There was a long silence eventually broken by Logan lighting a cigar and being told off for offering one to Joscelyn, then Joscelyn being told off for accepting and refusing to relinquish it until Logan was persuaded to demand it back. When finally the cigar was deposited in the bin, much to both of their protestations, the Professor revealed his decision concerning her punishment.
"I think Joscelyn" he began, sternly but no longer with the anger he had shown earlier "that it would be prudent to place you in evening detention for the next week starting tomorrow. This time will be spent with myself or Dr Grey developing an appropriate curriculum for you in accordance with your ability." She glowered at him but didn't interrupt, "You will also attend three times weekly counselling sessions with Dr McCoy to learn to control your temper and begin to work through your various issues." She sniggered incredulously.
"Oh God, bring on the detention, but fuck off I need counselling!"
"Can we not use that turn of phrase in conversation, please Joscelyn!" he warned, she reminded herself not to push him and calmed down a little.
"Sorry, but the fact still remains, I do not need counselling. I don't have 'issues'" she placed this last word in inverted commas with her fingers in the air, Hank raised his large blue eyebrows questioningly.
"I rather think I'll be the judge of that, Miss Darko, off the top of my head I can think of six very serious issues that need addressing urgently. But I won't go in to them now if you don't wish me to." She scowled, but remained silent, counting silently on her fingers as she tried to think what he could be counting as an 'issue' but only reached three before stopping, she shrugged to herself and looked up at Professor Xavier who was watching her closely, his blue eyes looked deep into her golden eyes and he smiled slightly.
"No, Joscelyn. I don't think that was one of the things Dr McCoy had in mind." She returned the smile and shot another thought at him, Logan with his heightened sight could have sworn he saw him blush slightly and shot a quick glance in his direction before changing the subject.
"I'm concerned, and please excuse the assumption Joscelyn but you know it to be justified, that these sessions are unfortunately very likely to involve Dr McCoy sitting alone in his study waiting for an absent subject, am I correct?" Each of the assembled members of staff nodded, Joscelyn looked over at Logan who grinned at her.
"So" the Professor continued "how are we going to assure that this doesn't happen when we know full well, that not one of us is considered worthy of the subject's word?" A few suggestions were discussed before the Professor turned back to Joscelyn a smile playing on his lips. "Ah, but of course! Logan is deemed worthy, is he not? An excellent idea, Joscelyn."
"Dammit!" she exclaimed, "Quit reading my mind!!!" she clapped her hands over her head and scowled out from between her arms. Logan laughed and prodded her with his toe from his end of the couch.
"You think I'm worthy of your word, Joss? I'm honoured! But how does that help?" she responded by wrestling his boot from his foot and depositing it in the bin next to her before sighing in resignation and rolling her eyes.
"The idea, I think, is that seeing as how I trust you, if I were to give you my word that I will go to these head shrinking sessions with Ol' Blue over there, then I would be obligated to keep it."
"And you would be responsible for ensuring that she does." Added Storm "even if it means carrying her there in a cat basket."
"Hey, don't suggest that until you travelled long haul in one of those things!" Joscelyn responded before turning to the Professor hands in the air.
"Okay, I give up." She turned to Logan and placed one hand on her chest, the other in the air, "Logan I give you my word that I will go get my head shrunk by Dr McCoy three times weekly or whenever the whim takes him. Now, please take me drinking?" she looked at him pleadingly and he shrugged.
"Fine by me, Charlie?" Professor Xavier frowned at them both
"I suppose it will do. But Logan please take this seriously, you are for the most part responsible for Joscelyn now. And NO drinking!" she scowled and Logan winked at her.
"Can I drink?" he asked, the Professor sighed impatiently.
"If you must, but please try to remain sober." Logan stuck his tongue out at her and they both left.
The remaining staff began bombarding Hank with requests to stop the young mutant swearing, smoking, drinking, fighting etc. until he assured them that he would be dealing with all of those things and more.
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