Disclaimer: Okay, still don't own X-Men and I'm defiantly not making any money off of this so no one sue. You won't get nothing but a headache. And I don't own Buffy the Vampire Slayer or any of it's references or quotes or anything else you recognize from elsewhere. Oh, but I do own Ebony and the story idea and probably any characters you don't recognize. Yay me. And I don't technically own Sakura and Eric. My friend Megan does. So let's all thank her. Everyone together, THANK YOU MEGAN.
Authors Note: Everyone, y'all need to go and read Mercury Dream's stuff. It's really, really, really, really, really good. (Did I mention really?) A Rogue's Touch and All Grown Up are my favorites but the others are all really good as well. So go read her stuff to. Now, quickly! Oh, and if any of you didn't already know, Ishandahalf has posted a fic that you all need to go read too. And sorry for the wait y'all. Been busy this past week.
Okay, I know you guys love Maddie apparently. But what about the others? Cause I'm really quite fond of them myself. (Especially Sakura and Eric, so feel the love Megan.) Even Tony, despite my picking on the poor guy. Let me know, and especially my poor friend whose not feeling the love. Oh, and her and I, well mostly her, have written a back-story for the group and we were wondering if you guys wanted to read any of it? Let me know and I'll relay the message to her. Now onto the story.
'text' internal speech
dreams
Wandering Souls
Chapter 35: Recovery
In all his years Hank McCoy had never seen anything like what he was looking at now. The young woman before him was bruised, bloody and broken. He had been surprised that her lung hadn't collapsed before they had gotten her on the plane.
"What do you think Henry?" Meranda's silky voice asked as she helped him work, anticipating what he'd need next, like a good nurse.
"She'll need surgery to get the bullet out and to set the bone in her arm. But those can wait at the moment. Right now I'm more concerned with that lung," he replied as the jet made its way back towards the Institute. "It's going to be a challenge."
"One that I know you're up to," Meranda stated confidently.
"Thank you my dear," Hank smiled warmly at her. "I am going to need an assistant though."
She smiled at him affectionately. "Where else would I be?"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Rogue collapsed in a heap on her bed at the Institute. Madison had been in surgery for over thirty sex hours. She hadn't woken up yet, but Henry was optimistic about her recovery. And adamant about not moving her till he was satisfied with her recovery. He'd kicked them out after they'd seen her, telling them that she wasn't the only one who needed rest. The Professor had been kind enough to give Tony, Eric and Sakura a place to stay while their friend recovered.
Rogue groaned and stretched, sinking into her pillows, closing her eyes. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been this tired. 'Yeah Ah can,' she thought, a smirk appearing on her face as visions of the night at the warehouse came back to her mind. The loud clearing of a throat brought her back from her x-0rated fantasies and she shot up in bed, her cheeks turning a pale shade of pink as her father stood leaning in the doorframe. His blue and yellow uniform clinging tightly to his muscled form.
"You asleep kid?" he asked with a smirk as he entered the room.
"Not no more," Rogue breathed, the color leaving her cheeks. For a minute there she was afraid it'd been one of the resident telepaths. "What'd ya need daddy?"
"Thought we should talk. Haven't really done that since you got here," he moved over to her bed, sitting on the end and looking up at her. She pulled herself up, leaning against her headboard. "I guess I was too busy treating you like the kid you were the last time I saw you."
"It's okay," Rogue said looking at him. "Ah'm sure Ah haven't made it all that easy."
Logan looked at her for a long time, taking in the woman his little girl had become. He hadn't believed it until he'd watched her shoot the guards yesterday. "You've definitely grown up Stripes," he paused and took a deep breath. "now mind telling me what yesterday was about?"
"What? Rogue shifted uncomfortably, still in her bloody uniform and leather jacket.
"You know what," Logan stated firmly, his voice soft, as he looked at her.
"Ah was completin' a mission," she stated simply, her voice devoid of any emotion.
It sent a chill up Logan's spine. "Don't do that kid."
"Do what?" she asked defensively.
"Shut yourself off like that! Don't turn into me," he added softer.
She stared at him for a moment, shocked at the pain in his eyes.
"It's hard goin' thru life never giving a damn. I'm trying to give it up and there's no way in hell I want to see you heading anywhere near that path."
"Ya care more than ya think," Rogue said, moving to the edge of the bed and letting her legs dangle next to his. "Otherwise ya wouldn't be treatin' meh lahke a kid all the time. And tryin' ta kill mah boyfriend."
"Why Gumbo?" Logan asked. "He gambles, he smokes. Drinks, steals," Logan began listing of all of Remy's "finer" qualities when Rogue cut him off.
"Stop it! Ya describing' a lot of ya in there and it just scares meh!" Rogue made an elaborate shudder as Logan glared at her. "Besides, yer forgettin' the other things."
"Like what?"
"Like he takes care of meh but not lahke Ah'm an invalid. He's strong and smart and sensitive and most importantly," she paused and looked her father in the eye. "He loves meh despite mah past. Loved meh when Ah had poison skin. And he still loves meh despite mah homicidal parents. Hell, Ah think he deserves credit fer that alone."
"Are ya done yet kid?" Logan growled.
"No, Ah got one more thing ta say," Rogue rose, fingering the necklace Remy had given her for Christmas as it hung loosely around her neck.
"And what's that?" Logan asked, crossing his arms over his broad chest.
"Ah love him too," she stated, turning and looking Logan directly in the eye.
He let out a sigh and shook his head, rising and walking over to her. He stopped a few inches away from her and brushed a white bang from her eyes. "Done yet?" she nodded slowly and he continued. "Don't interrupt me again, cause if you hadn't, I would have been able to tell you that I like him."
Rogue's eyes grew wide and she looked up at him. "Really?"
"Yeah. But don't tell Gumbo that. I like to watch him jump. Or your mother. She'll never let me live it down," Logan grinned as Rogue began to laugh. "Now go clean up. You reek."
"Yeah and ya smell lahke roses," Rogue rolled her eyes and grabbed for her towel and toiletries while he turned to leave.
"Oh and Marie," Logan called from the door.
"Yeah dad?"
He paused for a moment, unsure of how to word what he had to say, before continuing. "I know you guys love each other and I'm sure you were careful, but that ain't always enough. Just keep that in mind next time okay?"
Rogue stood staring at him dumbfounded. "How…" she began before he cut her off by tapping his nose. She blushed and looked at her hands. "We were," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, but easily detected by her fathers sensitive hearing. "And we'll keep being careful."
"Good," Logan nodded slowly. "Now, get some rest. You've got three danger room sessions to make up." And with that her turned to leave, making a note to find and talk to a certain Cajun later on.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sakura sat silently in the chair next to Madison's bed in the med lab, letting the sounds of the monitors draw her into a trance. She should have know. The mission replayed itself over and over in her mind, trying to find the exact moment where everything went to shit, and each time she always came to the same conclusion. She should have known.
"Nice lip. Who do I thank," Madison's hoarse voice broke through the sounds of the monitors, bringing Sakura out of her haze.
"Hey! You're awake," Sakura said leaning forward. "How long have you been awake?"
"Not long," Madison cringed as she struggled to rise up in the bed, collapsing back as pain erupted thru her body. Her right arm was in a cast, resting next to her side in anatomical position. She could feel the tight bandages around her abdomen and chest as well as the patch on her back shoulder. She brought her left hand up and gingerly felt the stitches on her forehead. Judging from the soreness in her face and body, there was extensive bruising and she was sure she didn't look the prettiest at the moment. After examining her injuries, she turned her attention back to her concerned friend. "Apparently not as long as you've been sitting there kicking your own ass though. And you didn't tell me who to thank."
"I fucked up," Sakura said softly, looking at her hands.
"And how exactly did you do that? I f I remember correctly, I was the one who got shot," Madison replied. And then captured and tortured and all that jazz."
"But if I had know it would have never happened," she paused and took a breath. "After I got captured I swore I'd never let that happen to any of you. And I failed."
"Do you really think that you knowing what was down there would have changed anything? We all knew what was at stake when we went in," sudden fear flashed before Madison's eyes. "The vial?"
"In the hands of the big blue doctor," Sakura assured her.
Madison relaxed visibly. "Really? He's blue?"
"Oh yeah. And he has fur," Sakura confirmed.
"That is so cool," Madison replied, sinking back into the pillows and closing her swollen eyes.
"You scared the shit out of me," Sakura said quietly after a few moment.
"You know I didn't mean too," Maddie replied softly.
"Yeah, but you did," Sakura repeated.
"Well, I'll take that into consideration the next time I do something stupid that gets me shot," Madison replied sarcastically.
"Well I can see you're feeling better," Sakura glared at her. "I'm gonna go get your boyfriend. I'm sure he's DYING to know that your better," the statement sarcastic, but true as she rose to leave.
"Hey! You still haven't told me who to thank," Madison called, causing Sakura to pause in the doorway, turning to face her bed ridden friend.
"I fell," Sakura said lamely.
"Yeah, I get that," Madison said slowly. "But on whose fist? Tony?" she paused and watched Sakura's un-blinking face. "Eric?"
"My boyfriend doesn't hit me," Sakura said defensively, emphasizing the 'my boyfriend.'
"So Tony then?" Madison asked seriously.
Sakura averted her eyes, finding new fascination with the doorframe.
"Well," Madison stated, her voice dangerously cold. "Apparently my boyfriend doesn't hit me either. He hit's you."
"I hit him first," Sakura tried.
"And that makes it better how?" Madison asked angrily.
"You know, I'm just gonna go cause I'm only making things worse," Sakura said turning to leave again.
"Tell that little bitch to get his ass down here!" Madison called after her friend. "And don't tell him why."
"Fuck," Sakura muttered as she headed down the hall to find the guys.
"Fuck what?" Wanda asked as she, Jubilee and Ray walked up behind Sakura.
"Oh, your boyfriend? Cause yeah," Jubilee grinned, rubbing her hands together mischievously.
Ray rolled his eyes at her in disgust as he turned his attention back to Sakura, letting his eyes rake over her body.
"You couldn't handle him," Sakura said as she headed down the hall. "And you couldn't handle me," she added turning to glance at Ray.
Wanda snickered as Ray and Jubilee flushed red.
"I have a boyfriend," Jubilee stated indignantly, turning away from Sakura.
"What about your friend? Could I handle her?" Ray asked angrily, his pride hurt.
"Not on your life," Sakura replied smirking. "But you're welcome to try. I'm sure her big muscular boyfriend would love that," she added sarcastically.
"Don't listen to her Ray," Jubilee insisted, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "I saw that big guy hitting on Jean earlier. Besides, I'm sure Madison would love the company," she winked over at Wanda and Sakura who were both staring at her oddly.
"Really?" Ray looked at her skeptically.
"Just go!" Wanda growled, raising a hand before her. "Cause you're pissing me off."
Sakura watched as he quickly backpedaled away from the angry Goth. "Well, I'm gonna go help Hank," he rushed out before turning and jogging down the hallway.
"Why don't they run from me?" Jubilee whined, crossing her arms over her chest as they paused before the elevator.
"Because they've met you," Wanda stated turning her attention to Sakura. "So you guys are friends with Rogue?"
Sakura arched and eyebrow and shot her a 'duh' look, hitting the up button on the control panel.
"So do you guys really kill people?" Jubilee asked curiously.
"When we have to," Sakura replied evenly, looking impatiently at the doors. They opened under her gaze and the three girls entered, turning and facing the front. Sakura hit the first floor button and watched the doors slid closed.
"You guys look close to our age," Jubilee said becoming noisy. "Did you already graduate high school?"
"We dropped out," Sakura replied emotionless. "It was boring."
Wanda snickered while Jubilee looked shocked. "What'd your parents say?" she asked, her almond eyes wide.
"They're dead," Sakura replied coolly, her eyes focused on the elevator doors.
"Know the feeling," Wanda replied knowingly.
"You're dad's not dead," Jubilee turned and glared at the young Goth.
"Is to me," Wanda growled back at her, causing the young Asian woman to shrink away from her.
Silence followed as the elevator moved slowly towards the upper levels. Finally it became to much for Jubilee to handle and she turned back to Sakura. "So, how'd you meet the guys?"
"Carnival. Tony's actually the bearded woman," Sakura replied sarcastically, her face deadpan.
"Really?" Jubilee asked shocked.
Wanda rolled her eyes at Jubilee as the doors opened. "You have thirty seconds before that curtain strangles you. Run," she said icily.
Jubilee made a little eep noise before turning and running down the hall. Sakura turned to Wanda arching an eyebrow and giving her a quizzical look.
"Xavier makes me warn them," she explained.
Sakura smirked. "So, know where I can find Tony? He'll wanna know that Maddie's up."
"Rec room," Wanda replied heading in the direction. "he's with Evan, Kurt and Kitty. It's this way."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Rogue sat wrapped up in Remy's arms on the rec room couch, watching as Tony taught Kurt and Evan the art of pool. She was showered and changed and relaxing in the warmth of her lovers arms, enjoying the sight before her.
Kitty sat perched on a nearby stool, giving the muscular giant the third degree.
"So, like, you guys are really criminals? That's, like, so cool!" the young valley girl exclaimed, kicking her feet back and forth.
Tony cocked an eyebrow at her and took his shot, sinking three balls. "Is she for real?" he asked Rogue as he walked around the table and set up for another shot.
"Sadly," she replied, resting her head on Remy's shoulder as he flipped through the channels.
Kitty stuck her tongue out at Rogue and turned back to Tony. "So how long have you and Maddie been together?"
"Not long enough," he answered, sinking two more balls.
"That's, like, so romantic," Kitty gushed causing Kurt and Evan to shoot her looks.
"Yer over dramatizin' again Kit," Rogue said yawning.
"Whatever," she rolled her eyes. "So, like, Tony, do you, like, workout?"
"Do you, like, ever shout up?" before Tony could stop it, the dreaded 'like' slipped out of his lips. The room grew silent as he palled and Rogue snickered. Tony looked quickly from side to side, relief washing over his face till his eyes settled on Rogue, who had stopped snickering and was now grinning from ear to ear. Slowly he turned to find his worst fear standing in the doorway, an amused look on her face. "What did you hear?"
An innocent, bewildered look passed over Sakura's face as Wanda grinned next to her. "Like, I didn't hear anything," she replied teasingly.
Tony looked up at the ceiling. "Who did I kill? At what moment did I screw up enough to deserver her?"
"It was in the womb," Sakura stated deadpan. "I thought you'd want to know that your girlfriends awake. And, your in twouble."
Tony stared at her blankly for a minute before his eyes settled on her swollen lip. "Oh fuck."
"Those were my sentiments," Sakura replied smirking.
"Bettah go git yer ass kicked before she comes lookin' fer ya," Rogue said, offering him a sympathetic look.
"Look at de bright side homme," Remy said, rubbing small circles over Rogue's hip and lower back. "Least she be confined t' de bed non?"
"That's what you think," Tony grumbled, placing the cue on the table forcefully and heading towards the med wing.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The clearing of a throat brought Madison out of her light sleep. She opened her eyes slowly, expecting to meet the deep chocolate brown eyes of her lover, but instead found the hazel ones of one of the infamous X-Men. Ray smiled down at her. "Rise and shine sleeping beauty."
"You look a little young to be a doctor honey," Madison replied, resting back into the pillows, shutting her swollen eyes again. It hurt too much to keep them open for too long.
"Just thought I'd come keep you company," Ray said looking at her closely. Even with the bruises and the stitches she still looked hot. "Beautiful thing like you shouldn't be by herself in this big old med lab with only Doc McCoy to keep you company."
"Okay, could we not?" Madison said, cutting him off before he could proceed. "You're cute and all and normally, I'd love to flirt with you." She opened her eyes again and looked at him. "But right now I really don't have the energy and besides, you seem like a nice guy so I'm just going to lay it out for you. You don't stand a chance. I'm taken, and he's an over jealous pit-bull so it really wouldn't work out. Besides, when dealing with Eric and Sakura," here she raised her cast covered right hand slightly from her side, cringing at the effort. "And Tony and me," here she raised her left with less pain. "Never mess with true love," she moved her right hand slightly to indicate her two friends. "Or passionate, psychotic obsession," here she indicated her own relationship.
"Yeah I know," Ray laughed and smirked at her. "But it's fun to try."
Maddie laughed softly, her sides aching from the pressure of the bandage. "I'll give you that one," she smiled up at him. "So, you want to have some fun with my pit-bull? I promise to make him kill you fast afterwards."
"Well with an offer like that, who could resist?" Ray replied sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
"Oh come on, it'll be fun," Madison said smiling up at him. "Besides, it's no less than he deserves, hitting on my sister like that."
"You two are pretty close huh?" Ray said, referring to Madison and Sakura.
"Yeah. We've been friends since forever," Maddie replied moving slightly, cringing at the effort. Ray immediately went for the bed controls, adjusting it for her so she was in a raised position. "Thanks," she added with a smile before continuing. "We were neighbors when we were kids and have been friends ever since. Her mom was real cool while mine was a nut. I used to have to hide my cloths at her place cause my mom wouldn't let anything that wasn't concealing into the house."
"Wow, so what was your mom, a conversationalist?" Ray asked quirking an eyebrow.
"No. Religious," Madison replied smirking. "Her dream was for me to be a nun. I'd hate to see her face when she finds out I'm a killer. So what do you say? You wanna have some fun with my overgrown guard dog?"
"I guess, but you better hold him off while I run," Ray agreed.
"I can do that," Madison smirked in agreement.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The kitchen was silent save for the turning of pages as the two stoic figures sat at the table, reading. It'd been a little over an hour since Eric had walked into the kitchen to find Piotr sitting at the table, drinking coffee and reading from one of the old leather bound volumes on the table before him. He'd looked up and nodded a silent invitation to the former military agent, which was accepted by a silent nod as well. Since then the two had been sitting there reading and enjoying the all too unfamiliar silence.
"Honey, we've talked about you being sociable when we have guests," Jubilee's high pitched voice cut through the room.
Piotr let out a sigh and looked over at Eric, whose eye began to tick at the sound of the Russian's girlfriend. "We're bonding," Piotr replied, returning to his book, hiding a smile.
Eric grunted in agreement and turned another page.
"How the hell are you guys bonding," Jubilee exclaimed, sitting down across from Eric and next to Piotr. "Neither one of you is saying anything."
"And it was nice," Eric replied stoically.
Jubilee stuck her tongue out at him, earning her a raised eyebrow.
Before anyone could speak, the loud voices of Bobby, Roberto, Jamie, Sam and Rahne entered from outside.
"Wow, I don't think this has ever happened before," Bobby said, looking around the room.
"What's that?" Roberto asked, heading to the fridge for a bottle of water.
"I walked into a room with Jubilee already in it and it's quiet," the Iceman replied smirking as she threw a napkin ball at his head.
"Whatever," she sighed and noticed the sweat dripping off the guys. "What were you all doing out there anyway?"
"Basketball," Sam replied grabbing a water from the fridge as well.
"The sport of men," Jamie said puffing out his chest.
Eric snorted at the young man's enthusiasm and kept his eyes trained on his book. Years of living with Madison had taught him to ignore chaos, and annoying people.
"Well if it's such a man's sport how come Rogue can beat you all by herself?" Jubilee challenged, glaring at them.
"Well it's not our fault Rogue's a manly woman," Bobby said taking a long drink from his water.
At that point, Wanda, Sakura, Kurt, Kitty, Evan, Remy and Rogue chose to enter the room.
"You're such a pig," Wanda growled glaring at him and hexing his water, causing it to pour out of the opening too fast and give him a much needed bath, causing Jubilee to snicker.
"Yeah, a dead pig," Rogue drawled glaring at him.
Sakura smirked as she walked across the room and over to Eric. He never took his eyes off the page he was reading as he lifted one arm out to the side, letting her slide onto his lap. She leaned back and rested her head against his shoulder, and began to read as well.
"Rogue, I didn't mean it, I swear," Bobby began, backing up away from the angry Goths as both her and Wanda stalked towards him, Wanda's hands were raised as blue energy crackled between her fingers. Rogue simply cracked her knuckles.
"You are, like, so dead," Kitty said plopping down next to Jubilee and watching Eric and Sakura. Sakura leaned over, nuzzling her nose close to his neck and whispered into his ear, causing Kitty to gush. "You two, are like, so cute."
Eric ignored her as he turned to Sakura. "Should we go visit her then?"
"Not right now," Sakura replied innocently.
Eric smirked. "Tattle tale."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The sound of Madison's laughter met Tony's ears as he exited the elevator. He cocked an eyebrow and headed down the hallway. He stopped in the doorway, anger and jealousy clouding his features at the sight before him.
Madison sat leaning against the pillows, her bed propped up as Ray sat on the edge, flirting shamelessly with her.
Tony clenched his fists and growled low, drawing their attention. Ray visibly palled and shot up off the bed, backing up behind Madison's head for protection as the other man stalked into the room.
"What the fuck is this?" Tony bellowed, glaring at Madison and indicating Ray.
"What him?" Madison asked innocently looking over at Ray. "This is Ray. He's a boy. I like boys."
"Yes, I see that," Tony said, more than a little agitated. "But you already have a boyfriend."
"Yeah well I'm thinking of upgrading to one that, y'know, doesn't hit my sister," Madison growled back, her eyes icy towards him for the first time since the day they met.
"Gee look at the time. I forgot I have a danger room session with Logan. Must be going," Ray said backing away from them, looking forward to a danger room session for the first time in his life. He moved quickly, making sure he faced Tony at all times before making it safely to the door.
They didn't even notice him leave as the two glared at each other. After a few long moments of silence Madison shook her head slowly. "I thought I knew you better than that," she said, more to herself than to him. "I don't know how you could be such a fucking jackass! So what, next time you get a little upset I've got to walk around wondering if it's going to be me next? Or if I'm going to walk into a room and find Kura passed out on the floor with a black eye and head trauma? What were you fucking thinking? Or were you at all?"
"Well what the fuck do you want me to do about it now?" Tony exploded. "It happened and I'm not fucking proud of it but it did happen. And Kura and I've already worked it out."
"That still doesn't make it right," Madison said, refusing to let it drop that easily.
"Look, Kura understood I needed to get it out of my fucking system," Tony growled back. "She understood that that's all it was," he emphasized understood.
Madison looked at him like he'd just hit her full force in the gut. "You think she understands you better than I do?" she asked, turning away from him to hide the tears that began to pool in her eyes.
"God you're such a pain in the ass," Tony said exasperated as he walked over to the bed and sat down next to her, pulling her gently into his arms. "First you go and scare the living hell out of me," he began stroking her hair gently as she cried softly into his shirt, clutching the front in a bruised hand. "Then you yell at me and flirt like a little hoe. Now you're crying. What the hell am I going to do with you?" his voice was softer as he held her close, just glad to have her alive and breathing and in his arms again.
"Love me?" she offered, looking up at him.
"Already do that," he said kissing the top of her head.
"Then I have no fucking idea," she replied leaning against him. "Just don't hit Kura anymore k?"
"Fine. Only if you don't flirt with that little prick anymore," Tony stated.
"But he's cute," Madison argued playfully, noting his raised eyebrow.
"Maddie," he stated giving her a look.
"Fine, be that way," she yawned as she began to drift off to sleep. "You know, you're pretty comfortable for a overgrown pit bull."
"Yeah I hear that a lot," Tony snorted and kissed her head again. "Go to sleep already. You're a lot cuter then," but she was way ahead of him.
Authors Note: Everyone, y'all need to go and read Mercury Dream's stuff. It's really, really, really, really, really good. (Did I mention really?) A Rogue's Touch and All Grown Up are my favorites but the others are all really good as well. So go read her stuff to. Now, quickly! Oh, and if any of you didn't already know, Ishandahalf has posted a fic that you all need to go read too. And sorry for the wait y'all. Been busy this past week.
Okay, I know you guys love Maddie apparently. But what about the others? Cause I'm really quite fond of them myself. (Especially Sakura and Eric, so feel the love Megan.) Even Tony, despite my picking on the poor guy. Let me know, and especially my poor friend whose not feeling the love. Oh, and her and I, well mostly her, have written a back-story for the group and we were wondering if you guys wanted to read any of it? Let me know and I'll relay the message to her. Now onto the story.
'text' internal speech
dreams
Wandering Souls
Chapter 35: Recovery
In all his years Hank McCoy had never seen anything like what he was looking at now. The young woman before him was bruised, bloody and broken. He had been surprised that her lung hadn't collapsed before they had gotten her on the plane.
"What do you think Henry?" Meranda's silky voice asked as she helped him work, anticipating what he'd need next, like a good nurse.
"She'll need surgery to get the bullet out and to set the bone in her arm. But those can wait at the moment. Right now I'm more concerned with that lung," he replied as the jet made its way back towards the Institute. "It's going to be a challenge."
"One that I know you're up to," Meranda stated confidently.
"Thank you my dear," Hank smiled warmly at her. "I am going to need an assistant though."
She smiled at him affectionately. "Where else would I be?"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Rogue collapsed in a heap on her bed at the Institute. Madison had been in surgery for over thirty sex hours. She hadn't woken up yet, but Henry was optimistic about her recovery. And adamant about not moving her till he was satisfied with her recovery. He'd kicked them out after they'd seen her, telling them that she wasn't the only one who needed rest. The Professor had been kind enough to give Tony, Eric and Sakura a place to stay while their friend recovered.
Rogue groaned and stretched, sinking into her pillows, closing her eyes. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been this tired. 'Yeah Ah can,' she thought, a smirk appearing on her face as visions of the night at the warehouse came back to her mind. The loud clearing of a throat brought her back from her x-0rated fantasies and she shot up in bed, her cheeks turning a pale shade of pink as her father stood leaning in the doorframe. His blue and yellow uniform clinging tightly to his muscled form.
"You asleep kid?" he asked with a smirk as he entered the room.
"Not no more," Rogue breathed, the color leaving her cheeks. For a minute there she was afraid it'd been one of the resident telepaths. "What'd ya need daddy?"
"Thought we should talk. Haven't really done that since you got here," he moved over to her bed, sitting on the end and looking up at her. She pulled herself up, leaning against her headboard. "I guess I was too busy treating you like the kid you were the last time I saw you."
"It's okay," Rogue said looking at him. "Ah'm sure Ah haven't made it all that easy."
Logan looked at her for a long time, taking in the woman his little girl had become. He hadn't believed it until he'd watched her shoot the guards yesterday. "You've definitely grown up Stripes," he paused and took a deep breath. "now mind telling me what yesterday was about?"
"What? Rogue shifted uncomfortably, still in her bloody uniform and leather jacket.
"You know what," Logan stated firmly, his voice soft, as he looked at her.
"Ah was completin' a mission," she stated simply, her voice devoid of any emotion.
It sent a chill up Logan's spine. "Don't do that kid."
"Do what?" she asked defensively.
"Shut yourself off like that! Don't turn into me," he added softer.
She stared at him for a moment, shocked at the pain in his eyes.
"It's hard goin' thru life never giving a damn. I'm trying to give it up and there's no way in hell I want to see you heading anywhere near that path."
"Ya care more than ya think," Rogue said, moving to the edge of the bed and letting her legs dangle next to his. "Otherwise ya wouldn't be treatin' meh lahke a kid all the time. And tryin' ta kill mah boyfriend."
"Why Gumbo?" Logan asked. "He gambles, he smokes. Drinks, steals," Logan began listing of all of Remy's "finer" qualities when Rogue cut him off.
"Stop it! Ya describing' a lot of ya in there and it just scares meh!" Rogue made an elaborate shudder as Logan glared at her. "Besides, yer forgettin' the other things."
"Like what?"
"Like he takes care of meh but not lahke Ah'm an invalid. He's strong and smart and sensitive and most importantly," she paused and looked her father in the eye. "He loves meh despite mah past. Loved meh when Ah had poison skin. And he still loves meh despite mah homicidal parents. Hell, Ah think he deserves credit fer that alone."
"Are ya done yet kid?" Logan growled.
"No, Ah got one more thing ta say," Rogue rose, fingering the necklace Remy had given her for Christmas as it hung loosely around her neck.
"And what's that?" Logan asked, crossing his arms over his broad chest.
"Ah love him too," she stated, turning and looking Logan directly in the eye.
He let out a sigh and shook his head, rising and walking over to her. He stopped a few inches away from her and brushed a white bang from her eyes. "Done yet?" she nodded slowly and he continued. "Don't interrupt me again, cause if you hadn't, I would have been able to tell you that I like him."
Rogue's eyes grew wide and she looked up at him. "Really?"
"Yeah. But don't tell Gumbo that. I like to watch him jump. Or your mother. She'll never let me live it down," Logan grinned as Rogue began to laugh. "Now go clean up. You reek."
"Yeah and ya smell lahke roses," Rogue rolled her eyes and grabbed for her towel and toiletries while he turned to leave.
"Oh and Marie," Logan called from the door.
"Yeah dad?"
He paused for a moment, unsure of how to word what he had to say, before continuing. "I know you guys love each other and I'm sure you were careful, but that ain't always enough. Just keep that in mind next time okay?"
Rogue stood staring at him dumbfounded. "How…" she began before he cut her off by tapping his nose. She blushed and looked at her hands. "We were," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, but easily detected by her fathers sensitive hearing. "And we'll keep being careful."
"Good," Logan nodded slowly. "Now, get some rest. You've got three danger room sessions to make up." And with that her turned to leave, making a note to find and talk to a certain Cajun later on.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sakura sat silently in the chair next to Madison's bed in the med lab, letting the sounds of the monitors draw her into a trance. She should have know. The mission replayed itself over and over in her mind, trying to find the exact moment where everything went to shit, and each time she always came to the same conclusion. She should have known.
"Nice lip. Who do I thank," Madison's hoarse voice broke through the sounds of the monitors, bringing Sakura out of her haze.
"Hey! You're awake," Sakura said leaning forward. "How long have you been awake?"
"Not long," Madison cringed as she struggled to rise up in the bed, collapsing back as pain erupted thru her body. Her right arm was in a cast, resting next to her side in anatomical position. She could feel the tight bandages around her abdomen and chest as well as the patch on her back shoulder. She brought her left hand up and gingerly felt the stitches on her forehead. Judging from the soreness in her face and body, there was extensive bruising and she was sure she didn't look the prettiest at the moment. After examining her injuries, she turned her attention back to her concerned friend. "Apparently not as long as you've been sitting there kicking your own ass though. And you didn't tell me who to thank."
"I fucked up," Sakura said softly, looking at her hands.
"And how exactly did you do that? I f I remember correctly, I was the one who got shot," Madison replied. And then captured and tortured and all that jazz."
"But if I had know it would have never happened," she paused and took a breath. "After I got captured I swore I'd never let that happen to any of you. And I failed."
"Do you really think that you knowing what was down there would have changed anything? We all knew what was at stake when we went in," sudden fear flashed before Madison's eyes. "The vial?"
"In the hands of the big blue doctor," Sakura assured her.
Madison relaxed visibly. "Really? He's blue?"
"Oh yeah. And he has fur," Sakura confirmed.
"That is so cool," Madison replied, sinking back into the pillows and closing her swollen eyes.
"You scared the shit out of me," Sakura said quietly after a few moment.
"You know I didn't mean too," Maddie replied softly.
"Yeah, but you did," Sakura repeated.
"Well, I'll take that into consideration the next time I do something stupid that gets me shot," Madison replied sarcastically.
"Well I can see you're feeling better," Sakura glared at her. "I'm gonna go get your boyfriend. I'm sure he's DYING to know that your better," the statement sarcastic, but true as she rose to leave.
"Hey! You still haven't told me who to thank," Madison called, causing Sakura to pause in the doorway, turning to face her bed ridden friend.
"I fell," Sakura said lamely.
"Yeah, I get that," Madison said slowly. "But on whose fist? Tony?" she paused and watched Sakura's un-blinking face. "Eric?"
"My boyfriend doesn't hit me," Sakura said defensively, emphasizing the 'my boyfriend.'
"So Tony then?" Madison asked seriously.
Sakura averted her eyes, finding new fascination with the doorframe.
"Well," Madison stated, her voice dangerously cold. "Apparently my boyfriend doesn't hit me either. He hit's you."
"I hit him first," Sakura tried.
"And that makes it better how?" Madison asked angrily.
"You know, I'm just gonna go cause I'm only making things worse," Sakura said turning to leave again.
"Tell that little bitch to get his ass down here!" Madison called after her friend. "And don't tell him why."
"Fuck," Sakura muttered as she headed down the hall to find the guys.
"Fuck what?" Wanda asked as she, Jubilee and Ray walked up behind Sakura.
"Oh, your boyfriend? Cause yeah," Jubilee grinned, rubbing her hands together mischievously.
Ray rolled his eyes at her in disgust as he turned his attention back to Sakura, letting his eyes rake over her body.
"You couldn't handle him," Sakura said as she headed down the hall. "And you couldn't handle me," she added turning to glance at Ray.
Wanda snickered as Ray and Jubilee flushed red.
"I have a boyfriend," Jubilee stated indignantly, turning away from Sakura.
"What about your friend? Could I handle her?" Ray asked angrily, his pride hurt.
"Not on your life," Sakura replied smirking. "But you're welcome to try. I'm sure her big muscular boyfriend would love that," she added sarcastically.
"Don't listen to her Ray," Jubilee insisted, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "I saw that big guy hitting on Jean earlier. Besides, I'm sure Madison would love the company," she winked over at Wanda and Sakura who were both staring at her oddly.
"Really?" Ray looked at her skeptically.
"Just go!" Wanda growled, raising a hand before her. "Cause you're pissing me off."
Sakura watched as he quickly backpedaled away from the angry Goth. "Well, I'm gonna go help Hank," he rushed out before turning and jogging down the hallway.
"Why don't they run from me?" Jubilee whined, crossing her arms over her chest as they paused before the elevator.
"Because they've met you," Wanda stated turning her attention to Sakura. "So you guys are friends with Rogue?"
Sakura arched and eyebrow and shot her a 'duh' look, hitting the up button on the control panel.
"So do you guys really kill people?" Jubilee asked curiously.
"When we have to," Sakura replied evenly, looking impatiently at the doors. They opened under her gaze and the three girls entered, turning and facing the front. Sakura hit the first floor button and watched the doors slid closed.
"You guys look close to our age," Jubilee said becoming noisy. "Did you already graduate high school?"
"We dropped out," Sakura replied emotionless. "It was boring."
Wanda snickered while Jubilee looked shocked. "What'd your parents say?" she asked, her almond eyes wide.
"They're dead," Sakura replied coolly, her eyes focused on the elevator doors.
"Know the feeling," Wanda replied knowingly.
"You're dad's not dead," Jubilee turned and glared at the young Goth.
"Is to me," Wanda growled back at her, causing the young Asian woman to shrink away from her.
Silence followed as the elevator moved slowly towards the upper levels. Finally it became to much for Jubilee to handle and she turned back to Sakura. "So, how'd you meet the guys?"
"Carnival. Tony's actually the bearded woman," Sakura replied sarcastically, her face deadpan.
"Really?" Jubilee asked shocked.
Wanda rolled her eyes at Jubilee as the doors opened. "You have thirty seconds before that curtain strangles you. Run," she said icily.
Jubilee made a little eep noise before turning and running down the hall. Sakura turned to Wanda arching an eyebrow and giving her a quizzical look.
"Xavier makes me warn them," she explained.
Sakura smirked. "So, know where I can find Tony? He'll wanna know that Maddie's up."
"Rec room," Wanda replied heading in the direction. "he's with Evan, Kurt and Kitty. It's this way."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Rogue sat wrapped up in Remy's arms on the rec room couch, watching as Tony taught Kurt and Evan the art of pool. She was showered and changed and relaxing in the warmth of her lovers arms, enjoying the sight before her.
Kitty sat perched on a nearby stool, giving the muscular giant the third degree.
"So, like, you guys are really criminals? That's, like, so cool!" the young valley girl exclaimed, kicking her feet back and forth.
Tony cocked an eyebrow at her and took his shot, sinking three balls. "Is she for real?" he asked Rogue as he walked around the table and set up for another shot.
"Sadly," she replied, resting her head on Remy's shoulder as he flipped through the channels.
Kitty stuck her tongue out at Rogue and turned back to Tony. "So how long have you and Maddie been together?"
"Not long enough," he answered, sinking two more balls.
"That's, like, so romantic," Kitty gushed causing Kurt and Evan to shoot her looks.
"Yer over dramatizin' again Kit," Rogue said yawning.
"Whatever," she rolled her eyes. "So, like, Tony, do you, like, workout?"
"Do you, like, ever shout up?" before Tony could stop it, the dreaded 'like' slipped out of his lips. The room grew silent as he palled and Rogue snickered. Tony looked quickly from side to side, relief washing over his face till his eyes settled on Rogue, who had stopped snickering and was now grinning from ear to ear. Slowly he turned to find his worst fear standing in the doorway, an amused look on her face. "What did you hear?"
An innocent, bewildered look passed over Sakura's face as Wanda grinned next to her. "Like, I didn't hear anything," she replied teasingly.
Tony looked up at the ceiling. "Who did I kill? At what moment did I screw up enough to deserver her?"
"It was in the womb," Sakura stated deadpan. "I thought you'd want to know that your girlfriends awake. And, your in twouble."
Tony stared at her blankly for a minute before his eyes settled on her swollen lip. "Oh fuck."
"Those were my sentiments," Sakura replied smirking.
"Bettah go git yer ass kicked before she comes lookin' fer ya," Rogue said, offering him a sympathetic look.
"Look at de bright side homme," Remy said, rubbing small circles over Rogue's hip and lower back. "Least she be confined t' de bed non?"
"That's what you think," Tony grumbled, placing the cue on the table forcefully and heading towards the med wing.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The clearing of a throat brought Madison out of her light sleep. She opened her eyes slowly, expecting to meet the deep chocolate brown eyes of her lover, but instead found the hazel ones of one of the infamous X-Men. Ray smiled down at her. "Rise and shine sleeping beauty."
"You look a little young to be a doctor honey," Madison replied, resting back into the pillows, shutting her swollen eyes again. It hurt too much to keep them open for too long.
"Just thought I'd come keep you company," Ray said looking at her closely. Even with the bruises and the stitches she still looked hot. "Beautiful thing like you shouldn't be by herself in this big old med lab with only Doc McCoy to keep you company."
"Okay, could we not?" Madison said, cutting him off before he could proceed. "You're cute and all and normally, I'd love to flirt with you." She opened her eyes again and looked at him. "But right now I really don't have the energy and besides, you seem like a nice guy so I'm just going to lay it out for you. You don't stand a chance. I'm taken, and he's an over jealous pit-bull so it really wouldn't work out. Besides, when dealing with Eric and Sakura," here she raised her cast covered right hand slightly from her side, cringing at the effort. "And Tony and me," here she raised her left with less pain. "Never mess with true love," she moved her right hand slightly to indicate her two friends. "Or passionate, psychotic obsession," here she indicated her own relationship.
"Yeah I know," Ray laughed and smirked at her. "But it's fun to try."
Maddie laughed softly, her sides aching from the pressure of the bandage. "I'll give you that one," she smiled up at him. "So, you want to have some fun with my pit-bull? I promise to make him kill you fast afterwards."
"Well with an offer like that, who could resist?" Ray replied sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
"Oh come on, it'll be fun," Madison said smiling up at him. "Besides, it's no less than he deserves, hitting on my sister like that."
"You two are pretty close huh?" Ray said, referring to Madison and Sakura.
"Yeah. We've been friends since forever," Maddie replied moving slightly, cringing at the effort. Ray immediately went for the bed controls, adjusting it for her so she was in a raised position. "Thanks," she added with a smile before continuing. "We were neighbors when we were kids and have been friends ever since. Her mom was real cool while mine was a nut. I used to have to hide my cloths at her place cause my mom wouldn't let anything that wasn't concealing into the house."
"Wow, so what was your mom, a conversationalist?" Ray asked quirking an eyebrow.
"No. Religious," Madison replied smirking. "Her dream was for me to be a nun. I'd hate to see her face when she finds out I'm a killer. So what do you say? You wanna have some fun with my overgrown guard dog?"
"I guess, but you better hold him off while I run," Ray agreed.
"I can do that," Madison smirked in agreement.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The kitchen was silent save for the turning of pages as the two stoic figures sat at the table, reading. It'd been a little over an hour since Eric had walked into the kitchen to find Piotr sitting at the table, drinking coffee and reading from one of the old leather bound volumes on the table before him. He'd looked up and nodded a silent invitation to the former military agent, which was accepted by a silent nod as well. Since then the two had been sitting there reading and enjoying the all too unfamiliar silence.
"Honey, we've talked about you being sociable when we have guests," Jubilee's high pitched voice cut through the room.
Piotr let out a sigh and looked over at Eric, whose eye began to tick at the sound of the Russian's girlfriend. "We're bonding," Piotr replied, returning to his book, hiding a smile.
Eric grunted in agreement and turned another page.
"How the hell are you guys bonding," Jubilee exclaimed, sitting down across from Eric and next to Piotr. "Neither one of you is saying anything."
"And it was nice," Eric replied stoically.
Jubilee stuck her tongue out at him, earning her a raised eyebrow.
Before anyone could speak, the loud voices of Bobby, Roberto, Jamie, Sam and Rahne entered from outside.
"Wow, I don't think this has ever happened before," Bobby said, looking around the room.
"What's that?" Roberto asked, heading to the fridge for a bottle of water.
"I walked into a room with Jubilee already in it and it's quiet," the Iceman replied smirking as she threw a napkin ball at his head.
"Whatever," she sighed and noticed the sweat dripping off the guys. "What were you all doing out there anyway?"
"Basketball," Sam replied grabbing a water from the fridge as well.
"The sport of men," Jamie said puffing out his chest.
Eric snorted at the young man's enthusiasm and kept his eyes trained on his book. Years of living with Madison had taught him to ignore chaos, and annoying people.
"Well if it's such a man's sport how come Rogue can beat you all by herself?" Jubilee challenged, glaring at them.
"Well it's not our fault Rogue's a manly woman," Bobby said taking a long drink from his water.
At that point, Wanda, Sakura, Kurt, Kitty, Evan, Remy and Rogue chose to enter the room.
"You're such a pig," Wanda growled glaring at him and hexing his water, causing it to pour out of the opening too fast and give him a much needed bath, causing Jubilee to snicker.
"Yeah, a dead pig," Rogue drawled glaring at him.
Sakura smirked as she walked across the room and over to Eric. He never took his eyes off the page he was reading as he lifted one arm out to the side, letting her slide onto his lap. She leaned back and rested her head against his shoulder, and began to read as well.
"Rogue, I didn't mean it, I swear," Bobby began, backing up away from the angry Goths as both her and Wanda stalked towards him, Wanda's hands were raised as blue energy crackled between her fingers. Rogue simply cracked her knuckles.
"You are, like, so dead," Kitty said plopping down next to Jubilee and watching Eric and Sakura. Sakura leaned over, nuzzling her nose close to his neck and whispered into his ear, causing Kitty to gush. "You two, are like, so cute."
Eric ignored her as he turned to Sakura. "Should we go visit her then?"
"Not right now," Sakura replied innocently.
Eric smirked. "Tattle tale."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The sound of Madison's laughter met Tony's ears as he exited the elevator. He cocked an eyebrow and headed down the hallway. He stopped in the doorway, anger and jealousy clouding his features at the sight before him.
Madison sat leaning against the pillows, her bed propped up as Ray sat on the edge, flirting shamelessly with her.
Tony clenched his fists and growled low, drawing their attention. Ray visibly palled and shot up off the bed, backing up behind Madison's head for protection as the other man stalked into the room.
"What the fuck is this?" Tony bellowed, glaring at Madison and indicating Ray.
"What him?" Madison asked innocently looking over at Ray. "This is Ray. He's a boy. I like boys."
"Yes, I see that," Tony said, more than a little agitated. "But you already have a boyfriend."
"Yeah well I'm thinking of upgrading to one that, y'know, doesn't hit my sister," Madison growled back, her eyes icy towards him for the first time since the day they met.
"Gee look at the time. I forgot I have a danger room session with Logan. Must be going," Ray said backing away from them, looking forward to a danger room session for the first time in his life. He moved quickly, making sure he faced Tony at all times before making it safely to the door.
They didn't even notice him leave as the two glared at each other. After a few long moments of silence Madison shook her head slowly. "I thought I knew you better than that," she said, more to herself than to him. "I don't know how you could be such a fucking jackass! So what, next time you get a little upset I've got to walk around wondering if it's going to be me next? Or if I'm going to walk into a room and find Kura passed out on the floor with a black eye and head trauma? What were you fucking thinking? Or were you at all?"
"Well what the fuck do you want me to do about it now?" Tony exploded. "It happened and I'm not fucking proud of it but it did happen. And Kura and I've already worked it out."
"That still doesn't make it right," Madison said, refusing to let it drop that easily.
"Look, Kura understood I needed to get it out of my fucking system," Tony growled back. "She understood that that's all it was," he emphasized understood.
Madison looked at him like he'd just hit her full force in the gut. "You think she understands you better than I do?" she asked, turning away from him to hide the tears that began to pool in her eyes.
"God you're such a pain in the ass," Tony said exasperated as he walked over to the bed and sat down next to her, pulling her gently into his arms. "First you go and scare the living hell out of me," he began stroking her hair gently as she cried softly into his shirt, clutching the front in a bruised hand. "Then you yell at me and flirt like a little hoe. Now you're crying. What the hell am I going to do with you?" his voice was softer as he held her close, just glad to have her alive and breathing and in his arms again.
"Love me?" she offered, looking up at him.
"Already do that," he said kissing the top of her head.
"Then I have no fucking idea," she replied leaning against him. "Just don't hit Kura anymore k?"
"Fine. Only if you don't flirt with that little prick anymore," Tony stated.
"But he's cute," Madison argued playfully, noting his raised eyebrow.
"Maddie," he stated giving her a look.
"Fine, be that way," she yawned as she began to drift off to sleep. "You know, you're pretty comfortable for a overgrown pit bull."
"Yeah I hear that a lot," Tony snorted and kissed her head again. "Go to sleep already. You're a lot cuter then," but she was way ahead of him.