Wow! Twenty Chappies! I'm so proud of myself, I'm gonna post nekked pics of me all over the net. Gonna be a hot time in the old town tonight! Please, R&R, and (turns on the Ozzy mike)I LOVE YOU ALL! THANK YOU!
Proponent of EVO: Yeah, everybody else I've read makes Logan the 'daddy'. I have always loved the Beast, and thought he make a great papa. THANKS!
Red Witch: You wait til Pappy goes with Aunt May to St. Patricks! It's Pancakes and syrup and choas! THANKS!
Agent-G: 'The spiders from Mars' is part of a title of one of David Bowie's albums, and a good one, check it out. Logan as a brother works better for my story. I didn't know that about Logan's claws, thanks. And, no, Marie Claire is positively not gay or even a switch-hitter, as you will find out later. THANKS!
L1701E: Thanks for liking my OC's! Yes, Marie Claire is quite the rich bitch. I may use your twins later, in a pickup football game the mutants will have. THANKS!
High Fives to: LolitaRed, JosephMcKinley, Tsugath.
Chapter 20 – Surprise!
The Institute, mid-day
Logan was standing on the front landing, watching the Parkers drive away. 'Good people.' He thought. Pappy had stopped them inside, to meet Aunt May. The old coot went into his 'Sean Connery' act, acting suave and distinguished. Logan had to admit, Pappy had style. 'You'd never guess it, lookin' at him.' Pappy had actually gotten May's cell phone number, and she had invited him to go to church with her tomorrow. He could see Pappy now, up at the gate, waving like the Beverley Hillbilly's at the Parkers.
"Did everything go alright, Logan?" Charles asked, coming up behind him.
"Yeah. Doc checked her over. Said he was gonna confer with Moira about the results, and call 'em in a couple days."
"I do hope everything is fine. Spider-Man is a good fellow." Charles commented.
Logan turned to look at the Professor. "You know, don't ya Chuck?" he asked, eyebrow raised.
"I know many things, Logan," Charles said, smiling. "Did you know the students are going to go out tonight and buy X23 new clothes, and other gifts?" he finished, skirting Logan's real question.
"Really? Who thought of that?" Logan asked.
"Young Kurt, if I 'heard' correctly. Sean, Moira and Theresa are going to go with them. You should go too Logan." said Charles.
"Hmmp. I hate the mall. I'll just give Jubilee some money, let her pick sumthin' out for me." grunted Logan. "I'm gonna go downstairs, check on X23. You wanna come?"
"No, not right now. I have to talk with Moira and Sean in a bit. Moira should be back from the city any minute now." declined Charles.
Logan walked back in the mansion. He saw the kids in the rec room. "Jubilee! Come here for a second." He called out.
She came skipping over. "Whatcha want Mr. Logan?"
He pulled out his wallet, handing her his credit card. "Get the new girl everything she needs. Put it on this. Remember, EVERYthing a teenage girl needs, the important stuff. Ya know what I'm sayin'?"
"Yeppers. You mean the stuff that's not really 'gift' stuff, but just things girls have. Can do, Mr. Logan!" she said, going back into the rec room. A group of girls formed, talking about the items they would buy.
Logan turned to go to the elevator; he saw Ororo standing there, looking at him.
"That was a very nice thing to do, Logan. You never cease to surprise me." She said, smiling.
"Yeah, well...I gotta go downstairs. See ya later." mumbled Logan, scooting to the elevator.
Brotherhood House, mid-dayWanda was in her bedroom, fuming. All the others were in the living room, going on about the new furniture and food that Marie Claire had bought.
'Stupid French wench thinks we can buy her friends." Wanda mused. 'Truth is, with that group, she can. Losers.'
Todd stuck his head in her door. "Hiya hottie! Come on out and watch TV wit us, we're making nachos!"
"Todd, I am NOT in the mood right now. Leave me alone!" she shouted.
"What's wrong beautiful?" Todd asked. "Not hungry? I could bring some in here, if ya want, yo."
Wanda sighed. 'Well, I still have Todd. Just my luck.' She thought. "Todd, I'm getting out of here. And you're coming with me."
"You want me to come with you?" A big smile grew to Todd's mug. "Let's roll, hot stuff!"
The Institute, Med LabLogan stepped into X23's room. She and Hank were playing chess on the TV. Hank had a worried look on his face, and the girl was...smiling.
"Hey guys, what's up?" Logan asked.
X23 turned to him, pointing up. "That is up." She wasn't trying to be funny. "Dr. McCoy is teaching me to play chess."
"An I have a very apt pupil..." moaned Hank, still looking at the screen, worried.
"Good. Maybe I'll show ya how to play dominos next. That's my game." Logan said. "She beatin' the pants off ya Doc?"
"I'm afraid so Logan. She is quite the strategist." Hank said.
"I get his pants if I win?" X23 asked, puzzled.
"No, Scout, just a phrase of sorts. In common English, there are many phrases that say one thing, yet mean another. I have a another book for you, not one to read per say, but a good book none the less. Let me go get it for you." Hank said.
"Scout?" Logan asked X23.
"My nickname. I took it from the first book Dr. McCoy gave me. Do you...like it?" Scout asked.
"Better than 'X23', that's fer sure. Lemme show ya somethin' else on the TV; ya won the chess game anyway." He grabbed the remote, switching to internet explorer. "Girls names." He said aloud, and a site with girls names popped up.
"Here's a bunch of names to look at. You might want to pick one for yourself. 'Scout' is a great nickname, but ya need a real name too. I...don't know what our last name is, so your on yer own on that."
"Aba, Abbie, Abby, Abeni, Abia, Abigail,-""You don't have ta read them all right now, just look them over when ya can." interrupted Logan. "You'll find one that feels right."
Hank came back in. "Here we are – 'Webster's Complete Unabridged Dictionary and Thesaurus' – every word in the English language. A must have for any student."
"Jeeze, Hank, her head will explode if she reads all that. Not really..." Logan said, noticing Scout's alarmed look, "just another one of my phrases. You know what might be good for you?"
"What, Logan?" she replied.
"How bouta workout? You been in this room for days now. Wanna stretch your muscles out some?"
"Yes, that would be good for me." She responed, quickly taking off her Med Lab nightgown.
"Whoa, whoa, what are ya doin'!?" Logan stammered, covering his eyes. Hank had turned around completely, whistling tunelessly.
"This covering restricts my mobility. I can funtion better without it." Scout replied, as if nothing were wrong.
"Yeah, well, one thing ya don't do in life is start takin' yer clothes off in mixed company." Logan growled, embarrassed.
"My dear, I will get you some other clothes to work out in. A young lady must have a trait called modesty. Look it up while I fetch you some garments." Hank ran out, Logan stumbling after him.
She got the dictionary, and realized it was alphabetic.
Modesty:
1. The state or quality of being modest.
2. Reserve or propriety in speech, dress, or behavior.
3. Lack of pretentiousness; simplicity.
She still didn't really get it. They both had seen her before. Why did they both smell so nervous when she took her covering off?
Logan's arm came thru the doorway, holding sweatpants and a T-shirt. "Here, put these on, then I'll take you to the Danger Room" he said.
She took them from his hand, put them on. Logan called thru the door. "Come out, when you have the clothes on."
She came out of her room. Logan breathed a sigh of relief, she was covered up. Hank still had his eyes closed.
"It's OK, Hank, open up." Said Logan. "Do you want some shoes?" he asked the girl.
"What are we going to do to stretch?"
"I usually run thru a forest environment. Sound OK?"
"Then, no, I don't require shoes. I am ready, Logan." She said, getting very serious.
"Hey, relax, we're just gonna go for a run. Nobody's watchin' you. Let's just run for fun." smiled Logan.
Her mouth did that funny thing again. "Ok, just run for...fun." she smiled.
Xavier's Office
"Yes, of course Theresa can stay here, Sean. You know that." Charles stated.
"You're right, I knew ya would say yes, I jest wanted ta make sure. I don't wanna take advantage of ya kind ways. I jest think back on days here, and tha lessons I learned. I'll miss her dearly, but she will be better off with your students" Sean admitted.
"When are we gonna set up a branch in the U.K., like we've talked about, Charles?" asked Moira.
"As soon as some of my students come of age. Or, if we find new mutants who want to join our cause." said Charles. "I have been meaning to address that; Sean, I would like you to consider being Headmaster at a U.K. branch of the Institute."
"Maggie's ghost, Charles, ya want me runnin' a school? Sean Cassidy?" Sean asked, bewildered.
"Yes, Sean, you are a perfect candidate for the position. Your educated, you've been an X-Man, and, I've seen how you are with your daughter, training her to use her powers. You would be a wonderful choice. You have a way with children also; my students here and now feel as though they have known you all along. I can feel that in all of them, even the ones you have just met."
"I dunno, Charles, but I will give it much considerin'. I do share in ya dream, and I know how fulfilling ya life is. Can I let ya know?"
Charles smiled. "Of course Sean. I will email you some proposed plans I have, read them at your leisure. Let me know of your decision."
"We have ta go Charles, the children are waiting for us. I want to spend some time with Rahne, and her new boyfriend, Mally. We're all going shopping for that new student. Poor girl, treated like chattle! Are you coming with us?" Moira asked.
"No, I am going to talk more with the new child. Will you get something from me for the girl, Moira?" Charles replied.
"Of Charles." She said, walking to the door. Sean followed her out, stopping by the rec room archway.
"Alrighty, lad 'n' lassies, meet me down the carport! Let's get out on the town!" he cried. The kids that were in the rec room scrambled, getting ready, telling others.
The Motorpool
Most of the students were piling into assorted cars, Sean, Sam, and Rogue were all driving something. Mally and Rahne were going to take his motorcycle. Clarice had gotten an image inducer from Forge, and she looked like a cute blond-haired girl. The only students that were not coming were Scott and Jean, who were still healing. When every one got loaded up, Mally revved the motorcycle up, shouting "Let's go, mates!"
Moira leaned out the passenger side of Sean's suburban. "I know lad, that you will me most careful with me girl on tha back o'that motorbike, now won't ye?" she said, taking a menacing tone near the end.
"Uh, yes ma'am, I sure will. Ride the speed limit an all that. Absotootly!" Mally choked back.
"Moira!" Rahne hissed.
"Never you mind lass, and you hold on tight yourself, hear?" quipped Moira, the SUV pulling away.
"I don't think she likes me to much, dingo." moaned Mally.
"Nonsense. She's always like that, rabbit, don't worry. You'll get ta know her bettah while we're shopping." Rahne replied.
"Can't wait..." Mally deadpanned, pulling out.
Bayville Mall
They entered the mall in one large chunk of people. Kitty, Jubilee, Kurt, and Sam said they were going to Sears. Forge, Rogue and Clarice said they were starting at Victoria's Secret, amidst a slurry of cat calls from Jaime, Paige, and Freddie. Those three were going to walk and window shop for ideas. Bobby took Theresa with him to Hot Topic. That left Mally and Rahne, and Moira and Sean.
"Are ya hungry lad? What am I saying, boy's are always hungry. Let's stop and get some chips to gobble before these two flame tops drag us around by the nose." Sean said to Mally, clapping him on the back.
"Sounds right by me, Mr. Cassidy" Mally looked to Rahne. "Ya want anything dingo?"
"Nope, jest hurry back. Moira an I are going ta the shoe shop over there. Meet us when you two get done stuffin' yer faces" she replied.
Mally and Sean went to the food court. "Ah, MAC-Donalds, finest chips in the world. Better get ourselves two extra large chips lad; I don't know about Rahne, but Moira always munches on mine." Sean said.
"Right, good thinkin' Mr. Cassidy. Even bettah, we could eat some before we go back, the girls would be none the wiser. I don't wanna go to a shoe store anyhows." Mally suggested.
"Great idea man! I like the way yer thinkin'." Sean stepped to the counter. "Two super-size chips please, thank you." The girl behind the counter just looked at him. "Oh, blimey, right, two super-size 'fries' please."
Back at the shoe store, Moira and Rahne were shopping for all kinds of shoes for the new girl. "She'll need some tennies, I suppose, and maybe these sandles." Moira said. "Henry said she wears a size 6 shoe. So how long have you been seeing Mallory?"
Rahne smiled. She knew Moira couldn't resist. "Since right after he got here, I guess a few weeks now. But we've only been havin' torrid sex for half that time."
"Rahne Sinclair!" Moira looked at her in disbelief.
"Take it easy," Rahne giggled, "We haven't even kissed yet, mother hen."
"Thank goodness." Moira said, relived. "Nothing wrong with taking it slow dear."
"Right, right. But, I wish he would kiss me though. We hug an touch, an he always is a gentleman, but sometimes I just want him to plant a big one on me."
Moira looked at Rahne. 'I guess she is getting older now.' She thought. "I'm sure he will when he's ready. Remember, the lad was an outcast for the last 3 or 4 years. Maybe your more sexually mature than he is."
Rahne sighed. "Maybe. I wish I was a telepath like the Professor. I'd jest climb in his big red noggin and make him do it."
"You don't have to be a telepath, girl, to get a man ta kiss ya. Anytime you two are alone, move in close, so the lad can feel ya breath even. He'll get the picture." Moira paused. "But don't be lettin' him take advantage of ya!"
"Mally wouldn't do that, Moira, no worries. He really is a wonderful boy." Rahne stated. 'But sometimes, I certainly would let him.' She thought.
Sean and Mally headed for the shoe store. On the way, Mally spotted Todd and the red haired girl Wanda.
"Oh crikey. Why do they have ta be here?" he muttered.
"Who, laddie?" Sean asked.
"Oh, that kinda green boy ovah there with the redhead. I...kinda...got into a tussle with him over somethin' the redhead said to Rahne one night."
"What'd she say?" Sean asked, frowning.
"Called her a 'mutt'. I just didn't like it." Mally responded.
"I don't wonder why lad."
Toad spotted Mally and nudged Wanda. He shot Mally double fingers while Wanda smirked. Mally just turned away, ignoring them.
Sean tapped Mally's arm. "Watch this laddie." He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. He was focused on the pair.
Suddenly, the drink Wanda was holding exploded, spilling slushy all over both her and Todd. People around them giggled and laughed. Wanda was furious. She hit Todd on the arm for no reason, then stomped off.
"Rippa! How'd you do that?" Mally wondered.
Sean tapped his throat. "I got me a fine set of pipes laddie. Sevres 'em right, throwin' ya the ole birdie like such."
"Bon-zer, you're alright, Mr. Cassidy!" laughed Mally.
"Right, jest don't tell the lassies, eh, lad?" Sean smiled.
Back at the Institute, Danger Room
Logan used the remote control for the Danger Room to turn on the forest environment. Trees and shrubbery appeared, seeming to go on forever. Hank and X23 were with him.
"You guys ready ta roll?" He asked.
"This is......nice. I never got to train in a forest." She said, looking around.
"Yes, Logan designed this module, but I also visit quite often. Very tranquil." Hank stated, wrapping one leg around his head, stretching.
"Ya can't get lost in here, so go where ya want. If ya feel lost, or weird, just yell and Hank or I will come to you. Ready?" Logan asked again.
"Yes."
Logan sprung off into the trees, jumping, climbing, flipping in the air. Every so often, he slashed out at a branch, not for training, but because that made him feel good.
Hank swung thru the trees, very ape-like, flipping, twisting, even walking thin branches on his hands. He was humming Beethoven's 5th as he flew thru the air.
She watched as they moved away. She started jogging and jumping over bushes and rock formations, enjoying the activity. She ran faster and faster, pushing her jumps and stunts to the limit. She swiped at trees like Logan had, using both her hand claws and the feet ones. She saw Logan up ahead, and pushed herself to catch up to him. He turned around when he smelled her, but not soon enough to avoid her tackle. They rolled to the ground together, both springing up in virtually identical stances. Logan didn't smell any anger or fear on the girl. Then, he noticed her big grin.
"Oh, I see, wanna play eh, bub?" Logan grinned right back at her. "Ok, you tagged me. I'm it."
She quickly jumped into the tree beside her, climbing and swinging away from him. He jumped after her, straining his body to outperform her. He caught her in mid-jump, holding her in bear hug. When they hit the ground, they jumped into their stances, then whomever wasn't 'it' took off. After about 30 minutes of this, Hank wandered into the area where they were playing. He saw them rolling around on the ground, scrapping.
"Logan! Scout!" he shouted. They both stopped instantly, her with a handful of Logan's hair, him with his arms holding her legs together tightly. She saw Hank's expression, and jumped up.
"I'm sorry Dr. McCoy, I didn't mean to do anything wrong. Please don't be mad. Don't punish me, don't send me away, please." She said quietly.
"We were just funnin' Hank. Kind of a 'family' thing. No foul. She's pretty tough even." Logan said, walking over to her.
"No, NO, my dear girl! I'm not angry in the least! I just didn't think; of course Logan and yourself enjoy similar contests!" He came over to her, taking her in a hug. "I will never send you away from here, never. Don't even imagine it! I have actually become quite...fond of you in the short time I've known you."
X23 hugged him back with all her might. She didn't ever want Dr. McCoy to be unpleased with her.
Logan watched this closely. 'I think Hank might have himself the child he's always wanted. Well, she may be my 'sister', but big blue better not ever think he's my daddy.' He thought smiling. He stepped up and put his hand on Hank's shoulder, gave a little squeeze.
Three hours later, in the Motorpool
The caravan pulled into the garage, tops of all vehicles covered in packages. The Professor had sensed them coming, and was waiting on them.
"Hello, Charles, we have returned from our perilous trip to the shopping jungle, and still in one piece!" Sean boasted, climbing out of the SUV.
Charles laughed. "Fine, and welcome home weary foragers. Moira, did everything go well?"
"Right as rain, Charles, all present and accounted for. And ya new student has more than most now!" She said, pointing to the packages. "Apparently, someone gave Jubilation a credit card. How someone's judgment could be so bad, I'll never comprehend."
"Aw, Ms. MacTaggart, I think it was sweet of Mr. Logan to do what he did!" Jubilee said. She was with the other students, untying the parcels.
"Well, Moira, he was trying to make up for fourteen years of neglect. No harm done." He motioned to Clarice. "Clarice, if you could, open a pass to the room one down from yours in the girls hall. Students, please place the items in there."
"How about this, Herr Professor?" Kurt exclaimed. He had hung and tied stuff all over Freddie's big body. He reached up, wrapping his arms around one of Fred's arms.
!BAMPH!
Charles smiled.
"Bravo!" Sean shouted.
Clarice opened a portal.
"That's nothing Professor, watch this!" Bobby said, riding a concave ice slide from the garage, thru the portal, to the room. Meanwhile, Jaime had been smacking his hands together like crazy. The Jaime's made a fireman's line, the last one sending the packages down the slide, one after another.
"Amazing, isn't it, what these children will do for one another." Charles said to Moira and Sean.
"It's a miracle, Charles, bonfide." Moira stated.
end - Chapter 21 - Pappy goes A'churchin', and he did go...