Blix: This is the actualy Christmas chapter! I hope you enjoy it! Merry Christmas!

Chapter 17

Uploaded on 25th -Merry Christmas to all!

The sounds of soft music drifted through the mansion as Logan slowly walked through the corridors. The hours were dark, it was going on six o'clock, and Christmas day was already half done with. However, the corridors still sparkled enchantedly with their Christmas lights, small trees shimmering softly from their corners. They had done a good job this year, they did so every year. Logan licked across his lips gently, suddenly feeling very thirsty. He'd never attended a Christmas party before.. he only barged in last time because of the incident with Rogue, which sent them out on a deadly mission on the snowy Christmas night. Perhaps this year would be more.. laid back.

He was wearing the outfit Ororo had brought, and he was relieved to say that it was satisfactory. He was never one to dress up, but when he put on this attire, he was surprised how different he looked. But in a good way. He gently paused his walk as he came upon a mirror hung in the main entrance hallway; he peered cautiously at his reflection. He stared at the shimmering reflection of his eyes, which shone with a new happiness; it brought his entire face alight in a healthy glow. Logan gently ran the back of his fingers down his now smooth cheeks. It felt very odd to have shaved off his beard. He felt.. too clean and naked.

But no worry, his beard was just as unruly as his hair; it'd stubbornly grow back to its usual length within a few days. With a low sigh he gently ran his hands through his soft hair, freshly washed, just as he was. But no matter what he did with it, wet, gelled, blow-dried, it remained in that same position. He'd tried years ago to try and tame his hair, but it stuck that way. With a quiet cough he looked down at his outfit, he did actually admire it. Ororo had been very tame with the level of formality. It was a crisp white shirt, collar opened by a few buttons to reveal the top of his hardened chest, the sleeves long and cuffed by patterned gold cufflinks. This shirt was then tucked into a pair of straight-legged black trousers. They were pleated once down the middle, hanging neatly over a pair of shined up black shoes.

Logan slowly looked back into his reflection, running his hands through his hair again and failing once more to neaten it. He sighed and turned away from it, stalking towards the doubles doors of the main hall. The music was coming louder the closer he went. The light shone from the cracks around the doors, faintly spilling it out into the dark entrance hall. He made one last sigh as he placed his hands on both doorknobs and twisted them slowly before pushing them open. The doors pushed forward and away from him, and Logan slowly walked in with carefully placed footsteps.

The music blared down at him. Students were everywhere. Scattered all over the dance floor, all around their tables, each one dressed immaculately. He felt an odd wave of panic creep over him. Where were the X-Men.. his eyes darted around as he tried to locate them. Then with relief he saw their table, set at the opposite side of the dance floor, right opposite from where he was stood. But he suddenly froze in the doorway, for he just realised that many eyes had shifted upon him idly. Just looking to see who had walked in late, but instead of moving on, all gazes had locked on him. Including the X-Men's.

"I must say.." he heard Siren whisper softly to Aurora, who sat beside her at the table, "..he most certainly scrubs up well.."

He felt himself swallow nervously at that comment, his eyes trailing slowly over the X-Men. He blew out a low sigh before he clenched his fists and strode across the dance floor, pushing past the students who stared at him. He growled down at those who watched too long, just reminding them that he was the Wolverine, and he that he could, in a blink, carve them up like a Christmas turkey. He let out an annoyed grunt as he snatched his chair from under the table, sitting down between Storm and Siren, "Oh boy.." he whispered to himself.

"You're looking very dapper tonight.." said Siren softly to him, a wide smile on her face.

Logan made a weak grimacing smile at her before he pulled his chair in, glaring around at the table.

"Here you are, mate," said Michael softly as he placed a pint of beer in front of the man, Logan looked up slowly to Michael. The Englishman had dressed up more so than the Wolverine, for he had adorned a suit and a black bow tie.

"Thanks," muttered Logan under his breath, quickly picking up the beer and drinking it down. He slowly peered over his shoulder at the dance floor behind him, watching the various younger mutants dance. He saw Madeline out there, dancing with a few of the past students; the only few he could name were Bobby and Jubilee. He turned his head some more to watch Rogue walk over to them; Colossus behind her, both with drinks in their hands for the others. He soon looked back to Madeline, a smile creeping on his face as he watched her dance, smiling with her new friends. He remained watching them, suddenly feeling very proud of his daughter for a moment. For he felt, that tonight, she looked extremely beautiful.

Storm had managed to get her an incredible dress. It was a long dress; it trailed behind her on the floor in little waves. It was a stunning black, with a beautiful glistening pattern. A long cut out draped down to the small of her back, the front stopping modestly above her chest. The black contrasted wonderfully with her bright fiery hair, which was flicked again, her side fringe back in place.

He sighed softly, turning his head as he looked to Storm on his right, he was just about to take a drink when he abruptly paused and stared at her. Not only had she done a treat on Madeline but also on herself! A long royal blue dress held close to her curvaceous form, only one sleeve making up the dress, the rest cutting across her darkened skin. Logan quickly halted his open mouthed staring and strained it into a simpering smile, "You did a great job on the outfits," he murmured.

"Why, thank you, Logan. Although I don't make them look so good," she looked at him up and down, smiling, "You look very nice."

"Heh.." he laughed softly, "So do you.." Quickly now, stop looking at her, look around the table, that's right. Compliment someone else. Quick, quick.

He saw Siren, who smiled at him too, "Very nice," she purred softly, a sly twinkle in her eyes. She stopped when she heard Scott cough and looked opposite the table at him, "And so does Scott.. my, it's so nice to see everyone looking so beautiful."

Gambit grinned from his end of the table, "I must say Charles, once you lot are out of uniforms you look very fine." His eyes deviously trailed upon Aurora, quite blatantly staring at her as he sipped his drink. Logan frowned gently, leaning forth and following Gambit's gaze towards Aurora. She too looked very beautiful that night. Her long black hair was set in gentle ringlets down her back, falling against the shimmering material of her white dress. He suddenly felt very guilty for pushing her away.. but then, his eyes latched back upon Gambit. The man that kissed his Aurora.

He didn't know how long he would be able to sit in silence..

An hour had passed since Logan had first joined, and by now, many of the X-Men had taken to dancing amongst the students. The only people at the table were Logan, Charles, Scott, and Gambit. Michael was the only man who was up dancing; he was with Siren, the pair laughing as they spiralled across the dance floor arm in arm speedily to Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree. Logan smirked faintly as they danced, chuckling softly as he heard their laughter.

He turned slowly back up the table, picking up his beer and drinking it slowly, his eyes swivelling upon Gambit as he did so. He saw Gambit idly unbutton the top of his shirt, loosening it from his neck. Gambit's blood red eyes were locked upon the dance floor, and as Logan turned, he saw who they were locked upon – Aurora, as she stood dancing with Storm, the very sway of the healing mutant's hips luring the man's eyes. He felt his blood boil once more, his eyes hardening and fists tightening into thirsty clutches.

"Alright that's enough!" growled Logan suddenly, slamming his beer bottle down. The smack of the glass to the wood caused those around the table to jump. Those on the dance floor didn't notice, the music was too loud. The gazes at the table snapped upon him.

"What's wrong Logan?" asked Charles gently as he looked over at the table. He sat up in his chair, suit ruffling ever so quietly.

Logan kicked his chair from under him, standing up slowly and walking over to Gambit. He seemed relatively calm at first, his strides slow and careful. However, all of a sudden, in a flash, his hand outstretched and grabbed Gambit by the neck of his suit, dragging him up out of the chair and to his feet roughly, "I'm warning you, you piece of Cajun shit, leave Aurora alone."

Gambit gasped softly as he was yanked upright. But his surprised expression quickly smoothened out into his usual smirk, that sly glint returning in his eyes, "There's a problem there, Wolverine.."

"Logan, stop this at once!" said Charles, looking fiercely over to them.

But neither paid attention, both glared into each other's eyes, mustering up their loathing. "And what problem is that, Cajun?" snarled Logan, his eyes heaving their dislike down upon Gambit.

Gambit's face spread to a wide smirk, "She can't leave me alone."

"That's it!" roared Logan, spinning round and hurling Gambit down onto the table. Gambit let out a shout as his back smacked down upon the table surface, he slid along it. The plates and cutlery screeched across the table as they went flying over, glasses knocked over, their liquid staining the cloth. Both Scott and Charles pushed themselves away from the table at once, both staring horrified.

Gambit laid sprawled upon the table, muttering to himself quickly in French as he felt wine beginning to soak into his hair, "La créature stupide, me embarrassent comme ceci, carcajou laid. Imbécile." But he was suddenly silenced as a hand clasped around his throat, squeezing viciously tight. Once more Logan was above him, one hand gripping him by the neck, the other raising to hit him in the face.

"Alright, stop it!" cried Scott, who had since left his seat and had hurried behind Logan. It was a hard task, but Scott grabbed Logan by the arms, dragging him backwards and away the coughing Gambit, "Stop it Logan!" Logan stumbled back a little, turning and glaring at Scott before he sighed and ran a hand agitatedly through his hair before he turned and stalked away, disappearing through the students to go and sit alone.

Gambit sat up off the table slowly with a soft growl in his throat. He picked up a napkin, slowly wiping the sticky liquid from his face. His eyes narrowed through the crowd of dancing mutants, glaring over at Logan. "Come on.. sit down," said Scott quietly, pulling Gambit off the table and gesturing at Gambit's original seat. Gambit made a small nod to Scott, moving round and sitting down in the seat slowly, his eyes still angry.

The song finished from the speakers with hearty cheers rising from the large throng of dancing mutants, each one applauding and cheering. Logan watched as he saw Storm look around puzzled a moment before she moved closer to Aurora, shouting to her above the finishing drones of the music. Logan couldn't hear her, but his eyes fixatedly watched her lips move, "Where's Adrienne gone?"

In response, he saw Aurora look around before lightly shrugging her shoulders in response.

However, their questions were answered as music started up from the speakers and a voice called out loudly across the hall, "Everybody!" Slowly, Logan, and the rest of the mutants, raised their eyes upon the sparklingly decorated stage to see Siren walking on with slow steps. Logan raised a brow at first, eyes looking her over. But his brow slowly dropped, eyes hardening in what was undoubtedly a stare. He wasn't the only one submitting himself to lengthy observation.

Siren delicately placed her feet in their steps, legs slowly moving with a feminine ease. Her outfit had changed from that at the table. Now a long red dress clad tightly to her voluptuous body. An off-the-shoulder neck draped low across the top of her chest, sleeves beginning low on shoulders before clinging down to long arms and finishing in a point upon either middle finger. The rest of the dress swooped down securely upon her hips, continuing down against the skin of her legs. An accurately placed split ran up her left leg, giving visions of the female's thigh, right down to the glistening stilettos she wore.

After everyone had took a good study of her appearance she smiled widely, continuing her walk to the center of the stage, each step placed in timing, her hips swaying to the backing drum beat of the music. She raised jewellery cladded fingers, gesturing across the hallway, "Everyone.." she repeated, ruby glossed lips shining in the stage lights, darkly lined eyes glinting, "..Merry Christmas!" The smirk never left her face, knowing full well just why all eyes stared at her.

The music suddenly rose in volume; drum beats crying out across the hall, strings gently swooning their melodies. Siren raised the microphone she held, gently stepping side to side in time to the music. The microphone sat in wait, then slowly, her lips parted slowly, voice tumbling out in a fluent singing voice, "Santa baby, just slip a sable under the tree.." she looked down upon the watching crowds, processing a slowly done wink "..for me."

The silent staring suddenly erupted into joyous cheering as she began singing, hands clapping mightily. She walked slowly across the stage, continuing to sing in such a sultry voice. Many of the females began to cheer her on, whilst every single one of the males there just latched eyes upon her and stayed there in awe.

"Think of all the fun I've missed.." she gently tossed her head as she span round upon the stage, walking in the opposite direction, her hair sat curled up her back, thick and healthily shining, "Think of all the fellas that I haven't kissed.." she looked down across the X-Men, eyes latching upon an absolutely stunned Scott. She looked slowly away from him, lips spreading to a delighted smile. She was reining him in full now; there was no going back for Cyclops.

Slowly she walked down the steps of the stage, taking each one after each line, hips swatting the air side to side to the backing choruses, "..Been an angel all year, Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight." She reached the dance floor, at which the mutants obligingly parted to let her walk down the centre, each step clicking softly upon the wooden floor. "Santa honey, one little I thing really need, is the deeds, to a platinum mine.." her voice had adopted a husky quality for her singing, her French accent bringing such zest to it, "Santa honey, so hurry down the chimney tonight.."

Her jade eyes brightly scanned the audience, whom now were dancing with her, singing along, but rather unheard under the music. Her eyes happened upon Logan, who was staring just as much as the next male. She watched him for a moment, curious as to why he had moved to sit alone. No fear, she'd solve that. She changed her course of direction, now walking in a straight line towards Logan.

Logan felt a little delighted signal burst in his mind. She was coming over! Wait, what was he thinking! He swallowed slowly, this might be a bad thing..

He jumped a little as he felt her hand drift about his shoulder. She walked slowly around him, gradually circling him. His head turned constantly, never taking his eyes off her, "Santa cutie, and fill my stocking with a duplex, and cheques." Logan spread a sly smirk as he watched her, relaxing back in his chair. Oh, this was a great Christmas. She leant forward to him slowly, coming extremely close to his face, "Sign your 'X' on the line.." she sang softly, winking slowly at him. Logan reached forward slowly, trying to press his lips upon hers in a kiss but she straightened slowly, his lips missing her. She waved an index finger at him teasingly, smirking all the more and turning away to walk across the dance floor, now heading to the X-Men table. Logan looked rather devastated as she walked away, slumping back in his chair and sulking like a young boy. But still her voice fluently sang, cherishing each word that escaped her lips with a deep down passion. It was no wonder; she used to be a thief. Riches were her thing.

"Come and trim my.. Christmas tree, with some decorations bought at.. Tiffany's.." she was now at the X-Men's table, smirking to Gambit as she passed by, who looked rather astonished at his sister. She turned from Gambit to where Scott was sat, as open mouthed as ever. She rested her hand upon his shoulder, lightly running it up his neck and gently taking hold of his cheek, fingers stroking down his jaw, "I really do believe in you.." she gently pressed her finger upon his lips which had shift to a small pout and he raised to too try and kiss her. She laughed softly at his, gently butting her hips into his arm as she grinned, "Let's see if you.. believe in me,"

Now, it was Charles. He too shared a genuinely shocked expression at how Siren had transformed herself to exceed her already beautiful self. He made a sheepish sort of grin as she walk round, sitting upon his lap gently, her legs crossed at the thighs, the split falling lower at the pull, revealing more of her upper leg, "Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing, a ring.." she laughed gently as she picked up a Santa hat from the rather disturbed table. But, regardless, she fluffed it open gently and placed it upon his bald head. She smiled, gently shaking her head at him, "I don't mean on the phone.." she lowered her face to his, grinning as she kissed his cheek. There was a howl of anger around the room, both Logan and Scott staring in utter disbelief, both looking devastatingly crushed.

But now, Siren rose off Charles gently, his hand kindly steadying her as she climbed up upon Logan's vacant chair, stilettos next clapping down upon the top for the table. She walked slowly to the centre, raising her head as she heartedly sung out the last few lines, "Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight.. hurry down the chimney tonight." she dropped off the table gently, slipping beside Scott, "Hurry, tonight.." the music finished the a blast of a strings crescendo before it died off gently. Scott stared up at her wordlessly, but Siren knew exactly what to do. And as the usual records came back upon the stereos, mutants went back about to dancing as Siren lowered down to Scott kissing his lips gently.

"Merry Christmas, Scott."

Gambits eyes suddenly flared up with a fixating glare upon Scott and Siren, whom the rest of the mutants didn't notice. He wasn't completely keen on Scott, and now there he was, embracing his little sister. He stood up, about to say something but suddenly the dancehall mutants blasted out the chorus of the song, laughing and cheering,

"So here it is merry Christmas
Everybody's having fun
Look to the future now
It's only just begun!"

If you're reading closely to this story, this chapter was put up on 25/12/04. Have a great holiday season everybody, have fun, and I wish you a wonderful New Year!