell the Prof about what you're doing."

"It's none of his business."

She shook her head in disgust.

"Well, I can see you don't understand and never will. I shouldn't have even wasted my time," Hank said with a sad shake of his own head. "I'm glad you're better."

The door opened and Logan stepped in. He didn't look happy. Hank paid no attention to him and instead bent down and picked up the empty beer bottle. He held it in the palm of his hand as if weighing it then he looked at Logan.

"Once a cheat and a killer always a cheat and a killer, huh?" Hank said as he tossed the bottle to Logan.

"That's uncalled for," Ororo started as Logan caught the bottle easily.

"Ask your new boyfriend what I mean."

Logan sighed.

"He's not my boyfriend," Ororo said.

"When Scott told me you were playing games up here I didn't think he was serious . . ."

"You need to lighten up, bub!" Logan snapped as he turned the bottle upside down and shook it.

After a few hard shakes Ororo saw something fall to the floor. She looked at Logan then stooped to pick up the object. It was a small, flat, and very sticky magnet.

"Eww," she said then broke down and laughed. "Oh, Hank – it's just a game. We were, um, just trying to get Peter and Kitty together. So what if we cheated a little?"

"You knew?" Hank asked.

"It's just a game.  I cheat a little too." She tried to look fierce as she looked at Logan but she couldn't help but laugh again.  "You cheater!  At least it explains why my winds weren't acting right.  I thought my powers had gone haywire!  Did Peter know?  Is that why he powered up?  He must have known!"

Logan shook his head. 

"Are you stupid or just blind?" Hank shouted.  "He's not the good guy here, Ororo.  You're acting like he's your best friend all of a sudden when all he wants to do is get you in bed.  I know his type.  After he gets what he wants he won't be staying around.  He'll be laughing about how he used you – are you just going to let him use you like he did Jean?"

And Logan swung, his adamantium laced bones giving his blow more force than any ordinary man's causing Hank to fall back.  Hank brought a hand to his jaw as he advanced towards Logan.

"Stop it!" Ororo yelled.  "Stop it and get out of my room now!  I'm sick of this crap!  I'm sick of you!  I hate you!  I hate you!"

Both men stopped but only one of them turned to look at her.  Hank never took his eyes off of Logan.

"One day," Hank muttered and walked away.

Ororo felt annoyed more than sorry as she watched his large hulking body squeeze sideways as he passed through the door. She went into her bathroom and slammed the door.  She was more than annoyed.  She was blazing mad. 

It took quite a while before she'd calmed down enough to brush her teeth and ready herself for bed.  She hadn't realized it but she was exhausted.  She felt if she could make it to the bed she'd sleep for a million days and nights.  When she came back into her room she saw Logan sitting in the same chair he always sat in, shirt off and eyes closed.

What was this she wondered?  Had he moved in?  Did he think he could just sleep in her chair every night now?  It just made her angrier.  She grabbed her pillow with every intention of going to Kitty's room to sleep but when she passed Logan something made her stop.

"Hey!  Ow!  Stop!"  Logan shouted as he jumped up trying to fend her off.

Ororo was whacking him as hard as she could with the pillow and she didn't look as if she was going to let up.  Logan finally grabbed the pillow from her and looked at her as if she'd lost her mind.  Perhaps she had as she ran to her bed and grabbed the other pillow and started back to slug him some more. 

Logan tried to hold her off.  He tried to be a gentleman.  He really did but Ororo wasn't playing fair and he was tired of being smacked in the face with a heavy feather pillow.  So he did the only thing he could do.  He retaliated.  He swung the pillow back and let her come in for the kill.  When she smiled in glee thinking she was going to get him again she found she was too slow.  Logan swiftly brought his pillow down so hard on her head that she stumbled backwards.

"Oh, you son of a . . . you SOB!" she ground her teeth and threw her pillow as hard as she could aided with a strong wind.

Logan laughed when it struck his chest.  He came at her menacingly.  She backed up, took a quick look behind her then dove for her bed.  She had throw pillows on the side of the bed and she reached for as many as she could.  Too late.  Logan was on top of her before she could turn over.

"Get off of me!" she yelled.

"Sssh, you want the Professor to come in here?"

"Yes!" she laughed.  "Get off of me!"

"Don't know about that.  I like it here."

She wanted to cry and laugh but instead she dropped the pillow in her hand and yawned despite her efforts not to.

"You okay?" Logan asked quickly as he rolled off her.

"I feel like I could sleep forever."

Logan was struck by her words.  They bothered him but he didn't dwell upon it.  She was tired and he wasn't helping.

"You know I appreciate what you did for me," Ororo said.

"I didn't do anything."

"You were really sweet."

"No I wasn't sweet."

"And nice."

"Maybe nice."

She laughed.  He watched her.  Her hair was all over the place after their tussle and she did look tired but to him she'd never looked lovelier.  He wanted her.

Ororo smiled as she sat up.  She took her robe off and slid into the covers as naked as always.  Logan stared.  He swore.  She was beautiful.  Her eyes had fallen shut almost as soon as her head touched the mattress.  Logan reached over and lifted her head gently placing the pillow he still held underneath her.  She barely noticed him and Logan was glad for that.  Without thinking he curled up beside her and laid there until he too fell asleep.