Title: So Little Time
Author: The Scribe
Rating: R
Summary: Two years post movie. Logan and Rogue have begun to feel an attraction, but will it be enough to lead to something other than friendship?
Disclaimer: I don't own anyone. Thanks for letting me borrow them.
Feedback: YES! Read and Review, it helps me to write.
*A/N: I'm glad everyone is enjoying the story and thank you guys for the wonderful reviews. They are much appreciated.
Tuesday
Jean
With Scott's help, Jean worked on her four patients through the rest of the night and into the next morning. She had taken a CAT scan of Professor X, seeing that there was no internal bleeding and no concussion. After bandaging his wound and putting him in his bed, she had moved on to Storm, putting her on oxygen to ease her breathing through her tender throat. She had also transferred her to a lab bed rather than keeping her on the hard observation table. She put Logan and Rogue into their own beds and kept up observations of the two of them, as well as Xavier, throughout the night.
It was mid morning, now, and Jean was yawning, yet again, when the lab doors opened and Dr. Henry McCoy ambled in.
"You have been up all night." It wasn't a question. When Jean only looked at him with a weary smile he clarified, "I was told by the young lady you left in charge. Jubilee, I believe."
"I'm glad that you're here, Hank. Ororo and Charles are still unconscious. Storm may not even wake up. You remember Rogue? She drained Storm and I fear she's not strong enough to make it."
"You're letting your insecurities get the better of you. You know as well as I, that Ororo is one of the strongest, most powerful mutants here. She will recover."
Jean looked over at Scott, who was sleeping sitting up in a chair, with his head propped against the wall. She smiled before covering her face to hide tears of frustration. "I'm just so exhausted."
Hank pried her hands away from her face and pulled her to her feet. "Take your slumbering fiancé and get some rest. I will consult your notes and care for your patients."
"I couldn't ask you to do that," she answered back, shaking her head.
"You did not ask me, I volunteered. Now please take to your bed, Doctor, before I have yet another patient."
She reached up and hugged his furry blue neck before gently waking Scott. "Let's go to bed, sweetheart."
Later as they crawled between the cool sheets of their bed, Scott pulled her into his arms, burying his face in her soft red hair. "I feel like such a failure."
"Everyone is still alive and the house is still intact. That sounds like success to me."
He kissed her cheek. "You're lying, but thanks for the effort." She laughed softly before kissing his lips. He smiled at her in the morning light and the tension in her melted away. She closed her eyes, giving herself up to the exhaustion, and didn't have a single thought of Logan.
Hank
After reading over Jean's medical charts, Hank had a pretty good idea of what had happened the night before. Sighing, he took off his glasses and tucked them into the front pocket of his shirt and wondered, briefly, how they were going to deal with the arrival of the other association members. He hoped the younger X-men were prepared to be hosts because the more mature team members were temporarily out of commission.
Getting up, Hank walked over to where Storm lay, unmoving. His eyes traveled over her abused neck and pangs of regret and admiration stabbed him in the heart. No one knew of his affection for Ororo, not even she. She was always so kind to him, not that the others were unkind, but there was just something special about the way in which she looked at him. It was as though she saw the man in him, only, and nothing of the blue beast he had become.
Taking her hand, he lowered his lips to her delicate knuckles before placing her palm against his fur-covered cheek. She was so beautiful, so strong. Hank envied whatever man was lucky enough to claim her as his own.
Rogue
When Rogue awoke, it was well into the afternoon. She pulled herself out of bed and took a long, hot shower. When she finished, she dressed herself in jeans, a long sleeve t-shirt, leather gloves, and her thin colorful scarf, and then immediately went down to the lab to see Ororo.
When the door to the lab opened, Rogue saw a familiar blue face wearing glasses and writing on a chart. He looked up at her and smiled. "Well, hello. I was just about to come and check on you. How are you feeling?"
"Much better, thank you," she replied brightly.
"You had a bit of a fever for a while, but you seem to have overcome it." He took off his glasses and peered at her, thoughtfully. "Are you still manifesting anyone else's mutations?"
"I don't think I have any of 'Ro's powers anymore, but my senses still seem heightened."
Hank nodded. "Would you like to see Ororo? I know that she would want to hear your voice."
"Yeah, I do want to see her. I feel so badly for doing this to her." He guided Rogue over to Storm's bed.
"It is my understanding that your touching her was not intentional."
She looked down at Ororo, picking up her hand and holding it between her leather clad ones. "Do you think she'll be okay?"
"I know she will," he reassured softly, and patted Rogue's shoulder.
They both turned and looked as the lab doors opened and Xavier rolled toward them. "Has there been any change," the older man inquired.
"Not as of yet, but that is normal. Her body needs the rest," The oversized doctor replied.
"Could the professor and I have a moment alone, Hank," Rogue asked then.
'Take all the time you need," the blue man responded, amicably.
When Hank was gone, Rogue made room at Ororo's bedside for Xavier to come near. When he did, she placed Storm's hand in his. He took a deep breath and began to stroke the back of her hand without looking up.
"When I touched her, I was completely overcome with this intense love she has for you." His eyes met hers and Rogue saw the same depth of feeling in his face as she had felt coming from Storm. Smiling at him, she quipped in a loud stage whisper, "She seems to think you're a bit on the naughty side."
Xavier chuckled. "She said as much."
Sobering, Rogue continued her speech. "I think it's very important to Ororo that you know how much she cares for you."
Shutting his eyes, Xavier pressed a kiss to Storm's hand and affirmed softly, "I do know, Precious, I do." Looking back up at Rogue, he continued, "Thank you, for that." She smiled her understanding.
Just then, Storm's eyes fluttered open. "You can stop talking about me as if I am not here." Her words were quiet and coarse.
"Ororo," Rogue gasped, excitedly.
"Don't try to speak, love." Xavier immediately began to fuss over her like a mother hen.
Rogue kissed her covered fingers then held them to Storm's cheek. "I'll leave you two alone now."
As Rogue exited the lab, she passed Jean and smiled a greeting at her. The woman looked totally together as always. Just a day or so ago that would have bothered Rogue, but not anymore. She had touched Logan and seen for herself the depth of his affection for her.
Xavier
Jean came in just as Rogue was leaving. "I'm glad to see you're feeling better," she said to Storm, who was now resting on propped up pillows with the oxygen mouth piece hanging unused around her neck.
"Her throat is a little sore. I was just about to get her some ice chips," Xavier explained and Jean gave him a knowing smile, causing heat to rise into his face.
"Is your breathing comfortable," Jean asked the former goddess, who nodded in reply. "Still feeling drowsy?"
"Just a little," Storm whispered.
"That's just your body healing. You've been through a lot, my friend. You and Rogue got a little tangled up during the skirmish last night. She walked away from it, you didn't." She turned toward Charles. "Scott is on his way down. He divided up the children and sent them with the association members like you asked. Hank decided to stay with us for a while to lend a hand."
Just then, Scott came into the lab accompanied by Dr. McCoy. "You look like you're feeling better," Scott said to Storm, leaning down to kiss a warm cheek.
"Welcome back to the land of the living, Ororo," Hank chimed in next.
"She'll be back on her feet in no time," Scott said with a hand on Xavier's shoulder. He leaned close to Charles saying softly, "I guess I was wrong about her being lonely."
Charles settled his gaze on Scott's red one and smiled. "I suppose you were."
"She can be moved to her own bed now," Jean said to no one in particular. "I'm sure she'd be more comfortable that way."
Charles looked down at Ororo, whose eyes began to droop in weariness. He ran a finger down her cheek as he said, "Have her brought to my room." Xavier's eyes immediately fell on Hank, and he watched for a reaction. The blue doctor was the only one present who hadn't previously discovered his and Ororo's relationship. Hank quickly looked away and busied himself, doing nothing.
Rogue
Rogue knocked lightly on Logan's door. When there was no answer, she cracked open the door and poked her head in. She expected to find him sleeping, but the bed was empty and the shower was running. She slipped into the room, looking curiously through the gap left where Logan hadn't closed the bathroom door completely. When all she saw were clouds of steam Rogue snapped her fingers in disappointment. "Damn."
She decided, then, to make his bed while she waited for him to get out. She knew she didn't need to announce herself. He would be able to detect her scent just as strongly as she could, his.
"What are you doing," he asked over the noise of the running water.
"Making the bed. How are you feeling?"
"You haven't killed me yet." She heard him chuckle at his own statement.
"Yeah, I'm sorry about that." The water shut off and Rogue's eyes strayed back to the gap. She caught a glimpse of a bare thigh and a sexy butt cheek. A second later Logan came out with a towel wrapped around his waist.
"I don't mean to flash you or anything, but my clothes are out here. I wasn't expecting company."
Rogue watched as droplets of water glistened in the dark hair on his chest. She moved, as if in a trance, coming to stand before him, then reached out to run a gloved hand down the front of him. She heard clearly his quick intake of breath, saw his eyes dilate and smelled his testosterone pumping. She liked bringing out the pure animal male in him because he certainly brought out the woman in her. She felt like she was someone else, someone bolder and sexier. It quickly dawned on her that she was feeling like an odd combination of Ororo and Logan.
She let her arms come around him and ran her hands over his muscular back. He stood stock still, allowing her to explore. She lifted her head to meet his gaze and brought her lips dangerously close to his. "What is it like…to touch someone…to taste them? How does it feel to join yourself with another person?" The words were spoken softly.
His breath was warm and sweet against her lips as he spoke just as softly. "I wish I could show you."
Rogue's heart hammered in her chest. "I'll never know." Her hands continued to study the firm contours of his back. "You don't know how many nights I've touched myself imagining that it's someone else, crying afterwards because I know it'll never happen." She pulled away slightly, looking into his eyes. "Have I said too much?"
He wrapped his arms around her, keeping her close. "Go on," he prompted.
She slid her hands up to his shoulders marveling at their strength. "I don't really know when I started seeing you less as a friend and more as…" She searched for a word.
"A man," he supplied for her.
"Yes, exactly." She closed her eyes. "I just wish I could be numb and not feel all this wanting."
"You shouldn't wish for that. Just because you can't be touched, doesn't mean you can't feel." He moved his hands down her back. She opened her eyes, looking deeply into his, as one of his hands strayed down over the rounded cheeks of her behind.
"Logan." His name was said as a sigh. She dug her gloved fingers into his flesh and he pulled her tighter toward him. As his head came toward hers, Rogue drew in a quick breath. "Logan, don't," she warned.
"Shh," he voiced, his mouth hovering near hers. "It's my choice." Her lips parted as his mouth descended on hers. A shiver of excitement ran through her at the feel of his lips caressing hers. Suddenly her eyes shot open and her heart skipped a beat. There was no pull. She wasn't absorbing him!
He seemed to realize it the same moment as she did. His eyes flew open but his lips continued to tease hers in the most enticing way. He stroked her tongue sensually with his own, eliciting a moan from her. After countless moments, he slowly pulled away, capturing her bottom lip between his own once more before completely relinquishing her mouth.
Rogue's breathing was ragged, as was Logan's. She didn't care how this miracle had happened but she wasn't going to waste it. Moving quickly, Rogue stripped off her gloves. She held her hands in front of Logan for a split second before running her hands down his chest.
"I can't believe this is happening," she said in awe.
His skilled hands deftly untied the scarf around her neck. Pulling her into his arms, he lightly ran his lips over the tender flesh of her neck. "You've touched me," he whispered against her skin. "Are you going to taste?"
He slipped a hand into her hair as she let her tongue glide over the moist flesh of his shoulder. With a low groan he continued his assault on her neck, kissing and caressing her with his lips. Rogue's head fell back and her eyes slid shut. The feel of him was better than she ever could have imagined.
"Wait Logan, let me take off my clothes," she said, wanting to feel all of him.
He pulled her away from him abruptly, holding her by the upper arms. "No," he said simply before going about, gathering his clothes.
"What do you mean, no," she asked feeling as though her head was spinning.
"I mean no, you won't be taking off your clothes. No, we won't be rutting like a couple of animals. No, this won't ever happen again."
Rogue felt stunned. What was wrong with him? "Why are you doing this?"
He stood still for a moment with his eyes closed as though trying to sustain his patience, then looked at her and said, "We need to get you down to the lab and see if Jean can figure out how this happened and if it's permanent."
Had he changed his mind? Was he thinking of Jean? "Logan," she started to say, but he cut her off.
"I'll be right out. We'll go together." Without another word he went back into the bathroom carrying his wad of clothing.
Logan
Be careful what you wish for. Logan had heard that phrase used at least a hundred times during the part of his lifetime he could remember, and it had never meant a thing to him, but today it came up and bit him on the ass. The situation had been impossible from the beginning. When he had stepped out of the bathroom he had quickly caught a whiff of her desire and been rendered helpless by it. He had felt powerless to stop her from touching him, and it had been exquisite, even though she wore those damned gloves.
"You don't know how many nights I've touched myself," she'd said, and images of her nimble fingers gliding over and slipping into warm, wet flesh had flashed in his head, dissolving any restraint he'd had over himself. Not even the threat of her skin had been enough to stop him from tasting her soft lips. And when there had been no sapping of his essence it had surprised him, but not enough to relinquish her yielding mouth.
After that, things had tumbled out of control even further, and the only thing that had gotten through his thick fog had been her words, "let me take off my clothes." He had come to his senses, seeing through open eyes and a clear mind just what he'd been about to do.
He had no right to ruin her with his selfishness. There were few things in life as pure and innocent as Rogue and even fewer as broken and sullied as he. The two didn't mix. He couldn't give her what she needed…dependability, commitment, love. All he could offer her were nights of pleasure that, by all rights, were not his to give. He wanted her to know love as she experienced her first tastes of passion and he honestly didn't think he was capable of it.
Now, as Logan and Rogue made their way down to the lab, his thoughts turned to Jean. Just days ago he had been ready to do anything to be with her, but the fascination he'd had for her didn't seem real anymore. It felt as though she had just been a challenge for him, an unconquered territory. He had wanted to crack through that refined exterior to discover what lay beneath. But then there had been Rogue…feisty, spirited, charismatic Rogue. She had worked her way under his skin, delighting him with her wit even as she inflamed him with her allure. But he was determined to keep her safe from him.
The two of them entered the lab and found Jean and Hank laughing together over cups of coffee.
Jean
Jean had been laughing over Hank McCoy's dry humor when Logan and Rogue entered the lab. She smiled at them as her pulse quickened. The expression on Logan's face was fierce but it only seemed to make him more handsome. "Hello, you two." Rogue gave her a nervous smile while Logan's expression didn't alter. "So what brings you by?"
Rogue started to speak but Logan cut her off. "I think there's something wrong with Rogue." Jean watched as Rogue shot him an angry glance.
"What seems to be the problem, Rogue," Hank inquired.
"I'm fine really, it's just that Logan and I touched a short while ago and nothing happened."
"Really," Hank replied with intrigue as he pulled out a pair of medical gloves so that he could safely examine her. "When you say nothing happened," he started to ask but Logan cut him off.
"She means nothing happened. There was no life force stealing, no suffocating feeling of paralysis."
"I see," Jean said, eyeing Rogue and Logan. She couldn't help but notice the peculiar play going on between the two of them. There seemed to be a cloud of tension between them as though they had argued. "How did it happen? How long were you two touching," she questioned them. Rogue looked at Logan as though trying to communicate something to him. When he didn't look at her, Rogue's face reddened.
Logan's eyes narrowed at Jean. "Does it really matter how?"
Hank saved her from having to answer. As he checked Rogue's blood pressure he explained, "It may help to rationalize the absence of her powers if we can identify how long the contact lasted. If it was a mere brushing of your arms, lasting only a second, we could conclude that her power didn't have sufficient time to react." After finishing his task he stuck a thermometer in her mouth. "There's also the fever she had earlier. Sickness could affect the efficiency of her powers, as well."
Logan nodded silently at Hank's explanations before saying, "It was more than a mere brushing of our arms."
"So we can discount that hypothesis." He removed the thermometer from Rogue's mouth and observed the reading. "Her temperature is back to normal. Try touching her again, that is if you are willing to experiment," he said to Logan, then said to Rogue, "It's the only way to be sure."
"Just be careful," Rogue said as Logan approached her. He stood next to her without moving until Rogue demanded impatiently, "Go ahead."
Sighing, as if in defeat, Logan grasped Rogue's hand, removing her glove. Jean's chest burned as she watched him lace his fingers with Rogue's. There was something about the way he was looking at her as he did it that sent signals off in Jean's head. As if waking from a dream, Jean was finally able to break from her thoughts. "That's remarkable. Hank, do you think it's possible that she's able to control her powers now?"
"Potentially, but I have another theory. Rogue, would you be willing to touch someone else, maybe someone whose power wouldn't effect you as violently as Ororo's. We need to find someone strong, but with a risk-free power." He spoke to Jean. "Can you recommend anyone?"
"Hank, I don't know if this is a good idea." Jean didn't think it was safe to experiment on someone just to test the lethalness of Rogue's skin.
"Kitty. Her power shouldn't be that hard to handle," Rogue said to Hank as though Jean hadn't spoken.
"Do you think she would agree to it," Hank inquired.
"I think so," Rogue replied in excitement.
Hank addressed Jean. "This situation could change Rogue's entire life. If Kitty agrees to help, then I don't see why we shouldn't try it."
He was right. Her judgment was being swayed by her feelings for Logan and the hurt she felt as she sadly noted that his hand was still linked with Rogue's. Something had obviously developed between the two of them, and if Rogue were able to touch others with no effect, there would be very little reason for them not to get together. She could certainly understand why Logan would be attracted to Rogue. She had grown into quite a beauty and her youth was something Jean couldn't compete with. "You're absolutely right, Hank. If Kitty doesn't agree, then we'll find someone else." Closing her eyes, Jean called to Kitty telling her the situation. When the young woman assured her she was on her way, Jean opened her eyes and regarded the others. "She agreed to do it. She's on her way down."
In a matter of moments it was discovered that Rogue had not mastered her power. When Kitty had arrived, more than willing to lend help to her friend, the two young women had quickly brushed fingertips and eerie lines had immediately appeared under the skin on Kitty's face. Her knees buckled, but Logan had been there to catch her. He sat her down in a chair then tried to do the same for Rogue. Rogue, however, had fallen through the chair onto the floor.
As Rogue got up, she rubbed her aching bottom and apologized to Kitty. "I'm sorry. I thought I was better. I just don't understand." She tried sitting down again, and this time she succeeded. "By the way, those pants that you weren't going to tell me you borrowed, I want them back."
Kitty laughed weakly and replied, only half jokingly, "Don't ever touch me again."
"It is as I suspected." Hank said then. "Logan, it appears as though the change did not occur within Rogue, but within you."
Rogue
"What do you mean," Logan asked Hank. He stood behind Rogue's chair like a tower of strength.
"How many times have you touched Rogue," Hank asked pacing with his hands clasped behind his back.
"Here in the lab was the fifth," Logan replied. Rogue knew that to be a lie. He had touched her over and over again upstairs in his room.
"At least," she couldn't help adding. She didn't have to look up to know that Logan was frowning down at her.
"When I first heard about Rogue's special gift, Dr. Grey here, was informing me about that night on Liberty Island. She mentioned that it took longer than usual for Rogue to start to absorb your power."
"Yeah, so," Logan asked with antagonism. Rogue could almost feel Logan's uncertainty. He didn't like not knowing what was coming next.
"I believe that your body has mutated, evolved if you will, so that Rogue's touch does not harm you. It stands to reason that, with your regenerative capabilities, your body would enhance itself, finding a way to prevent injury from her skin. You were probably well on your way to changing by the time you touched her on the island. You then went two years without having any kind of contact with her and that is how she was able to drain you yesterday. I firmly believe that from this time forth, she will not be able to hurt you, that is, if you have periodic contact with her."
"How can we be sure," Rogue asked feeling happier than she could ever remember feeling.
"We cannot. I urge you to use caution for a while in the event that I'm wrong. If I am not, feel free to indulge in some human contact, Rogue. He may be the only person in the world that you can touch."
Rogue stood quickly to see what Logan thought of the news. He did not look happy. She leaned close to him; whispering loudly, "Stop frowning. At least now I can't read your thoughts."
He didn't smile, but lifted a brow at her instead. At least his frown had gone away. Rogue was just about to suggest that they go try out Dr. McCoy's theory when Jean approached them. "Logan, may I speak with you for a moment?"
He looked at Rogue as if asking her permission. "Go ahead, I'll just catch up with you later," Rogue said, not wanting to see the two of them converse. In her heart she knew he didn't care for Jean, but old insecurities die hard. Rogue asked then, "Has 'Ro been moved to her room?"
"Actually, she's staying with the professor."
Rogue smiled at Jean as she answered, "Good for her." Turning toward Kitty, Rogue called, "Come on, I'll put you to bed." Rogue slipped on her glove motioning for Kitty to follow. "Then you can return my pants."
"You didn't even miss them," Kitty said in her defense as they made their way out of the lab and down the hall toward the elevator.
Logan
After Rogue and Kitty had gone, Hank left to afford the two of them some privacy. Feeling cornered, Logan asked, "What did you want to talk about?"
"I thought that we might start with you telling me what has changed since the last time we spoke," Jean stated, leaning casually against one of the tables.
Logan's first thought was that everything had changed, but he simply replied, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"I think you do," she replied with conviction. "Two days ago you were all over me, now you don't show the least bit of interest. Have you suddenly decided to respect my engagement or does this have anything to do with Rogue?"
"She has nothing to do with this," he retorted, quickly. He would be damned if he'd go back on his word and discuss with Jean anything that had happened between himself and Rogue.
Seeming to soften, Jean pleaded, "Talk to me, Logan. Tell me where this is going. Tell me that I didn't risk everything with Scott for you to just turn around and decide that you want the newer, younger model." Coming nearer to him, Jean ran her hands over his forearms and he had to fight the impulse to draw away.
She gazed intently into his eyes for a moment before stepping away from him and sighing, "She's so young, Logan. I just hope you don't hurt her."
Jean's words cut him like a knife. That was exactly what he was afraid of, hurting Rogue. Suddenly, it felt imperative that Logan find out if he still harbored any feelings for Jean, anything that might distract him from Rogue? If he could manage to spark some interest in the red head, maybe, just maybe, he could get over the younger woman. Pulling Jean to him, he brushed his lips gently against hers in the softest of kisses, but there was nothing. He was so numb to her that he might have preferred to feel some of his life force being sucked from him. He pulled away from her, looking into her perceptive eyes, then turned around and walked out of the lab without another word.
After leaving the lab Logan headed to the garage to retrieve his bike. When he walked into the enclosure, he spotted Scott, who was working on a dilapidated Harley Davidson. Not wanting anymore tense conversation for a while, Logan ignored him and climbed onto his bike, but Scott wasn't going to let him get away that easily.
"Logan. Wait up just a second." Scott dusted his hands onto the thighs of his grease-smudged jeans as he approached him.
"What is it," Logan asked, feeling his patience slipping.
"I just wanted to say I'm sorry about the Storm thing. I wish I hadn't even brought her up to you."
Giving Scott a disgusted once over look, Logan asked, "What the hell are you talking about?"
"I had intended to try to make a match of you and Ororo, but I didn't know she was involved with the professor. I know that you sort of have a thing for her."
Logan laughed. So that was what the conversation in the danger room had really been about. "I promise I'm not too broken up about it. I think I'll be able to pick up the pieces." Cranking up Logan roared the engine, shooting Scott a meaningful glance. He seemed to get the picture because he backed away and gestured grandly in the direction of the driveway, inviting Logan to leave.
Jean
After Logan walked away, Jean stood alone in the silence of the lab, marveling at what a fool she had been. She knew all along that Logan's interests shifted like the changing wind, and yet she had still risked everything for what his passionate kiss had seemed to promise.
Jean wiped a stray tear from her face as she recalled what she had seen when she read his mind. She hadn't wanted to resort to that kind of invasion of privacy, but the stubborn man had refused to talk to her. Feeling like she deserved some kind of answer from him, she had held him still and lightly skimmed his foremost thoughts. What she had seen wounded her. She could see Rogue as he saw her, all graceful curves and youthful enthusiasm. And Jean had felt his appreciation of it. No, that was putting it too mildly. It would be more accurate to say that Logan craved Rogue the way a starving man craved nourishment.
More unwelcome tears formed in Jean's eyes and she dashed them away, angrily. How dare he come back to the mansion, pursuing her relentlessly until her resolve crumbled, then move on to the next unsuspecting female? But maybe that was the answer. Maybe it had been the chase that had appealed to him all along. Maybe as soon as she had returned some of that interest, he was ready to drop it.
Jean's thoughts were soon interrupted when Scott entered the lab. "Logan just tore out of the garage like a bat out of hell. I wonder what was wrong with him?" Scott's step faltered when he saw her wiping her wet face. "What's wrong, honey? Did Logan do something to upset you?"
Feeling irrationally angry with Scott, Jean dodged his question by asking one of her own. "Scott, why don't we spend more time together?"
He cocked his head at her. "We spend plenty of time together. You don't want us to be one of those clingy couples that spends every waking moment together, do you?" He smiled at her, but she couldn't hold back the misguided anger that flowed through her.
"No, but let me tell you what I do want," Jean shot back. "I want your attention, Scott. I want to feel like you can't get enough of me. We've fallen into this stale routine and we follow it day after day after day. I want more than that. I want passion and spontaneity."
After her tirade, Scott stood silently observing her. Feeling deflated and guilty, Jean hung her head with a deep sigh. He didn't deserve that from her, she had betrayed him. Scott approached her, then, coming to stand in front of her. He ran a rough finger down her cheek and then used it to tilt her head up so that their eyes met, though his were behind red lenses. She was just about to apologize to him when he reached out with both hands and wrenched her blouse open, scattering the buttons all over the floor. Jean gasped at the suddenness of his actions, but was quickly silenced as his mouth descended on hers and his arms wrapped around her. Talk about spontaneous…
Scott hoisted her onto the observation table behind her and her legs automatically found their way around him. Jean's fingers slid into his hair as he pushed her skirt up her thighs. With gentle pressure, he eased her back and began to remove her panties, tossing them to the floor. He grabbed her hand and brought it to rest against the raised front of his jeans. "I want you to feel what you do me," He said before licking a hot trail down her cleavage.
The two of them then proceeded to christen the med lab, not caring who might walk in.
Rogue
Rogue had been sitting on her bed waiting for Logan when she determined he wasn't coming. Either he was avoiding her or he was otherwise occupied. She decided she wasn't waiting a moment longer. It was already late evening. Screw him, she thought to herself. Feeling stupid for waiting as long as she had, Rogue made her way to the elevator, pressing the red button that would take her to the attic apartment. When the doors opened into the foyer, Rogue called out, not wanting to intrude. "Professor?"
"Rogue, come in. Something told me you would be by," Xavier said as he sat on the couch reading the paper. She observed that he still wore the bandage on his head. Rogue came into the living room feeling a little awkward.
Storm, who was curled beside him reading a magazine, was quick to say, "Don't let him fool you, Rogue. The man is psychic."
Rogue smiled. "You must be feeling a lot better."
Ororo returned the smile. "My throat is still a bit sore but for the most part, I'm fine. I just needed some sleep."
Nodding, Rogue looked around the apartment. "It's beautiful up here."
"I have a sneaking suspicion you're going to be a regular fixture up here," the professor said smiling, and then he winked at her. Rogue couldn't stop the laugh that bubbled up in her. She wasn't used to the professor being quite so laid back. As he went back to reading he said, "You're welcome here anytime."
"Thank you and I promise I won't be a nuisance."
"Will you convince Ororo to make the same promise?" His lips twitched as he tried to hide his smile.
Storm swatted him with her magazine, "I will make no such promise." She got up and leaned down to kiss his lips briefly. "We're going to the bedroom for some girl talk."
When they were behind the closed door, Rogue gave Storm an incredulous look. "I can't believe how different he seems."
Giving Rogue a self satisfied look she replied, "Love will do that to you."
The two women sat down on the bed. "Let's not talk about love right now."
"What's the matter, problems with Bobby?"
"No, it's Logan."
"Oh, this should be interesting," Ororo, commented as she settled in to listen. Rogue went through explaining everything from the moment Storm left the two in the training room to earlier that day.
"And now he's avoiding me," Rogue finished.
"This is, indeed, a complicated situation. First of all, what are you going to do about Bobby?"
"I think he may already suspect something."
Storm nodded. "That takes care of one problem, sort of." She got up and walked around the room thoughtfully. "Logan wants you, and you want him. He is the only person, maybe in the world, who can safely touch you and yet he's holding back because he doesn't want to hurt you." Turning toward Rogue she explained, "What you have to do is convince him that he's hurting you more by denying his feelings." Sighing she continued, "The only problem left is Jean. If she still wants him, it could make matters more difficult."
"You've got to help me. How did you convince Professor X?"
Ororo laughed. "He would say I seduced him. I say I made him listen to reason."
"Do you think I could seduce Logan?" Rogue got up and looked at herself in the gilded mirror hanging on the wall.
"From what you've said, I think you already have. Now you just need to reel him in."
"How do I do that?"
Storm came up behind Rogue turning her around. "Give him an offer he can't refuse. Come on, let's go shopping."
"Shopping? We can't leave, we're on battle duty."
Ororo stripped off the bathrobe she had been wearing and then went about finding something to put on as she said, "Forgive me for the phrase I am about to use, but I got my butt kicked yesterday. I deserve to go shopping."
Rogue's heart lurched. "'Ro, I am so sorry that I hurt you. You're the last person on earth,"
Storm cut her off. "It was not your fault. I am the one who should be sorry." As she pulled on a hip hugging denim skirt, Storm continued, "I should have been more alert. I was sleeping so deeply that I didn't wake right away when that cretin began to strangle me. By the time I was aware of what was happening I only had enough energy left for one bolt of lightning. I was hoping the loud thunder would wake Charles."
Shivering at the memory, Ororo slipped on a peasant blouse and a pair of sandals, completing her outfit. When finished, she put her hands on her hips and stated, "Now we're going to have to sneak down past Charles. He's been smothering me all day."
"That's what love does to you," Rogue threw back teasingly.
Storm wagged a finger at her in a motherly fashion. "You are a smart aleck. Besides, it's you we are shopping for. We're going to pick out something lovely for you to wear tonight. All you'll have to do is go to him, and he'll do the rest."
Logan
Logan drove around for hours, not even stopping long enough to get a drink. He had been in a piss poor mood ever since his attraction to Rogue had become evident to him. He knew what the problem was. Not only was he hungry for a woman, but he was especially hungry for her. He didn't know how long he could be near her without putting his hands on her. Maybe by the time they took care of the brotherhood problem, Xavier would have found some information for him. Of course Xavier had Storm on the brain more than anything, and now there was that whole issue about the new proposed law that would take up a lot of his time.
Facing facts, Logan realized that he wasn't going anywhere for a good long while. He was just going to have to figure something else out. Maybe from time to time he could pick up a woman in a bar for a one nightstand. Hopefully he wasn't so far gone that no other woman would appeal to him. After hours of riding, Logan finally pulled the bike back into the garage and headed for the shower in his room.
When he got out, he slid between the sheets wearing nothing, as usual, and tried to calm his thoughts enough to get some rest. He was on the very edge of sleep when he heard the door to his room open. Looking at the clock Logan saw that it was two in the morning. It was her, of course, looking to torment him even further. He sat up and switched on the lamp by the bed. What he saw was more than any man could take.
Rogue leaned against the door wearing a long silk negligee edged in lace that had tiny straps that caressed her shoulders. Her hair was loose, flowing down her back in soft waves of chestnut. There were no gloves, no scarves covering her, just beautiful skin aching to be touched. She was an angel and he knew he would not be able to resist her this time.
Finally finding his voice, Logan slid over in the bed and invited softly, "Come on over."
Rogue slipped under the covers and buried her face against Logan's softly furred chest. His arms closed around her, pulling her closer to his unclad body. Blood rushed through his hardening body as he felt her hands slide over his hips and she began to press gentle kisses to his torso.
"I have to touch you," he heard her whisper between caresses of her lips.
"I know, baby, I know," he replied thickly as he gave himself up to his pent-up desire for her and captured her lips in a fiery kiss. As their mouths mingled, the two of them began to explore one another. Just as she had done earlier, Rogue traced her hands over the hard planes of his body. She seemed eager to learn ever inch of him just as he wanted to learn every inch of her. The roughness of his callused hands caught on the silk of her gown as they trailed down the gentle slope of her back and then smoothed over the firm roundness of her rear. He gave her cheeks a loving squeeze as she tore her mouth away from his to savor the hypersensitive flesh of his neck.
Moments later, Logan rolled over onto his back bringing Rogue with him, her silky locks of hair tumbling over her shoulders and falling to caress his skin like a feather. Completely caught up in the moment, Rogue pressed her body close to him and began to rub herself against his hardened flesh, and Logan growled at the exquisite torture of it. His mouth trailed over her shoulders as he slipped her straps off and pulled the delicate material of her negligee downward, exposing the full perfection of her breasts. She was just as beautiful as he had imagined. As he stroked the soft orbs with his hands and mouth, her fingers found their way into the mess of his hair, tangling in the dark mass. Her mouth parted as soft sighs of longing escaped her.
Rogue soon rolled over onto her back and Logan's mouth continued to explore her as he moved his way down, removing the silken gown. When she was as bare as he, Logan took her into his arms, moaning low in his throat as her short fingernails dug into his rear. One hand cupped her breast as the other traveled down her soft body to her center. His heart slammed in his chest when he found her slick with anticipation. "I want to be inside you," he said against the supple skin of her throat.
"Yes, I want that too," she whispered back breathlessly.
Logan reached in the drawer next to the bed and pulled out a condom, donning it with a quickness that could only be gained from experience. When finished, he stretched his large frame out over her smaller one, and with as much gentleness as he could manage, joined their bodies together. As he broke through her barrier, she gave a small cry and bit down hard on her lip.
"I'm sorry," he whispered as he searched her face with concern, silently asking if she was okay. As if he had spoken aloud, she took a deep, trembling breath and nodded. With a feeling of tenderness that he had never experienced before, Logan laced his fingers through Rogue's, lightly kissing her fingertips, and brought their coupled hands to rest on either side of her head. He gazed deeply into her eyes and was blown away by the trust he saw there.
He moved tentatively within her, allowing her body to adjust to him, and kissed her thoroughly. Rogue wrapped her legs around him snuggly, and the feeling of rightness that came with it nearly overwhelmed him. His movements slowly gained more regularity and in no time they found a common rhythm. The air soon became charged with the sounds of their labored breathing and moans of pleasure. Logan began whispering words of need to Rogue that made little sense, even to him, but her body responded all the same. It was not long before she tightened her grip on his hands as she cried out his name, her back arching off of the bed. Her inner body convulsed powerfully around Logan and he threw back his head, letting out a thoroughly masculine growl of satisfaction, as he was pulled over the edge with her.
Rogue
Logan collapsed on top of Rogue and she cradled his head to her chest, smoothing his hair away from his face and kissing his forehead. With a serene smile, she closed her eyes and allowed the presence of him to seep into her very soul. Making love with Logan was more than she ever could have imagined. All the uncertainty that she had carried with her into his room that night had been kissed and caressed away. Even now this man, who was feared by so many, began to graze his lips across her collar, and she had never felt more cherished.
They stayed that way for what seemed like an eternity before Logan mumbled, "Am I heavy?"
Rogue smiled a secret, womanly smile saying, "No, you feel wonderful."
He placed a kiss to her sweat sheened skin then rolled over onto his side regarding her. "You know, this changes everything," he said almost gravely.
"Not everything. I'm still the same person that I was before and so are you," she replied reassuringly.
He pulled her into his arms and she rested her head on his chest. "It changes us. Hell, I was supposed to be protecting you from guys like me, and now that I've royally fucked that up, I don't know what to do."
"Are you sorry this happened," she asked, feeling a churning in her stomach.
Logan didn't respond right away. She thought for a minute that he was going to ignore the question until she heard him say softly, "I'm a selfish prick for feeling this, but I've wanted you, almost from the minute I saw you again." He paused a moment, sighing. "I don't think I'm the right man for you, Rogue, but I'm guessing that Fate had other plans. I don't know if I can be everything you deserve, but I'll try my damnedest to come close." The earnestness of his declaration went straight to Rogue's heart, and she tenderly placed a kiss to his stubble-covered jaw. Barely noticing the gesture, he continued speaking. "Things with us have always been easy. We joke around and amuse each other with no bullshit between us, but now…." His voice trailed off.
Suddenly it clicked in Rogue's head what he was trying to say. There had never been any guile between Logan and her, only honesty and genuine affection, and she saw, now, that Logan was worried that all that would end. "All I want is this," she said then, "just being with you."
He seemed satisfied with the answer because some imperceptible tension in him eased. "I have to warn you, I am no prince charming," he said, smoothing a hand down the satiny skin of her back.
She chuckled, "I'd pick the big bad Wolverine over prince charming any day." She ran wiggling fingers over his hard abs, tickling him. He caught her hand quickly but not before a laugh escaped him.
Logan
Later, as Logan watched Rogue sleep in his arms he felt a tightening in his chest. He still thought of her as an angel, sent to heal his scars that ran far deeper than his adamantium covered bones. After they had made love they had talked and joked into the wee hours of the morning. It had felt so peaceful to hold her gently, kissing her smooth skin as he laughed with her.
Coming back to the present, Logan rested his head on top of Rogue's where it lay against his shoulder and he somehow knew that no nightmares would surface that night.
Storm
That night after coming back from the mall, Storm entered the bedroom and found Xavier sitting at his desk typing at his computer. She came up behind him, hugging his neck and kissing his cheek. "Thank you for letting us sneak out."
He turned his head, kissing her arm then continued typing as he said, "I figured the two of you had your reasons."
"Yes, we had some serious shopping to do. Would you like to see what I bought?"
"In a moment, Precious. I have to finish this."
"Whatever you say," she replied flippantly, as she went into the bathroom. Ororo took a long, steamy bath, then got out and sprayed herself with perfume. With a slight smile she pulled her new nightie out of the bag and slipped it on. She finished getting ready by sliding her feet into the matching mules and brushing her hair to lie over one shoulder. She was the only thing Charles would be finishing that night.
Opening the bathroom door Ororo lounged against the doorframe casually, running a hand down the front of her. "Charles, are you ready to see what I bought?"
"Just an hour more, darling," he turned his head to say to her, but upon seeing her, he whipped his head back around to stare.
"I think you're ready, now," Storm said with a seductive smile as she came toward him.
By the time the two fumbled into bed, Charles proved that he had been ready, indeed.