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Chapter 2: In Sickness and In Health.

Rogue gazed down at the wedding band that now circled her third finger on her left hand. She gazed up at her new husband, who looked gorgeous in his suit and smiled. Remy smiled back at his bride, who looked stunning in a beautiful white dress. The ring on his left hand felt perfect as if it had always been there.

Behind the married couple stood Kitty the bridesmaid and Lance the best man, the only other people in the entire church. Kitty glanced up at Lance out of the corner of her eye. He looked handsome in his own way and Kitty realised how much she loved him. 'We should never have let the X-men pull us apart,' she thought. She snapped her eyes forward when Lance glanced at her. Lance studied her and once again his head and his heart told him different things. 'Maybe there is a chance for us, he thought, She's all I want. She's all I need.'

The priest finished the ceremony and the newly weds left the church covered in confetti to have the photographs taken in the sunshine. Rogue had never been so happy in her entire life. She could finally be with the man she loved and could share her joy with her best friend.

"Can I have one with the bridesmaid and the best man please," said the photographer. Kitty and Lance glanced uneasily at each before stepping closer.

"Little closer," the photographer urged. "Maybe the best man can put his arm around her. That's it." The photographer took the picture but the two guests didn't break apart immediately but instead stood looking at each other. Remy and Rogue shared a knowing smile.

:):(:):(:)(:

Back at the mansion the rest of the X-men were suited up ready to go enrol another member.

"Where's Half Pint and Stripes?" Logan asked Jean.

"They said something about the mall," the telepath replied.

"Ha Rouge at ze mall. Zat iz funny," laughed Kurt as the Professor rolled on followed by Amara who rushed to her place. Scott closed the jet door behind them.

"Where to then Charles?" Logan growled.

"It's the mutant I told you about last month, Logan. He is in Memphis," the Prof said. Logan keyed in the co-ordinates.

"Who is he Professor?" Scott asked.

"His name is James Markems. He is 22 years old, which means his powers have developed late. It also seems that he has a criminal record for drugs, drink driving and assault."

"Hang on a minute Professor," Jean protested. "Are you sure this is the type of person we want at the institute? What's his power?"

"It appears that he has got rather primal senses; increased strength, speed, sense of smell and stealth."

"Kinda like me Charles?" Logan growled from the front.

"Yes and no. His mind has also become quite primal, the need to survive and eat. I also believe he is a misjudged character. If we do not show him some sort of friendship and compassion, Jean, I feel we may turn him against everyone." Jean sighed and nodded.

"He is new to his powers so we must help him understand them," continued the Professor. He told his team his plan as they travelled to Memphis.

The X-Jet touched down on an open field behind James' house. The Professor wheeled off with Logan and Jean dressed in civilian clothing and the three proceeded towards the grotty little house. Scott watched his wife walk off anxiously.

"I tell you Charles, if he cuts up rough I'm not gonna hold back," Logan threatened.

"I'm sure it won't be necessary," was the calm answer.

Jean rang the bell then stood to stand by the Professor. A young man with long, straggly blonde hair opened the door. He was wearing a vest top with a pair of track bottoms. He features were marred with a broken nose, small shifty eyes and a scar on his lip. He ran his eyes over the strangers, dismissed the Prof, warily watched Logan before settling on Jean. He smiled at her and leant back on the doorframe obviously flirting. Jean wrinkled her nose and pushed her hair back with her left hand, flashing her wedding ring. The boy's smile turned into a scowl.

"What ya want?" he demanded.

"James Markems?" the Professor asked politely.

"Depends who's askin," the boy said shutting the door behind him as he stood on the step.

"My name is Professor Charles Xavier. These are my associates Logan and Jean Grey-Summers." The boy nodded and confirmed he was James Markems. "I believe you are experiencing some uhh changes at present," the Professor continued. "We can help. We are mutants the same as you are."

"Fuck off," James said turning to go inside.

"You smell our scents can't you bub," Logan said. James stopped. "Jean smells like strawberries, don't she? A kind of feminine smell." James turned round. "Now Charles, he smells of musty books." Surprisingly James smelt the air.

"More like a Grandpa smell," he said. The Prof smiled but Jean frowned. James had growled the words but not like Logan did. He sounded more violent somehow, more vicious and the way he smiled at her seemed threatening like he had seen something he wanted. She glanced across at Logan who stood with a frown on his face as the Professor explained the institute.

"You do not need to make a decision now," the Professor finished, "but if you feel ready, I am inviting you to stay at the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters." It was silent except for a small buzz somewhere in the distance. Suddenly James came alive.

"Ok, lets go," he said, striding out in front.

"Don't you want to get some stuff?" Jean asked.

"No, its all crap, I'll buy some when we get to this institute thing." Jean glanced at the Professor who shrugged as he wheeled off after the 22 year old. Jean moved so she was walking next to Logan.

"What do you make of him?"

"Well he ain't got a scent as such and I could have sworn that buzz was police sirens coming this way," Logan growled. "I would trust him as far as I could throw him and looking at the size of him that ain't far but Charles has found another mutant to 'make good', so it looks like he's stayin."

When they boarded the jet James had already chosen his seat which was at the back right next to Amara, who was eyeing him cautiously. James smiled at her showing too many teeth, which were strangely pointed. Jean glanced at Scott, who had been ignoring her since their fight that morning, and settled into her seat.

James slid his hand over onto Amara's leg. She immediately slapped it away and gave him a look that said back off. James formed his mouth into an ooo shape. He leaned over to whisper in her ear. "I like em feisty." Amara tried to ignore him through the flight and was more than happy when Jean turned round to talk to her. Their conversation fizzled out and Jean returned to brooding about Scott. Amara could feel James' eyes on her so, thirty minutes before they reached Bayville, Amara went to the bathroom.

Back in the main cockpit James claimed he was going to be sick and went to the toilets at the back of the jet. He broke the lock to Amara's bathroom easily with one snap. As he stepped in Amara flamed up but it didn't seem to affect him.

"Another plus to my power. Thick skin comes in handy when someone tries to knife you, or even burn you."

Jean's head snapped round when she heard the mental scream of panic. The Professor's did too. She struggled out of her seat.

"James is attacking Amara," she said as she ran. Logan ran after her as his claws shot out and Scott took the controls. Jean wrenched the door open to a desperate Amara trying to fend off James. Jean threw him out of the small room but amazingly he kept a tight hold on Amara. He landed easily and held Amara in front of him.

"Try anything," he snarled, "and she won't look as pretty as this. Thanks for the lift but I think this is my stop"

"Lower the jet Scott," Logan growled.

When they landed James backed off with Amara.

"Let her go," Jean demanded from the stairs of the jet. James liked the side of a now crying Amara's face.

"She is rather tasty," he said. Then he drove a penknife into Amara's stomach. Logan roared as he charged forward. James pushed Amara aside and his animal instinct took over. His will to survive was of the utmost importance so he punched wildly but effectively each punch designed to create the most damage. Logan slashed with his claws but somehow his attacks were not sufficient to beat back James. Jean rushed to Amara whose stomach was bleeding badly. Using her telekinetic power she threw James away from a struggling Logan. James scampered ape-like away. Logan made to pursue him even though he was injured.

"No Logan, he's too strong. We need some backup," Jean ordered. They boarded the jet before they streaked off back the mansion.

"What have I done," muttered the Professor.

JLJLJL

"Like, have a great time Rogue," Kitty said giving her best friend a hug. "New Orleans is the perfect place to spend your honeymoon. Where are you staying, your flight doesn't leave until tomorrow?"

"We are staying in a hotel. That's all ya need to know in case Logan grills ya," Rogue said. "Have a good time with Lance." Rogue winked.

"You, like, planned this," Kitty accused.

"No," Rogue protested looking very guilty. The two friends laughed. "Here," Rogue said pressing a letter into Kitty's hands. "Give this to Logan in a couple o'days. Don't read it. Ah'll miss ya." With that Rogue climbed onto Remy's motorbike, waved goodbye before speeding off.

"You're only going for two weeks," Kitty muttered.