Summary: A single act brings hurt and grief.

Disclaimer: I don't own X-Men

Rating: T

BETRAYAL

Chapter 1

Westchester, New York: Three Weeks Later

Students chirped amongst themselves, clutching text books to their chests, and babbling on the latest gossip circling the mansion. In a whirlwind, what transpired upstairs between Wolverine and Cyclops aka Mr. Summers would forever remain imprinted the minds of every mutant child at the mansion. Question swirled. Were Rogue and Scott sleeping together? Was her virginity still intact? Did Rogue lie about not being able to touch? Would Bobby ever forgive her? What part did Ms. Grey have play in this?

"Well, I heard Logan threw Mr. Summers out of the window."

"I heard Mr. Summers tried to blast him into the next county," a pink haired girl whispered.

"That's nothing. I heard Mr. Summers is downstairs in the infirmary recovering from massive injuries. I heard there was blood everywhere." A deathly wane boy replied excitedly. His skin was scaly almost like a lizard and his eye darted about like a chameleon.

"I was told it took Colossus and Dr. McCoy both to pry Logan's hands free from around Mr. Summers' throat. Logan nearly broke his neck," one student remarked.

"I heard Bobby was screaming at Rogue in the library. John practically had to drag him out of there before he caused her bodily harm." Another student incorporated.

"I always knew she was a cheeky little slut," said the pink haired girl.

"You're just jealous no guy would come within a mile of you." Jubilee came trumpeting in the conversation out of nowhere. Her dark eyes scolded the teen one year younger than she was. Fists balled and tucked into her hips, she stood legs astride, her countenance dark. "Perhaps you'd like to address Ms. Grey in that title instead of my best friend. If she'd stay true to her fiancé rather spreading her legs to that hairy nomad, none of this shit would have happened."

"You don't know that," the pink haired girl yelled, hardly intimidated by the gum chewing Asian. She knew Jubilee was peeved because she was the last to find out about the juicy drama sweeping the corridors of the mansion. Wherever there was dirt, she was the first to know, and have an eight page summary of the event.

"Really," Jubilee clucked, glowering. "Then explain why she isn't wearing her engagement ring today. Explain that!"

As the girls sparred over who did what and how the drama unfurled none of the students heard the loud clap of heels against marble floors.

"Don't you all have homework?" Storm screamed at the top of her voice, sickened by how lightly the students held the situation. She was enraged they had nothing better to do than jabber about the circumstances leaving Scott in the infirmary, Rogue in isolation, Jean despondent, and Logan somewhere in a seedy bar.

The young mutants scattered left and right. Some ducked and hid in corners, while others fled to their bedrooms. Alone, Ororo took a deep breath, and gripped the handkerchief in her possession. She dabbed tears building in the corners of her eyes and headed to courtyard. Restless winds howled and pounded the mansion; the onset of emotions closely connected to an electrified atmosphere.

She induced the weather to a greater extent as she took a path leading towards the lake nestled on the far side of the estate. Massive oak trees toppled to the forest floor and arctic winds sliced through the woodland terrain. A sea of leaves swirled around her before they were carried into the grey sky. She felt her eyes meld to a hoary silver and glow and her skin prickle. She stretched out her hands and the earth transformed into a torrent of wind and freezing snow.

"Ororo."

She jolted.

Abruptly the winds died and a scenic calm graced the landscape. All that remained of the hell unleashed were fallen trees and a battered earth. She turned a full degree, looking in every direction, before landing on a face soothing to her sight. The Professor wheeled his chair down the bumpy, dirt road to her. He looked tired and devoid of energy. Ororo pitied him. It was difficult enough to run a school and safeguard the students from a hateful world. Now he had to deal with adults bickering and fighting like children.

What kind example were they setting for the students?

"Has Scott awakened?" she asked.

"No…but—" His eyes dipped into a frown. "Logan has returned."

She closed her eyes tightly and sighed. "Thank you Professor."

With a clipped nod, he reversed and returned to the mansion. She stood in the middle of path to the boat house and mansion and struggled with which route to take. Apart of her desired to ride with the winds and never return. She didn't want to deal with what was to come. She didn't want to face Logan. If she did, she knew then and there she would not be able to contain her rage. She would probably kill him. He betrayed her with her best friend.

He slept with Jean!

Why did he do it? Was it an itch he needed to scratch or did he love her? Desired only her? Was she just a disposable pleasure he used because Jean was inaccessible? Hurt and anger swallowed her into oblivion. She thought about what they had; the passion they shared. It was real. Was it? A great wind swept in, wildly tousling her white hair. She resolved to face what was to come with her head held high. She would not falter and show weakness. Logan would never see how much he had crushed her. Tugging her sleeves, she walked a snail's pace back to the mansion.

"Leaving so soon?" Ororo asked resting in the door way arms folded. Logan hardly broke his pace as he stuffed t-shirts and other undisclosed items into his backpack. He tossed her a dark look and stormed to the closet. Rage etched across her face. "If you were planning to ditch me Logan you should have stayed the hell where you were."

"You're right," he grunted out and heavy boots carried him to the night stand. He opened a draw and snagged a pack of smokes. "But I forgot my cigars."

She swallowed hard, unwillingly to show a despairing front, especially to him. "So that's it…huh. It's over."

He slung his bag over his shoulder. "Yeah," he snubbed. "Don't let me stop you and Dr. McCoy. I'm sure he'll be glad to see me gone."

A surged of wind blasted the windows open and blowing all about the room. "Goddamn you Logan!" Ororo screamed, choking back tears.

"Too late, He already has," he spat out, marching to the door. She blocked his furious need to escape the bedroom they shared.

"Why Jean huh? Why her?"

He kicked his head up in frustration. "I don't know! I guess it was an itch I felt like scratching!"

Storm's hand flew through the hair and connected Logan's hairy cheek in a loud slap. He stood unmoved by the burning sensation riddling his face. Tears streamed down Ororo's face, her breath came in heavy pants. She was embittered by his words and by the fact she was blubbering like a blithering idiot. She swore he wouldn't see her this way.

"Happy now," he growled.

"No," she cried.

"Good," he said and brushed passed her.

Shaken, Ororo caught herself against the door, and wept.

()()()()

"Sorry I'm late. I had to fight off John for this. You know how that boy can eat."

Jubilee entered with a tray laden with hot food: Bacon, eggs, hash browns with a side of toast, and freshly squeezed orange juice. Originally, she was going to go for Rogue's favorite cereal but thought the girl should have something warm and filling in her stomach. It was three weeks after the incident that left Scott incapacitated and everyone in the mansion walking on eggshells.

Ororo had severed her relationship with Wolverine. He took off within the hour, like clockwork, riding out like desperado. Adding insult to Scott's injuries, he stole away on his fully upgraded Harley Davidson. It had replaced the first one Logan had disappeared on. This two, like Jean, he'd taken for a long ride.

"Rogue?"

A pale skinned girl turned to look with weeping eyes at a hesitant Asian. Rogue sat beside a window overlooking the lake. Tired of the whispers, the looks, she moved out to one of the private cottages near the lake. They had been constructed for faculty members who might want to start a family but couldn't afford the raging prices of real estate. It was a peaceful little abode with a white picket fence and garden to top it off.

Jubilee came every breakfast lunch and dinner. She was the only person Rogue would allow inside the tiny house. She was dedicated to seeing her friend through this calamity. Rogue never spoke about what happened or how she and Scott ended up in the same bed together. Ideas and assumptions were conjured from immature imaginations as student second guessed each other.

"You need to eat?" She set the tray on a TV stand and carried it to her friend. "Eat."

"He's awake," Rogue said her broken voice so soft Jubilee narrowly missed the words.

"Who's awake," Jubilee replied, disturbed by her eerie manner. She caught her breath, stunned as Rogue rose knocking over the tray of food. Silent, she departed the cottage and headed for the mansion.

"Hey, wait!" Jubilee cried chasing her down.

()()()()

Scott awoke to an uncomfortable sensation against his windpipe. He tried to open his eyes, but blackness covered his visual senses. Unsure, afraid, stifled by bouts of pain, he yearned to rip the offending cloth off but weakness burdened him. He heard voices but couldn't locate where they were coming from. The voices were familiar. He couldn't turn his head. Disquieted, he murmured and the conversation near him came to an abrupt end.

"Scott." Jean exhaled, her eyes swimming with tears and happiness. She went to his side and sank onto the bed. "Scott, it's me," she said in his ears. "You're going to be okay." Her fingers toyed with his hair, brushing the dark strands back from his brow. He frowned and jerked. A sharp pang pierced her and she withdrew her hand. He grunted angrily and she stood. His thoughts bombarded her telepathy; a wrath and temper unforeseen made her cower with guilt.

"Excuse me," she gasped and almost fled the medical ward. She surged through the massive iron doors just in time to see Rogue approach. She wasn't as surprised as she was fickle by the skinny girl's presence. How her fiancé was even aroused by this gangly imp was a mystery? It really didn't matter. If it wasn't for her indiscretion Scott wouldn't have raised an eyebrow to her. Besides, it was clear he turned to her because she and Logan were foolish enough to be caught in an indecent position.

Scott's playtime with Rogue was pure revenge, nothing more.

Rogue's eyes bore into her and Jean tipped her head, glaring darkly. "Keep moving girl," Jubilee urged, resting her hand on the small of her friend's back. She looked between the two women who seemed ever ready to rip each other head's off. Jean gritted her teeth. She felt her power stir in the bony little girl's blood; a freak accident in the danger room. Evidently, while counseling with the Professor, she discovered like puberty Rogue's powers were still developing. She was beginning to manifest latent powers. A secondary mutation. Total recall of powers already absorbed. It wasn't strong, but with time, maturity it could be something.

Scoffing, Jean watched the pair enter the medical ward. She saw Rogue move to take her position on the bed next to Scott and stiffened. A gloved hand reached out to touch his fingers. She heard the girl speak. Scott shuffled to take Rogue's entire hand in his. Jealously and regret burned. She saw their thoughts and knew the truth. It was innocent. They'd been friends all along. Nothing occurred when they were caught sleeping beside each other.

Nothing.