First, want to apologize for the delay in new chapter. Moved to a new city, living with family at the moment and my commute is not kind ... not leaving me much time during the week to really write. So for the next month or so expect new chapters on the weekends and I'll do my best to make sure I don't miss one.

Now ...

Thanks to cheshire, canuckle and N1elkyfan for the reviews and following over from the last arc. While the work might be slow at first there is a TON of stuff I want to write and get to. Your reviews just motivate me to get there faster. And yes ... that includes more Greer and Simmons (points to cheshire for inspiring that friendship) and I'm glad everyone likes Kraven as the new Big Bad. Cause really ... who else you gonna call to bring down the apex predator?


"Hey ... what are you doing?" Greer came into the bedroom to find Colton calmly typing on a laptop, a concentrated look on his face. It was early February outside and Greer had just gotten back from a rather cold girls night with Jean and Betsy ... who happened to be a much more pleasant friend than physical therapist.

"Just working up some things." Greer turned off her inducer and put down her purse, slipping off her boots before climbing onto the bed to peak over her boyfriend's shoulder. Colton rarely typed up things ... He didn't need to ... Unless it was homework. Greer cocked her head to the side, all she saw were a couple different names and graphs filled with numbers.

"Umm ... what're you doing again?" Apex looked away from the screen for a moment to see the way Greer's brow always furrowed whenever she got concerned. He liked when it did that ... he thought Jean would refer to it as 'adorable.'

"I'm making programs." Greer kept her eyebrow raised until Apex let out a sigh and got back to typing. He knew Greer was going to overreact to this.

"For students."

Apex braced for it ... there was the intake of breath ... the smile ... the attempt at containment ... and ...

"Colton!" He winced a little at the pitch Greer hit as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I'm so proud of you!" the tigress grinned before kissing him lightly on the cheek.

"You're going to make an amazing teacher."

Apex rumbled low in his breath.

"They're just programs ... "

"Oh sure ... just programs. And who may I ask are these programs for?" Greer grinned as she saw Colton look dead ahead.

"Like I said ... for the students."

"Making you ..." Greer teased, this was just too much fun as she watched Colton work his jaw. He always did that when he was trying to find a way out of something.

"A teacher," He finally relented. In truth, he had been fairly confident that his tenure as 'gym instructor' would be a short one. If last semester had taught him anything, it was that the students of Xavier's preferred to give him a wide berth. Something he didn't mind and honestly preferred. So when he had unlocked the gym ten minutes before his allotted time and taken a seat on one of the benches across from the door, he had been wondering just how long he'd have to sit there without getting in trouble with Greer.

But then a few of the students had walked in, giving him some cautious looks and when he didn't eviscerate any of them, they had gone on to their usual routines. Or at least ... what he thought they considered their routines. But the idea of him actually pointing that out to any of them ... no ... no much better to simply sit here and let the time pass.

Or so he had thought.

"Colton!" Looking up he was momentarily surprised to find Katherine and Amara standing in front of him, dressed in their gym attire and looking at him expectantly.

"Ummm ... hi." Apex raised an eyebrow as the two just stood there, bouncing on their heels with obvious energy.

"Well ... are we going to get started or not? I bought an entire new wardrobe for the gym and I am sooo ready." Katherine gave some punches to the air as Amara nodded her head in agreement.

"Yea ... and I have a quiz on Friday so we need to get going. We were both thinking three days a week. We saw your times so that should work." Amara noticed the look of obvious confusion on Colton's face and frowned, "I mean - you are free to work with us right?" Katherine paused mid-punch to look at Colton, concern suddenly etched on her face as well as Apex realized what they were talking about. He had forgotten ...

"You still want me to train you?" Apex noted that the rest of the gym had slowed down to watch the two rather popular, bright girls standing not only close to, but having a conversation with, the intimidating feral. And did they say he 'trained' them?

"If ... that's what you both want." Apex said tentivley, which was quickly met with both girls nodding emphatically.

"Of course! So what's first?" Apex had looked between the two of them and giving the rest of the gym a quick glance got up from the bench.

"Let's start on the mats."

The teens had obviously kept up with their routines over break and Apex couldn't help but feel a little bit of pride at their dedication and how much they had retained. He saw that when the two of them had gone for a drink of water a number of other students come over and talk with them, a few pointing in his direction indicating the topic of conversation. A few seconds passed between the group before Katherine came jogging over, a wide grin on her face.

"Do you mind if Tabitha and Illyana join too?" Apex looked over Katherine's head to see the two girls standing shyly by the water fountain where Amara was clearly telling them to just relax.

"Are you sure they want to?" Katherine rolled her eyes at Colton's rumble.

"Course they do," and with a wave Apex was suddenly instructing all four girls, keeping them on the mats or the pull up bar. It wasn't long before all four were silently cursing and laughing amongst themselves as they listened to his instructions, Tabitha even attempting a joke at his expense that got the other's into a fit of giggles when he just tilted his head to side, clearly missing what they all found so funny.

"Hey - ummm ... can you ... do you know how to do this?" Glancing down, Apex saw a rather small teen ... Christian, nervously looking back at him. He could hear some of the larger students chuckling and Apex swallowed a growl, certain he'd just scare away the boy.

"Of course." Christian gave a nervous smile and Apex followed him over to one of the benches, showing him a few exercises before heading back to the girls who were splayed out on the mats, giving a uniform groan as Apex had them move on to the treadmills. And just like ... it was ten. His time at the gym was over.

"So ... same time on Wednesday?" Apex just gave each girl a quick look, seeing four tired but happy faces looking back at him. All he could really do was nod ... hence the programs he was working on now. But there was something else bothering him ...

"You think I'll be good at being ... a teacher?" Apex turned to look at Greer who was still beaming. He wasn't used to feeling this way ... of feeling doubt.

"I KNOW so," the tigress grinned before tracing a gentle claw to his chest.

"And what makes you so sure?"

"You trained me didn't you?" and that's when the purring got a lot more evident. Apex's ears perked up and he rumbled low in his throat as Greer shut the laptop and moved it to the side as she slid herself onto his lap ... Her arms rubbing soothing circles into his fur while she gently nuzzled his neck which he gladly returned. Apex smirked before wrapping an arm around her waist and effortlessly flipping positions, earning a growl of his own from the eager tigress.

Apex couldn't help but think, 'Maybe there were benefits to this after all...'


Greer felt the soft nuzzle against her head, letting out something between a grumble and a mewl as she gave Colton one last squeeze before feeling him slip out of bed. She wasn't quite sure what time he normally got up, except that the time shouldn't exist for sane people. With a practiced maneuver the dozing tigress reached out and smoothly replaced Colton with his pillow, hugging it tightly to her chest as she just took another deep breath before falling back to sleep.

Colton preferred to start his day before the rest of the Mansion, usually rising before the sun. He enjoyed the quiet ... yet the knowledge of everyone sleeping inside. He didn't take long, moving through his stretches, including some of the ones Betsy had shown him from 'yoga' ... before slipping on some fresh shorts and a tank and quietly moving to window. But before he did he'd always glance back to look at Greer ... he was certain she wouldn't approve but this was his favorite view ... the tigress laid out, half on her side, a smooth curving line drew his eyes from her shoulder, down her side and up over her hip ... her fur slightly rumpled from the long night's sleep ... hair a messy cascade of red and amber that framed her relaxed face ... lips parted just the slightest and her face totally untroubled and peaceful ... only to once again be drawn back down by the bits of black and orange peeking from the sheets where it had slipped from her curves.

Yes ... this was definitely his favorite. And with that image in his mind, he would drop down from the window.

He had taken to running the perimeter of the school ... even though he had stopped his nightly patrols, he still enjoyed the path ... and if he happened to check the scents for anything unfamiliar ... well no one needed to know about that. Just him running ... the still cold air ... the forest ... there were worse ways to start a morning.

When he was done, he entered back through the kitchen, passing Scott as he headed out himself, and setting up the coffee based on who was in the Mansion. Learning the varied preferences of the staff when it came to their beloved coffee had taken less than a week of passive observation. Fixing Greer's (medium blend, plenty of cream, one sugar) he headed back upstairs, the sounds of the Mansion awakening just starting to make themselves known.

...

Greer could smell the coffee just as the shower started running. Who needed an alarm clock when you're boyfriend operated like a swiss army watch? Some mornings Greer would prowl out of bed and let a shower with Colton wake her up ... but today ... today was one of those mornings that had Greer stretching out a claw to hook the handle of her mug.

"mmm...how does he always do that..." Greer muttered as she greedily enjoyed the perfectly made coffee.

By the time Colton was done in the bathroom, which somehow always ended up being twelve minutes, Greer was standing in front of her closet, mug in hand, absently deciding her outfit for the day.

"Morning."

"Morning." Greer called distractedly over her shoulder, tail ponderously swaying back and forth as she narrowed down her decision. The two felines didn't speak much in the morning, both appreciating the quiet for as long as it lasted. Usually a single word or a look was all it took for them to communicate. Apex headed to his dresser and slipped on a pair of jeans. He glanced over at the tigress, still deep in thought, but knew better than to comment ... his girlfriend took her clothing very seriously.

'Girlfriend' ... Apex shook his head at the memory. It had been a very interesting conversation between himself and Greer followed by two very different conversations for clarification with Jean and Logan afterwards. He still wasn't quite certain what the importance of a label was but it made Greer happy (and Logan offer him beer) so he didn't mind it.

Greer eventually made her decision and headed for the bathroom to begin the much more laborious endeavor of getting herself ready for the day as Apex picked up his tablet and did a run down of the security system from the previous night while taking a look at the Mansion's schedule for the day. Every class, appointment, reservation and program was on the school's servers and Apex liked knowing what was going on. He saw an encoded message in his inbox ... and ignored it.

In the bathroom, Greer had finished the more basic morning necessities as she turned to taming the mane she called her hair. After that it was a quick brushing of her fur, application of just the right eyeshadow and lipstick for the day and she was done. She'd already done the hard part and quickly slipped on her preferred dark jeans, the green peasant top and the right pair of warm leather riding boots. She was giving herself a quick check in the mirror when her smile dropped a little.

The outfit looked perfect it was just ... well it just sat a bit wrong. Looking over her shoulder she also saw that her jeans were sitting a bit lower than she remembered ... a lot lower. Greer sighed as she ran a hand over her body, grimacing at how she still felt her ribs through the fur. She had thought her healing factor would snap her back to normal ... apparently not. She was still rail thin. She could walk and run but not for too long. Her muscles couldn't take it. Gymnastics? Greer scoffed ... Hank said she was still 'readjusting.'

"Oh well ... Nothing a belt won't fix," and making the quick addition, Greer spritzed on a light perfume and didn't bother looking back in the mirror as she made her way downstairs to find Colton in their preferred corner, breakfast and another coffee waiting for her. Greer smirked as Colton gave her a camouflaged once over ... well twice over ... and with a quick nuzzle settled in for breakfast.

...

Apex might not have understood how it was that Greer took so long to get ready every morning or how she could stand being covered in so much clothing, never mind her obsession over it, but there was no denying that he had quickly come to appreciate it regardless. He noted that she still wasn't returning to her normal form and frowned a little as he watched the tigress eat her oatmeal and bowl of fruit. He had tried getting her to eat more meat but ... Greer was stubborn on those type of things.

"So," Greer pushed away her empty bowl and keeping one hand on her mug slipped herself under Colton's arm and nuzzled in, "what are we looking at today?"

"You ... have a session with Betsy in an hour. I have literature with Ororo and biology with Dr. McCoy, history with Logan and another session with Xavier at three ... and then I need to be in the gym." Greer heard Colton's change in tone when he mentioned his session with Xavier.

"And how are the sessions going ..." she peaked up to see the panther let out a slow breath.

"Slowly," Apex looked down and gently bumped foreheads to get the worried look off of the tigress' face who relented with a grin as she snuggled into a better position to watch the kitchen fill up with students.

Both ferals had respected Xavier's suggestion that they keep their sessions private, though thus far both had trouble keeping to that rule. Greer had finished up her sessions weeks ago, Xavier doing a thorough search to ensure that the passive programming Weapon X had implanted was removed. That had only taken a few hours (and some ridiculously bad headaches) ... the remainder of the sessions her and Xavier had simply talked over tea, Xavier helping Greer work through the tumultuous last few months. And Colton ... they talked a lot about Colton.

"Time to go," the two ferals nuzzled, Greer sneaking in a quick kiss before giving her boyfriend another squeeze and letting him go. She couldn't help the smile as she watched the giant panther join the sea of students as they headed to class. Giving her head a little shake, Greer sat back and enjoyed the last bit of her coffee.

The rest of the day was pretty monotonous for Greer ... Training with Betsy, lunch with Logan and since her afternoon gymnastics slots were gone until next semester, she sat in on Jean's psychic defense class. But that barely got her through the afternoon and she didn't feel like taking a nap so she volunteered with orientation classes for new students ... well at least she planned all of them. For face to face interaction, Greer decided it was best to let Kitty and Amara handle making sure the new students were adjusting to life at Xavier's.

...

"Like I told you last time Colton ... I think we're done." Xavier sounded tired but satisfied as both he and Apex slowly opened their eyes, albeit only one of them did it with a growl. Their first few sessions had taken place with him sitting back in the cell, his reaction to Xavier attempting to suppress the triggers and traps Weapon X had placed in his mind usually being violent ones. But that had been over a month ago and Xavier was now confident that at least in terms of Weapon X's ability to control him and any inlaid orders had been removed.

But Apex still shook his head.

"You need to check again."

"Colton please," Xavier wheeled around so that he was beside the grim panther.

"We've come a long way ... you've come a long way. And I need you to believe me when I tell you that I did a complete psychic scan and that there is nothing left of Weapon X to be worried about." Charles waited, watching as the young man processed what he said before finally exhaling and nodding his head. Xavier thought he could almost see the weight lifted off his shoulders as some of the tension dissipated.

"Good. Now if you're interested in a bit of chess..." The professor looked toward the handsome stone set but Apex had something else he'd been hesitant to ask about.

"Professor ..." Charles turned back with a slightly raised eyebrow, unused to the hesitation he was hearing.

"Yes, what is it Colton?" It took another moment for Apex to settle on how exactly to say this, but he wanted to know.

"What about the rest?"

"The rest?" Xavier tilted his head to the side as Apex flexed his hands a few times.

"The walls that they put up in my mind. The ones that make me ... I want to know if you can break them down." Now Apex had his eyes locked firmly on Xavier who seemed to be thoughtfully considering what he was being asked before answering.

"I could certainly try but ... I am not sure what exactly would be the result." Xavier looked back towards the tall feral, "May I ask what result you are hoping for?"

Apex gave his head a little shake and looked towards the door, Xavier imagining his mind following her scent as he searched for her.

"I'm not even sure ..."

"Colton -"

"Forget it," he gave his head one last shake and Xavier watched as he walked over to the chess board, giving it a brief consideration before making a move.

"You're move professor."


Greer sighed, as she sunk down a little lower in her arm chair. Just three more minutes before Colton would be done with his class. She let her eyes wander before looking down, frowning a little before curling her legs under her… They looked awful. She had to do something about that ... Get them back into shape. But before she could give that anymore thought, she looked up eagerly as she picked up the familiar scent.

"Hey ..." she purred, "How was Logan's class?"

Colton rumbled low in his throat.

"OK." he mumbled before taking a seat next to Greer, shutting his eyes and leaning his head back. A day of training he could handle ... but classes compounded with sessions with Xavier had him feeling drained. Sensing her boyfriend's exhaustion Greer grinned before crawling towards the gigantic panther and slinking into his lap. Slowly, she started to rub soothing circles into Colton's fur… leading him to wrap his arms around her.

"Better?" she cooed.

"Yes," Colton admitted causing the tigress to grin and continue her patterns until an idea struck her.

"You know… No one's using the movie theater."

"And?"

"We can grab some popcorn, relax a little."

"Greer, you know I hate watching movies." That wasn't totally true ... he just didn't want to see the look she'd give him if he admitted to hating her movies.

"But you love cuddling…" the tigress purred. "Just think about it, you, me, in a dark room with no one around…"

Colton seemed to pause for a moment, and without warning, lifted Greer up bridal style and started to make his way to the mansion's movie room with Greer laughing that she needed popcorn first.

...

"OK THIS IS SO NOT WHAT I HAD IN MIND!" Greer squeaked as she latched herself onto Colton's chest while the panther just stared at the screen mesmerized. She lowered her ears before closing her eyes as the sound of a woman screaming for her life echoed around the movie hall. She had wanted a simple movie, maybe a rom com or a good drama. However upon seeing Colton's unamused face, she thought it'd be better if he picked one… How was she supposed to know he would pick the first disc he saw lying around?

'SAW? Why did it have to be Saw?' Greer thought as she curled tighter into her boyfriend. Before wincing again as another scream echoed around the hall. Looking up, she was surprised to see Colton completely transfixed by what was going on screen … Before once again trying to tell her what he deduced.

"You know she shouldn't have done that. The more effective strategy would have been to-"

"Who cares?" Greer growled. "I hate this movie..." she whimpered but stopped when Colton wrapped his arms around her a little tighter, hugging her close to him.

"Do you want me to stop it?" he rumbled as he tried too soothe the rumpled fur on a very freaked out Greer.

"No. No don't you dare! I want to know how they're going to get out of this…. Aw shit…" Greer growled as someone on screen died horribly. Colton just smirked, he had to admit, he was actually enjoying this movie… Not just because it had an engaging plot and was all about strategy and outsmarting one's opponent…

But because it had managed to get Greer to stay on his lap for the entirety of ninety minutes. Looking at the tigress, he lowered his muzzle and gently tried to calm her as she had now resorted to slapping a hand against her eyes but was still peeking through her fingers every so often.

"It's almost finished." he pointed out.

"Thank freaking god…" Greer growled, her head now buried in Colton's chest.

"You better make this up to me. I swear to God… This is so not how I pictured how we were going to spend the night at all."

"What were you picturing?" Apex rumbled with a raised eyebrow as Greer slowly looked up at him with a slight bite to her lip.

"Like you couldn't guess…" Greer practically whispered before coyly running a hand under his shirt and slowly down his chest, grinning as she heard the credits start to roll.

Colton rumbled before gently pinning her down across most the aisle, Greer's tail making her intentions known as it wrapped around a leg, the lights staying dark as Greer looked up at him.

"I think I have a pretty good idea…" Apex growled as the theater was quickly filled with a series of giggles and purrs.

...

Greer was in the midst of aggressively trying to pin Colton down, but the panther was having none of that, enjoying the look of determination on the tigress' face. After minutes of letting Greer try out of amusement, he released a low growl and skilfully flipped the tigress onto her back before quickly relieving her of her top and nuzzling from the base of her neck to just behind the ear, earning a deep purr from her. With a sly grin, Greer moved her hand down her boyfriend's neck down his chest and was about to get to the belt buckle of his jeans before her haze of thoughts was shattered by the ringing of her phone on the bedside table…

The two ferals froze.

"Do you need to get that?" Colton rumbled in that low voice Greer loved so much.

"No… Screw it…" Greer mumbled before returning to getting those jeans off. She was in the process of lying down and letting Colton do the same to her when she caught sight of the caller.

"Shit!" and before Colton knew what was happening the tigress had rolled out from under him, reached for her phone all the while aggressively signalling for him to keep quiet….

Colton watched in confusion as Greer hurriedly composed herself, even going as far as wrapping the sheets across her waist, despite the obvious fact that it wouldn't make a difference to the caller. There was a pause as she took a steadying breath and pressed accept.

"Hello mum…

"GREER GRANT NELSON…" and Colton could see Greer wince while her ears lowered. He raised an eyebrow… He didn't like seeing Greer like that…

"You better have a damn good explanation as to why you've been completely UNreachable for the past two months! Did you disappear off the face of the earth? Did Xavier put you on the moon? I want answers…"

Greer gulped.

"Sorry mum… I was uh… um… oh god…" Greer groaned as Colton made his presence known by suddenly wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her back down.

"Greer?"

"Sorry…Sorry… I meant to call you, I really did… It was just… I got distracted…" Greer grinned sheepishly while giving Colton a dirty look.

"Must have been a pretty big distraction." Marie remarked dryly from over the line.

"You have no idea…" Greer muttered before swallowing a purr as Colton slowly started stroking her tail, before his claws gently made their way up her fur.

"Greer? Are you alright?" Marie sounded less pissed and more worried now making Greer realize she blanked out for what must have been a great deal of seconds.

"Sorry… Sorry… It's just…" Greer breathed through her nose. "Heck with it…" she thought.

"Mum… The reason I've been gone is because ..." Greer was having some trouble finding just the right words to describe the last few months.

"Because?"

Greer grinned as Colton rumbled softly, his claws were now halfway up her legs.

"Because ... I've met someone and I'm… I'm in a relationship again." Greer tilted her head back as Colton nuzzled a thigh, his claws still exploring. God how was he doooing that ...

For the first time in a very long time, the hard as nails Marie Nelson was stunned beyond words and didn't catch the increase of breathing on the other end of the line.

"A relationship? As in…" Greer gave her head a little shake and used her free hand to sink her claws into Colton, a vain attempt at getting him to let her breath.

"Yup… I've been spending the last few months getting to know my boyfriend." and Greer couldn't help but giggle as that seemingly got a soft rumble of approval from Colton.

"Oh ... I see how it is. You find a man in your life so you thought it appropriate to abandon your mother." Marie remarked sarcastically, causing Greer to feel a rush of guilt, before her tone softened.

"But I'm really happy for you Greer. I know how badly you missed being in a relationship."

"Yeah… Yeah… I did…" Marie could hear the smile through the phone.

There was another pause… Except for the sound of Colton ruffling Greer's fur.

"So ... What's he like?" Marie suddenly asked, her tone dangerously bright.

"Like?"

"Yes is he tall? Average? Fat? Handsome? Details Greer, I'm a reporter." Marie remarked dryly.

"Well…" Greer took a careful look at Colton ... She didn't exactly know how her mum would react if she answered 6"7 giant panther that happened to be an ex-assassin ... so she thought it best if she played it vague.

"Well… he is majestically built…" Greer smirked at Colton who paused and was now staring at her intently.

"And he's got the most beautiful eyes. They're unique ... but I love them," Greer cooed, as she affectionately turned her face to Colton's, gently touching noses with him.

"Do go on ... Is he handsome?" Greer smirked, her mother sounded interested.

"Very much in my eyes… But my favorite part has to be his arms…" and this was when Greer slyly brought Colton's arms around her, a gesture the panther didn't mind doing as he started nuzzling the crook of her neck.

"They make me feel safe ...No matter what." Greer finished before kissing Colton on the cheek.

There was another pause.

"Hmmm I will very much like to meet him…."

"Oh you will for sure, I'll send you a picture." Greer tried to say casually.

"No as in I want to MEET him. Face to face. You're coming back to New York for your birthday yes? Bring him along."

"Wait what?" Greer suddenly looked alarmed as she locked eyes with Colton.

"So its settled then. See you in a week ... and for God's sake use protection." and before Greer knew it, her mother had slyly hung up. The tigress stared at her phone before staring back at Colton.

"She wants us to go to New York…" Greer muttered in disbelief. "Colton… She wants to meet you and for us to go to New York."

"Can't you say no?" the panther remarked simply causing Greer to shake her head vigorously.

"This is my mother we're talking about. One does not simply says no to my mother… The consequences are devastating."

"When would we have to go?" Apex resumed rubbing his claws through Greer's back in an attempt to calm her.

"In a week or so…" and that's when Greer was flipped onto her back again.

"Then we'll worry about it in a week or so…" Colton smirked before running a very gentle claw down Greer's stomach causing her to arch an eyebrow.

"You're taking this awfully well … I thought you hated meeting new people." Greer squirmed a little as the claw kept heading south.

Colton shrugged. Before bringing his forehead to Greer's again.

"You called me handsome."

Greer purred.

"I think you're more than that…" she said softly before pulling him closer to her. Running her hands all over his back…

"Let's pick up were we left off OK?" she grinned as that claw found what it was looking for.

"Yes ma'am." was the last encouragement either feline needed for the rest of the night.