The Uncanny R-Man: Glad you liked Emma/Vince getting together, look for more Deadpool later on of course, and yeah Sinister/Selene is disturbing but then again so are they. Look for August in the third act. X-23 isn't far off.
Jenskott: I didn't want to spoil the date for them, I thought about that but turned it down for the date. Selene/Sinister is supposed to be disturbing since both characters are disturbing. August will show up later and Sinster's plan will be a bit more then Jean/Scott's kids.
Mark C: Sinister's plan will be revealed later as well as what it means for the others. Things will get better for Rogue later on of course she's always been the most angst ridden character I think.
KSimonT-X: Glad you liked the fic and that Sinister and Selene creep you out, it should. More pairings are to come later of course. Glad you liked Vincent he's the best OC I made since my first fic 'Enter Mayhem' introduced him and I wanted to make a different kind of Emma. You'll see more of Slickboy's Slayer and what Sinister is up to.
Minijudi: You're right about the Romy, but it's hard to develop their relationship after what she went through and not to make it seemed like it was too unrealistic. But we'll try and do more of them later but it's hard to give certain people enough screen time. But just so you know Slickboy is a major Jott fan like you're a Romy fan. We can't please everyone but please remember this isn't a Romy cantered fic but we'll try to give you enough Romy to please you, but remember there are a LOT of characters in this.
GothikStrawberry: Don't worry the morning after refers to Emma/Vince and Logan/Ororo. And yeah it is August. If you think Sinister is sick and twisted now just wait until later.
Jade: DR scene is coming up and Romy later on, I can't rush that couple.
Wen1: Actually Project Prodigy was the that thing Vincent went through as a child.
Thanks to: X00001, Doza, Sparky Genocide
Hellfire and BrimstoneCHAPTER 32: THE MORNING AFTER
Emma was slowly waking up and she felt strangely relaxed and comfortable, despite a few aches that came from sex, but they weren't that bad. She shifted a little and felt a presence under her. In fact, she felt the familiar heat of someone's skin on her own and also felt someone's hand stroking her long blonde hair. It felt nice and so did an arm around her waist. She could hear breathing and slowly opened her eyes to see that last night hadn't been a wonderful dream after all. She was in her bed, but not alone. Under her, just as naked as she was, lay Vincent stroking her hair as she was waking up. She smiled as she hugged him closer to her and nuzzled her head against him as she felt his lips kiss her forehead.
He was so loving and tender in the morning, something she never experienced before and it was so nice. "Morning," was the only thing he said softly to her.
'Good morning Vincent,' she sent back to him not wanting to talk at least with her mouth. 'Last night was wonderful…Thank you.' It was true, last night was most likely the most pleasurable and beautiful thing that had ever happened in her life. She had fallen in love with a man that accepted her fully and who loved her just the same. It was still just so wonderful to have something like that in her life. He was the ray of light in her mostly dark and cold life.
"It was wonderful for me too Emma," he told her still stroking her hair, loving the silky feel of it.
"How long have you been up?" she asked him using her voice although she wished he wouldn't stop doing that with her hair, for it just felt too good. She felt him shift as he looked at the clock and told her for about thirty minutes. "You've been just looking at me for thirty minutes? I would have thought with that memory of yours once would have been enough."
"You're just too beautiful not to look at and I don't want to stop looking at you," he told her and she smiled in response. She loved how romantic he could be at times and closing her eyes, she could feel his own sense of peace. There was also something else too…She felt a presence in her mind now like a constant reminder that she wasn't alone. It was strange, for it hadn't been there before and now it felt like…Like Vincent…Almost as if he was somehow a part of her now even if it was just a little.
"Vincent…Do…You feel different…Like in your mind?" she asked him.
He had to admit that he did feel something. He thought it had been from the love making last night, but it was still there this morning. It felt like a warm presence had taken up root in the back of his mind. "Yeah I do…At least…Kind of…"
Emma thought to Jean and her 'bond' with Scott and wondered if their sharing each others' deepest and darkest secrets and accepting them and the love making had somehow strengthened this strange connection they had. Emma decided to tell Vincent about the 'bond' Jean and Scott had and her talk with Jean about it. She figured he needed to know and there were no more secrets between the two of them.
"Really?" he asked thinking about that and what it meant. "Huh…You know…I like it…I…I don't feel so alone anymore."
"I know…I never knew how alone I was until I started to feel this," Emma said on the same train of thought as him. "So…It's still early…Can we stay in bed a bit more?"
"I'd like that, but I did want to get some early training in before breakfast."
She grinned as she pushed up on her arms and positioned herself completely over him. "You know…There's no more Danger Room for us this day…We could just lock the door and spend the rest of the day here…In bed," she said in a husky voice and started to lean down and kiss him.
He groaned as he felt her hips with his hands and when she broke away he took in a deep breaths. "Oh god you make that so tempting…And I really, really would love to do that…But someone would come looking for us eventually."
She sighed. "Yes, I think you're right about that…Pity."
Then he caressed her cheek with a smile on his face, "That doesn't mean we can't have some fun before breakfast." She smiled broadly and leaned down kissing him again deeply and passionately.
"I can so go for that…But this time I want to be on top," she said before nibbling on his ear.
He groaned out feeling her body work against his. "Whatever you want my Queen. I love you."
She smiled at the nickname he seemed to have chosen for her and she had the perfect one for him as well and she whispered it into his ear. "I love you to…My Knight." Then, they proceeded to make love again for the second time in the early morning as the sun was starting to rise.
-Xavier Institute – Kitchen-
Ororo Munroe couldn't hide the smile on her face the next morning as she woke up at her usual time to fix breakfast for the awakening students. Last night had been one of her first full nights rest in over a week. Now, she didn't have the looming feelings of uncertainty about Logan that had been plaguing her for what seemed like an eternity. She honestly couldn't have asked for anything better with their date together last night. It had been some time since she had felt so jubilant. All the anxiety about her situation with Logan was finally gaining perspective after so many complications. The date last night and the kiss that ended it made her think seriously about her feelings for the man who had been one of her closest friends for many years. She knew now more than ever that it was definitely deeper than friendship…And she definitely had great feelings for Logan.
The thought of where she was going with this exciting new turn in her love life kept a smile on her face as she fixed up a large batch of eggs and bacon. After a hefty streak of denial, she was finally willing to admit to herself that she was falling for Logan. But unlike before, it didn't scare her so much…Well, for the most part that is. The former weather goddess wasn't aware of it, but she actually started humming as a result of her good mood as she flipped the eggs over and began to scramble them in the pan. She was so lost in her mood that she was actually startled by a familiar voice that greeted her.
"You certainly sound happy this morning Ororo…" said Jean as entered the kitchen, hearing her gentle humming and picking up on thoughts far more pleasant than the ones she had been sensing from her for the better part of a week now.
"Oh Jean," said Ororo, startled by her sudden entrance, "You're up early."
"I decided to beat the crowd for a change this morning," shrugged Jean as she got a closer look at the older woman before her, "And I see you finally got a good night's sleep last night."
"Yes well…" stammered Ororo, struggling to find the right words to explain her dramatic shift in mood while keeping in mind she was talking to a telepath, "I just…Finally worked a few things out that had been troubling me lately."
"Uh huh," said Jean with an unconvinced look on her face, "And these 'things' wouldn't happen to have anything to do with a certain burly Canadian, would they?"
Ororo looked back with mild shock on her face, for she had not told anybody about her date and she was fairly certain that Logan hadn't either, given his personality and desire for privacy. But Jean didn't flinch, knowing that the former weather goddess was just a little bashful about it for reasons she understood completely because of her own romantic history.
"How…How did you know about that?" she asked wearily, wondering just who else might know about her and Logan.
"Ray and Jamie…" answered Jean, "They were blabbing to everybody last night how they had seen you and Logan all dressed up, ready to go out for something that could only be a date given the dress they described."
That only caused Ororo to blush more, hoping she hadn't done anything too rash to alter the image she had among the students throughout the institute, particularly the younger ones. But this look only caused Jean to laugh as she casually leaned up against the counter while the eggs and bacon continued to simmer on the stove.
"Oh my…" she said in a worried tone.
"Ah don't worry," said Jean with a reassuring smile, "Not a lot of people believed them anyways…Although I have to say, I was kind of relieved to hear you two had finally worked something out."
"You mean…You knew?" asked Ororo, wondering just how obvious she and Logan had been during the tense times between them.
"Wasn't too hard to figure out…Even for a telepath," said Jean with a shrug, "You two were both rather restless, tired, and couldn't stop eyeing each other…And I'm not just talking about recently. Not to mention, I kept getting this weird image you two were projecting of some kiss in what looked like the Danger Room."
Ororo looked away to hide the grin on her face at the thought of the image she now treasured, but Jean knew it had to mean something…Telepathy or not, she knew it.
"Well…It's a long story Jean," said Ororo, keeping it simple.
"I understand," said Jean, "So…Does that mean you and Logan are an item now?"
Ororo almost mistook the tone in Jean's voice for that of Kitty for a moment and couldn't help but laugh at the redhead's intrigue. But given that this was a girl whom she had practically raised since she was only twelve, she couldn't blame her. It was an exciting occurrence in Jean's mind, for she knew that both Ororo and Logan were somewhat loners. Ororo may have been more subtle about it, but she had long noticed that part about her over the many years she had known her. In a way, it made good sense that she would find something in a man like Logan and was glad that they had finally connected after years of being close friends. In a way, it sort of mirrored her long time friendship turned serious relationship with Scott and for that, Jean was fairly confident about it as she saw the glowing expression on the former weather goddess's face.
"Well…I'm not exactly sure. I mean…I truly do have feelings for Logan…Deep feelings that I've never had before," admitted Ororo, speaking in full honesty, "But yeah…I think we are. It was just…It was a truly wonderful thing last night. It was as if…I don't know…I finally saw something that had been there for so long, but could never bring myself to admit it's presence."
"Yeah, I know the feeling…Believe me I do," said Jean, referring to the same situation she had with Scott just a year or so earlier, "And it's ironic when you think about it…Because it was actually your advice that got me to realize that I was in love with him in the first place."
"Really?" said Ororo, sounding surprised at this revelation.
"Oh yes…Remember that fateful day with the fountain when we were putting the finishing touches on the institute? You know…The one where Scott and Logan were working bare-chested on the roof and I was a bit…Distracted?"
"Ah yes…I remember now," said Ororo with a laugh, remembering the rather humorous display of attraction she saw between her and Scott that day and so many others before it.
"Well, you told me that it was a wonderful day for new beginnings…And for letting people know how they really feel. And I really took those words to heart…You know just as well as I do what happened afterwards."
"Yes…And maybe I should have heeded my own advice sooner," said Ororo, now feelings somewhat sheepish about what she had told Jean after not having followed it herself.
"Hey, no use worrying about it now," coaxed Jean, "As long as you're together now, the best thing you can do is make each moment count and not waste time. Because believe me…When you squander so much beforehand, you learn to savor each moment that comes."
"That's good advice Jean," said Ororo, feeling somewhat strange since it was usually the other way around when it came to advice giving among the students, which partially stemmed from her still seeing Jean as the little girl she helped raise.
"Hey, just telling you what I know…Believe me, I've been down the same road before," said Jean as she started to feel her stomach growl at the scent of near complete bacon and eggs.
Ororo took some comfort in that, knowing how well Scott and Jean's relationship had grown despite all the initial complications that plagued them earlier. Now she and Scott shared a room and were growing quite serious, which offered a great deal of hope because it proved to Ororo that friendships could evolve into something truly wonderful as long as she and Logan took each moment as it came and set aside the anxieties that had caused them so much turmoil already. But she tried not to think about that as she told Jean some of the details about her date with Logan, laughing and giggling as if she were a teenager again. But she couldn't help it…She just felt so lively now and truly wanted to relish it for as long as she could.
As the two women continued chatting and laughing into the morning, they were suddenly greeted with another very chipper presence in the kitchen. This time, it was a smiling Emma Frost, who seemed as though she was glowing as she walked looking like her head was high in the clouds. She was wearing her white silk robe and looked every bit as upbeat as Ororo was…Only she was walking a little awkwardly.
"Good morning ladies!" she proclaimed in a chipper voice that would have put Kitty to shame, "And how are you on this glorious morning?"
"Hmm…It appears that I'm not the only one in a good mood this morning," grinned Ororo as she started another batch of bacon and eggs.
"Ah yes…It's good to see that others are feeling almost as good as I do after a very wonderful night's sleep," said Emma in a rather dreamy sounding tone.
"Emma…You're starting to scare me," said Jean, trying hard not to laugh, "What happened last night? I mean…Last I saw you, you were wallowing in a wave of self pity and anxiety the likes of which I haven't seen in some time. Did you work things out with Vincent?"
"Oh yes…We certainly worked things out," said Emma with a suggestive grin.
Emma went on to give both Jean and Ororo many of the intimate details about the previous night. She had to skip a few parts…Wanting to keep those exclusively for her and Vincent alone, but she didn't skimp on the more…Saucy details. Moment for moment, Emma went over all the wonderful sensations she had felt with Vincent last night…Not just physically and sexually, but also mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. It had been the first time they had said 'I love you' to one another. And the feeling such a profound moment gave them was something they both wanted to hold onto for the rest of their lives.
The blonde telepath watched with slight amusement as she saw the expressions on Jean and Ororo's face as she went into some rather vivid details about what she and Vincent had done. But no matter how she described it, no words could truly convey the sense of euphoria and completion she felt when they both made love. She remembered how Jean once told her about the difference between sex and making love and she remembered how she didn't believe her at first…Now, she had completely proven herself wrong and knew that her words had been all too true.
"And…That's how it happened," she said as she finally finished her long, elaborate story of her first time with Vincent Freeman.
"Oh my…" said Ororo, blushing somewhat at some of the feelings Emma described, which may have been a result of a very long streak without sex on her part.
"Wow…" said Jean with a wide smile.
"Yep!" she said proudly, "That's what I thought too! And I guess you were right Jean…There is a difference…And it truly is unlike any other feeling out there."
Jean couldn't help but smile, knowing exactly what she was referring to. She had found out for herself a while ago just how different having sex and making love were when she and Scott took that fateful step in their relationship. There really were no words to describe it and Emma now understood that. And despite all the unpleasantness in her past having to do with what she had done and where she had come from, she had still managed to relish in such a profound experience with someone who she truly did love.
"Well I'm glad you finally worked things out," said Jean, still finding Emma's glowing aura to be rather overwhelming given how she usually was.
"Me too…I'm definitely glad too," said Emma as she stretched her limbs in the warm sunlight, feeling more refreshed than she ever had been before, "It's just so amazing that I finally have someone that I truly, honestly love in a way I never thought possible. After everything both he and I have been through…It's just so amazing to think that we've finally found something with each other that neither of us ever thought we'd have."
"Well we're all happy for you two Emma," said Ororo as she continued her work on the breakfast, "I can see that you and Vincent have had a truly positive effect on one another."
"Thanks Ororo…And if you don't mind me asking, why do you seem so happy this morning too?" she asked, noticing the look on her face for the first time, "Did you get a little 'action' last night as well?"
"Well…In a way, she did," smirked Jean, causing Ororo to blush as she turned to face the two younger women.
"Really now?" said Emma with an intrigued look on her face, "And what kind of way would that be?"
"She went out on a date…With Logan," smirked Jean as Ororo began to blush profusely.
"Logan?" said Emma as she turned towards Ororo and grinned, "You went out with that strong, burly wild man last night?"
Knowing she was talking to two telepaths and her red face was certainly a dead giveaway, Ororo just sighed and smiled at the blonde mutant sitting at the table before her.
"Well as I've already told Jean…Yes, Logan and I did go out on a date," admitted Ororo.
"I see…" said Emma, still grinning suggestively, obviously finding it quite intriguing even though she hadn't known Ororo for very long, "Was it good?"
"It was…" Ororo briefly stopped to find the right words, but her pause and her expression more or less gave her answer away, "Wonderful."
"Glad to hear that," said Emma in response, "I had a feeling you two were eyeing each other from the get go."
"Aha!" said Jean as she turned back towards Ororo, "See! You can't argue with two telepaths Ro!"
"Well it's not like she hid it very well," commented Emma, "I've been seeing rather interesting images dance across both your minds all week. And it would explain both of your behavior, although I don't exactly know either of you that well enough to say."
"But I do," quipped Jean, "And I think it's great. You and Logan have always seemed pretty close and I'm happy to see the both of you taking another step that could lead to something so much more. I mean, you're too good a person to end up alone Ro."
"Yes…That's what Sage and my sister kept telling me," said Ororo, rolling her eyes somewhat at the memory of all their petty concerns for her that now seemed somewhat redundant.
"Well it's true," argued Emma, "If you're blessed with a nice body, it's a real crime not to use it in all it's glory."
"Emma…" said Ororo, blushing slightly at what she was implying, "It was just a date…We didn't exactly go that far just yet."
"But do you plan to?" inquired Emma with a suggestive look in her eyes.
"I uh…" stammered Ororo, feeling a bit uncomfortable talking about her sex life, "I'm really not sure, but…"
"Would you like to?" asked Emma, pushing a little deeper while Jean covered her mouth to keep herself from laughing at the situation she was currently witnessing.
"I…Can't say that I wouldn't," answered Ororo with a bright red face, stuttering severely in her words.
"Well then go for it! Don't waste time!" urged Emma, still showing the effects of her good mood in her afterglow from the previous night, "Because I have to tell you…After getting a little taste of Canadian bacon last night, I can safely say that I'm hooked for life on it! You ought to try it…Besides, Logan definitely seems like the kind of man who would have quite a 'wild' side in bed."
While Ororo blushed even more from that, both Jean and Emma broke out into laughter as they gave the former weather goddess something to think about as she continued cooking.
"Oh, and do you think that healing factor would add anything to it?" questioned Jean as she and Emma kept Ororo on the spot.
"But of course darling!" Replied the blonde telepath with enthusiasm, "If Logan's energy in the danger room is any indication and if that healing factor is as powerful as everybody claims it is, I can only imagine how much endurance he must be able to muster during sex. You should definitely feel lucky Ororo…Guys like that are very rare you know."
"I'll…Keep that in mind Emma," said Ororo, finally turning away and focusing back on her last batch of eggs and beginning on the sausage, but despite the slight embarrassment she felt…She had to admit, some of those thoughts that Emma had given her sounded a bit…Enticing.
As the laughter died down and Emma sunk into her seat in a wave of contentment, Jean hopped off the counter and began to make her leave from the kitchen.
"Well, this has certainly been a fun conversation ladies," she said as she stood near the doorway leading back to the staircase, "But I think I'm going to go up and find Scott before he comes down for breakfast."
"He's already up I think," said Emma, "I heard him taking a shower before I came down."
"That's perfect…" said Jean with a suggestive grin, "I think I'll go see if I can catch him before he finishes. All this talk of good sex has gotten me a little…Excited."
And before either Emma or Ororo could comment on Jean's words, she was already gone, making her way up the stairs and towards the bathroom where her still showering boyfriend was waiting for her.
-Danger Room-
Rogue was suiting up in her uniform for the first time in over a month. She couldn't believe how it felt like a life time ago since she had worn it, but the familiar suit clung to her and it was kind of nice, like she was getting back into her old life. But she knew her old life was gone for good and she would never be the same, emotionally, mentally or physically. Her rape had changed her and she knew it would always haunt her. She still had trouble sleeping, afraid she would wake up back in that room or that she was the Green Knight again. She wasn't sure which fate had been worse for her. Yes, her body had been violated, but they hadn't touched her mind like they had when they messed with her head.
She had nearly lost herself and had nearly killed her own brother, her own family. In her eyes she would have been worse then Mystique and that horrible nightmare of her killing everyone including Mystique and her saying how she was 'better' then her would have come true.
It was all so strange, and then there was what Sage had done to her. Sure she was thankful she could touch again, but she was still uncertain about her. She knew that the Hellfire Club needed to be destroyed and she knew that she must have had to do a lot of distasteful things, but a part of Rogue couldn't help but wonder if she had gone out of her way sooner then Selene might not have gotten her hands on her.
Rogue shook her head while walking to the Danger Room. It was pointless to try and guess on what might have been. For all she knew, if Sage had acted sooner then things might have gone even worse. Sage was also avoiding Rogue and of course Jean and especially Emma, not that she could blame her. She most likely thought that the older woman blamed herself for what they had to endure, but as she pushed all thoughts aside as she entered the Danger Room and looked at the control room.
There was Xavier and Logan overlooking the exercise to see what her new abilities were and to see what else she could do. Ever since yesterday she had been trying out other powers like Kurt's teleportation, Kitty's phasing, and even Scott's powers, but nothing happened. Although this morning she did crush her alarm clock by accident and figured that these new powers were always on. She looked up in the control room and smiled when she saw Kitty, Kurt, and even Remy there for her support.
She was glad all three where there, even the Cajun. She had to admit that she was getting closer to him then she had thought and he did seemed to care, but she wasn't used to these feelings. For years she had to push those thoughts of romance away, like when she had been crushing heavily on Scott. She was glad she got over that and that she and Jean were getting closer. She had to admit that she had been jealous of Jean because she had everything she had ever wanted…Popular, good looks, and Scott's affection. She now knew she could live her own life and maybe she could start her own relationship. She only wished that the thought of sex didn't make her sick to her stomach in a sense and that even the though of kissing made her uneasy, but at least she was now touching other people without flinching.
For the most part anyway and she knew she just had to work through that like in the sessions with the others. They all had pain to work through, but right now she had something other to work through as she started to loosen up her joints getting ready for whatever they were about to throw at her.
Up in the control room the others wanted to know what else was going on with Rogue. Kitty had smiled to herself when Gambit walked in without a word and had just stood there out of everyone's way. She casually walked over to the taller and older boy. "Hi Remy," she said happily and he just nodded politely to her. "So…You, like, think we'll learn more about Rogue's power?"
"Remy hopes so petite," said Gambit and he had a feeling she was leading him onto some more personal questions. He had also talked to his old friend Piotr and not only was the Russian happier lately than he remembered since he starting dating the brunette girl, but he also learned that she liked to gossip especially when it came to relationships.
"So…You think you and Rogue will go on another date soon?" she asked him and he only smiled and shook his head at the younger girl's question.
"Petite, whatever is goin' on with me and Rogue is our business." He saw her frown a bit and then leaned in close so only she could hear the next part. "But between you and me…Gambit wouldn't mind a second date and dem some."
Kitty giggled to herself and knew that he liked her and vice versa. She just figured Rogue wasn't used to the kind of attention that Gambit gave her and wasn't sure how to handle it. She thought maybe she could help her out with that and maybe get a few of the other girls to help out as well.
"Alright Rogue we're ready, are you?" Logan asked through a microphone connected to speakers inside the room. They saw her nod her head and they got ready. "Alright we'll start off small and work your way up. First, we'll test your strength level and then go from there."
"Alright," she said as a platform raised with an attachment to it the hung overhead. She knew this was a strength test and that the part on top would come down and she was supposed to lift it. She stepped onto it and then braced herself as the giant piston like machine above her slowly came down and she held it up easily.
In the control room they watched the readings. "Damn she's lifting seventy pounds like it's nothing," Logan muttered to himself, seeing her new strength.
Xavier nodded, "Slowly increase it if you will Logan, but not too fast too hard."
Logan grunted and slowly increased it. She went to one hundred, then one-fifty, then two hundred, and after awhile she didn't start to break a sweat until it reached one ton. He kept increasing the pressure and at thirty tons she was sweating more now as her limbs started to feel the burn. It wasn't until she reached fifty tons that her legs started to give out.
"Okay…Ah think that's enough," she said and the pressure dropped as the machine above her raised up and she fell to her knees exhausted and started to take deep breaths.
"Mon dieu," Gambit said, seeing the readings. "Dat femme is strong."
"Yes, it looks like her maximum strength level is about fifty tons," Xavier said looking at the readouts.
Logan grunted. "Yeah, looks like stripes is now third strongest here. Colossus did what? Seventy five tons?" Xavier nodded. "Yeah and that Vince kid did about eighty didn't he?"
"Man it's kind of scary vhen you zhink zhat zhere are people zat strong," Kurt said, mainly to himself. "Do you zhink she may need to learn how to control zhat?"
Xavier hadn't thought of that, "You may have a point there…Maybe she should spend time with Vincent and Piotr to get a few pointers on how to deal with super strength."
"Yeah wouldn't want her getting pissed and break a table or a wall or something," Logan said which only earned him a stern look from Xavier, but he just ignored it. Although Xavier was curious as to way Logan seemed so calm and collective this morning, usually it takes him a ride on his bike to get like this and he's usually not a morning person.
That and he couldn't help but notice how his old friend had this smile on his face that didn't want to go away. He had heard the thoughts of a few students by accident about Logan and Ororo going on a date and he had to admit he had been worried about them, but it seemed they were doing just fine. He was glad that they seemed to have found a new type of happiness. Now, he returned his attention to Rogue and reset the Danger Room for a level six simulation.
"Alright Rogue, now let's see how you deal with danger," Xavier said into the microphone.
She nodded and then the usual assortment of weapons, lasers, giant maces, and large scissor like contraptions on cables. She started at a run, knowing that usually this was an exercise on how to keep moving and how not to get hit, but she wanted to know how her new skin could take things it couldn't before. It was like that needle that had been hard to get through her skin and she wanted to know just how tough she was now.
One of the maces came at her and she easily caught it and ripped it out of the floor. It had been so easy she fell on her butt with it still in her hands. She had wanted to say 'ouch' like a person normally would when falling like that, but it hadn't hurt at all and she threw the ruined weapon at another. She dodged one of the giant scissor, but missed one of the laser turrets and was hit in the back with a beam that slammed her into a metal wall.
To everyone's surprise she just got up and looked as though she felt fine. It had stung a bit, but other then that she was fine. She continued on as the training level was slowly increased and soon a large metal pole slammed into her. However, the pole broke and in what should have crushed her ribs would only have leave a small bruise. She smiled to herself quickly getting up.
All those times in the Danger Room she had to borrow the powers of others or use those disk weapons, but now she finally felt like she could hold her own. It was a nice feeling, not being a mutant parasite and having to take the powers of others in order to survive. Then several plates on the ground started to raise and she just had to be on them as they constantly shifted their height in the air. She also had to doge attacks.
At one point she lost her footing and started falling, she screamed out afraid that the impact would hurt since she had just fallen over fifteen feet and forgetting about how tough her body was and she closed her eyes and prepared to the impact…But then it never happened. She thought at first that maybe time was just slowing down because of adrenalin, but when she opened her eyes she saw the ground about two feet in front of her only she was hovering over it.
"What the hell?"
Rogue looked around and saw that she was stuck in the air and was upside down. She wished she knew how to get right side up and started to move her arms and legs and then she tried concentrating and found out that was how to move her body in the air.
In the control room Xavier had halted the simulation at her falling, but was glad and astonished that she stopped.
"Cool, she can, like, totally fly too!" Kitty said happily. She had covered her eyes when she saw her fall, but opened them when everything had gone too silent for her.
"Ja, looks like ve found out a new power she has," Kurt said looking down as his old foster sister glad that she managed to stop her fall.
"Rogue, are you alright?" Xavier said through the microphone.
"Ya…Ah…Ah think so…But it's kind of hard to do this at the moment," Rogue said trying to concentrate on flying. She had to admit it was kind of fun and wondered if this was how Jean, Storm, Vince, and Warren felt when they flew. It was kind of cool actually and she wanted to see how long she could keep this up since it wasn't that hard.
Xavier sensed this and figured it was time for a little fun for her since she had gone through the rough stuff. "Why don't we just let you train with that new power of yours on your own for now?" He asked her.
"Sounds great ta meh!" she said flying herself up to the control room windows.
Gambit saw her and smiled. She looked beat up and sweaty, but she also looked like she was enjoying herself…And he thought she looked kind of like an angel just floating there in that air and he smiled at her more, as he just stood there watching her starting to move through the air. At first it was rough, but she soon got the hang of it and was starting to have fun it seemed as she got more graceful in the air.
Kurt saw Gambit watch his sister and knew the kinds of things he must be thinking. Even though he accepted that he and Rogue seemed to like each other, it was still a bit uncomfortable with the thought of his sister dating and the things that went along with it. But he could see that he made her happy and he left it at that, as long as he treated his sister right he didn't care.
Besides, he had to work his out his own issues, but at least this new relationship with Wanda was nice and she had been helping him cope and it just felt so nice to have someone in his life to fill the void left by Amanda. He did care for Wanda and wondered just how far their relationship would go. Either way, it was something he was eagerly looking forward to.
After the training she had gone into the locker room area to shower off and change into a pair of loose black pants and matching shirt. She placed her uniform in a bag for laundry as well as a towel. She had just exited the room when she heard a familiar voice. "That was very nice cherè."
She stopped in her tracks seeing Gambit there leaning against the wall looking cocky as ever and had that grin on his face. She swallowed and felt that stupid nervousness that she felt whenever he was around. "What do ya want swamp rat?" She tried to sound annoyed, but it just didn't come out right.
"Just wonderin' if you had anything planned for the rest of de day?" he said as he pushed himself off the wall and walked over towards her.
She started playing with on of her bangs, a stupid nervous habit she had and wish she didn't have. It gave too much away as she slightly faced away from him a bit. "W-why would you want ta know that?"
Gambit just smiled at her seeing her like that, true was he loved seeing her like that without the tough girl mask she wore. "Because Remy likes spending time with you chere."
Now Rogue's heart picked up a beat in her chest. Why would he want to? She didn't consider herself that pretty. Hell, one of the reasons for the whole Goth thing was to hide her looks since from childhood Irene had warned her about getting close to others. But here was this…This boy that never left her alone and whose attention was totally on her. It was strange since the only other boy to notice her like that had been Cody and well…That hadn't ended well, putting a guy into a coma for a bit can do that and give a girl a complex.
"Why do ya like to? Ah mean ah know ah'm not that 'social' as the others." It was a valid point, for she knew he risked his life for her and that there had to be something between them, but after years of nothing it was hard for her to deal with this. She didn't know how to act or talk to a boy in the way she saw other couples and how comfortable they were.
Gambit very slowly reached up not wanting to scare her and brushed a bang from her face and slightly traced a line down her cheek. Rogue didn't jump from the touch…In fact, she was captivated by it and by looking into those red on black eyes. She loved those demon eyes and the touch of his fingers she felt an electrical currently run down her spine for a split second and she shivered a bit, but in a good way.
"If you haven't figured that out by now chere, Remy's not sure how else to tell you," he said in a soothing tone and for a moment Rogue felt like maybe she could kiss him. In fact, she had thought of it since first meeting him and lately she had to admit that him being here actually made her happy inside and it was comforting because deep down, she knew that he wouldn't harm her.
"Remy…Ah…Ah want to…" She so wanted to have something between them, but she wasn't ready, not yet. She needed to deal with her own personal demons.
He silenced her by placing his fingers to her lips and smiled. "Remy knows, and just to let you know that Remy is here for you and always will be." It was true, he was falling for this girl. He knew it started when they first met. The more time he spent with her, the more he wanted to spend time with her. She was a strong woman and had this spirit about her that he liked. He also saw how she had been struggling and fighting and knew that she would eventually beat back her own haunting past.
Rogue didn't know what to say. She felt better knowing that he was going to be there for her and she really wanted him to be there. That experience in New Orleans had been nice and she had seen a side of him that she hadn't before, like earlier when they had talked and walked through the town. It was this side of him that he rarely let anyone see that she wanted to see more of and to get to know the real Remy.
"Thank you," she said, it was the only thing she could think of and thought of something else. "Ya…Ya want ta walk meh back to my room?" she asked a bit nervous.
Remy bowed to her. "Of course what kind of man would I be to refuse the offer of such a beautiful woman?"
Rogue blushed a bit at being called beautiful and turned her head away so he didn't see it. "Oh shut it, ya flatterer."
"You want Remy to stop flattering you chere?"
Rogue thought about it. "…No…Not really." She admitted, mainly to herself, it was nice to have someone say such things to her because when he said things like her being pretty, not only did she believe he meant them, but also she felt like that, and it had been awhile since she felt like that.
He took her hand gently in his as they walked the corridors. As they passed a few people, she knew by the looks she saw that rumors of her and Gambit would be flying in a few hours, but she didn't care. It was too nice of a feeling to stop and she could care less what other people thought. For now, she just wanted to enjoy the actual feeling of someone's hand in her un-gloved one for the first time in years.
-Basement – Medical Quarters-
Hank McCoy had been staring at the same screen showing Rogue's readings for the better part of an hour now. Her little display in the danger room had prompted both his and the Professor's concerns given the unpredictable nature of southern girl's powers. It had been hard enough examining her due to her lingering uneasiness about the infirmary, but in addition to that her body seemed to have undergone a rather remarkable change.
Now, her skin was as tough as a rhino and it had taken some rather drastic use of certain equipment in order to get even the slightest blood sample to look over. It was almost like trying to puncture Blob's skin in a way because it seemed to have the same tenacity when put under stress. In addition, she also displayed some rather remarkable strength in the danger room…Strength that gave her the ability to rip through metal like tissue paper. Add to that, she now had flight capabilities that were somewhat like Jean's when she used her telekinesis, but didn't involve applying any forces outside the body, as if it came completely from within.
While this seemed to be of good benefit to Rogue in many ways in conjunction with her newfound abilities to touch, it was a bit overwhelming for the young woman given what she had been through. And for those reasons and many others, Hank had taken it upon himself to make sure that she wasn't in any danger even if that meant sequestering himself in his lab which he had already spent enough time in after the Hellfire incident.
Going over vital readings, blood samples, and data gathered in the danger room, the brilliant man trapped inside an animalistic body quickly lost himself in his work as he so often did. While few understood why he chose to stress himself over such things, he actually did take comfort in the solitude that his work often gave him. It helped him focus his mind and his thoughts, testing his wits and presenting to him challenges that were an adventure in of themselves to solve. While it did get rather lonely at times, it did not make such personal comfort any less meaningful to him.
He wasn't sure how long he had been going over the data, for his work always had a way of making him forget about time, but soon found himself jolted out of his thoughts by the sound of the lab door opening and a familiar presence making herself known.
"You know…I'm starting to get the impression that you actually live down here Hank," joked Sage as she saw Hank once again hard at work in front of a large computer screen as she had so frequently seen him since her arrival.
"Oh Sage, I didn't know anybody was still down here," said Hank, taking a moment to gain a certain level of composure around this woman whom had been spending a rather precarious amount of time around him.
"You can't be the last one to leave here all the time…Although you sure as hell seem to try," said Sage as she walked up beside him and stood in rather close proximity to him, which gave the good doctor a rather mixed feeling in the pit of his stomach, "So what are you looking at now?"
"Just readings from Rogue," he answered casually as he brought up the rather complicated stream of data that only he and Sage could possibly decipher, "It appears her powers have taken yet another strange turn. While all the personalities from earlier may be gone from her mind, it appears that their complicated presence has caused a sudden restructuring of her mutagenic baseline of abilities that have permanently engraved themselves in her being. Now, in addition to being in control of her absorption powers, she now has a level of strength and invulnerability comparable to Blob and flight capabilities like Jean, but with an ease of control like that of Warren."
"So I heard…" said Sage, having gotten the story of what happened to her from Ororo and some of the students, "I guess that's partially my fault in a ways since I'm the one who pretty much instigated her conflict with her powers…Which is probably why I've found it hard to talk to her since I got here."
"Oh come now Sage, you shouldn't think such thoughts," assured Hank as he turned to the ever mysterious young woman before him, "Rogue's a very forgiving person. And she would have no reason to feel any such animosity towards the one who gave her the gift of touch that she had thought to be lost forever. If only you knew how depressed and isolated she felt when she first came here. She was so confused…So distraught…Never believing that she would ever have the chance touch or have a close relationship with anybody without bringing harm to them. If anything…She should be thanking you…And you should feel proud that you gave her something that not even Charles and I could give her."
The look Hank gave her caused her to blush slightly, which was a rarity for her since she was usually so good at hiding what she was thinking and feeling because of her SHIELD training, but there was just something about Hank that caught her off guard. And when she thought about it, it actually made sense and even found some parts of it humorous that she could find comfort in someone who was such a walking paradox on a personal and physical basis.
"I guess I just don't feel it makes up for all the other things I've done…Not to mention what I let happen to her and the others," said Sage, feeling as though she would never get over some of the things she saw at the Hellfire Club.
"Yet never forget that it was because of you that they are all alive and well now," reminded Beast, not willing to let her slip into the lingering mindset of guilt that seemed to follow her ever since she got back, "Everybody here owes you a lot Sage…Don't let your regrets overshadow your accomplishments. If everybody did that in this world then nobody would be happy."
"Interesting way of putting it…But I think I understand," said Sage, feeling a little better at Hank's words, "Are you always the resident wise guy here?"
"Well, I do what I can," smiled Hank, rubbing the back of his neck as he so often did when he felt himself in that rare, awkward position that Sage seemed to have a knack for getting him in with her witty comments.
"And you do a good job," said Sage with a rather flirtatious smile that caused the blue ape man to blush a mix of purplish colors on his face, "Which is why I find it somewhat of a shame that you seem so predicated on sequestering yourself in this underground confinement. I mean…I barely ever see you out and about the institute. Doesn't it drive you crazy just staying here, hiding yourself from the rest of the world?"
Hank looked away from both Sage and the computer screen as he let out a solemn sigh and looked down at his furry, ape like hands.
"I'd be lying if I said it didn't," admitted Beast in a rather low tone, "But I guess it's just been hard for me to 'go out' as regular human when I am by no means regular."
Sage saw the rather depressed look on his face, which helped show just how sensitive a topic this was for him. While she had been very accepting of his appearance and greatly respected and admired his personality and intellect, she knew full well that there were plenty of people out there who didn't share such tolerant views. Having been sequestered for so long with the Hellfire Club, she had a pretty good idea of where he was coming from. But unlike her, he could not escape what he was and could not hide it while she and many others throughout the institute could to some extent.
"Don't get me wrong…I have thought about it at times. And…I've even tried it once or twice," said Hank, thinking back to when his physical appearance first manifested, "But I guess I've come to accept that there's no going back for man of my disposition. Much of what happened to me was my own fault and I have had to pay a price for such naivety. It's just…I know I'm stuck this way…I know there just aren't a lot of people out there who truly understand."
There was a brief silence between them as Hank took a minute to sulk in his own reflections, but it wasn't long before Sage placed a comforting hand on his strong shoulder and leaned in closer to him, offering him what comfort she could for a man so trapped in his own prison.
"I understand Hank…" she assured him as she met his gaze, "I may not know completely…Nobody can do that…But I know what it's like to be in a prison both physically and mentally…Being one thing on the outside while being completely different on the inside. It's hard…Almost torturous at times…But everybody needs to reach out at some point or another. Whether we're mutants or humans…We're still beings that yearn to connect with one another…We're still beings that yearn to find companionship with someone who accepts us for who we are."
"But who would ever accept a furry ape man as a companion?" said Hank, once again allowing his old dogmatic views about himself take hold that had become so entrenched over the years.
"Well…" said Sage with a renewed, flirtatious grin, "You'd be surprised what some women think of lush, blue fur and strong, intellectual, compassionate men…"
Then, much to Hank's complete and utter shock…Sage leaned forward and gave him a kiss on his furry cheek, causing him to smile and blush profusely in a way he never had before. The mind, the body, the aura of this woman…She was unlike anyone he had ever encountered before. He could truly talk to her in a way he couldn't with anybody else, and that wasn't just because of the technical terms they knew that nobody else seemed to understand at the institute. This beautiful woman…Who could probably have had her choice of plenty of other men out there…Men who didn't have fur on every square centimeter of their body…Was attracted to him. It was something he once thought impossible, yet through one simple act, he had been proven wrong and was now in a state of shock that Sage could only smile at as she interlocked her arms with his.
"Come on Hank…I'm going to take you to get some fresh air even if I have to hog tie you," she said with a smile as she led him out the metal doors of the lab and towards the elevator.
"Well if you're that determined dear Sage…" said Hank with a smile, "Then I guess all I can say is lead the way."
-Outside-
Piotr was painting, one of his favourite pastimes. He was painting the mansion from a nice angle with the fountain in front seeing as most of the New Mutants were finally out of school except for exams so those that were taking 'study breaks' were out and about. He saw Bobby and Jubilee over by the trees sitting in the shade.
They also seemed to be having a nice time together since she was sitting on his lap with her arms around his neck. Their faces were either an inch apart or just touching at some points when they weren't kissing. He could tell the two of them were deeply involved seeing how close they were and he wondered if things would be like that with him and Kitty. He truly did like her…In fact, he was sure he was falling in love with her, and it was easy to see why.
When he looked at Kitty, he saw someone so full of life. She was so beautiful and so kind and she had a pure soul even after the horrors she had seen. Plus, there was this quality about her that somehow just made any room brighter and more cheerful. They had gone out a few times and he had to admit he liked being with her.
The scent of her hair the feeling of how her lips tasted like strawberries and how cute she looked at times when she was trying not to blush or act coyly truly made her all the sweeter to be around. She was one in a million and he knew and he was lucky to have her in his life, for now it didn't seem as empty as it had before.
It just felt right to him and he knew she was a girl his parents would have loved to have met. He just wished his parents were still alive, although he hadn't given up on finding his little sister either. His thoughts were shaken as a flapping sound was heard overhead and he looked up to see Warren coming down with Betsy in his arms. He smiled and nodded politely to the two new mutants.
"Hey, how are you doing?" Betsy asked as she straightened out her long skirt she wore and her blouse.
"I am doing fine. Do you two usually go out flying together?"
Warren smiled and nodded, "Oh yes, Betsy has a love for flying and I love it even more when she's with me."
"Aw, thank you luv," she said and planted a kiss on his cheek. She had to admit, being in his arms and in the air was like magic and she enjoyed it so much it was almost as good as the sex…Well, almost. Although, until they finished with that damn soundproofing they started, they couldn't have any of that at the moment so she was content with their flying sessions.
They walked over to his painting and both were surprised at just how good it was. "Wow…You have some talent there Piotr," Warren said studying the painting. It was only half finished but he had to admit the last time he saw things that good was in a gallery. "Have you ever considered going professional? You know trying to get your paintings in a gallery or art show?"
The Russian shook his head. "Niet, I just do this for fun and because I like it. I have never thought of doing it full time. Besides I do not think it is good enough for that."
Betsy placed a hand on the young man's shoulder. "I wouldn't say that. You've got a gift and let me tell you, I like looking at this unfinished work better then some of the crap I've seen lately. And remember, you're talking to two people who grew up in high society and know all about this stuff. Trust us, you're good."
It was true and then she got an idea. She had been thinking of getting Warren a nice present, maybe for his apartment back in New York or the mansion. He sometimes stared at of a painting of her and wondered if he could do that? Something nice that he could have to remember her if they had to be apart for a time. Although after that Hellfire incident, she didn't want to leave his side for awhile, she learned first hand that she could have lost the most important person in her life and she wanted to savor it.
"Well…Perhaps one day," Colossus mused to himself, still not sure. He just liked to draw and paint. He never gave much thought to galleries and such.
"Well if you ever change your mind, I'm sure that Betsy and I know a few people that could get you started out," Warren told him. In fact, he started running a few names of people that owed him and his family a few favors for donations to their art shows in this head.
Colossus nodded his head in thanks. "Da, thank you my friends. I will think about it and let you know if I ever change my mind." The other two mutants smiled and nodded and left him to his own devices. Piotr went back to painting, but wondered if there was anything that could inspire him to paint a masterpiece worthy of the art world. Well…There was one, but he didn't think she would like that. He shrugged it off and went back to finishing his painting before the light changed too much.
Meanwhile Bobby and Jubilee were in their own little world sharing a deep kiss. She truly loved being here and being back with Bobby. When she had been forced to leave she had literally cried herself to sleep for over a week because she missed all their friends and the kids at school were so cruel to her because it was out that she had been a mutant.
Those months away had been hard and her parents had kept telling her she was safer here than back at the Institute. That is until she came home with a few bruises. They asked her what happened and she didn't want to talk about it, but eventually she told them how a group at school had started harassing her and even hit her a few times. They had only stopped when she used her powers. Her parents had been outraged and had called the principal, but he had been no help. In fact, he had made it clear that he didn't want her there and said that she was a danger to the students.
Her parents had to admit that she might not had been safe anywhere now and after a long talk, they decided to send her back to Xavier's. She had never been more happy to return and see all her friends again, even Rahne who had returned a couple of weeks after her. There was also Bobby. She had been developing a crush on him since before she left and when she got back, they had played around and even flirted with each other for a couple of months before one of them broke.
She remembered how he had first kissed her and how she loved it…Tasting his lips and feeling his tongue with hers, her hands in his short brown hair. She felt him start to caress her thigh and she didn't stop him. They have moved to the touching phase in their relationship, but they had a rule of no farther until they were both ready.
Besides, it was only at time like this that they could safely do this without one of the adults, or worse Logan seeing them. He was like the overprotective father figure for the girls at times. Bobby for his part felt like he truly was in love with her. He had been so happy to have her back in his life when she came back and when he finally got the guts to kiss her he was glad he did.
Now, tasting her mouth and feeling that smooth skin of her athletic leg he felt he could die happy at that point. They both broke to deep kiss both panting slightly. "Wow," Bobby breathed and she giggled as she rested her head on his shoulder.
"I'm so glad you like it, cause so do I," she told him taking a deep sigh. "Although shouldn't we be studying?"
"I thought we were? Isn't this biology? Or is this chemistry?"
She laughed and messed up his hair. "Yeah, well what would Mr. Logan thing of that then?"
"Oh he's too busy with Storm, I mean everyone knows their a couple now if what Jamie and Ray saw was true. Plus, you got to admit when have you ever seen her so happy today or Logan happy period?"
She thought about that last one. "Yeah…Now that you mention it, I wasn't sure to be glad that he's happy or scared that he was smiling all that time. It's kind of creepy after seeing him for years with nothing but that scowl on his face."
"Yeah, I think he really needs to get laid. It's the only reasons he's so 'cranky' all the time."
She raised an eyebrow and had a plan in mind. "Oh really?" Then, they looked over in another direction out of his line of site behind him. "Is that true Mr. Logan?"
Bobby jumped off sending her to the ground with a small shriek as he quickly turned around. "I didn't mean it!" he said quickly, but then noticed no one there and then Jubilee's laughing. She was on the ground nearly rolling on the grass laughing so hard.
"You-you should…Have seen…Your face!" she said between laughter and then she saw the look in his eyes and stopped. He slowly got this wolf-like grin on his face that said 'I'm going to get you' on it. She started to back-pedal a bit. "Now Bobby it was just a joke…Right? Bobby?"
"Come here you…" he said playfully and she shrieked with a little laugh as he started to chase her. Both knew the other was playing, but that didn't mean they wanted to stop. It was times like this that both would cherish anyway.
NEXT UP CHAPTER 33: THE HUNT BEGINGS