Another Chapter! Check me out, getting a chapter out in a reasonable amount of time... I recently said 'Fuck it' and quit my minimum wage job. Lol...so in between job interviews I have A LOT of time to write. This may not last long so I'm trying my best to get some chapters written and posted. You'd be surprised how many hours I actually spent at my other job, I'm talking at least 50 hours at work a week, some I wasn't being paid for. That might not seem like a lot but ten hours at work a day, getting home between 1 and 4 most mornings and then waking up at 7:30 weekday mornings to get my brother ready for school did not make for time to write. So that was a main motivator for leaving. I'm hoping to find a job that gives me more time to write and basically have a life!

Enough of my personal drama! I know I said that there would be an interesting meeting between Iceman and Rogue but I had to push that back to the next chapter due to the insane length of this one. 3,600 words before I edited it. Sooo the ending is a little abrupt and might leave you thinking 'What the hell?' I apologize in advance for that. So glad most of you agreed that he wasn't falling too fast because I'm about to step it up!

Thanks for all the kind reviews. I want to thank Unidad and any other guest reviews now since I can't reply with a pm. I appreciate it! As always, I have no beta so all mistakes are my own! And they don't belong to me...

He woke Marie when they were only minutes out from the school. She'd yawned and whimpered a few times as she stretched her body. She must still be sore. The last few days had not been kind to her body. He couldn't help the need to rub his face against her hair. Marking her with his scent. Marie had stared at him quizzically and smiled uncertainly at him He grinned back, causing her to blush.

"Ready to meet the other X-men, Darlin?"

Her smile immediately disappeared, replaced by tight-lipped concern. "Not really."

Logan was still adjusting to the softer emotions that Marie brought out in him but he still hugged her without hesitation. "Don't worry, they'll like you. And if they don't, I'll make sure they lose a limb or two."

"Logan!" Marie looked horrified and he immediately grimaced.

"Sorry kid. I guess I forgot you haven't really seen me under the best circumstances. I was joking, mostly."

That seemed to placate Marie and she smiled. She immediately tensed again as the jet started to descend. Logan wanted to hug her again but she had a determined expression on her face and held her hand up when he moved to stand beside her. "Ah appreciate the support Logan, but Ah need to do this on mah own. Ah can't rely on you for everything. They need to see that Ah can hold mah own."

Logan understood the logic behind it but Wolverine bristled none-the-less. She was theirs and protecting her was pure instinct. Still he managed a tight nod. Jean and Scott moved out of the cockpit and smiled reassuringly at Marie. The doors opened with a hiss and they motioned both of them forwards. Logan took the lead, unable to quell the urge to protect her completely.

He was met by the sight of all of the X-men, the junior members included. He managed a glare at Scott over his shoulder before he nodded at each of them in turn. Marie didn't need a welcoming party to overwhelmed her.

All eyes watched Marie with open curiosity. Wolverine had never brought a mutant to the mansion before outside of sanctioned missions. And the fact that so little was known about her had them all eager to catch a glimpse, at least in the junior member's cases. The other team members were curious but their main concern was ensuring that Marie was safe, unhurt and welcomed to the mansion. Hank stepped forwards first. Marie started at his appearance, then flushed embarrassed by her reaction to the furry blue mutant.

"Hello, I am Dr. Hank McCoy, also called Beast." He held out his hand. "I understand that my appearance can be rather…alarming. I promise that I merely appear fierce. It is a pleasure to meet you…"

"Rogue." She ignored the proffered hand and instead gave a small wave.

Hank didn't seem off-put by her rejection to his handshake. He merely waved back. "Yes, Rogue. However I must inquire about your health. Jean and I share the responsibility of tending to injuries incurred by any team member or student at the school. I understand that you may have had a run-in with members of the Brotherhood and that has the potential for injury as nothing else does."

"Ah'm fine, thank you."

Next Rogue was introduced to a woman with white hair, a stark contrast to her mocha skin. Her smile was both welcoming and reassuring and worked to put Rogue at ease. "Welcome Rogue. My name is Ororo Munroe. The other team members have coined the name Storm for me. I am fine with being called by either."

Rogue raised an eyebrow curiously but only nodded. She would ask Wolverine about the odd names later, if no one immediately explained them to her. She was introduced next to Warren Worthington the third, aka Angel. It was clear by his proudly displayed wings where the name came from. She was introduced to Kurt Wagner aka Nightcrawler, another mutant with a noticeable mutation. Despite his devilish appearance, Rogue felt at ease with him instantly. His greeting was quiet but he offered a mischievous smile which she returned. And finally to the newest member of the senior team, Piotr Rasputin. His massive form was slightly alarming, more so to Rogue than the startling appearances of the other men. It was partially due to the mix of memories of men that had tried to take what she had never offered and fear of her skin. The memory of those men was sharp in her mind at that moment. They had been big as well. When he moved to grab her hand Rogue flinched and stepped back.

Logan had his claws out and Rogue pushed behind him in an instant. "Careful bub. No jumping at her like that." Wolverine was pushing him to act, to tear into the confused man for alarming Marie. But Logan knew he meant no harm by it. Marie's reaction to Piotr was surprising, seeing as she had taken the appearances of Hank and Nightcrawler in stride. Logan looked to Marie, who was pressed close to his back and watching Piotr with narrowed suspicious eyes. He would ask her about what made her so afraid of men like Piotr later. And maybe he'd take a little trip and find the men that had hurt her later.

"I did not mean to frighten her, Wolverine. Only to introduce myself."

Rogue stepped forwards again and smiled apologetically. "Ah'm sorry. Yah can't touch me, no one can. Mah skin will hurt you."

Piotr nodded but his expression remained confused. Hank stepped forwards. "Perhaps this is where I step in. If you are comfortable with answering may I ask what your skin does?"

Rogue shifted and almost unconsciously pressed into Logan's side again. Wolverine rumbled in approval. His arm wrapped around her and pulled her closer.

"Ah don't really know how to explain it. When Ah touch people, it's like Ah can hear their thoughts, their memories. Like mah skin's absorbing them somehow. It hurts them."

"Interesting. Perhaps you will let me take you to the lab to study your blood work later?"

Memories assaulted Marie of a lab. Doctor's that tore into her body; that drowned and stabbed and watched with expressions of clinical fascination as she bled and healed and bled again. "NO! Not the lab!" The hysterical fear she associated with the word was new and completely foreign but it felt like her own.

Logan wrapped both his arms around her and pulled her face into his chest. She clung to him and breathed in his scent, trying to calm herself.

"Logan, I must ask, did you find her in a lab?" Hank's eyes were wide with horror. Logan's need to protect Rogue would make a lot of sense if he had.

"No." Logan said. "She stowed away in my trailer. I didn't know she was ever in a lab."

"Ah wasn't." Marie said softly. "Ah didn't know there were places like that. Until…"

Logan tensed and cursed, pushing Marie away roughly. "You got that? You got those memories when you touched me?"

"Logan, please. Ah didn't know." Marie wasn't sure what she was pleading for. For Logan to stop looking at her with such disgust and horror. For Logan to hold her like he had been. For him not to fear her skin. Despite having already experienced what her skin could do he seemed okay with her. The only person so far that didn't fear her. Even as Hank smiled sympathetically at her, he made no move to touch her again. And the other X-men had stepped back with cautious expressions at the revelation of what her skin could do.

"Fuck kid, I'm sorry. I should've kept my distance. Shouldn't have let you near me." She could see him pulling away, both mentally and physically and it terrified her.

Her next actions stunned them both. It was instinct on her part as she flung herself at him desperately. She clung to him as he tried to push her gently away.

"No Logan, please. Please don't leave me. Please. Ah'm sorry. Ah nevah meant to, Ah promise." She was sobbing against his chest and clutching his shirt in her hands as she pleaded with him to stay.

Logan was at first bewildered at her intense reaction but he listened to her pleas with rising concern. And he couldn't help his reaction, motivated by Wolverine's concern for his mate and Logan's own need to stop her tears, to reassure her. "Shhh Darlin'. I'm not leavin. Course I'm not leavin'." He held her close and breathed in her scent. He nuzzled her hair and hugged her tight. Mine.

They were observed once again with suspicion by Jean Grey and Scott Summers. Hank had a small smile on his face. So Logan had found himself a mate. He could smell Logan's unique scent all over the girl Rogue. Logan was effectively staking his claim. It would be easy enough for any other feral to smell and many mutants or humans would even be affected to the point that they would subconsciously know Rogue belonged to the Wolverine. The only question he had was whether or not Logan was aware he had marked her. And judging by the disapproving scowls on Scott and Jean's faces there would be some major opposition. Would they lose Logan before he'd even really returned? He was a valuable asset and Xavier was anxious to secure his loyalty and a spot on the senior team. Would the professor be able overlook a relationship between these two in deference to his ultimate goal: peace between mutants and humans? Perhaps, if she was of age. She appeared quite young physically but appearances were deceiving. Her scent was that of a woman, ripe and musky and mature. Only time would tell what would happen.

Speaking of the Professor, he chose that moment to enter the hangar where they kept the jet. Hank knew that he had wanted to be the first to greet the potential student but he had an important video conference with some of their major supporters in Washington. Hank should have sat in on the meeting as well but the Professor had insisted he leave to welcome the new arrivals. Perhaps he had suspected the relationship. In any case, Hank assisted by Ororo was a wonderful mediator. Despite his feral nature he was logical and he did not let his baser instincts rule him, as Logan often did. But he was uniquely able to understand Logan's motivations as well.

At the first sign of conflict Ororo had motioned the Junior Members out of the hangar, followed by groans of dissent and disappointment. Hank understood that as a young woman the people Rogue would most likely associate with would be the same ones Ororo escorted to the elevator. They were eager to meet her and welcome her into the fold. And they were probably just as eager to hear her story. How one young woman not obviously dangerous survived days alone with the Wolverine was clearly fascinating to them. The junior members held Wolverine in a place of both respect and fear. It was very hard to please him if he even let you join one of his impromptu sparring sessions. He held nothing back, both physically and verbally punishing. They respected him for his expertise, feared his baser side and hated that they were never good enough. It amused Hank to no end that while the boys despised him on principle, the girls felt equal parts attraction and fear towards him.

"Charles." Hank greeted him with a nod and smile. Xavier nodded absently in return. It was clear his attention was focused on the pair currently locked together.

Logan was in agony. Marie was hurting and despite the firm grip he had on her she seemed to be slipping into despair. She kept mumbling over and over "Don't leave me." And despite his many assurances that he could never leave her she didn't seem to hear him.

At the sight of Chuck gliding into the hangar he sighed in relief. If anyone could get through to Marie it would be him. Wolverine growled at the thought that someone else was able to help Marie while they could not. Logan shoved him back and focused on Marie. She began to mumble about labs again. How could he help her when he was clearly part of the problem?

"Chuck, you gotta help her. She's, I don't know, lost in her head or something. I can't get her to look at me."

Xavier nodded once before concentrating on Rogue. He frowned at the chaos he found in her mind. He imagined it might be worse if she'd absorbed more people's memories. Rogue, or Marie as Logan was projecting, seemed to be lost in a memory of Logan's. A particularly disturbing one. Logan was chained to a platform, suspended above a tank of water. He was lowered into the water as an electrical current was run through the water. The memory was sharp and even Charles could smell the burnt flesh, hear Logan's muffled screams and the splashes his limbs made as he tried to free himself. With his adamantium-laced frame this particular form of torture masquerading as research was doubly painful. Charles shuddered and looked for Rogue. The sooner they were away from this memory the better. She was crouched on the floor in between two tables, tears streaming down her face and her hands placed over her ears as she moaned. He approached her and could make out her words. Words she was currently mumbling in and out of her psyche.

"Rogue." She did not acknowledge his presence at all. He was forced to use his own telepathic abilities to get through to her. He froze the memory, silencing the muffled screams and letting their surroundings fade to a blur. He spoke again. "Rogue."

She looked up at him for a moment before returning her gaze to Logan's form, now still and blurred. "What did you do to him?"

"Rogue we are in your mind, locked in one of Logan's memories. You must let it go so we can return. Logan is worried about you."

"No! Logan is right there! They're torturing him! We have to save him!"

"Rogue!" He spoke sharply and she finally seemed to comprehend. "Logan is waiting for you. He needs to see that you are safe."

She focused on him after one last glance at Logan. Her brow furrowed in confusion. "Logan needs to….who are you?"

"I am Professor Charles Xavier. I founded the school that Logan is attempting to bring you to. It seems that you've absorbed enough of him to leave a lasting memory. And not a pleasant one. What brought on this foray into your mind? All seemed to be going well when I last checked on you."

"How are you in mah mind with me?" Rogue demanded, completely ignoring his question.

"Ahh…yes. I am a telepath, a strong one. Logan asked me to help you. I would never have invaded your mind otherwise."

"Ah see. Ah want to see Logan."

"Of course." Xavier pulled both of them out of the memory, effectively returning her to her conscious mind and him to his own body, so to speak.

He watched with open curiosity as Logan became aware of her return to full awareness. "Logan?"

"Dammit kid! You had me scared! Don't you ever do that again! I fucking almost had a heart attack. The things you were saying…" Logan hugged her tight and buried his face in her hair.

Rogue seemed shell-shocked and Xavier was not surprised. Logan's memories were often disturbing and the man himself was often tortured by them. For her, one so young to experience them, even second-hand was a traumatizing experience. He watched as she clung to Logan. Yes, this was something he had suspected due to the nature and fervour of Logan's thoughts. When Jean had informed him telepathically that it appeared that Logan had not been aware that he was projecting so loudly he had wondered what significance the girl held to the feral. Perhaps the co-dependence the two had seemed to form in such a short amount of time would be cause for concern if he wasn't aware of how feral instincts worked. Often they were a topic of discussion between Hank and Xavier as he was always looking for some sort of incentive to keep the Wolverine on the team permanently. He was certain that Logan would sooner hurt himself than the girl in his arms. She was young but by quickly scanning her thoughts he discovered that she was almost nineteen. Old enough to make her own decisions. He watched his oldest pupils as they glared at Logan. Yes, they would have an issue with their relationship. Jean had already informed him of her suspicions and made it clear that she believed Logan might be taking advantage of Rogue. He would have a talk with both of them later. They needed to be made aware of the possessiveness of a feral regarding his mate and how utterly futile it would be to try and separate them. Logan would not take kindly to any interference and was likely to leave the mansion with the girl in tow.

In any case Xavier was willing to offer them both a permanent residence at the mansion whether it was with two rooms or one. He finally had an incentive that might be enough to entice Logan to stay and join their fight. He was a man who wanted peace but he was not above manipulation to achieve his goals. Logan had already proven to be a very valuable addition to the team and he had saved countless other mutants. Xavier was not loath to admit he needed his help. He sighed as he suddenly tired of his train of thought. Some days, his worst days, he grew tired of the constant game of manipulation and bribes and covert missions that were necessary to his dream of peace. But he always managed to harden his resolve when he thought of all the children in his school and all of the mutants he still needed to help. And that included the young Rogue and the Wolverine, even if they did not think so.

Xavier asked Jean and Scott to leave the hangar telepathically. They obeyed without complaint which both relieved and troubled him. Colossus, Angel and Kurt followed them. He had taken both Jean and Scott in and he considered them the closest thing to his biological children as he had. But sometimes he wondered if he didn't have some kind of hold on them, a form of indoctrination. They believed in his dream as fervently as he did. But their reliance on him for direction was worrying. Still that was a thought for another day.

"Logan, Rogue, you both have had an eventful day. I'm sure Ororo would be willing to show you to your rooms if you would like to rest."

"I remember where my room is Chuck. Don't need 'Ro to show me."

Ororo smiled at his pet name for her. "And Rogue?"

"Stays with me." He glared at her, daring her to contradict him. She merely nodded with a serene smile.

"Of course."

Logan and Marie preceded them out of the hangar, heads and bodies pressed close together. Hank watched them leave with a smile. "Well, that was an interesting afternoon to say the least. Wouldn't you agree Ororo?"

"Yes. Interesting is one word for it. If I may, what is the nature of their relationship? Both of you have quite the advantage on me. Logan seems rather possessive of Rogue, but does that mean what I think it means?"

"Yes." Xavier confirmed. "Although I'm certain Hank can explain it better in terms of biology, in their minds they are quite assuredly attached to each other. A form of co-dependence."

"Are you concerned?" Ororo asked.

"Not at this time."

She nodded, trusting his judgement. She agreed that they appeared to already rely on each other emotionally. And Jean and Scott clearly disapproved. But that could be prejudice on both their parts. Scott had never liked Logan, simply because he flirted with Jean. He was determined to focus on his faults and question his motives for everything. On Jean's part it could be simple jealousy. Although she feared the Wolverine she was also attracted to him. He did have a large bad-boy appeal. Even Ororo could admit that. But she also did care for the children with almost a motherly concern. If Jean already considered Rogue a student of the school than she was sure to feel protective whether Rogue welcomed her concern or not. Scott too had the need to protect those under his care.

She looked forward to seeing how these two would affect the dynamic of the school. She smiled as she thought of all the fun that lies ahead. At the BAMF that indicated Kurt's arrival she jumped then shoved the blue elf away playfully.

"What do you think of the new arrival?"

"I like her. She will be good for him."

"You took the thought from my mind Kurt. I just hope she can weather the scrutiny they'll face."

"Weather, my frau?" He flashed his fangs as he laughed. "Your wit is sharp as always."

"Of course." They continued to banter back and forth as they headed to the upper levels of the mansion.

I'd love to hear what you think! Sorry again for the abrupt ending. I couldn't help but add a hint of Kuroro at the end because I love them so much!