Title: A Battle of Control
Setting: Coffee A-go-goto listen to a beatnik(rejected possessions or regular work or traditional dress; for communal living and psychedelic drugs and anarchism; favored modern forms of jazz (e.g., bebop) known as:Bernard the poet
Rating: pg-13/R-ish
Disclaimer: I don't own the X-men, if I did I would be rich by now, which is a happy thought and I would DEFINITELY give Storm more romantic relationships and Jean would STAY dead.
Credits: The song 'Tainted love' is by Atrocity (more soothing and relaxing than the hardcore version by Marilyn Manson). The following poems: Strong of Will(s) and Symphony of Lust were created by the ingenious Jazzy Cat Jr.
Major Characters-Wolverine, Storm, Jean Grey, Cyclops
Minor characters-Charles Xavier, Beast, Rogue, Sprite (Katherine Pryde aka Kitty), and Robert(Bobby) Drake known as Iceman
Strong of Will(s)-
Nights misty tendrils searing the senses,
and the fragrance of change lifts the soul.
You sit in the starlight, brooding and pensive,
and I see you struggle with self control.
The turmoil within you battles,
indecision boils and rattles,
pain visible, fiery and raw,
confusion at the door.
I wish I could help soothe your angst,
but you journey alone, strong and proud,
and as the flowers turn their heads away,
I leave you now, to welcome the new day,
to fulfill your path, on your lonely road..
the man that walks by himself.
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"Don't be preposterous Scott, you, the leader of the X-men, could utilize some time away from the X-mansion, besides Jean is never one to cancel a night of fun while Ororo hasn't had a night out for two years. And, as you know, Logan, well, Logan will leave if he truly yearns to," said Professor Xavier, his lips curving into a smirk as he predicted what Scott would counterstrike with. "Don't worry Mr. Summers most of the children are already in their dorms and me, Rogue, Bobby, and Beast here can look after the ones who were permitted to stay up for a while," said Sprite also known as Katherine (Kitty) Pryde. Scott narrowed his eyes behind his visor trying to gather some form of explanation that would allow him to neglect his rendezvous with the three people he did not want to see on this particular day. An idea came to mind. "Beast what are you working on perhaps I could be of some assistance?" Beast nestled himself upon the upholstery, completely lost within his full collection of Professor. D. Vondrak's magnum opus titled, 'The complete Analysis of Sub-Atomic Particles Vol III'. "I've had some difficulty calibrating the interfaces within the Danger Room's controls but I believe everything should function satisfactorily. In addition to that I wouldn't deviate with the Professor here and let you miss out on your engagement with the team members, you require time away from the mansion's barriers." "Y'anno Slim if I didn't know better I'd say yer afraid of cuttin' loose and losin' that control you prize yourself for." Said Wolverine brusquely; briefly fumbling within his pockets for a lighter to ignite his cigar but hesitated as he viewed the glower from Chuck. Declaring that smoking of any kind wasn't tolerated- unfortunately demonstrated with Gambit's horrid and filthy addiction. "Is losing control part of your agenda tonight?" teased Ororo, an impish smirk reflecting the damage that Remy Labeau has made throughout the years of their close friendship. It appeared that all three of them were ready to go. Ororo wore casual clothing sticking with a Foxcroft Cotton-Blend chemise with long sleeves that ended in classic button cuffs, a black satin skirt that fell just above her knee, and lastly a pair of black open-toe high heels that made a perfect outfit for a teacher. Jean seemed to wear the exact same type of style yet of a green hue to bring out the vivid color of her eyes. While logan wore his usual leather jacket and dirty slacks that just screamed the word 'biker'. There was no time for him to prepare his apparel so with a grunt of an overwhelming defeat he proceeded towards the door checking back on the teens that nestled upon the couch giving them the thumbs up as the mouthed the words, 'have fun'.
"Do you ever have fun Cyke?Honestly Jeannie I don't see how you married this guy, you could've had a more eventful life with a boy scout," Logan said with a slight chuckle watching as a vain was clearly displayed above Scott's temple and pulsing rapidly.
"He wasn't that bad-I mean he isn't that bad- Logan. Me and Scott have some fun times. You wouldn't believe me but he's a really romantic guy and likes to surprise you with things." Jean said kindly and her response was the hysterical laughter of Logan and the growling of Scott. They had arrived at the Coffee A-go-go, a spacious place to meet with friends, drink a cup of coffee that was well-known for its good quality, listen to jazzy beatniks and exceptional poets, and of course dance to their verses of songs and poetry. Logan seemed relaxed within the booth not particularly caring for the type of music but not complaining either. Jean seemed fixated on Logan and when silence and tension settled within the air she would say some random thing to get him to say at least two words. Ororo was tapping her finger along the edge of the table her eyes as well as her attention was focused on the man in the center of the stage who was occupied with reading aloud his poetry to anyone who would listen. It appeared that only Scott was stiff and rigid and had the look that told anyone and everyone he clearly didn't want to be there. "Loosen up One-eye yer never this stiff even when you're commanding everyone during training." Logan began to glower at him wondering what the hell was wrong with him? He was sitting by two beautiful women and all he could do was frown and grimace. (I always knew he was gay, couldn't handle someone like Jean and didn't have the guts to be with anyone else for too long). He smiled slightly, at least that's what Jean and Scott thought he was doing –Ororo was lost within the hypnotic words of the poet to pay attention-. A smiling Logan slightly perturbed Scott but of course he would never admit that out loud; for then Logan would be smiling everyday just to get under his skin and rub him the wrong way. "Why don't you dance with your wife and while you do that I can get to know 'Ro better." Logan smiled and arched an eyebrow as Ororo turned her attention away from the seductive words of the poet and towards Logan giving him a polite smile. She said she would like to get to know Logan more and this was her chance. Jean seemed slightly gloomy by this assertion but replaced it with a feign smile, "Oh, okay. Come on oh husband of mine, I know you don't like to dance but you're going to whether you like it or not." She scooted her way out of the booth and stood by Scott holding out her hand as an invitation to be led to the dance floor. Scott Summers looked back at Ororo who seemed to be paying him no attention and towards Logan who made a remark of liking her perfume. (What perfume?) he thought before remembering the fact that Logan had a heighten ability of smell. Being at the end of the booth didn't force him to ask people to get up or climb over them he just stood up and accepted Jean's hand.
Tainted Love
Sometimes I feel I've got to. . . run away,
I've got to. . . get away
From the pain you drive into the heart of me.
The love we share seems to go nowhere,
And I've lost my life,
For I toss and turn; I can't sleep at night.
"We're not married Jean, at least not for long. Remember we did get a marriage annulment, don't act as if you've developed a severe case of amnesia." He placed his hands around her waist as her arms hooked around his neck and they intermingled with the other dancing couples. "Yes, I know that," she said fiercely tears clinging to her eyelashes as her grip upon his neck got tighter as if he would just fade away from her right then and there, "you were the owner of my heart Scott and you threw it away when you ended our marriage. Believe me I know." She closed her eyes as she laid her head upon her shoulder, a part of her loathed herself for being attracted to Logan and another part of her had a distaste for Scott for he did not see her need to be with both him and Logan. She needed Scott's understanding, kindness, somewhat normalcy, and romantic side but she also yearned for Logan because he was the animal that couldn't be tamed, spontaneous, and couldn't be manipulated like her. Scott felt somewhat guilty about this for there was some level of honesty within her words but she didn't comprehend how he felt or how he was feeling. "You broke my heart every time I saw you with Logan."
Chorus:
Once I ran to you, now I run from you.
This tainted love you've given,
I gave you all a boy could give you.
Take my tears and that's not really all. . .
Tainted love, ohh, tainted loveNow I know I've got to. . . run away,
I've got to. . . get away.
You don't really want any more from me.
To make things right you need someone to hold you tight,
And you think love is to pray,
But I'm sorry I don't pray that way.
She prodded him into letting her inside his mind, letting her see the pain he was feeling so that she could figure out how to stop it. They may no longer have been in an intimate relationship but they were definitely on a beginning path that would someday lead to a strong friendship. His eyes briefly met hers before wandering again to Ororo and narrowed his eyes slightly as he could hear her laughter echoing from across the room. Whatever Logan said obviously Ororo found it funny, but it wasn't Logan's job to make sure Storm was comfortable and at ease, it was his.
Chorus
Don't touch me please, I cannot stand the way you tease.
I love you though you hurt me so.
Now I'm gonna pack my things and go.
Ohh, tainted love
Touch me baby, tainted love
"Well, we do try to get sedatives," replied Ororo smirking wryly and shrugging her shoulders a bit. Logan's eyes expanded slightly as he scoffed, "Fer the kids?" He always knew those kids acted strangely, screaming all hours of the day, constantly making some crude-ass remark about his hair style and clothing, now he had an explanation as to why.
"No, they're for us." She said in a light tone before both of them erupted into laughter causing people from the other table to wonder what was so funny but of course they wouldn't ask for they could tell the one with the white hair was a mutie, and they saw how the media portrayed them. Logan was beginning to like Storm; he always had respect for her since she was a formidable opponent during missions and could carry her own without playing the 'Damsel in distress' like most women often do. But this humorous side and the ability to make him more at ease with his surroundings was entirely new to him. There was only four men she was like this with, one was dancing with his ex-wife on the floor and spying on them from afar, the second was a human tank that always called kitty 'Katya', the third was a man so obsessed with figuring out math equations and the structures of science he seemed to develop a new language out of it, and the other was conning Bobby and any other chump in the X-mansion at a game of poker. Storm broke the silence and his thoughts as she asked, "why did you come back Logan," she hastily corrected herself, "I'm glad you did because we could use your abilities at the mansion but I was just a bit curious." Logan smirked seductively as he said, "I have some other special abilities perhaps I could show you some time" which made Ororo snicker with amusement before replying, "If Remy's charm won't work on me what makes you sure your abrasiveness will?" Logan scoffed at the mentioning of the swamp rat, it wasn't as if he didn't like him.. okay scratch that he didn't like him he still remembered that one time where he lost all his money on a card game of his. That deck of cards had to be fixed. "Well, unlike Gambit I'm the best at what I do." Storm cocked her head to the side slightly as she replied, "And exactly what do you do that you are so good at?" Logan leaned in closer as he smirked, "Do you really want me to answer that?" he said grinning before glancing at the retreating redhead that slowly made her way towards the table. "That was the longest song I've ever heard," she stood there tapping her foot along the marble stone floor waiting for Ororo to get up and let her slide into the booth. She leaned her head against Logan, which made Ororo arch an eyebrow but remained slowly, "What were you guys talking about?" Logan looked back at Ororo and shrugged his shoulders and just muttered, "stuff". A hand fell upon Ororo's shoulders making her shudder slightly and result in Scott removing his hand instantly and slightly pivoting upon his foot to walk away, to do something else, to not think of her or about his ex-wife or about that jackass Logan and how he seemed to entertain the past love of his life and perhaps his future love. "Excuse me," Ororo said quickly as she stood up and began to walk after Cyclops leaving a distracted Jean and a curious Logan yet she hesitated and turned the front half of her body and smirked saying, "Don't let this guy flirt his way through anything I'm guessing that's his specialty." Oh yes, he was beginning to like this personality of Ororo quite a lot.
She walked in front of him and stood there glowering at him and imagined that his eyes were on her. "What was that back there?" she said still in her straight posture and held the look that clearly stated he better give her an explanation or a storm would be brewing quickly. "Well, you seemed to be ignoring me the whole night, paid more attention to the poet than me, laughed your ass off with Logan, and when I tried to touch you, you acted as if I was the fucking plague or something and shuddered!" Cyclops narrowed his eyes and turned his glance to something else because he didn't like how she seemed to show no emotions whatsoever. But then again, he did that all his life and he had too living on the streets as an orphan and began to ease slightly trying to calm down and think of how he was overreacting. "I wasn't shuddering because I didn't want you to touch me I was shuddering because I liked how you touched me" she then avoided looking into his ruby-quartz glasses and towards the floor. Scott grinned devilishly as he said in a sultry tone, "Oh really?" and arched an eyebrow his grin widening. "Don't get too cocky," Ororo smiled placing her hand within his as she led him towards the floor, "Let's dance." She began to meander through the pairs of dancers as he replied, "Is that a command? I am the leader of the x-men only I give commands"
"You forgot that I'm second in command and I have the ability to overrule you as I see fit… besides I want to see if I can break that control that you prize yourself so much for."
Cyclops laughed aloud as he thought to himself, (A battle of wills and control, lets see who looses either way I win)
Author's notes: end of part 1. I will start on part 2 either today or within 2 weeks. I leave day after tomorrow for vacation so I'm not sure if I'll have time tomorrow to work on updating this. Please be kind to me this is my first x-men fanfic.. er.. my first fanfic ever . Well, hope you enjoy this. and don't worry there's more jean bashing in part 2.