Disclaimer: The story is mine…the characters belong to Marvel…etc. etc. etc.
Archive: Sure, just ask me first at smokhea@aol.com
*Special Note*: I know this is a couple of days late, my bad. I'll try to get the next part out sooner. Thanks to everyone that reviewed the last chapter. The feedback has given me inspiration for future chapters.
Continuity
Interactions
Chapter 6
Warning
(Bobby/Logan)
Bobby watched as Rogue left, smiling to himself with satisfaction.
I'm sure I made my intentions for her clear. Ha-ha, fuck you Gambit! His stomach began to grumble. No, I haven't forgot about putting food in you…
He turned around and suddenly felt a sharp pain in his stomach. He doubled over.
"What…the…hell!" He yelled between coughs. Standing in front of him was Logan, who must have came through the second entrance, and he did not look happy. "What's your problem, Wolverine? Shit, that hurt!" Logan grabbed him by his uniform and pulled him up.
"What do you think yer doing?" His voice was low.
"What the hell are you talking about? I'm trying to get something to eat!"
"Looks to me like you were makin' a move on Gambit's girl."
Bobby removed Logan's hands from his chest. You've got to be kidding me! He thought.
"Gambit's girl? They are just friends; didn't you hear it straight from her lips? Or maybe you missed that little part of our conversation when you were eavesdropping!"
"Don't play dumb with me. Normally, I wouldn't get involved, but the Cajun put in a lot of time with Rogue. So much time that I know at least he's not playing games."
"And I am? So, just because he put in the time, nobody else can approach her?"
"Bingo!" Logan poked his index finger in Bobby's chest. "You're a fast learner, kid."
"I remember a time when you first joined the team. Cyclops and Jean were together, but that didn't stop you from trying to get in her pants. So what's the difference?"
"Difference is, Cyclops met Jean first. And so, after awhile, I backed off. You on the other hand, met Rogue first. And yeah, maybe you always thought she was cute; but as soon as you realized she couldn't touch, you backed off. Gambit came later and when he found out about her powers, he kept at it."
"How cruel would it have been for me to keep going after her, knowing how much it pained her not to be able to touch? Gambit didn't care about her feelings."
"Maybe not at first. But you can't deny that he cares now." Logan finished. Bobby stared at his teammate in disbelief.
"I don't get you sometimes, Logan. When did you start believing Gambit would be a good person for Rogue to date? Not too long ago you would have sliced his throat when the truth came out about the Mutant Massacre. So, a couple of months has past and now Gambit's a Boy Scout?"
Logan stopped a moment and contemplated on what Bobby just said.
Bobby's right, I probably would have killed the Cajun at first sight after his trial. Luckily for him, Rogue decided to dump him in the snow, 'cause there was no way in hell I would have let him set foot back in the mansion.
But over time, everything changed. If there's one thing I've learned from Professor X, it is that everyone deserves a chance to redeem him or herself. And the truth is, Gambit has been makin' up for his mistakes since the very first day he joined the X-Men.
Shit! There was a time when Magneto was Headmaster of the school. We even gave Joseph a chance when we thought he was Magneto with amnesia, same with that bastard Sabretooth. If Sabretooth was given a second chance, it's only fair that Gambit got the same chance too.
Hell, I've never claimed to be saint. I have a feeling my past is not crystal clean; the thing is I don't remember it. So how can I condemn Gambit for what he did? I would just be a hypocrite.
"I'm not claiming he's a Boy Scout. But as long as I've known him, he's been an upright guy. Out on the battlefield, I trust him with my life."
"Yeah? Well this ain't the battlefield! What else can he give Rogue besides a couple of newly discovered STD's?" I've always had a morbid sense of humor.
"Gambit's already given her enough. After all these years of pursuing her, he's given her something that none of us thought to give…and that's hope." Silence filled the room.
"I never thought about it that way. That was so beautiful, Wolverine. I never knew you had such a poetic soul, I think I'm gonna cry…" Bobby wiped an imagery tear away from his eye for dramatic effect. "I really hope you caught the sarcasm in my voice. What you said still doesn't change the fact that he doesn't deserve her!"
Logan thought about what Bobby said. Iceman was a good guy. Sure he had his faults, however in the past couple of years since Logan joined the team he's really seen a change in him.
Gambit was a different story. He's a thief, and proud of it. He had worked for Sinister and helped with the massacre of innocent Morlocks.
Of course Gambit doesn't deserve her. I never deserved Jean, but that didn't mean I couldn't love her. If given the chance I could have made her the happiest…
"Earth to Logan! You're wanted back on the planet." Bobby yelled, bringing him back to reality.
"How to you really feel about Rogue?"
"Feel?"
"Yeah, do you love her?"
"Of course!"
"Are you in-love with her?" He saw the hesitation in Bobby's response.
"Well…" He stopped. "I don't have to answer to you."
"She shouldn't be dealin' with all this shit, especially not now! Just think about this, 'cause I know Rogue likes you a lot...Do you want her because you actually think there is a future between the two of you, or do you just really want to piss Gambit off? 'Cause, if you have a problem with Gumbo, take it up with him, and settle it man-to-man. Don't drag Rogue into it!" He turned around and left the kitchen.
"What if it's a little bit of both?" Bobby mumbled to himself.
His stomach started to growl. He never did get the chance to make breakfast. Grumbling to himself he headed for his morning instructions on the improved BlackBird.
Unanswered Questions
(Jean/Logan)
It was midday; the sun was at its peek. Logan relaxed in the air-conditioned Living Room, flipping through TV channels, with a beer in one hand. He dressed in a red and black flannel shirt, and blue jeans. This is the life!
Logan sat up when he smelt a perfume fragrance in the air. The aroma sent shivers up his spine, he knew who it belonged to.
"Logan?" Called a sweet voice from behind him. "I'm surprise that even you aren't asleep. Didn't you have the night shift?" Jean asked with concern.
"Yup. I guess it's just the whole healing factor kicking in." He said with a shrug. She gave a little half smile, which made him smile wider.
"What are you watching?" She asked looking towards the television.
"I don't even know. Nothin' good's on."
"Mind if I join you?" She tilted her head waiting for his response.
"Nope. I think there's room for one more." He said as he patted the cushion beside him. She sat down with her legs crossed on the sofa. She was bare foot, wearing blue cut off shorts and a yellow T-shirt.
"When do you have to report back to duty?"
"4:00pm. I have a two hour session in the Danger Room."
"Did you get any sleep today?"
"Don't worry, Red; I can handle it." He took a slip of his beer. "What have you been up to today?"
"Nothing much. I had last night off and later on tonight Scott wants me to sort some files."
"That seems a little light." He raised his eyebrows.
"I guess that's one of the perks when you marry the field leader of the X-Men." She let slip out.
"Ahh, so that's why you said 'yes' to his proposal." They both laughed.
Jean was a bit surprised Logan was able to make a joke out of her marriage. Even after all this time, it was still a subject she found difficult to speak about around him.
"You know, I haven't seen much of anybody lately." She purposely changed the subject. "And to think, our schedule is gonna be this hectic for days."
"That's the price you gotta pay if you want to be a Super Hero."
"Yeah, I guess so. Then again, this is supposed to be our time off. It would be nice if we didn't have to spend most of our time working."
"Jean," He said playfully, "You haven't done any work yet and it's the middle of the day. What are you complaining about?"
"What can I say…I feel your pain." She said with amusement. "Some time away from everything wouldn't hurt, don't you think?"
"Thinking 'bout askin' Cyke for some time off?"
"I think I might be able to talk him into it. We do deserve to have some off days."
"Sure we do. But whatever you say to him, leave my name out of it if you want to get sympathy points in your favor."
"I'll keep that in mind." She said with a smile.
It was then that Jean realized that she hadn't seen much of Logan outside of work related issues. She missed the time they use to spend together.
"Are you going to be tired after your Danger Room session tonight?"
"Nope."
"Great! You can help me sort the files when you're finished with practice. Yes it's boring, but I would love to have your company.
"Sorry hon, I have other plans tonight."
What?! She thought in disbelief. Logan is actually turning me down? Not that I'm conceited or anything…but some things in life are sure bets. Logan always making time for me is a sure bet…unless…
"Oh. I guess you'll be tending to some…ahh…personal business." She gave a sly smile.
"You mean like, getting a quick 'screw'?" He asked with a grin.
"That's blunt, but yeah. It's no big deal. It would be naïve of me to think that you're completely satisfied with our adventurous life and don't have any…sexual…urges that need to be fulfilled."
"Really?" Oh, Oh. She's going into psychologist mode.
"Yeah, really. As long as the other woman involved knows that you are only with her for a one night stand, there is nothing wrong with it."
"Nothing at all?"
"Well, without getting into religious morality, it is okay. But I must insist you wear a condom."
"Condom?"
"Yeah, condom. I know you have the healing factor, but that still doesn't protect you from getting a woman pregnant."
"My god, you're right! In all these years I've never thought of that. Now that I think about it, there must be a ton of li'l Wolvie's runnin' around!"
"Logan, are you humoring me?" She crossed her arms over her chest.
"I'm sorry darlin', it's just so easy sometimes. This is better than going to a concert."
"I'm glad you find me so entertaining. Next time I'll be sure to charge you admission."
"Got no problem with that…" He slowly lowered his eyes down her body as he continued speaking, "As long as I can get an All Access Pass." The tone of his voice took away any hint of innocence…it was meant to be dirty.
Jean watched as his eyes made its way back up her body. Her heart quickened a bit, her face was flushed, and she felt a little moist…She knew he could smell her, there was no point in trying to hide it. He was always able to strike a chord with her body…and mind.
"I'm sorry, I only have one of those, and it has already been bought." She said as she rubbed her wedding ring with her fingers. Then she smiled. "But I have a Backstage Pass that's not in use." Now it was Logan's turn to be embarrassed.
"Didn't see that one coming." He chuckled.
"Two can play double-entendres." She giggled. Logan loved the sound of her voice.
This was the woman who brought him back from the dead with her words. At the time, Magneto had pulled out his adamantium through the pours of his skin. Logan would have died, but his love for Jean was too strong for him to go into the darkness. He heard her voice calling him back into the light.
He always had a special place for Jean in his heart. However, over time the place had become smaller. Even though it is small, he knew now that it would never totally disappear; and if given the chance, it might start to grow again. Regardless of the situation he would never let that possibility happen. Jean is married, he had accepted it and moved on with his life. This was definitely not the time to start looking back.
"I've got to go check on some maintenance." He didn't really have to leave, but thought it was the best thing to do.
"Alright. I'll see you tomorrow." She said as he got up to leave.
"And for the record…" He turned back to her. "I'm not going out for a quick screw." He said matter-of-factly then left the room. She watched in amazement as his moving form walked down the hallway.
"Didn't see that one coming." She mumbled to herself.
Jean turned her attention back to the TV. Her favorite show was on, with her favorite episode. But right now she did not care. She was just too damn curious.
If he's not going out for sex, why did he pass on the chance to spend the evening with me? Not too long ago he would have jumped at the opportunity.
Logan would be spending time with me and be pissing Scott off at the same time; those were his two favorite things in the world to do. He would always say it was like killing two birds with one stone.
So what has changed now? What does he have to do that's more important?
Jean did not know the answer to her questions. But she was determined to find them.
******
Author's Note: You have successfully completed chapter 6!!!
Like I wrote before, leave it to Logan to tell it like it is. You can argue that Bobby truly feels for Rogue, or you can argue that he is just trying to get Remy mad. Maybe it's a little bit of both. Personally, as of this moment, I'm still deciding on which one to believe. What do you think?
Okay, the Logan and Jean part was extremely difficult to write. I added this part at the last minute and had a hard time finishing it. (One of the reasons this took so long to update) I would write 10 pages with other characters and come back to this page and draw a blank. At the last moment I finally found my inspiration. It's gonna be a long time before I do a chapter without Rogue or Gambit lol.
Anyway, overall in my mind I have a plan for Wolvie, and I needed to build on his relationship with Jean to have it turn out well.
Some of you asked some questions in the review so…
Answers: suz---Remy explained a little bit of why he and Rogue broke up in the first chapter. I've never thought about expanding on the issue…but I think I can stick info on what really happened into one of the later chapters. As for your other question, it will be answered sooner then you think.
Liz Fallen---I plan on exploring the Antarctica situation throughout the story.
Please review and tell me what you think so far or if you want to ask me something about the story…
Next Time: It's a show down between Storm and Rogue (place your bets in the review, it just might affect the outcome) and Scott finally clues Jean in on everything she missed and explains his true feelings of Remy…