Cheshire - even though Greer might not always like it, Jean is always doing her best to help out her friend. And I think she knows that...even when she wants to strangle her. Glad you liked the training with Amara and katherine...which means you're probably going to like (most) of what happens next.

CC - seeing as how you wrote the book on canoodling ferals, glad you liked it. Hopefully there will be more of that in the future and YES...this worked much better.

Greer hurried through the corridors, it was still way early in the morning and she was trying to get to her room undetected, not fond of traveling through the halls in just her bare essentials. But then again, she was not that keen to squeeze back into that tiny dress, which was rumpled beyond recognition anyway…

Spotting her door, Greer made a mad dash, threw herself into the room and slammed the door behind her...No one had seen her.

Satisfied, Greer turned around to take a well-needed warm shower only to freeze as there was Jean sitting on the chair, drumming her fingers and going from smug to absolutely horrified when she realized what Greer was wearing…or more accurately not wearing. There was silence between the two women before Greer finally spoke up.

"It's not what it looks like…"

"GREER!" and the tigress groaned as a shirt landed square on her face.

"Are you insane? WHAT DID YOU TWO DO LAST NIGHT?"

"Nothing!" Greer insisted as she started blow drying her hair. Jean had been at least kind enough to allow her to take a shower before going completely ballistic.

"Nothing? You disappear into Colton's room for an entire night and come back in your undergarments and expect me to believe you guys did nothing?!"

"We just cuddled…" Greer argued. Well she was tempted to say nuzzled but she preferred 'cuddled.' Though the difference hardly mattered as she could barely hide the dazed grin on her face before becoming more serious when she saw Jean's reaction in the mirror.

"By that, I'm being serious… We really just cuddled."

Jean frowned….

"You can read my mind if you don't believe me…" Greer grinned, holding her hands up in a surrendering position causing Jean to finally lay off.

"Fine… but a warning next time you… go off…"

"Hey I don't ask for a status repot whenever you and Scott disappear doing God knows what…" Greer's sentence died off as she brought up Scott...Scott..Greer put down her brush and slowly walked over to Jean, the red head suddenly uncomfortable by the smile crawling across her roommates face as she finally got close enough to take a good sniff.

"You dirty hypocrite." Greer whispered with mock-malice.

"What are you talking about?" Jean tried getting some distance but it was way too late. Greer had been distracted before but now she caught it.

"Sorry Jeannie...nose doesn't lie. Just tell me...did you at least let Scott stay or did you kick him out at 3 am when you thought I'd be coming back last night?" Greer said smugly as Jean's face turn as red as her hair...

"We don't… Ugh! You are so immature sometimes…"

"And you're a total control freak…" Greer smiled before backing away in surprise as Jean burst out into laughter.

"What… Whats so funny?" she demanded, her tail thumping the ground.

"Nothing… It's just nice to have you back roomie." the red head grinned before wrapping her hand around Greer's shoulder.

Greer smiled…

"Nice to be back…now for the love of god, get in the shower before Colton gets the wrong ideas."

Greer and Logan were on the dock overlooking the frozen lake meditating.

Logan had almost always preferred to do his meditations outside and since Greer had been the one to join him...she was now doing most of her meditating outside. In the winter. Before the sun had come up.

'This all better be worth it...' Greer mumbled as she shivered slightly from the cold. Logan and his god awful sense of timing… Speaking of timing…

"Seems like you been spendin' an awful lotta time with Colton." Logan suddenly said , causing Greer to slide an eye open only to see Logan looking as peaceful as ever, his breath making steam in the cold.

"Yeah… I enjoy it… And he does too…" Greer replied back before shutting her eyes and trying to concentrate on nothing but her breathing.

"Somethin' on your mind Tigger?" Logan cut in again, causing Greer to shake her head.

"Nope...I am totally zen."

"Really?"

"Like I said...totally zen."

It was the truth. Greer had rarely ever been happier. And with the Mansion practically empty save for a few students with no place else to go and the senior staff, she and Colton had been spending most of their time together. Greer knew they had obviously done that before but now...she knew it was different…. They were closer, more intimate.

Case in point being that she was now spending most nights snuggled next to him in his room. Jean seemed to have taken a new interest in scented candles too...

"You know what you're gettin' into, kid?"

"I'm not a kid, Logan." Greer now had both eyes open, her sense of zen long gone, as Logan stared right back at her. Although mentally Logan fought the urge to remind her that to him...everyone was a freakin' kid.

"Yeah, I know that. But this ain't some schoolmate kid your sharin' a bed with either." Greer fought back the urge to both blush and growl.

"God, Logan ... It's not like that ...we haven't done - It's nothing you need to worry about." she said quickly before feeling a sense of awkwardness wash over her…

'Oh my god, is Logan giving me the talk?'

"Trust me Tigger, none of that is my concern. I just want you to watch your ass. He may not be who you think he is." Logan slowly closed his eyes and took a deep breath, resuming his form but Greer was still staring open mouthed.

"I'm sorry… What did you say?"

"I said, Colton may not be who you think he is." Logan answered calmly which seemed to only fuel Greer's sudden irritation. What was Logan talking about?

"What the hell do you mean, 'not who I think he is?'" she probed, her hands now on her knees as she leaned forward, demanding an answer. Logan took a long, deep breath, exhaling in a huff through his nose.

"You really need me to spell it out for ya?"

"Please, feel free."

"That trainin' don't just go away. He's hard wired the way they wanted him. You might have him actin' civil when you're around but you can't watch him all the damn time and once it's out, you can't just shove the beast back into it's cage without someone gettin' hurt in the process." Logan hoped Greer had gotten the message but instead she had only honed in one word.

"Colton is not a beast. And you have no idea what you're talking about,"

"You sure about that Tigger?"

"They did the same thing to me and you don't see me going around hurting people. Colton isn't like that." Greer argued back, determined to defend Colton. However what she said caused Logan to stare at her carefully, his eyes full of unspoken words. Like he was implying what she was saying was completely and utterly wrong…

"If you say so kid… I just wanted to give you fair warning…" Greer shot back onto her feet, a growl echoing over the lake.

"Not everyone has your issues Logan." She mumbled before turning on her heel and storming through the snow back towards the Mansion, Logan watching her every move.

"Just watch yourself kid."

Even though she didn't stop, Logan knew she had heard him.

...

Greer was furious at Logan for having even thought what he had told her. Colton was a different person...a good person. He was here...with her...and as if just to prove her point, Greer had found out some rather surprising news.

"I don't believe it…I just really can't believe it…" Greer just shook her head in disbelief.

"Don't say anything." Apex rumbled low in his throat.

"Colton...how can I not say anything? I mean, you've been secretly coaching Kitty and Amara for how long now?"

"Seven weeks and five days…Well six weeks and five days for Amara." he mumbled grudgingly, his ears pressed flat against his head in annoyance. Greer giggled before lowering her head on his shoulder, nuzzling into it knowing it was a surefire way to get him to loosen up. She grinned slightly as she felt the firm muscle beneath the soft fur eased as a deep breath travel through him.

"What did I do wrong?" Greer blinked upon hearing that, not really sure if she heard that right.

"I'm sorry, what did you say?" she asked quickly, her emerald eyes bearing into his. Apex shook his head as if trying to clear his thoughts.

"I said, what did I do wrong?" his amber eyes aimed straight to the ground…Greer raised a confused eyebrow.

"Colton you did nothing wrong...OK so maybe getting them out of bed at 1 am wasn't the most responsible thing to do but you had good intentions."

"Then why am I waiting here? What are they doing in the conference room? Why are they keeping me cooped in here?" Apex growled lowly. Greer's eyes widened when she realized what was going on in Colton's head.

He and Greer had been in the gym, her on the high bar while Colton did circuits below. Greer enjoyed watching him work...when Jean had walked in straight-faced, telling Colton that Xavier would be discussing his actions concerning Kitty and Amara with the rest of the senior staff and that he was expected to join them afterwards.

Greer had tried asking Jean what it was all about but she had just mentally whispered for her to make sure Colton didn't run off and to show up. Her 'voice' not matching her stern demeanor.

After that, Greer had joined Colton in his room after a quick shower to find out what was going on. When he had told her...well she had actually never been more proud of him. Maybe little ticked he hadn't told her about it...but pride won out.

"Colton, it's not like that… You know they're just… No one's going to punish you or anything like that."

"Then why did the professor insist on calling me into his office in the first place. Why did he insist on holding this meeting with the entire staff?" Apex snarled softly his ears once again pressed flat against his head his every muscle coiled as if ready to defend some oncoming attack. Greer sighed before grabbing onto his hand, trying to get him to look at her.

"Colton, as far as I'm concerned, you didn't do anything wrong, in fact you did Amara and Kitty-"

"Katherine."

"Fine, Katherine… A lot of good. Have you seen them during their danger room sessions? They're amazing. And as it turns out, all thanks to you…"

'All thanks to you…' That made Apex loosen up slightly and his scowl to turn into a more relaxed calm.

It was true, he saw progress in both Katherine and Amara, not in just their physical performances but how they acted in the field as well. No longer were they huddled in the back and waiting to be tagged out but they were starting to take on more proactive roles…Always going for the offensive…Katherine especially... he had considered moving her training towards more practical... He hadn't put much thought into it before, but yes, technically he had been the one who trained them and to suddenly reflect on how much they had improved made him feel… satisfied…

It was a strange feeling…But one that he rather liked…

"Colton, could you please come into the conference room? We have made our decision." Apex bared his teeth a little as his thoughts were shattered just like that by the professor's telepathic intrusion. Greer noticed and closed her hand around his.

"C'mon, I'll walk you there…" she offered before gently tugging, prompting Apex to get off his bed and exit his room with her. They walked in silence until they reached the conference room door and Greer noticed how Colton's ear flicked with irritation.

"Hey… It'll be fine… Nothing to be afraid of…" she joked casually.

"I'm not afraid." Colton muttered back though Greer noticed how his palm never left hers.

"Of course not… But I just want you to know… I still think you did an amazing thing with Kitty and Amara. So don't you dare let anyone make you think otherwise… Promise me that?" she said softly, her emerald eyes locking with his amber. Colton paused before simply nodding and entering the conference room, doing his best to remember that sense of pride Greer made him feel before it was to be taken away from him.

As the two entered, Apex noted that indeed the entire senior staff were present in the conference room. The were seated around a large table with Scott and Xavier in the center of it...some sort of grid with times was projected on the wall.

"About time you two got here. Go ahead and take a seat." Scott sounded exhausted, his sleeves rolled up and a pen in hand. Apex scanned the room expecting grim faces but most of the staff seemed...bored. He and Greer moved down the table, Greer taking a seat as he stood a little behind her. If he was going to go through this...it wouldn't be sitting down. Too vulnerable...

"Alright...Greer...are you going to be able to keep your current schedule for next semester?" Greer looked around confused for just a moment before making the realization.

"Wait...this is the class semester meeting?" Greer saw the schedule now projected behind Scott, her name in green covering a few time slots.

"Thank you for catching up. Now, you were doing two days a week four to five and Sunday one till three...that still sound right?" Scott had obviously been at this for a while.

"Umm...yea. Yea that's still fine..." Greer looked over to Jean to see if she could get a read on this. Why hadn't she just been invited like normal? And what did this have to do with Colton...

"Greer? Do you need anything?" she turned back to Scott.

"Oh...ummm...well we need a new bag of chalk and the balance beam has seen better years." Scott glanced over towards Betsy who had the accounts in front of her and she nodded her head, making a few marks.

"Alright so that settles that. Now...Colton...how does three nights a week from seven to nine sound?" Greer actually felt Colton stiffen up behind him.

"No." Scott didn't even bother looking up although the rest of the teachers shared a look and leaned a little bit more forwards.

"Alright...does an afternoon on a weekend work better? I just assumed most students are going to want to go at least twice during the week..." But as Scott rambled Apex's eyes were on Xavier.

"I said no." Everyone noted the growl in his tone but Xavier seemed unconcerned.

"Colton, if you're going to be training the students, don't you think it best we select a time where they don't feel compelled to sneak out of their rooms in the middle of the night?" Apex was about to respond with simply walking out when Logan spoke up from the other side of the table.

"What's wrong, Colton - Couple times a week gonna dig too deep into your activities? You gotta hot date late at night?" Logan growled out, his arms crossed as he leaned back in his chair, his boots kicked up onto the edge of the staff table. Greer growled slightly at Logan's words as he locked eyes with Colton as if there was no one else in the room.

"So is that a yes Colton..." Scott had been at this for hours and just wanted it to be over, unaware of the stares between the two ferals. Colton looked down at Greer before taking another look over at Logan...and addressing Xavier.

"Are you expecting me to..."

"No teaching Colton. Just supervise the weight room a few hours a week. If Kitty and Amara are any indicators many more students can benefit from your guidance." Xavier's words got a few nods around the table. He had explained before Colton and Greer's arrival what had been going on before a quick vote had supported the decision.

"So the times..."

"Fine...the times are fine."

The rest of the staff threw up their hands in mock celebration and Greer was already talking about everything they could do to prepare for the new semester but Apex just kept his eyes on Logan...

The rest of the week went by without any surprises outside of Greer's success in getting Colton to be social. She had actually convinced him to come join the rest of the staff in a snowball fight. Although she might of phrased it as ambushing Scott and Jean...either way, it had been a blast. Hell...she barely had to twist his arm to go out with a few other couples for drinks...or it might have had something to do with the amount of stripe she had been showing or those leather boots...regardless, Greer was liking all this extra time they were spending with everyone and it seemed the rest of her time was spent either going shopping with Jean and Betsy or snuggled up with Colton.

But despite all of that...over those last couple of days...Greer just couldn't escape what Logan had said. She would scold herself and convince herself but eventually she would find herself just staring at Colton, wondering about all the things she didn't know about him. And whenever she brought herself to want to ask him...she just...

"Is something wrong?" Greer realized she had been squeezing Colton's arm hard enough that her claws had started to sink in and let out a slow breath she'd been holding.

"No...everything is fine." Greer smiled before tracing designs in Colton's fur...obviously still thinking.

"Greer..."

"Are you going on patrol tonight?" She could tell from how he was pressed against her that Colton was attempting to get a read on her face but she just skillful rolled a little more into his arm.

"I was." Greer felt his voice more than heard it. Usually it calmed her but... She had to be sure…

"Don't go... Just...stay here with me tonight."

There was a pause…

"I can't..."

"Why not?" Greer asked, turning around to face him, her emerald eyes questioning. Colton didn't reply, instead just staring at her...although Greer considered it more like staring through her. She was about to ask again but caught her breath as Colton pulled her even closer and gently brought his muzzle down and rubbed the spot behind her ear. Greer felt herself go limp from the amazing sensation.

"Colton…" she mumbled only to stop as Colton nuzzled harder, now going towards her neck. God how was he doing that…

"It's late, we should rest…" Colton rumbled gently, pulling her closer to him. Greer sighed with contentment.

"Does that mean you'll stay?" she whispered, burying her head into his soft fur as her tail wrapped around his leg.

There was a pause.

"Yes. Yes I'll stay." Greer purred before she finally closed her eyes just taking all of Colton in.

...

Greer was suddenly awoken by a loud thunderclap causing her to shoot straight up.

Rubbing her eyes, she turned around to reach for the sheets only to realize how empty the bed felt, Looking around, she noticed that she was alone…Alone in the room. It took her a second to absorb that…

"No. No… Don't panic, he could just be in the bathroom… Even Colton needs the bathroom…" Greer whispered to herself only to feel a gust of wind blow past her.

Turning around, she buried her face in her hands when she realized what Colton did… He left her alone again… With only an open window as an explanation...

'He might now be who you think he is.'

"No...that's not my only explanation." Taking a deep breath, Greer tossed off the blanket and without another thought jumped out into the night.