Chapter 8

"Boy, you sure let him have it!" Cyclops said as soon as she entered her room.

"I let you both have it. Scott, what is going on between the two of you? You were just about to kill each other." She said standing in front of him.

"You mean you didn't catch anything of our argument? Well," He continued when she shook her head no. "You are in for a big surprise."

"Why? What were you arguing about?"

"I'll tell you, but first let me say what I came here to say." He sat on her bed and padded the mattress letting her know that he wanted her to sit next to him, so she did. "I need you to listen to me, ok?" She gave him a simple nod. "First of all, it wasn't my idea to come talk to you this late. Jean suggested that now was a good time. Of course, she didn't count on the hound guarding your door." He said referring to Wolverine with annoyance. "And again I'm sorry about what happened. And second, I came here for your answer." Storm tried to speak but he placed a finger over her lips. "Please, hear me out. With what happened at Stryker's settlement we can now be sure of two things. One, that our lives have gotten a lot more complicated. It is obvious that the public in general is not welcoming our existence with open arms. The Professor thinks, and I'm sure you can agree, that what we saw at Alkali Lake was just the tip of the iceberg. Who knows what new threats are waiting for us, especially after what Magneto did and his escape. Stryker's plan to eliminate mutants was a secret operation not even the president knew about. It would be naïve of us to think that it was the only one. As X Men we're not here only to protect the mutants in this institution or the mutants out there, we are going to have to be prepared to protect the base line humans as well. I mean, we've already been doing that, and I'm sure these hateful men with deadly agendas and no faces wouldn't mind sacrificing some of their own in order to eliminate the rest of us. Which brings me to number two." Cyclops took her right hand in his left hand and entangled his fingers with hers. They were sitting so close together there wasn't any space between their bodies. However, this posture that is perhaps reserved for lovers, was more than comfortable for these two intimate friends. "I understand what you had to do at Alkali Lake, the challenge you faced. You are my friend and I know you, and believe me when I tell you that I know how difficult this life we have chosen to live, this side we have chosen to fight on can get. I've been there. I've faced the fear, the struggle, and I've had to make the tough decisions as well. More than once I've felt like giving up, but do you know what kept me going? It was you, all of you. Jean, you, the Professor, Kitty, Bobby, all these kids. The old ones, the new ones and the ones to come. You are my family and my friends. No matter how I felt I always found the strength to continue because I knew that I was not alone. Just like you are not alone. We love you and need you and we are very grateful to have you, but you also have us. And that is why this new training is so important, especially for you and me. Even though the Professor hates the term, the war has started and I want us to survive it." Their faces were inches apart. His words ended almost in whispers. Storm's face was now like an open book to him and he could see that she was touched by both his determination and his sincere friendship and love. She disentangled her arm from his and stood up from the bed, then slowly walked to her window. He followed her with his gaze.

"You speak well, my friend. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your kind words. However, the answer you seek I have had for a very long time. Although, it is nice to hear one is so highly regarded by her friends." Cyclops left the bed and turned around to look at her unsure of what she had meant. Storm saw this and smiled at him, then said. "When do we start?" Cyclops gave her his best boyish smile.

"I think we can start tomorrow afternoon. The training programs are all set." She nodded in silent agreement though it was barely perceptible with half her face hidden in shadows. For the first time he realized they had been talking with the lights off, the soft moonlight the only source of light in the room. Storm remained silent for a while and he figured she was waiting for him to start the impending conversation. He even considered suggesting that they had that conversation later but he knew she wouldn't accept that. Like Jean said, there's no time like the present. He thought and started talking knowing it was time to face the music. "Now, about the argument…"

Cyclops was alone with Storm now so he rushed and stood in front of her impossibly close. He lifted his hands to frame her face and pulled her to him. He started to kiss her face here and there until his lips found hers. At first, his kiss was tender, but soon it became more passionate. She was reluctant for just a moment before giving in to the passion they were both feeling, circling his neck with her arms to deepened the kiss. His hands were now on her waist caressing down and up, then he brought them around to the front to undo the buttons of her robe. Ever so slowly, he took it off and let it drop to the floor. He slid his fingers under the spaghetti straps of her nightgown, taking them out of the way while kissing her shoulders. He moved his mouth to her neck and she tilted her head to the side to give him easy access. He continued by leaving a trail of kisses on his way back to her lips, backing her up until they fell on her bed. They were enjoying the feel of their bodies pressed together, the feel of pulses rising, the overwhelming passion, the intense exploration of each other's mouths…

For an instant the dark night was as clear as day when distant lightning bolts once again touched the earth bringing Wolverine back to reality, waking him up from the torturous daydream. He looked out the window and pondered if those lightning bolts were representative of the way Cyclops was making her feel. He caught his reflection in the window glass and didn't recognize himself. He turned away. "Damn it, woman. Those should be my kisses, my hands and my body. I should be the one making you feel that way, not him." Wolverine said, feeling the anguish as he paced his room over and over. "How can this be happening? How can Jean not know what he is doing? She is a telepath, for God's sake. She has to know." He went silent for a moment analyzing his own words. "She must know. But if she does that would mean that they are…sharing this guy!" Oh God, that is worse. He sat down on his bed dreading the possibility.

"You did what?" Storm asked incredulously.

"I know. I'm sorry." His apology sounded more like a plea.

"I can not believe you let him believe that you and I were having an affair! Why did you do that?" The sound of the thunders became louder.

"Ororo, please, you are going to wake up the children again." Storm raised her opened hand above her head. The thunder outside began to quiet and the lightning bolts to disappear as she slowly closed her hand into a fist, a tiny version of the previous lightning bolts were coming out of it. It was as if she had trapped Mother Nature in her hand. Aside from the light rain and the soft wind, the weather was normal again. She lowered her fist and brought it in front of his face as if to demonstrate.

"Happy? Now answer my question, Scott." She demanded.

"I felt humiliated, angry, disgusted and even afraid when, out of nowhere along come this man to threaten my relationship with Jean, her love for me of which I was so sure. I had to swallow my pride and let her deal with it even though I just wanted to put him in his place." At his words Storm calmed herself, the electricity within her fist completely gone. "I just thought that she deserved better than to have me behaving like a insecure adolescent, fighting over her affections, throwing out the window all we've built together all these years. But when I saw him tonight, all of a sudden in the position where I was before, I couldn't help getting back at him. Making him feel the way he has made feel. What a better lesson than to make him experience what does it feel like when someone tries to take away what you love the most?" By now Storm's hand was on his shoulder and she was looking at him with understanding. "I admit I got a little carried away though." She smiled at him.

"That was certainly a risky move."

"It was worth it." He smiled back at her.

"I understand, Scott, but Jean loves you. That is something you can always be certain of. It is clear that she wants nothing to do with Logan. I do not think there is any more need for you to confront him. Besides, I do not see how this confrontation is supposed to make him feel that way."

"My God, you still don't get it, do you?"

"Get what?" She asked him not understanding.

"That argument was not about him and Jean, or me cheating on her, it was about you?"

"About me? What do you mean?" He turned to face her as if to make sure that she would understand him once and for all.

"He was mad about you and me because he is interested in you. I think he is falling for you. Although, by the way he reacted, more than falling, it is as if he has already crashed."

"Are you saying that he may love me?" He could see that she was genuinely surprised. She looked around the room pondering his words. Could it be possible that after all this time when she was thinking she didn't have a chance with Logan because he was in love with Jean, that he was actually in love with her? When did that happen? The events of the day came rushing down on her like a river. It all made sense now. The riddles, his strange questions and his bad temper, not to mention his enormous stupidity, oh goddess, and he was even threatening Scott's life over me. Then she remembered the flowers that were left by Wolverine in front of her door and the words she had read on his note, words that all of a sudden became more meaningful. She stood up and walked to her dresser trying to have a private moment away from Cyclops, however, he had a clear view of her face that was reflected on the mirror hanging above her dresser.

"Oh no, was that a smile, 'Ro? What's with women and this guy? Don't tell me you have a thing for him too?" He said walking up to her. "Well," He sighed. "At least he is not after Jean anymore, but I still don't approve and if he hurts you, I will kick his ass." She immediately looked at him dubiously. Recognizing the difficulty of such task, he added. "I may have to cheat, but I'll do it." They both laughed for a little while even though they knew he was being serious. After they quieted down their laughter, Cyclops became serious again and he looked directly into her eyes. "He was right about one thing though; it is your decision. Take care of yourself and remember that I'm here for you if you need anything." He hugged her and she hugged him back, then she kissed him on the cheek.

"Thank you, Scott, for everything."

"You're welcome." He walked to the door and she followed him. He opened it and stepped out, but instead of closing the door she walked out of the bedroom after him. "Where are you going?" He asked her suspecting her intentions.

"I am going to talk to Logan." She said matter-of-factly.

"Now? Can't you chew his sorry ass tomorrow?"

"I could not get any sleep if I do not clear up this mess right now." She started descending the stairs.

"But 'Ro…"

"Scott." She said simply but it was enough. He sighed giving up.

"Fine. He had it coming anyway. Goodnight, 'Roro." Cyclops went past her and quickly disappeared into the darkness of the mansion's halls.

To be continued…