Disclaimer: Not my characters, just my imaginings.
Two days later she shared with him the news that she was going to be taking her college courses online to avoid problems with touch and to be around for any missions that might pop up. "I'm gonna double-major in literature and in education. Ororo is going to let me work here first as a T.A. and then as a teacher. I'm even going to be moving into my own room in the other wing. I can move later this week." One shoulder rose in a slight shrug as she waited to hear what he thought of it, somehow nervous about his response. She wasn't even sure why she felt that way.
"Teacher's assistant, huh? That's a good plan, kid." He shoved one hand in the front pocket of his jeans and leaned back against the wall to watch her.
She looked down. "Yeah." After a drawn out pause she commented, "She said the professor would want it this way."
Before anything more could be said, Jimmy approached with a message from Ororo for them both to come to the office. Before the younger man could move away, Logan reached for her and brushed his fingertips against her smooth cheek warm skin to warm skin. Marie gasped with surprise and his hand was pulled away. Jimmy had moved on down the hall and the pair followed behind him, very shaken by their all too brief contact. She couldn't believe he'd thought to do that, never even considered Jimmy's presence in light of it offering her the opportunity to touch. His fingers had felt incredible. Warm, rough, and tender all at the same time they'd touched more than her skin. Her very soul felt it. She still hadn't caught her breath by the time they'd reached the imposing wood doors.
Arriving in the office, they found Bobby, Kitty, Jubilee, and several other team members waiting. Sitting in a chair set slightly apart from the others was a man neither recognized. Rogue hesitantly sat while Logan strode across the room to lean against the windows behind Ororo's position at the large desk. "What I'm going to tell you may be difficult to accept right away for some of you." It was the first time any of the younger members had truly seen the self-controlled weather 'goddess' looking truly shaken. "This man is here after being in a coma his entire life."
"I knew I recognized you from somewhere!" Kitty burst out. "You're the man the professor's friend was taking care of… the one we started to talk about in ethics." She lit up with the knowledge that she'd figured it out.
The stranger smiled a thin, oddly familiar smile. "That is correct, Kitty." Wait! That tone, that cadence of speech, that phrasing… Wolverine straightened abruptly and sniffed the air suspiciously. Marie blanched with her sudden insight. Everyone in the room reacted with the exception of Ororo. "Wheels?" Logan questioned, awe tingeing the word.
"Yes, Logan. I won't go into unnecessary details. The result of all that has occurred is that my consciousness has been able to adopt this body and for all intents and purposes, this man is now I."
He held up one hand to halt the flow of exclamations and queries before they could even start. "I will be speaking with each of you and am aware of much that's passed while I have been away. Storm will continue to assist me in leading the school and we will inform the rest of the students regarding this development. We felt it best to meet with the team privately first, however. There is more news, but it must wait for now. If you would all leave us now, I must have a few moments alone with Logan."
The others all trickled from the room, each one stopping to welcome the professor back. Marie was one of the last to depart. Tears of joy and relief welled in her eyes as she stood before the man who'd become her new father-figure upon her arrival at the mansion. "Professor, Ah…" She couldn't form the words to express the flood of emotions filling her. Finally, he rose and she threw herself in his arms, hugging him tightly before crossing rapidly to the large wooden door. As she pulled it shut behind her, she peered over her shoulder, eyes locking with Logan's in mute communication.
Only after they were alone did Professor Xavier begin speaking again. "So, Logan, you have discovered the truth of your history."
Logan lit his cigar and paced several steps finally coming to sit near the professor. "Yeah. At least as much as I ever can." He could have asked how the prof. knew, but that would be stupid. The man was a freakin' psychic so powerful he'd survived death and taken over another person's body.
"And how do you feel about it?"
Logan blew out a harsh breath and ran a hand through his hair. "Furious… relieved, too. I mean, it all makes sense now. No more searching. Feels like I can finally move on."
"That's good," the professor encouraged. "And you seem to be doing that admirably." He steepled his fingers under his chin. Even on a different person, the gesture was so typical of the professor that Logan found it easier to see him for who he really was rather than a man he'd never met before today. "Have you shared your new knowledge with anyone else yet?"
"No," Logan flatly replied. As the professor's penetrating look continued unwaveringly, Logan began speaking again. "With most people I figure it's none o' their business."
A sage nod was followed immediately with, "And with her?"
Logan's restless hand rose to rub the back of his neck, displaying his agitation. He didn't even pretend to not know whom Xavier meant. "Hell, Chuck. She's just a kid. It's too much."
"You know that's not true."
Looking defeated, he let both hands drop to hang loosely down with his forearms propped on each knee. Logan's head lowered and he stared without seeing at the carpet. In a gruff voice he confessed, "You know what happened. You know what I am. Some of it… She'd never look at me the same way again." Finally his gaze rose to meet Xavier's. It was a steady look that demonstrated his deep belief in what he was saying.
"I don't think you are giving Marie enough credit. She is young, but has lived more than most people ever experience and that's aside from all the knowledge and experiences she's gained from her absorptions. She's stronger than you think." When Logan looked as though he might protest, he was prevented. "Logan, it's your choice. I want you to think about how she will feel if she learns you've kept this from her and what it will do to you both. The friendship, the dedication you share with one another is a gift, Logan. Do not squander it." A nod of acknowledgment was all Logan offered before high-tailing it out of there.
That was the professor all right. He always could find buttons to push. Struggling against his memories, his thoughts, and the doubts the professor had relentlessly yanked to the forefront Logan finally let out a growl like most hadn't heard since his return. It seemed to shake the very foundations of the building. He broke into a long, loose, loping run, the Wolverine driving him. With ease he raced across the grounds, through the surrounding woods, leapt atop and then over the security walls and kept going until he finally reached a hilltop overlooking the surrounding terrain. He could see for miles, but noted none of the landscape's splendor. Throwing his head back and releasing his claws, the Wolverine howled.