Courting Rituals: behaviors an animal uses to choose a mate.

Note: Wolf is not using courting rituals here, but is instead interpreting another characters behavior as such

The lab smelled strongly of rubbing alcohol and other chemicals. Various pieces of equipment would randomly click and whirr, making Wolf jump the first few times he heard them. He did not like this place at all.

He had never been in a doctor's office before, but if he had he would know that this did not resemble one in the least. At the doctor's, they use bright, calming, clean colors that make one feel safe and sanitized. There is usually a counter with cheerful yellow print, upon which lie a few glass jars containing fluffy little cotton balls and harmless tongue depressors, all arranged in such a way to be ascetically pleasing. The patient gets to rest on a nice, comfortable, padded table that is more like a couch, complete with a pillow. There is even paper covering the couch to keep one safe from another's germs.

The lab that Wolf waited in was primarily composed of stainless steel. That meant it was dark and shiny, not very calming. There were no bright colors or cheerful prints anywhere. Wolf did not see any jars with fluffy cotton balls, or, in fact, anything fluffy at all. They were probably hidden in one of the many metal cabinets, next to some painful looking instruments that Wolf did not want to think about. Wolf was sitting on a stainless steel table used for examining patients. It was cold in this room, and the metal underneath him was not helping. He was surrounded by all sorts of technology, half of which he couldn't even guess the purposes of. He stared at them in disgust; they were unnatural. He would have gotten up to inspect them closer, but Logan had told him to keep his *ss on the table and not to break anything; he had used that look and that tone that Wolf instinctively obeyed.

Wolf was terribly bored. He looked at his paw; it had been wiped clean and sanitized as soon as Jean-Grey had her samples. Then Logan and Jean left to look at the 'substances' they took and to discuss something. They had been gone for a while now.

Wolf sighed and laid down on his stomach. He would only lie on his back when he felt safe; it made him feel like his guts were exposed and vulnerable. He kept his paw away from his face because the smell of the disinfectant was offensive and messed with his senses. His breath fogged the steel.

Five minutes later, as he was just starting to doze, the door slid open and a strong scent filled the room.

"Hey Karin," Wolf sighed without looking.

"Wow! How did you know it was me?" she asked, a bit too enthusiastic.

He opened an eye and wasn't surprised to find that the room looked empty. "I smelled you. What do you want?"

He heard her giggle. "You are so amazing! I came here to thank you for saving us from that horrid dog today!'

Wolf curled his lip in distaste. There was nothing wrong with that 'horrid dog'. He tracked the path of her scent with his eyes as she came closer. "You're welcome," he said curtly. Then he sat up as she came really close.

"I want to thank you personally, Wolf," she purred, "Maybe later tonight I could give you some real gratitude."

Wolf blushed and pushed her hand away when he felt a touch somewhere he was not supposed to be touched. He backed away even more. "I'm, uh, busy tonight," he said quickly, "I'm playing poker with Kurt and Pyro!"

"Hmm, that's too bad," she said, "We'll have to do it another night then." She began to get close again.

Wolf coughed. "Yeah, we'll see," he said, "but you should probably leave before Logan and Jean get back."

"Aw, are you worried about me?" she asked, "That's so sweet! Okay, I'll see you later!"

"See yah," Wolf said as the door swished open, and then she was gone.

He exhaled. He did not know what to do about her. Honestly, he loved girls. They are nice to look at, and nice to be around. However, he wasn't ready for intimacy yet. That would come when he was looking for a mate, which he wouldn't be doing until he was able to support a family. He couldn't do that without a job, house, or money.

Then the door slid open again, and Logan and Jean-Grey walked in.

"There doesn't seem to be anything to be worried about in the blood," Jean told him as she pulled a few small vials from a small refrigerator, "But I want to give you a few shots just in case."

She pulled two syringes from a drawer. Wolf looked at them, then scooted backwards. "No way!"

He backed into Logan, who put his hands on his shoulders. "Stay still, pup. It's only a shot. You've had them before, right?"

Wolf shook his head slightly, eyes fixed on the needles.

"You haven't had any?" Jean asked.

"No," Wolf answered, "Never."

"You have some long overdue then," Jean said, "I'll have to research that some more. For now, you'll get these two."

"No!" Wolf panicked. There's just something about sticking needles into your skin that's wrong!

Logan sighed. He thought this was how Wolf would react. He did have a plan though.

"Wolf," he said, "I'll give you a choice. If you sit still and take your shots quietly, I'll give you this." He pulled a cookie from his pocket. He was taking a gamble with this one; he knew how much dogs liked food, but Wolf wasn't a dog.

Wolf eyes were riveted on the cookie as soon as he smelled it.

"Or, you can refuse to get them and throw a temper tantrum. Then you won't get the cookie and I'll have Jean inject them into your bum. Your choice." He waved the cookie in front of Wolf's face, watching his eyes follow it.

He had debated about using this method, because it seemed to contradict what he had been telling Wolf about being a human and not a dog. However, even with little kids you use a system of rewards and punishment. If he did this right, it could really help Wolf.

Wolf thought about it and sighed. "Which arm do you want?" he asked.

Jean walked over with the needles. "Are you right handed or left?"

"Left," Wolf answered, eyeing the needles apprehensively.

"I'll put them in your right arm then," she said, lifting his sleeve and rubbing the area with alcohol.

Wolf watched he every move, until a hand covered his eyes.

"Don't watch," Logan said, "That'll just make you more nervous."

Wolf sat still. He felt a pinch, then another, and he flinched both times.

"Alright, you're done," Jean said.

Logan removed his hand and gave the cookie to Wolf, who ate it in three bites. Then he grinned.

Jean looked at Logan. "I'll leave you two alone now." She walked out of the room.

Logan crossed his arms and looked at Wolf. "It's time for our talk," he said.

Wolf's smile quickly disappeared.