Disclaimer: I do not own the X-men or any marvel related characters. Only David, his family, and friends. I do not profit from the characters I do not own nor do I intend to. Please don't sue as I cannot afford a lawyer.

Chapter 8: Memories

"Took you long enough kid." Wolverine stated as David made his way onto the roof.

"Ya sorry, took Jubilee out for the evening. But to be clear you didn't specify a time."

"Guess not. Here have a beer."

"You know I'm only 17 right?" David asked curiously.

"Yea I know kid, I also know that your a casual drinker and have been for years."

"How do you know that?" David asked while accepting the handed brew.

"I could smell it on your skin the day we met. You had a few drinks the night before."

"How did you know that wasn't my first time drinking?"

"The smell is ingrained with you it definitely wasn't your first time. Most people at least drink occasionally and over the years a certain scent becomes sort of permanent. I smell that smell more often than the scent of someone that's never had a drink."

"That's pretty cool. I'm assuming that's part of your mutation."

"Not as cool as you might thank. I cant even walk past one of them damn candle shops. Or fragrance shops, the perfume or cologne areas at department stores or even a florist. All those places with all those scents hanging in the air make me sick until I can get away and let my healing factor take over the nausea."

"Makes sense. So is it just your smell that's heightened?"

"No all my senses. Sight, Hearing, smell, touch, everything."

"I can see how all of that along with those claws could make you as dangerous as you are."

"The claws aren't part of my mutation well not the metal anyway."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not really sure I cant remember much past 18 years ago."

"Memory loss part of your mutation too?"

"No as far as I can tell I had my mutation long before 18 years ago."

"Long before, really what are you 35 at the most."

"As far as me or Charles can tell I'm nearly 200 years old."

David choked on the swig of beer he had just taken as Logan made his statement sound so casual. Logan laughed before continuing.

"Healing factor keeps me young. From the way my body has aged I figure I age about ten years for every 100 that passed since my gifts, as Charles calls them came along."

"You don't consider that a gift?"

"Nah one lifetime is enough I'm sure I said goodbye to a lot of people I cared about. I watched them get old and die. And I don't remember a damn one of them anymore."

David took a moment to let that sink in while he finished his beer. Logan pulled another one out of the case and handed it to him. David popped the cap off and took a slow swig letting the cool liquid run down his throat before speaking again.

"Do you know what caused your memory loss?"

"Not all the details. But if the nightmares I have are any indication it was some sort of secret government experiment."

"Same experiment that gave you those claws?"

"One and the same."

"That's crazy, so you have been here at the mansion for 18 years?"

"No just 3 years. I spent most of the time traveling, trying to find out who I am or at least who I was. Most of my time was spent in Canada, and Japan. That's where most of the clues I found have been taking me back to. Every time I feel like I get close the trail goes cold."

"That's a lot of time to spend alone. Is that why your such a dick?" David jokingly asked of the wolverine.

"Yea kid I think that has a lot to do with it. I don't let people get close because I know that I will have to watch them get old and fade away." Logan said before finishing off the beer he was holding. "Your a lot like me kid but that aint a good thing. Don't make those mistakes. Hold onto the people in your life."

"Your talking about Jubilee, right?"

"Not only Jubilee, but as annoying as she can be, she's a good kid, so treat her right. I've heard about you and women."

"Ya there have been a lot of them."

"You haven't even scratched the surface kid. Try living for two centuries and then talk to me about women."

"I guess with the aging, you haven't thought about settling down."

"Thought about it kid. The way I see it if I were to find someone and give them a happy fulfilling life in the end as hard as it would be I could accept that."

"I've seen the way ororo looks at you."

"Ro? No no no."

"Please tell me its not because she's black. Your a mutant Logan as much as we are hated there is no room for racism on top of that."

"Nothin to do with race kid. Ro is too pure, untouched I couldn't bring myself to do that. I would feel like I was defiling her."

"You never know how pure someone is until you get to know them."

"I'll sleep on it, but enough about me. What's going on with you and Jubilee?"

"Its weird we are completely different where I would rather be outside enjoying the fresh air. Fishing, hiking, camping, just over all enjoying nature. She would rather be sitting on a sofa watching MTV or updating her facebook page. But when we are together alone its completely different. She keeps me on my toes, She's funny we can joke and laugh with each other she has a different smile when its us than when we are with other students. She is a great girl."

"If she makes you feel that way then you better hold on tight kid. When you have lived my life you learn make good memories. make a lot of them and revisit them as often as you can. Being a mutant comes with a level of danger and if I have taught you anything, I hope its that everything can be taken away from you. Make memories and enjoy every second of it while you can."

"Wow, that's deep Logan." David said his voice slurred slightly.

"I think its time for you to go to sleep kid."

"I think your right. Oh and Logan." David said walking towards the door on the roof.

"Yea?"

"Its not too late to make memories of your own."

The door then shut behind David as he ventured back into the mansion trying not to fall. The blurry hallways seemed to never end until he came to a familiar door. He opened it and walked in where he tripped over a pile of clothes on the floor and crashed to the ground.

"David what the hell are you doing here?" Asked Jubilee after turning on the lamp on her night stand.

"I fell."

"I can see that why didn't you fall in your room?"

"Yours is closer."

"David are you drunk?"

"Are you going to be angry if I say yes?"

"No I'm angry you woke me up."

"Sorry, but maybe if you cleaned your room. I wouldn't trip."

"Will you get off the floor."

"Can I sleep with you?"

Whats wrong with your room?"

"Wanna make memories."

"What the hell are you talking about David?"

David slowly picked himself up off the floor and climbed into Jubilee's bed. He pulled her down with him and she rested her head on his chest listening to the rhythmic beating of his heart.

"I wanna make memories Jubes."

"That's the second time you mentioned memories. What are you talking about?"

Before Jubilee could receive a reply she realized that David had fallen asleep. She lay there confused for several minutes before giving up and drifting back to sleep herself.

David woke up well rested and refreshed the next morning to the sound of the shower running. He yawned and sat up expecting the day to be started by a terrible hangover. He stretched his arms out above his head as he stood up. The bathroom door opened and out stepped Jubilee wearing nothing but a towel earning a blush from her and a smile from David.

"Well now that I know I can expect this kind of wake up I am going to get drunk and stumble into your room more often."

"Don't get used to it. The only reason I didn't kick you out is because I wasn't up to helping you walk back to your room."

"Yea thanks by the way the hallway was spinning pretty bad I don't know if I would have made it to my room."

"Just don't make a habit of it. How did you get so drunk anyway?"

"Logan asked me yesterday to join him on the roof I nearly forgot after we got back from our date. I was almost at my room when I remembered. When I got to the roof he was waiting there with beer."

"And do you even remember what you were talking about last night after you ended up here."

"Memories." David said softly.

"Ya, what was that about?"

"Long story, anyway what do you have planned for today."

"Class."

"Oh yeah I keep forgetting. since I don't have to go I guess my brain just assumes you don't either. Well that sucks I guess I'm going to be bored for a while."

"I'm surprised you made it out of bed. How are you feeling after last night."

"Actually I feel great. I don't know if its the healing part of my powers or ifits something else but I feel amazing."

"Well there is plenty to do around here. I'm sure you will find something to do while I'm at class."

"Ya ill figure something out, now get dressed we can go get breakfast."

Jubilee agreed and waited for David to leave the room. After a moment of silence she decided to speak up.

"Are you going to leave so I can get changed?"

"Do I have to leave?"

"Yes." Jubilee demanded and chuckled. "Ill meet you in the cafeteria."

"Ok, see you there." David agreed before leaving Jubilee to get dressed.

David entered the cafeteria and gathered his breakfast. He sat down with the normal group and said his greetings to everyone.

"What do you guys do around here when you don't have class?"

"The pool is always fun." Said Kitty.

"Basketball." Bobby replied.

"Read." Rogue answered.

"Gym." Peter chimed in.

"The gym doesn't sound like a bad idea. School is over for me and I need a way to amuse myself while you youngsters are still in class."

"Youngsters." Kitty replied solemnly. "Were not much younger than you."

"Relax Kitty I was joking."

"If you want to work out I don't have class until 10." Peter said easy for someone to work out with.

"Yea that sounds great Pete."

just then jubilee walked into the room in her normal yellow. David couldn't help but thinking of her as the sun brightening the whole room. She made her way over with her breakfast and joined the group, where she was greeted with a round of good mornings from the group and a kiss from David.

"Dave, eww you have bacon breath."

"So every time I kiss you I gotta deal with that god awful fruity gum. I could just never kiss you again."

"You wouldn't deny me." Jubilee stated confidently.

"Watch me."

Jubilee just shook her head and began eating. Breakfast was shortly over with and it was time for the group to go their separate ways. Jubilee stood on her toes and tried to give David a kiss. He had other ideas however and turned his head offering his cheek.

"Your serious about this?"

"Told you I would."

"We will see how long that lasts."

Jubilee, Bobby, Kitty, and Rogue all headed to class while David and peter headed to the gym. They made small talk along the way not really sure where to spark a real conversation until David got and idea.

"Kitty sure did look good this morning."

Peter's head turned at the comment and he Looked Down at one of the few people in the school he didn't completely dwarf.

"Katya? What about you and Jubilee comrade." Peter said his voice raising slightly.

"Jubilee is cool but Kitty seems like she has more of a closet nympho side to her."

At this Peter grabbed David by the neck lifting him off the ground until they were at eye level.

"Don't ever speak about my Katya that way."

"Relax, Pete." David choked. "I was testing you now I know that you like her what do you plan to do about it?"

The larger man released the smaller of them and set him back down.

"How did you know I have thing for Katya?" Peter asked in a much softer voice now.

"I see the way you look at her in the mornings. That's not just a friendly look."

"Da, she is great girl, but not for me."

"Are you blind, is your self esteem the only small thing about you. she looks at you the same way Pete."

"You think so comrade?"

"I know so, in fact id be willing to risk another chokehold on it." David said still rubbing his neck.

"You are good at this, What do I do."

"Women respond to confidence. Especially shy girls like Kitty. Being as quiet and reserved as you are doesn't exactly promote your confidence. Kitty seems to still like that about you though so if I were in your shoes Id take her out somewhere quiet. Somewhere not too flashy. Somewhere you and her can enjoy each others quietness together."

"So ask her out, just like that?"

"No don't ask, tell her you are taking her out don't give her a chance to come up with an excuse. A girl like Kitty whether she wants to or not will think about the negative possible outcomes and come up with a reason why she can't go."

"Are you sure this will work?"

"I cant make any promises. You just have to trust me on this big guy."

"Thank you, David I will give it a try."

"No problem can we get to the gym now."

The pair got to the gym and began setting up the weights they intended to use. David got wide eyed when he noticed how much weight peter was adding to the bar. He then chose another bench and added a lot less weight to his own.

"Do you think you can spot me comrade?"

"What makes you think I can lift that." David said looking at the bar loaded with 800 lbs. "If you cant lift that I don't think I will be much help."

"Its just a precaution David. I lift much more than this. but this is all the bar will hold."

"Sure, whatever you say big guy."

David quickly realized why Peter was looking for someone to work out with. It seems like everyone else gave up on him after working with the unnaturally strong mutant. David worked up a sweat and Peter only seemed even larger after their workout. The two showered and then Peter was off to class leaving David wondering what he was going to do next.

With a lot of energy to burn and extras in his reserve tank he decided the shower he just took was pointless and decided to go for a run. After his run he still had too much energy and decided to go for a swim. He dove in the pool and swan fifty laps before getting out and Shooting basketball. After so much he realized something was not right so he decided to contact Charles.

"Chuck are you busy? I need to talk to you."

"Of course not my boy please come to my office."

"Be there in a few minutes."

David jogged to the professors office still trying to release some of the pent up energy that had his mind and body racing. He reached the door and didn't bother to knock. He hastily walked in where he was greeted by a warm smile.

"David please take a seat."

"I think we both know that's not going to happen Chuck."

"Might I ask why the sudden urgency, I have seen you keeping yourself entertained all day."

"That's just it Charles I have an extreme rush of adrenaline and its not fading no matter what I do." A pacing David stated quickly.

"Ah I was afraid this might happen. And also glad to see that it has."

"At least one of us is glad this is kind of worrying me Chuck."

"Right I apologize. But it really is quite remarkable it seems me telling you to take it easy was not the right thing to do. What it looks like to me is that your abilities to quickly regenerate energy and store energy in your body seems to be the cause. Without a proper outlet to expend that energy it seems to be screaming for release I would recommend using your powers David."

"How I everyone is at class, and Logan is teaching. Students don't access to the danger room I am running out of options here chuck."

"Right while I would normally never give a student security access to run Danger room simulations I will make an exception in your case. However I would like you to try to make sure someone else with clearance is observing should anything go wrong."

"Who is free right now? That was one of my problems."

"I know your not very fond of Hank. but I believe he is free at the moment."

"I like Hank I just don't like that he has to make everything a scientific or medical experiment he always wants to run a test. I'm not a lab rat Chuck"

"Of course not David. Hank merely believes that with every new piece of evidence he obtains he is more likely to convince people that not all mutants are evil or dangerous or both."

"Alright Hank it is, But if he tries to attach anything to me, you will be getting a blue fur coat for Christmas Chuck."

"Ah the gift for the man that has everything."

"Yea so if you are giving me security clearance to run sims in the danger room why do I need adult supervision?"

"I would prefer if you had someone to watch over the session. Although sometimes many of the faculty may be too busy in which case if its absolutely necessary to run a simulation I will not object. Logan does it all the time."

"Got it thanks Chuck."

"Your welcome David just enter your entrance code when you enter the danger room. The computer will recognize your increased clearance. Everything should be set up by the time you get there."

"Alright I guess its off to Hanks lab, I'll see you later Chuck."

"Of course my boy."

And David was off nearly at a sprint down the hallway. He stood at the elevator door impatiently then got on and rode it to the sub basement. Left off the elevator and down another hallway and David stood at the entrance to the med lab. David entered his code and the door opened.

"Hank, please tell me you have some time I need a baby sitter."

"What!" Hank nearly choked.

"I desperately need to run a session in the Danger room, but I need a witness in case I should die."

"David you are going to have to slow down and stop using words like baby sitter and die."

"I don't mean to be rude Hank, but my mind and body have been racing since I woke up this morning. If I don't get some relief soon I feel like I am going to explode."

"Really Have you tried to reach said relief in other ways."

"Yes I ran three miles I swam fifty laps I worked out with Pete and I even played basketball by myself."

"Hmm that is very interesting would you mind if." Hank began.

"No Hank. Your not sticking anything to me. You know what this was a waste of time sorry to bother you Hank. I'm just going to run a session by myself."

"David it was merely a question all you have to do is say no. I would still be glad to help you."

"Really your the best Hank. I don't care what the others say about you."

"What do they say about me?" Hank asked curiously.

"It was a Joke doctor, Now lets get the show on the road." David said rushing off towards the Danger room. Hank followed behind relying on his speed and reflexes to be able to keep up with the energized David. They soon reached the Danger room David entered his code and walked in while hank made his way to the observation room.

"Any idea what type of session you would like to run David?" Beasts voice asked over the speaker.

"Something with a lot of moving objects giving off a lot of energy."

"I have just the thing."

Within seconds the room began to change before David's eyes. The cold metal floor turned into a rocky crater filled surface. The sky turned black and starry and more than a few objects streamed their way across the sky followed by a bright flaming trail.

"Hank am I on the moon?"

"Yes and during a meteor shower."

David looked back up into the sky just to see a small rock hurtling right at him. He barely jumped to the side and narrowly avoided the meteor impacting his skull. David's heart began racing as he noticed more bright lights speeding directly toward the surface of the mock moon. Multiple meteors crashed into the ground around him shaking the entire room causing David to lose balance.

"Damn it Hank I cant concentrate like this."

"Life will not always give you time to concentrate. You can do this David, feel it within yourself."

As David's composure returned to him, he looked into the sky realizing he had a few seconds before another onslaught of meteors struck. He took this time to close his eyes and feel the energy coursing throughout his body. As he focused he felt more energized than he had all day. He sat there a few seconds longer head tilted to the sky, a grin playing across his lips. David began to focus on not only his own energy but the energy of everything around him. As he did this even through closed eyes he saw the energy given off by the meteors. He noticed white streaks surrounded them as they crossed the dark desolate sky and landed in the barren land around him.

David at that very second decided not to open his eyes and instead use his focus to its full potential. He noticed a meteor falling and preparing to crash down within feet of him. David quickly reached out his hand and the rocketing flaming rock began to slow against the strain David was putting himself through. David's grin fell as it never actually stopped, only slowed enough to not make a huge crash as it hit the ground. David quickly realized he didn't have time to feel discouraged as two more fiery torpedoes headed straight for him he reached out his right hand and felt the energy of the object his swiped his hand to the left causing it to crash into its counterpart veering them both off course.

This continued for nearly an hour until David's nose began to bleed and he knew he should call it quits for the day. Before he could mention it to Hank he opened his eyes and the room began to return to its shiny metal state. The black sky and meteors disappeared and were replaced by the cold steel ceiling then the floor began to change beneath his feet leaving him to wonder if he would ever get used to the surprises this place had to offer him.

"Thanks Hank." David said short of breath.

"You did quite well my boy. Although I must ask are you quite alright? That seems like a lot of blood." Hank replied noticing the crimson staining David's features.

"Ya I'm ok, just over did it slightly. I do feel a lot better now I was beginning to worry my heart would explode."

"We certainly would not want that."

"So did you get any good readings Hank?"

"I was merely monitoring your progress my boy."

"Bullshit Hank you cant do anything without it revolving around science."

"Ok you got me I actually did get some rather interesting readings from the danger room computers."

"Good to hear it, ill let you get on with whatever it is that you do with that information. I need another shower. See ya around Hank."

"Bye David. I shall let you know should I discover anything abnormal."

With that David left the Danger room and headed to the shower. He reached the showers pulled the curtain back to one of the stalls and turned the water on. He adjusted the knobs to get the water just right before stepping into the nearly scalding hot water. He cringed for a minute until his body adjusted and he could take the extreme temperature. He stood under the spray with one hand on the shower wall letting the water run down his back while he reflected on his session. The shower came to an end and David finally felt relaxed and even more relieved that he wasn't on the verge of a heart attack.

David quickly wrapped a towel around his waist and headed back to his room after realizing he did not bring a change of clothes with him. Without realizing what time it was he expected most of the residents to be in class so he was surprised to step off the elevator to a hallway full of people.

"Damn! Jubilee is one lucky girl." David heard from a small girl with pink hair he had come to know as pixie.

"He looks good enough to eat." Said Laurie garrison also known as wallflower.

David only smirked and showed off a little before continuing unnecessarily slow back to his room. He reached his room and felt like being lazy and lounging for the rest of the day. He reached for a pair of pajama pants and a black wife beater and decided not to wear anything else. 10 minutes later David reemerged from his room feeling like a million bucks and he had only one thing on his mind the beautiful Asian who he couldn't stop thinking about.