Chapter 9: Baby Boom

Med lab

Ororo sat numb, listening dazedly to what Hank was telling her. His furry blue features blurred in front of her, glittering tears slipping past dark lashes, sliding down her face, momentarily disconcerting the good doctor.

"Do you understand everything that I have told you?" Henry crouched in front of Ororo, holding her slender hands in his meaty paw-like ones.

Through the rushing in her ears she heard her voice, far away. "Yes."

"I have already alerted the Professor to the situation. We'll do everything we can, Storm. There are a lot of dif-"

Ororo hopped from the table, holding the back of the blue and white checkered johnny closed. "I know you will." she interrupted. She hugged him with her one free arm, and kissed his furry cheek gently. "I have to go find Wolverine."

"Would you like me to come with you. To explain?"

Ororo shook her head. "I don't think that'll be necessary."

Hank watched her pick up her clothes from the chair she had folded them on top of. "You are not going to tell him, are you?"

"What? Of course I am going to tell him. It's not like I could keep it a secret even if I wanted to with that nose of his."

Henry grasped her shoulder. "Tell him everything, Storm."

She shrugged away from him. "I will tell him."

"Everything."

"What he needs to know."

"Storm-"

"Hank." She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. "This is a miracle. I will not ruin it with trepidation and…and distress over things that can't be avoided."

"I have every intention of using every single source the Professor has to help you."

"Thank you." Storm gave him a solemn look. "I know you will. Now, where's Ali?"

"With Cecilia getting some prenatal vitamins, and the run down on the things she can and can't participate in."

Ororo smirked. "Bet she's loving that."

"She will adjust." He hesitated. "Storm…"

She gave him a gentle smile. "Don't look so sad, Henry. This is a happy day. Now shoo so I can get dressed."

He chuckled. "Dear girl I have just seen all the secrets you have to offer."

"Funny. Still, get out." She pinched his furry butt through his lab coat.

Ororo waited until the door slid shut behind his overly large friend before quickly dressing in her faded jeans and yellow camisole top. She smiled softly, sinking into the chair, her mind whirling in chaos. She placed her hand over her lower abdomen. A baby. A miracle. Hers and Logan's child.

The door slid open and Ali strolled in, dark hair tucked behind her ears, her standard tank replaced by a body hugging, long sleeved green and red top that read: Naughty Girls Need Love Too. "Well?"

Ororo looked up. "Looks like baby Blaire is going to have a cousin."

"No fuckin' way!"

"Way."

"Holy crap!" Ali paused. "Wait. Shit for brains told me you couldn't have kids."

"Apparently we were wrong." Ororo stood. "I need to find my husband."

Ali nodded, a smug smile on her face. "What do you think he'll say?"

"Oh, probably: 'What? Are ya serious, darlin'? Sit yer ass down!'" Storm lowered her voice to a growly timbre.

"That sounds about right." They walked in silence for a minute.

"You need to tell him." Storm said softly to Ali. They walked through the corridor towards the school's lobby, nodding in silent greeting to several of the younger students.

Ali shook her head. "I don't have to."

"Yes you do."

"Why? I don't want him in my life anymore. I can do this without him."

"I'm sure you can Ali. But, it's his child and he has a right to know."

Ali grunted, then grudgingly, "Hnh."

Ororo laughed. "You've been spending way to much time with Wolverine."

Once outside the girls descended the white stone steps, strolling into the courtyard talking quietly to each other.

"Alison." Warren was striding towards them, his gold hair glinting in the sun, his bare chest a golden tan, looking every inch the creature he was codenamed for. "I stopped by the boathouse but you weren't there."

"Obviously, Winger." Ali raised a brow.

"Right." He smiled sheepishly. "Good morning, Storm."

"Hi, Warren."

"Could I steal you away for a minute, Ali?"

"Um, sure. Catch up with you later, Stormy."

Ororo watched Alison and Warren walking away, noticing how his wings shifted subtly, opening a bit further as of to encompass Alison. Warren had a thing for Ali? Storm felt a momentary stab of sadness for her brother. Louse though he was, she truly believed he had strong feelings for Ali. She sighed. She couldn't fix Gambit's messes for him anymore. He needed to grow up sometime, and it was well past time to face some real consequences for his frivolous actions.

Ororo was still holding her abdomen when she arrived at the lower field where Wolverine was working on hand to hand with Colossus. He had finally caved in and started teaching a class. Voluntary students only. Wolverine said he didn't want to teach a bunch of snot nosed little punks that were forced to be there. They either wanted to learn his aggressive lessons, or they stayed the fuck away. She watched from a short distance, taking a seat on the grass, enjoying the sight of him in action. He was raw power and ferocious energy. She bit her lip as Colossus landed a blow to Wolverine's midsection, sending him through the air. He flipped back, holding his ribs, landing a few feet away, fangs bared.

"Good." he grunted. "Next time I don't wantchya ta hesitate. Hit hard and hit fast. Now go get me a beer." He clasped Colossus's forearm in a symbol as ancient as time. Two warriors leaving the field.

Logan was bending to pick up his discarded shirt when he caught her scent. Summer rain on sandalwood fields. He lifted his head, dark eyes locked on her. Ororo.

"Hey." She stood as he came forward, strands of cloud colored hair escaping the hold she had on them as she pushed her thick mass from her face.

"Darlin'." He leaned forward, brushing a kiss across her cheek. "How was yer visit with Hank?"

Ororo smiled a giddy smile. "Come here." She took his hand, leading him to one of the shadowed corners of the Institute. When they were hidden from prying eyes she gave him a smoldering look, taking his hand and pressing it to her flat stomach.

Logan stared at her questioningly, but as she continued to smile her dazzling smile, realization dawned. "'Ro?" he barely got her name out.

"We're having a baby," she whispered excitedly.

Logan stood stupid for a full twenty seconds. "A baby?"

"Yeah, you know, a tiny little version of us." she teased.

She felt his fingers flex involuntarily on her stomach. When he still didn't say anything she grew concerned. Maybe he didn't want children. Maybe he wasn't ready. Maybe he--

Logan pulled Ororo into his arms, his mouth devouring hers in a passionate kiss, his teeth nipping her lower lip as he growled in pleasure. Ororo, pregnant, with his baby. Christ! How lucky could one man get? He felt her tension at his hesitance to respond and he sought to soothe it away. He nuzzled her neck beneath her ear. "I love ya, angel."

"You're happy about this, right?" she was still a little uncertain.

He pulled back so that she could see the smile on his face. "Happy ain't even in the same ball park as ta what I'm feelin' now, darlin'." He cradled her face between his hands, his mouth moving over hers in slow seduction, making her moan. He teased her tongue with the very tip of his own. "Can we still…?"

Ororo sighed softly, molding her body to his. "Mmmhm."

"Good." -Snikt-

Ororo gasped, wide-eyed. "Logan, anyone could come around the corner."

"Makes it interesting, " he rasped, huskily, backing her up until she was pressed against the bricks and ivy. He trailed his finger tips along her collar bone, one, lone blade sliding under the this strap of her camisole, cool against hot skin. Ororo bit her lip, reflexively arching into him. He growled at her trust. He ran his claw back and forth slowly, teasingly.

"Logan," she moaned.

"Fuck, I love the way ya say my name."

Ororo smiled seductively. She pressed her hips to his, rocking slightly. "I love the way you feel."

Logan was lowering his head to hers when an explosion shook the ground and a blood curdling scream rent the air. Wolverine snapped his head up, catching the familiar scent of phosphorous wake. Gumbo.

"What is it?" Ororo moved around him, heading for the front of the school. Her hand flew to her mouth. "Remy!" she hollered, racing forward. Wolverine grabbed her arm.

"I'll handle this," he growled. "Gumbo!"

Gambit didn't even turn, he kept his glowing red eyes on his target. He flicked another card from his fingers, it soared, narrowly missing the winged mutant it was aimed at.

"Back off, man!" Warren yelled from the air. He was sporting a bloody nose and a split lip.

"I saw you, salaud! Touchin' 'er!" Two more cards flew. Gambit was enraged, his hands glowing bright. "Get down 'ere! Face me like a man!"

"The kid don't got a chance against ya, Cajun. Leave him be." Wolverine stalked the fired up Cajun charmer, his black eyes watching him carefully. Wolverine knew the signs of someone over the edge and Gambit was way over the edge.

"Stay da fuck outta dis!" he shot over his shoulder. "Dis between me and da bird-boy."

"Not when yer disturbin' the students and more importantly my wife. Let it go, Cajun."

Warren took advantage of the distraction to attempt to fly away, but Gambit noticed, sending a barrage of cards into the air. Two connected with Warren's right wing, sending him to the ground-- hard. No one moved. Gambit snapped his bo staff open, a look of deadly fury on his face.

Wolverine wasted no more time on words, he lunged, catching the agile Cajun off guard and flinging him to the ground. He straddled him, blocking Gambit's angry swing with his claws, the sound of adamantium clashing adamantium echoing off the bricks. "Someone get fly-boy outta here!" Wolverine ordered. Several female students rushed forward, helping a badly beaten Angel to his feet.

"Get da fuck off me, homme." Gambit swore, grunting in an effort to remove the three hundred pound mutant from his chest. He glared angrily, watching Warren limp away with furious eyes.

"Not until ya calm down, mop top"

"Don' you dare give me shit 'bout my hair." Gambit ground out. He reached out, touching Wolverine's claws with one glowing hand. "Let go."

"Don't do it, Gumbo. Ya won't like the consequences."

"Dat fucker was kissing Ali."

"Yeah? And?"

Gambit jerked his hand away, covering his face as the skin around Wolverine's left arm was torn off by the explosion.

"REMY!" Storm was furious.

"No." Wolverine held out his good hand. "You stay put." He bared his fangs at Gambit, pressing him back into the ground. "Ya lost any right ya had ta Ali the second ya stuck yer dick in Bets."

Gambit winced. "I didn' mean ta 'urt 'er."

"Don't feed me yer excuses. I ain't interested. Ya screwed up, treated her like shit and now yer done."

Gambit finally kicked himself loose, rolling away and standing. "Like you're so fuckin' perfect? Like you never 'urt Stormy? You t'ink I don' know what you did t' her? I saw 'er, you animal! After you left, walked out on 'er, your wife. I saw da marks, all da blood. Or did you conveniently forget dat too, Wolverine? Forget you raped your own wife! No, you don' get to lecture me on 'ow to treat a woman!"

Wolverine moved like lightning, and smashed his fist into Gambit's face, less out of anger at the Cajun and more at the buried rage Gambit's words brought up. Of course he remembered that night. Another punch. Fucker. Wolverine tackled him.

Gambit collapsed his staff, charging the metal full capacity. He grabbed Wolverine's pants as the tips of three claws touched his cheek. Both men glared at each other, one with devil red eyes glowing, the other with long canine's bared. Gambit cocked an eyebrow. "'Ow mad d'you t'ink Stormy be if I blow off yer family jewels?"

"Probably slightly more pissed than when yer head tumbles across the lawn."

Suddenly a cold spray of water hit the two men, making them break apart and scramble. They stood, dripping and glaring at the dark haired woman holding the fire hose in her hands. Ali pushed the valve handle forward, cutting off the spray.

"Aww, c'mon! I wanted to see how the fight was gonna end!" Jubilee grumbled from her seated position in the grass. "'Course I was rootin' for Wolvie, but man…what a let down."

Ali gave her a dark look, then turned it on the two waterlogged men in front of her. "You boys go play Alpha Male elsewhere."

"Ali--" Gambit stepped towards her. WHOOOSHHHH!

Ali unleashed the hose again. "Don't speak." she said. "Now, here's what we're gonna do. Wolverine, go hug your pregnant wife and tell her you love her, because from the look on her face you're about fifteen seconds away from severe ass scars courtesy of Stormy shoving a couple thousand volts up your ass. Tall-dark-and-too-stupid-to-know-a-good-thing-when-he's-got-it, get your soggy ass up to the loft. I'll be up as soon as I calm down and don't want Wolverine to show me what your spleen looks like."

Jubilee got to her feet. "Damn." She leaned in close and whispered for Ali only, "Those hormones kicking in early or what?"

Ali gave her a startled look. "How…?"

"Jubilee knooooows…" Jubilee waved her arms and fingers in a mystical fashion.

"Jubilee snoooooops," Ali countered. "She turned, pointing the nozzle of the hose at Jubes. "Run."

"Ahh!" Jubilee took off. When she was in the school Ali dropped the hose and gave Gambit an irritated scowl. "Move it, Rem. We got shit to settle."

"Yes." He walked past her. "Did I ever mention der's somet'in about an ultra independent punk babe weildin' a fire'ose dat jus' gets dis Cajun boy all hot an spicy."

Ali rolled her eyes. "And to think, I once found that charming. Move it Jumbolia!" She tossed Storm a look over her shoulder and Storm smiled her support.

Wolverine wrapped one wet arm around Ororo's waist, his eyes on Gambit. He felt Storm touch his healing arm, could smell the ozone building, then gone. He looked at her, and she took a deep breath. "No powers for awhile," she said. "Doctor's orders."

Wolverine bent his head to hers, intent upon kissing her lush lips and rekindling what they started beside the building.

Wolverine.

Damn. He growled. If someone ain't dead, or needs ta be, I'm busy.

Nick Fury is on his way here.

Lahdeedah. Want me ta bake cupcakes. Busy.

He's acquired new information on the Weapon X program.

Wolverine stiffened. What?

I think you'd best come to my office.

Wolverine broke contact, looking at Ororo and feeling a terrible unease wash over him. He pulled her tight against him, uncaring that several students were still milling about.

"Wolverine?"

"I gotta go." he kissed her fiercely. "Love ya." He strode into the mansion, fighting the urge to grab her and run for the hills as far and as fast as they could go.

Loft

Gambit watched Ali through narrowed eyes. She had entered the room only a moment ago and was still hovering beside the door. She crossed her arms, shifting her weight back and forth. "Why'd you attack mister Hunky-Wings?" she asked.

Gambit cocked his head, his eyes narrowing at the nickname. "I saw 'im kiss you. I saw it, chere, and it damn near killed me. You kissin' anoder man." It was only the fact that he also saw her gently push Warren away that kept Gambit from losing it completely.

Ali shrugged. "So. I saw you fuckin' another woman, Gambit. I don't think you wanna go comparing wounds."

To his credit he looked ashamed. "Ali-"

She held up her hand. "Don't. I don't want to hear it. I've heard it all before, I've heard every single, fucking bullshit lie that you could feed me, and I still don't want you. We're done."

"Non."

"Oh, yes. Done." She glared at him.

"I love you."

"No you don't."

"I do, Ali. I've never told anyone dat before, Ali. Not until you. And I know you love me."

Ali looked away, her jaw clenched. "Yeah, well, you threw that out the window didn't you. Look, Gambit, I didn't ask to talk to you so we could talk about this."

"Den why did you wanna talk t' me?" He moved to stand in front of her, clenching his hands into fists to keep from touching her. Merde, he missed her. He was such a fuck up.

She turned to face him, looking him square in the eye. "I'm pregnant."

Gambit was thunderstruck. "Mine?"

SLAP! "Fuck you, you miserable son of a bitch! Of course it's yours!"

Gambit cradled his face. "Ali, I didn' mean it like dat! You caught me off guard."

Ali swung again. Just because the first slap felt so good. Gambit caught her wrist, his eyes glowing into hers. "Chere." He touched her cheek.

"Don't touch me." Ali jerked her hand away from him, shouldering past him to pace the room.

"Petite…?"

"I'm keeping it," she glared at him, her ocean eyes sparkling. "So don't even think of suggesting otherwise! I may not be the ideal mother, but I will love this baby. I just wanted you to know. I don't need you, but you had a right to know."

"Your goin' t' be a wonderful mot'er, Ali," Gambit's throat was tight. A bebe. His chest hurt and he could barely breathe.

"I don't know about wonderful…"

Gambit smiled, a look of longing on his handsome face.

"This changes nothing." Ali said quietly.

"Dis changes every'in."

"Please don't make things hard for me, Gambit. I need to focus on my health and this baby. I can't be worrying about unwanted advances from you."

Gambit strode forward. "Der was a time when dey weren't unwanted." His voice was low, and seductive, and Ali knew he was using his empathic ability to charm her.

"Stop it." She turned away from him. She felt his hands on her shoulders a moment later, his lips on the nape of her exposed neck. She shivered. "Don't."

"Ali…" He kissed her again on the neck. "Je t'aime."

Ali closed her eyes, fighting the urge to turn and throw herself into his strong arms. Instead she elbowed him as hard as she could. She stalked to the door, yanking it open. "I meant what I said," she told a wheezing Remy. "I don't want you any more."

He straightened. "I love you, Ali, and I'll prove it."

"You had a chance to prove it, Rem. All you had to do was say no. Goodbye, Gambit." Ali closed the door quietly behind her.

Behind her Gambit stood silent in the room they had shared, his chest heaving with emotion. He sat on the bed, burying his face in his hands and for the first time in many years, he cried.

Ali leaned her head on the cool wood, hearing Gambit's quiet sobs and fighting against the near overwhelming desire to open the door and soothe him. She turned away, slowly descending the narrow staircase, wishing that so many things could be different, yet knowing that wishing wasn't going to change a thing.

Headmaster's Office

"..And that's all the information we have currently." Nick Fury stood in front of Xavier's desk, two armed soldiers behind him. Wolverine was leaning against the back wall, listening intently to what Fury was saying.

"And you believe this Dr. Cornelius is in Japan?"

"Yes. I trust my sources."

"Yer sources have blown smoke up yer ass before," Wolverine pointed out. "Could be a dead end."

"I would think you'd be more excited about this. This is the first solid lead we've had in months regarding Weapon X and since Wraith's disappearance, which once again I am sure you know nothing about, it is all we have to go on."

Wolverine shrugged. "Takes a lot more than a half ass lead on a shady doctor ta get me excited, Fury."

"Never used to."

"Maybe I'm maturing," Wolverine said with a smirk.

"Uh-huh." He tossed the file onto Xavier's desk. "That's the intel. Take it, use it, burn it, I don't really much care. Just thought I'd bring it by."

"Out of the kindness of yer heart I imagine." Wolverine straightened. "What is it ya want, Fury?"

Instead of answering Logan directly, the tall man turned to Xavier. "There's a mutant situation brewing in Japan as well. Apparently a young mutant has taken it upon himself to 'clean the streets', inciting several clan wars."

"What do you care? It's not like you t' give a rat's ass about any land that doesn't belong ta Uncle Sam, now anyway."

"Because we owe Sunfire."

Wolverine stiffened at the name.

"I see that got your attention." Fury noted. "I need the situation dealt with. Quietly. I don't want the kid hurt, but he needs to be stopped. And quickly."

"Are you asking for Wolverine?" Charles inquired, stroking the cat on his lap.

"Officially, no."

"Unofficially?"

"Him and Psylocke."

"Hnh."

"I need an answer in the next thirty seconds. You'll leave immediately."

Wolverine scowled. "No."

Fury blinked his one eye. "A heli- what?"

"No." Wolverine shook his head. "I'm tired of chasin' my past. Weapon X is done, and that's good enough fer me."

Both Fury and Xavier looked shocked.

"If that's all ya need from me, Chuck, I got better places ta be." He walked towards the door.

Fury's voice stopped him mid stride. "You owe it to Mariko to help Sunfire."

Wolverine froze, turning slowly his upper lip curled. "Start talkin'."

"On the copter."

Wolverine growled. "I ain't some sort of attack dog you get ta bait and send on a merry chase, Fury. Talk."

"On the copter." The general crossed his arms.

Wolverine looked ready to refuse again when he caught the sweet scent of vanilla and sandalwood a few seconds before the door opened and Ororo stepped into the office. She walked to his side and stood facing Xavier and Fury. "Gentlemen."

"Storm?" Logan gave her a questioning look. She tapped the side of her head letting him know that Xavier had contacted her.

Fury gave her an assessing look, understanding why Wolverine would be attracted to her. The woman exuded power. She met his solitary gaze unflinchingly, her chin tilted slightly, as though assessing him as well. He had seen Ororo Munroe a few times over the past year, but had yet to meet her in person. "Miss Munroe," he greeted.

"Mrs. Howlett," Wolverine corrected with a slight snarl. She had taken his real name during the renewal ceremony, leaving no one to question the legality of their union.

"Of course."

"If you will excuse us, General, Charles." Ororo nodded to both men, taking Logan's hand. She gestured with her head that he follow her.

The General opened his mouth but the Professor spoke softly, "If you want him with you, let her talk to him."

Outside the office in the hall Ororo wrapped her arms around Logan, pressing her lips to his, catching him by surprise as her tongue slid past his lips, drawing him into a deep and intoxicating embrace. With a growl, he closed his arms around her, one hand at the small of her back, the other tugging her white locks. She pulled back slightly, her eyes hazy with passion.

"You can go if you want to," she whispered. "I'll understand."

"'Ro. I ain't leavin' ya."

"Logan. What aren't you telling me?" Ororo asked, leaning into his embrace.

He sighed. He should know he couldn't hide things from her. "The mutant that Fury wants me ta settle is connected ta Mariko."

She lifted her head from his shoulder. "She's alive?"

He shrugged, appearing indifferent, but the hard set of his jaw said otherwise. "Don't know."

"I think that's something we should definitely know." she stated. "How did you find out?"

"I called Shiro Yashida."

"And…?"

"And he wasn't too happy ta hear from me. Apparently thinks the world's a better place without me."

"And Mariko?"

"He didn't say one way or the other."

"Hm." She looked thoughtful.

"Ororo, I ain't goin'."

"Yes, you are."

"No. I need ta be here with you. I ain't gonna be away from ya, especially not now."

"Okay. I'll come with you."

Logan shook his head. "Uhn-uh. No way, darlin'."

"Why not?"

"Cuz yer pregnant with my kid, that's why not."

"Pregnant, yes. Disabled, no."

"'Ro…"

"Logan." She gave him an exasperated look. "You want to go, I can see it. So go."

"But-" She silenced him with another kiss, searing all thought from his mind.

"I love you." she murmured into his mouth. "But you will never be content if you don't know your past, and you may regret not going later. Please, Logan. I don't want you to resent me."

"Never happen, darlin'."

"It could, and I can't live with that. Now, march back in there and tell Patchy the Pirate you're going."

Logan gazed at her, at once both loving and fierce. He pulled her tight against him. "I don't deserve ya."

"So you keep saying," she laughed softly.

Wolverine was gone within the next fifteen minutes, and Ororo waved him off and blew kisses until the helicopter was out of sight.

"This is killing you isn't it?" Ali asked from the steps.

Ororo kept waving, a bright smile plastered on her face. "Oh yeah."

Ali sighed. "What a pair we are."

"Yep."

"Damn."

"And shit."

"Wanna go halves on a pint of Ben&Jerry's?"

"No." Ororo turned, the copter gone from sight. She walked up the stairs, her and Ali strolling into the mansion, arms linked. "I want a whole one."

Night

Kitty yawned, flicking through the channels on the television. Nothing on. Three hundred plus channels, and nothing on. Depressing. She tossed the clicker onto the small coffee table with a sigh.

"Something troubling you, Kitty?"

Kitty turned, surprised. "Kurt. Hey. I didn't hear you come in."

"I can be very quiet." He grinned at her, white teeth on blue fur. "Can you?"

Kitty raised startled eyes when he reached down and pulled her to her feet. "Can you?" he repeated.

"Uh, can I what?"

"Be very quiet?" his breath tickled her ear and Kitty gasped as she felt his tail curve around her leg.

"Kurt?"

"Surely you aren't surprised, Kitty. You must know how much I want you." He licked her. Licked her!

"Uhhh…"

"Shh." He tightened his hold. "Quiet, Kitty. Not a peep now." Kurt lowered his head, yellow eyes glowing in the shadows of the room. Kitty gasped at the touch of his lips to hers. They had kissed before, several times, but never like this, never with so much raw hunger coursing between them. She felt his tongue gently nudge against her teeth and she obediently opened her mouth on a moan, letting him in to plunder her.

Kitty was in heaven. He tasted sweet and spicy, and felt incredible. He trailed slow, lingering kisses along her neck, nibbling and nipping. He sucked the lobe of her ear into his mouth and she shuddered.

Impatiently she grabbed his white shirt, and suddenly it was gone, and then she was touching his blue furred muscular chest. It was so soft and sleek, yet hard and male. Kitty trembled. "Kurt…?" she whispered.

"No words," he said into her neck. "Touch me."

"Oh…" She trailed her hands over him, delighting in the feel, the sensation.

"I want to touch you, leibling. Everywhere."

His three fingered hands were cupping her breasts and Kitty's eyes shot open. When had she taken off her shirt? And how in the hell had they gotten on the pool table? And was that what she thought it was poking into her thigh…?

She seized Kurt's hair as he licked a trail of wet kisses over her chest and down her stomach. What was he doing? Hey! Where was he…Oh my!

Her fingers tightened and released compulsively with the licks against her sensitive skin. She felt pressure building, building, ohhhh …ohhhh…"KURT!"

Kitty screamed as she phazed through her bed, then the floor, landing with a hard thud against the kitchen table, knocking over several chairs.

The kitchen lights flickered on and in the door stood and iced up Bobby and a curious looking Jubilee.

"What the heck, Kitty?" Bobby demanded looking around.

"Sorry." Kitty straightened, quickly sitting up and pulling her long tee shirt down. "Had a…dream," she mumbled.

"Mondo bizarre way to wake up from a dream," Jubilee smiled, winking.

Kitty glowered at her.

BAMF

"I heard someone scream my name!"

"Oh, that would be madam grace over there," Jubilee provided. "She had a…dream."

Kitty's look was comical- horrified and entranced. "Uh, hi, Kurt."

"Kitty." He helped her from the table. "Are you hurt?"

She was about to reply in the negative when Kurt lifted her into his strong arms. "Do you need assistance?"

"Uh, yeah. I think I sprained my ankle." Kitty said with a weak smile.

Jubilee frowned. "Hey, Elf. I gotta hangnail that I guarantee hurts more than Kit-Kat's 'sprained' ankle. Wanna carry me to bed. Maybe tuck me in?"

Bobby grabbed her hand, marching her from the room. Kitty could hear Jubilee's laughter floating back to them.

"Thanks." she whispered to Kurt.

"No problem, Kitty. What are friends for?"

Not the kind of things you were doing in my dream, she thought, but remained silent, pressing her head into his shoulder. BAMF

Gambit was sweating, the red in his eyes glowing against the black in the dark. He pushed deeper, losing himself in Ali, holding her close. "Je t'aime, Ali."

"I love you, Etienne. I do. I'm so sorry of I pushed you away." She pulled him closer. Gambit closed his eyes.

"Faster! Fuck me faster!" Legs like a vise closed around him and his eyes shot open. Beneath him Betsy Braddock was squeezing her own breasts as he pounded into her.

No! This isn't what he wanted. He closed his eyes, chanting in his head: Ali, Ali, Ali… When he opened his eyes, it was Ali's aqua marine depths staring up at him, but there was no love in them, only bitterness and betrayal.

"How could you?" she demanded. "You touched her like this-- Like you touched me. How could you, Rem?"

"Alison. I'm sorry," he tried to pull her to him, but she sifted through his fingers like sand. Everything went dark and then he saw streams of light, bright and colorful. Ali. Gambit looked around. He was in a dark hallway now, walking towards the light, toward the only woman he'd ever loved. As he got closer he heard her voice, Deep and husky, slightly raspy like when they made love or after she sang. There was a red door separating them and he pushed against it, only to find it near impossible to open. He pushed harder, laying his shoulder into the door, gritting his teeth. He needed to get to her…

"Ahhh, War! Oh, my God! You feel so good. So damn goooood."

Gambit froze. No! NOnononoNO! He peered through the slight crack in the door he'd made and inside the room, Ali was astride Warren, moving on him in what could only be the purest ecstasy. Her dark head was thrown back, her pert breasts in Warren's golden hands. The angel smiled at him over Ali's shoulder.

"She's incredible. Taste's like the finest bourbon."

Gambit exploded, slamming himself into the door over and over again. ALI! ALI! ALLLIIIIII!

Gambit sat up in bed, drenched in sweat, Ali's name on his lips. He stood, moving out onto the balcony, needing the air, feeling like he was going to be sick. He gazed at the dark sky, running one hand through his damp hair. Merde. He needed a cigarette.

The garden was beautiful with several flowers that he had never seen before. He had come here for the solitude. Wanting to get away from the commotion in the house, the talks of war and further bloodshed. Not that those things bothered him, quite the opposite, but tonight he wanted space and he had felt a call in his heart, telling him to go to the garden. She would be there. Waiting for him.

He stepped through the archway and she rose, elegant and graceful, a soft smile on her face.

"Sorry," he said. "Didn't mean ta disturb ya. Just wanted some peace."

"Don't we all," she said softly, her voice like soothing music over him.

He approached her slowly, cautiously, as if she were a timid creature, skittish and ready to bolt. "I'm called Wolverine."

"That is a name?"

"No. Not really, not between friends." He watched her pick a white flower, holding it reverently. She was so at ease, peaceful. The moonlight cast soft shadows on her beautiful face. His heart skipped. "I'm Logan."

"Logan." she tried it out. He liked the way it sounded. "Is a nice name."

"Thanks." He waited patiently. She rose, walking along the stone path towards the house. She cast him a shy smile over her shoulder. "I am Mariko. It was a pleasure to meet you, Logan-san." She slid the door open, pulling it quietly shut behind her.

"Same." He sat on the boulder she had occupied, it was still warm from her body. He touched the white flowers she had held so reverently and smiled. She was gentle and quiet and demure. Frail and delicate, like the flower in his hand. Logan looked back at the closed door and crushed the flower in his hand ruthlessly.

"Wake up, Wolverine. We have arrived." Betsy was nudging his shoulder.

"Huh?" Wolverine sat up, wiping one hand down his face.

"We're here," she repeated.

Stepping off the plane Logan was assaulted by feelings of trepidation like none he had ever felt before and immediately he thought of Ororo.

Blood. Oh, Goddess, there was so much blood. This wasn't natural was it? There shouldn't be that much blood? Should there?

"Hang on, darlin'."

"Logan?" she looked around, but he was nowhere to be found. "Logan where are you? I…I need you."

Pain. Tearing through her body. Tearing her apart. Oh, Goddess!

"AAAHHH!" She arched in agony.

"I told you," Hank was standing over her, twirling his spectacles between his thumb and forefinger. "Now it is too late."

"Ororo."

"Logan!" So much pain.

"Hey, darlin'." He was beside her now, rubbing her moist forehead. She sobbed up at him.

"It hurts," she cried.

"Oh, I know." He smiled gently. "It'll all be over soon." -SNIKT-

"Logan…?"

A quick flick of his wrist and her womb was wide open. "LOGAN!"

He pulled her son from her womb, a smile on his face. "Wanna meet yer mama, little guy?"

Ororo held out her arms, but Logan was walking away from her. Walking towards a slender dark haired woman in a long robe, her beautiful face alight with joy as Logan handed her Ororo's baby.

"No! Give him back. He's ours, Logan. LOGAN!"

Ororo rolled over, cradling her stomach. "Just a dream," she muttered. That was the last time she ate an entire pint of KarmelSutra ice-cream again. She pulled Logan's pillow against her and breathed in his familiar loved scent. She struggled against the tears building. She knew he loved her, knew they were meant to be, soul mates and she knew he would never hurt her. He would never betray her. It was just a dream. Just a stupid, stupid dream.

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters created and owned by Marvel Characters, Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

AN: Thank you for the encouraging reviews!