AN: I decided to put another one up for you because the other one was so short.

Enjoy!

4: Vicious criminal

"As many of you know, more mutants are arriving every day," Ororo said, looking at her fellow teammates. "And without the use of Cerebro, it's difficult for us to tell where those are that need our help."

"What about Lizzy?" Rogue said, the purple haired English girl smiling weakly beside her.

"We've tried that. Elizabeth's powers haven't matured enough yet for her to be much help to us." Ororo paced the room.

"Ah," Hank started, "I think it's time to put in a call to Emma."

"I don't know, Hank. I still don't trust her." Ororo said, looking nervous.

"Nonsense. It's been years, Ororo. Surely you recall the times she's helped us in the past?"

"I do, but I'm not sure how well she's going to take my being in command, here." Ororo rolled her eyes.

"Wait, what are we talking about?" Logan asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Emma Frost. She was a leader of a Mutant Terrorist organization years ago called the Hellfire Club." Ororo paused. "She claims she was brainwashed into helping them."

"But you don't belive her?" Logan asked.

"Brainwashed is a lousy excuse," Lizzy said.

"That was my thought," Ororo said, "But I trust Hank's instinct so I suppose we'll have to call her."

"The next point of business is a rather personal matter-"

"You mean the Cajun?" Logan interrupted.

"Yes. I've asked Kitty to arrange a room for him in the adult wing. I hope that's not a problem."

"Sure it is," Logan interjected. "A, Kitty got to miss this boring meeting and B, I don't want that guy anywhere near my room."

"What's the matter, Logan?" Ororo said sassily. "Afraid he might steal your beer?"

"Yes."

"Wait," Piotr finally spoke up, sitting up straighter to accent his words. "What do you mean 'steal'?"

"I think you had better tell them a little about your friend, my dear," Hank said with a sigh. Ororo looked at him for help. "I'm afraid you know him best."

"Remy's a thief," She sighed.

"A what!" Logan shouted, standing.

"He's a good thief. He's part-"

"That's an oxymoron if I've ever heard one! You're lettin' a thief live here? And just when were you plannin' on tellin' us you were harborin' a vicious criminal, 'Ro?"

"He's not a vicious criminal! Goddess, Logan, I thought you of all people might be supportive of me here!" Ororo was now yelling. Cumulonimbus clouds were beginning to form outside the window.


A small crowd of students gathered outside her office. Remy happened to be walking by when he heard her shouting. He frowned, and stalked away from the growing mass of students, as a flash of lightning lit up the hallway.


Logan started to approach her when Rogue placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry." He paused. The clouds outside cleared and the sun cast light in the room once more.

"That's why I called this meeting. To let you all know a little bit about him. I'm afraid he's a bit of a charmer. His persuasiveness might be part of his mutation. We're not sure."

"So what does he do?" Rogue asked, trying not to sound to interested. Logan cast a glance to her.

"His main power is, well, a little interesting, and the logistics of it are a bit hard to explain." Ororo stated, taking a seat behind her desk.

"Enlighten me." Logan dared her.

"He can change any object's potential energy into kinetic energy by touching it, causing it to explode."

"So he blows stuff up?" Logan stood, walked over to the desk and sat on the edge of it, a habit he'd had since he'd came here.

"Basically, yes."

"I assume he has control of this power, yes?" Piotr asked.

"Yes. Completely," Ororo assured him. "He also has some empathic powers as well." She paused. "He can sense what others are feeling. He can feel it too, if he chooses," she continued, responding to the confused looks around the room.

"Well, that's all for now. Dismissed." Ororo said, glancing at Logan perched on the desk

Crap, Rogue thought. I hope he doesn't think I like him or something. She frowned. I don't like him, do I? Gawd girl, stop thinking' 'bout him!

Everyone had started to leave the room except Rogue and Logan. Logan was still perched on Storm's desk, staring at her intently. Storm was not looking at him, but she was looking at Rogue with concern. "Are you alright, Rogue?"

"Huh?" Rogue asked, lost in her thoughts. "Oh, yeah. I was just, I dunno. I guess I was daydreamin'. Sorry 'Ro."

"It's alright," Ororo said, smiling. Rogue didn't daydream often. Ororo was glad her friend took some time to herself, even if it was during a meeting.

Rogue stood and started to leave the room. "I'll see ya'll later?"

"Yeah. Why don't we watch a movie this afternoon? Have a little welcome thing for all the new people? We haven't done that in a while," Ororo smiled warmly.

"Sounds good, 'Ro." With that, Rogue left.

"Somethin's botherin' her," Logan said when he was sure she was out of earshot.

"I think you're right. Daydreaming is not like her at all. At first I thought it was the whole Bobby thing, but I'm not so sure." Her face fell. "Why are you still here?"

"Somethin's botherin' you too, darlin'. The way you were pacin' earlier. You coulda caught the rug on fire." He looked at her with concern.

"Am I doing this right?" Ororo asked, scrunching up her nose.

"What?"

"This, am I- I don't know. Am I doing the right thing?" She looked at the desk. "Am I doing what he would have done?"

"He would have taken anybody in. You know that. You're doin' fine."

"I don't mean just Remy, I mean everything. The meeting, Cerebro, letting kids go home for the summer-"

"Hey," Logan grabbed her chin. "Nothing's changed. You're doin' what he would've done. An that's all ya can do, 'Ro. Nobody's askin' ya ta replace him. Nobody can do that."

"I know. I just, I feel so lost."

"We all do. It was sudden. I hate to admit it, but I cried. I think we all did. Don't tell anyone that, by the way."

"I won't." Ororo smiled. He's becoming one of us, thank the Goddess.

"Rogue wouldn't sleep in her own room for weeks, you know? It's not just you."

"I know. But it doesn't make it any easier." She looked out the window.

"Hey," Logan started. "How about you and I go somewhere tonight? Just you and me?"

"You're not suggesting a date, are you?"

"Maybe. I think I'm ready ta move on."