Summary: The title really says it all. This will be a serial of the life of and surrounding two certain X-Men. I plan to update daily, so stay tuned.
Categories: General Characters: None
Genres: Angst
Warnings: None
Challenges: Series: None
Chapters: 3
Completed: No
Word count: 4537
Read: 4789
Published: 11-28-06
Updated: 12-06-06
1. Smile by PNB
2. Help by PNB
3. Trust by PNB
It was fake and forced he thought as he stood in the doorway watching. No one else seemed to take notice of it, no one but him. No one else seemed to care, no one except him, and for the life of him he couldn’t figure out why he cared, but he did care, a lot.
The nudges and ‘hellos’ from the passing children pulled him from his reverie and he patiently waited until they had all filed out of the classroom before he entered, just inside the doorway.
“Hello Logan,” She greeted her façade still in place as she flashed him a 100-watt smile, which caused him to frown a bit. “Is there something you needed?”
“Yeah you,” He replied and she stilled in her action of straighten papers on her desk to look up at him curiously. “I’m taking you to lunch.” He finished and she gave an enlightened expression.
“Well thank you but I don’t need an escort, I have to finish here,” She said as she moved to the Blackboard and began cleaning it. “Then I shall join you and the students in the lunch hall.”
“I’m not taking you to the lunch hall, we’ve got reservations to that new Marina restaurant…tha one you were telling Rogue about. Said you wanted to go there sometime, well let’s go.” At his words she regarded him with a look of confusion.
“It is a tempting offer Logan but we shouldn’t leave the children alone.”
“Come on ‘Ro, you know they’re hardly alone and barely ‘children’. ‘Sides the new teachers you hired are ‘adults’ and the older kids always look after the smaller ones, you know that.”
“Yes, but I still have to-“
Her words came to an abrupt end as Logan stalked over to her and gently grasped her arm and tugged her from the room.
“Sorry darlin but I’ve made the reservations and I have my mouth set on seafood now, so we’re going.”
They had walked in silence through the Mansion and remained silent until they were in the car driving down the long winding driveway.
“You want me to put tha top up?” Logan asked.
“No, it is a beautiful day, please keep it down.” Ororo replied as she titled her head back and closed her eyes as the sun beamed down on her face. He stared at her out of the corner of his eyes, his eyes roamed over her profile; first to her forehead, then to her eyes, then her nose, and finally resting upon her lips, which housed a smile that was actually genuine.
“I just didn’t want to mess up yer hair, I know Rogue has a girlie-fit if I leave the top down.” Logan said and Ororo giggled a bit as she reached up and tugged out the two pins that had held her hair in a tight bun atop her head. Her thick, long white tresses tumbled down, spilling over her shoulders and about her face.
“I never mind the wind in my hair Logan. I have never been that girlie.”
“Good ta know,” He grumbled with a smirk as he pushed down on the accelerator even more, and Ororo threw her head back, her hair flying wildly about her and let out a loud boisterous laugh. And Logan couldn’t help but to smile.
“Sorry ‘Ro, I didn’t know there was a dress code.” Logan apologized for the umpteenth time as they leaned over the railing along the dock.
“It is ok Logan, the vendor food here is good and so is the company,” She said throwing him a sweet smile, which he could tell wasn’t forced at all. “Besides this view is way better.” Logan had to smile and nod at that, for the view was spectacular.
“Still, I owe you a rain check I’m still taking you to that restaurant, so don’t give me such a hard time, next time ok.”
“If you’re willing to wear a suit and tie, it is a once in a lifetime, must see, event. So you shall hear no complaints from me.” She joked as she leaned over a bit and bumped her shoulder against him. And Logan chuckled despite himself.
“Its nice ta see that.” He said as he looked directly at her, and as if she knew what he was talking about, her smile instantly faded and she dropped her head a bit, letting her hair hide her. “You don’t smile much anymore.”
“What are you talking about Logan, I smile all the time.” She said as she lifted her head and plastered on a fake smile to appease him, but he saw it for what it was.
“Yeah, you throw out ‘those’, “ He waved his hand at her face. “All day but you and I both know its all for show. Yer just keeping up appearances.” And realizing she had been found out she let the smile crumbled and ducked her head a bit, trying desperately to swallow back the tears that were fast approaching. “I know ya got a lot on yer shoulders right now, and I know a lot of it are things I can’t help you with, yer the ‘headmistress’ now and with that come a lot of responsibility, I get that. But ‘Ro you didn’t even take time to grieve.”
“There was no time Logan, after what happened with the cure and the showdown against Magneto, Jean and the other mutants, we have to work twice as hard now to win trust back. And now the Professor isn’t here…” She let the words die on her lips.
“But I’m here,” Logan spoke softly to her and she lifted her watery eyes to meet his eyes. “And…so is Hank and the newbies. Things are going fine right now. Hell we haven’t had any action in months now.”
“You sound disappointed.” She said with a smile.
“You know me darlin, I like a spot of violence every now and then.”
“I just don’t…” She paused not sure of what to say nor how to say it.
“You don’t want ‘them’ to worry.” Logan finished for her and she nodded her head. “I get that but walking around faking it all day has got to be nerve wracking.”
“And it’s very exhausting too.” Ororo added with a giggle. “But I’ve been doing it for so long now, I doubt I could stop even if I wanted to.”
“How long?”
“What?” She asked as she stared at him now, his question throwing her a bit.
“How long have you been ‘fake’?”
“It’s a long story.” She sighed.
“I’ve got time and I’m damned curious ta be honest. Yer a hard woman ta figure out. Everybody else I’ve meet at the institute I had figured out within moments of meeting them, but not you. With you just as soon as I thought I had you pegged you do something ‘out of character’, or at least what I deemed as out of character for you. Then I had to go back to the ‘Who Is Ororo Munroe’ drawing board.” She stood stunned staring at him, her heart swelled a bit at the fact that he had actually cared enough about her to even try to figure her out, and even more so over the fact that he was asking her to tell him about how she felt and what she thought, about who she was. No one else besides the Professor ever had. And seeing the serious look in his eyes told her that he meant what he was saying, that he ‘really’ did want to know her, caused that barrier she had built within herself, that shielded her from others, it break a bit and she felt herself opening up some.
“It started when I was a street urchin I suppose. I’d flash a sweet smile to one of the market owners to seduce him out of an apple or some bread; hunger was a constant companion back then. And I was just 5 and all alone with nothing to offer except a smile or pleading words, and I loathe begging. I would rather go hungry than beg and many nights I did just that.” Logan simply nodded silently urging her to continue. “It worked for a time those smiles, until I was about 7 or 8 and I learnt a hard lesson about men, and that its not always wise to flirt for food, no matter how innocent you may intend it to be.”
“Someone hurt you?” Logan asked as he turned from her to stare out at the water with hard eyes and clinched jaws and fists.
“Not in the sense you are thinking, not ‘then’ no, but many tried but I always managed to get away, and soon I joined up with others like me children of the street left to fend for themselves, and we were a family. We looked out for each other and it was with them I learned to be a master pick pocket.” These words made Logan’s eyes shoot back to hers.
“You a pick pocket?” He asked skeptically.
“Yes, me and not just a pick pocket there has yet to be a lock invented that I am unable to crack. But that skill came later when I met Remy.”
“Remy?”
“That’s another story for a later time.” Ororo said with a smile and Logan nodded and took a mental note to remind her to tell him about ‘Remy’ later. “So, as I honed my skills as a thief I also perfected my smiles, to become more charming and cunning I suppose.”
“I can see that, you flash your gorgeous smile and a fella doesn’t care much about being robed.”
“Ah yes, the point is to distract him.” She said now flash Logan a ‘gorgeous’ smile. “But soon that too became a problem.”
“The same old problem?” Logan said more as a statement than a question and Ororo nodded her head.
“Yes, it seemed the older I got the more men grabbed and the harder it became to fight them off, and so I left the streets of the bustling city for a more rural village. I was about 12 then, I had hoped that I could find my mother’s tribesmen and they would take me in.”
“And did you?”
“Yes, and soon after I arrived my mutation fully manifested itself. I had no ‘real’ control over it, but I could muster some rains to water the crops and fill the wells. Once the villagers discovered my ‘powers’ they began worshipping me. They thought I was a Goddess, sent from the heavens to save and protect them.”
“Well, I can see why they’d think that.”
“Yes, I suppose I can as well. I did love the attention and for a time I began believing the hype and acting ‘God like’. I was such a foolish child.” She said with a heavy sigh. “I did not know until the Professor came to me again that my actions had terrible consequences. He told me what I was and showed me the devastation my actions had caused.”
“People got hurt?” Logan asked.
“Yes and some died.” She said softly and her body gave an involuntary shiver and Logan instinctually shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her shoulder, which pulled her from her bad memories. She smiled kindly at him. “Thank you Logan, but I do not get cold.” He arched a brow at her words. “Part of my mutation. Extreme cold and extreme heat have never really affected me. I usually stay a constant temperature.”
“So you never sweat that must be nice.” Logan chuckled.
“Well after some of your Danger Room sessions I have been a bit ‘moist’.” She giggled.
“Guess I’m gonna have to create a program just for you, ‘Operation: Make Storm Sweat’.” This caused Ororo to laugh outright. “My new mission in life is to make you sweat.” Logan continued to tease, and Ororo laughed harder, and clutched her sides. Logan too laughed at her mirth. “I’m glad ta see you laughing ‘Ro. Its been a long time since I’ve seen it.” Logan stated and Ororo calmed a bit, but her smile remained.
“I find it easy to laugh and smile with you Logan. It seems I cannot ‘fake it’ with you.”
“Haven’t met a woman yet who can,” Logan threw out with a wink, and Ororo giggle and rolled her eyes at him. “You don’t ever need to pretend with me ‘Ro. I understand the restraints yer under. Like you I have t stay in constant control, otherwise people could get hurt.” Ororo nodded her understanding. “So just know you’re not alone in this, I’m here and I got your back.”
“Thank you Logan, sorry I have not relied on you more…it’s just that…”
“I’m not a man that stays in one place very long.” Logan said and Ororo nodded. “Well, that’s how I’ve always been at least for as long as I can remember. But things are different now, now I have people ta look after.”
“Yes, you have a home now and a family,” Ororo commented with a smile as she gently placed a hand on his arm. “Whether you like it or not, we think of you as family. And in a way you and I are the patriarchs for the children.”
“Yeah who are probably trashing the house and throwing a party as we speak, what do ya say we head back.,” Logan said and Ororo took a deep breath and smiled as she nodded her head. They headed off the docks back to the car, both dropping their trash in a bin on the way out. As they approached the car Ororo who had been walking arm in arm with Logan, leaned over and swiftly kissed Logan’s cheek.
“Thank you Logan.”
“You’re up late,” A soft voice spoke out and he jumped a bit from his position, with his head buried in the refrigerator. He cursed under his breath when he banged his head, and even more so after realizing he hadn’t noticed that there was someone else in the room. When he heard the giggles he reemerged with a beer in his hand, as he rubbed the top of his head and threw out a glare. “I am sorry Logan I did not mean to…frighten you.”
“Humph,” He grumbled as he moved towards the table that was buried under piles of papers. “What are you doing up so late?”
“Paperwork. Between grading papers and signing forms pertaining to running this school, I have found that there is just not enough time in the day.” She sighed and then puffed out some breath, which briefly lifted her bangs from her forehead. He sat in the seat across from her and took a swig of his beer as he lifted some of the papers and looked them over.
“And why are you up so late, you could not sleep?”
“Nightmares.” He answered simply as he continued to read over some papers.
“Oh, well would you like to talk about it?” Ororo offered and Logan looked up and gave her a deadly glare and she instantly dropped her head.” Sorry, never mind.” She said nervously and he quickly regretted his harsh action. With a deep sigh he leaned forward and rested both of his elbows atop the table, and stared at the beer bottle he held in his hands.
“its always the same one, I’m back at that place. There are people all around but I can’t make out their faces I only hear them and I only recognize one voice, Stryker’s. Then comes the pain and the screams…my screams.” He spoke the last words while he stared directly into her eyes, which were watery with unshed tears.
“I am so sorry Logan. It must be horrible to only have ‘those’ memories And not have them help you to uncover more about you past. How often do they occur?”
“Every night.” He answered taking another gulf of his beer.
“I am truly sorry. I know the Professor was helping you before…I cannot promise you that I will be as resourceful as the Professor, but if you’d like I will try to help you learn more about your past…If you’d like.” Logan smiled at her offer even if he had no intentions of take her up on it.
“Thanks darlin, but right now it seems you need more help than I do.” Logan chuckled as he flicks some of the papers on the tabletop, and Ororo’s smile faded as she stared at the papers with distain. “How bout I help you, you sign the forms and I’ll grade.” Her eyes brightened and her smile returned.
“Really?”
“Yeah, so long as you’ve got a key for these answers.” Ororo hurriedly shoved the answer key towards him.
~~~~
He glanced at his watch and noted it was 3 am when he had finished the last paper and leaned back in his seat with his eyes closed. He began twisting his head and popped his neck turning one-way and then the other. When he finally opened his eyes he noticed a sleeping Ororo who’s head was resting atop some papers. Logan smiled warmly at her a moment before pushing his chair back to stand, and then he walked over to her. He leaned down and gently lifted Ororo into his arms and headed towards the door. It hadn’t taken him long to reach Ororo’s attic loft, it had been an effortless trek. He had been surprised by how light the statuesque Ororo actually was. H hesitated a moment at her door, as he realized he had never been inside her room before. However, upon opening the door he saw that it was just how he had imagined it would be, clean, neat, all white, not at all ‘girlie’, and full of plants. He moved towards the bed and softly laid Ororo down. The sudden change in position seemed to roust Ororo from her sleep for her eyes darted open and stared directly at Logan.
“Hey sleeping beauty,”
“Oh did I fall asleep?” She asked as she slowly rose up and leaned against her many pillows.
“Yeah, but you got all those papers signed, and I’ve graded all those papers for ya. So tomorrow you can sleep in a bit late if you want ta.”
“Thank you Logan, you are a life saver.”
“Yer welcome ‘Ro, now get some sleep ok.”
“Yes and you too.” She threw out to him and he nodded his head as he rolled his eyes and smirked at her.
“Night ‘Ro,” He said as he leaned in and then stopped instantly once he realized that he was about to kiss her. Both froze for what seemed like forever, with their noses barely touching and eyes locked on to each other’s. It was Ororo who ended the awkwardness by leaning in the rest of the way and placing the softest kiss upon Logan’s mouth.
“Goodnight Logan,” She whispered as she leaned back against her pillows again. Logan could only nod in reply and then quickly leave the room. Once the door shut behind him he lingered a moment at the door, letting his finger brush over his lips which were still tingling from the contact of Ororo’s lips. Ororo sat in her bed rubbing her fingers over her lips as well, not believing that she had actually just kissed Logan. It bothered both of them that such a seemingly innocent kiss had affected them so, but neither would allow their mind to dwell too much on it, deciding it was perfectly natural for friends to kiss.
“All right you crumb snatchers, class dismissed.” He announced and the room that had been the ruins of San Francisco disappeared, leaving the bare danger room walls.
“Great session class,” A voice spoke out of the intercom and all eyes lifted up to the darkened control booth, which illuminated to show Ororo. “Sorry for the interruption Logan, but I wanted to inform Kitty that her parents will be arriving a day early. They just called and will be here to pick you up in an hour.” At these words a very excited Kitty hurried from the room, followed by the five other students. Once the students left Logan called up to Ororo just as she had turned to leave the control room.
“Hey ‘Ro, why dontcha suit up and join be for a sparring session.” He asked fully expecting her to refuse by saying she had something else she had to do.
“Ok, give me five minutes.” Ororo said and then giggled at Logan’s surprised expression. Like clockwork Ororo entered the danger room dressed in a tank top, shorts, bare feet with her hair pulled back in a ponytail. Logan’s eyes appraised her from head to toe, before finally rested his eyes on her eyes.
“You need ta stretch first?” Logan asked.
“No, do you?” Ororo asked with a smile as she placed her hands on her hips, Logan simply chuckled and shook his head.
“One, rule though no using our powers.”
“So you plan on turning off your healing factor?” Ororo asked and Logan chuckled again.
“Fine, but no using lightning, my skeleton is a great conductor, you know.”
“I would never use lightning on you Logan, not even if you were really threatening my life.” Ororo stated as she frowned a bit at the idea. Suddenly she felt her back hit the floor as the wind was knocked out of her. She stared up in confusion and then fear as she saw the harden glare in Logan’s eye and the three blades mere inches from her face.
“Don’t ever say that, don’t even think it. If I ever threaten ta hurt you, if you don’t stop me, I’m gonna hurt you, really hurt you.” Logan declared then he noticed the look on Ororo’s face; the fear and he retracted his claws and leaned back, as he pulled them up into a sitting position. “I’m sorry ‘Ro, but you don’t know what I’m capable of.”
“I know you are a good man Logan, and a friend. So I could never purposely harm you.” Ororo said and Logan threw her glare to which she giggled. “Not to say I would not use my powers to restrain you; some wind to blow you away would suffice. No need to electrocute you and possibly cause you lasting harm.” Logan nodded his head in agreement, seemingly satisfied with this idea. Ororo could still see the worry etched on Logan’s face and she reached up and gently stroked his face. “Logan,” At her touch and soft words Logan looked into her eyes. “I know you are a good man and I believe in you and know you would never hurt me or anyone else here for that matter. He leaned into her touch as his classic smirk spread across his face.
“Aww shucks ‘Ro, are ya gonna kiss me now?” Logan joked and Ororo rolled her eyes and smiled as she used the hand still cupping Logan’s face to shove him back. She then stood along with him. “Hey I didn’t say I’d object to a kiss, darlin.” Logan chuckled as he continued to tease her.
“Shut up and lets spar.” Ororo said through a giggle as she took up a defensive stance.
“I’ve changed my mind about the sparring.” He stated.
“Why, are you scared?” Ororo teased as she stood with her hands on her hips. Logan regarded her a moment before he threw his head back a howled in laughter.
“Naw ‘Ro I aint scared, just wanna test a new program I’ve been working on. If yer up to it.”
“Sure.”
“DR, run program 8546, Operation ‘Make Storm Sweat’.” Ororo arched a brow at his words, slightly touched that Logan had actually created a program for her, like he said he was going to, which she had taken as a mere joke. The room instantly became to thick lush jungle, now surrounding Logan and Ororo. Ororo’s eyes widened and her breaths quickened as she glanced around at the familiar jungle.
“Who’s scared now?” Logan asked and when Ororo turned to where he had been standing she found only an empty spot. “It’s a simple game of prey, and right now yer the prey, my prey. I’ll give you a ten-minute head start; I used the jungles from your homeland to design this. Figured that would give you some advantage or I should say help you to allude me. Ten minutes then I’m coming.” Logan said and then went dead silent. Ororo scanned the brush surrounding her trying to spot Logan even though she knew it was a futile venture. “Nine-minutes,” Logan called out and at this prompting Ororo turned and took off full speed through the jungle. She knew that Logan would play fair and would not follow until her ten minutes were up. She decided to take a birds eye view climbing the largest tree next to her, knowing that her best bet to survive this would be to take to the trees and used the winds to keep her scent from giving her location away. Ororo couldn’t help but to smile, she knew this was going to be fun.
~~~~
“That was fun Logan, thank you.” A winded Ororo spoke as they left the danger room heading to their showers.
“Yeah but it needs more work, look at you yer barely shining.” Logan said.
“Sorry to disappoint you Logan but as I said it’s a part of my mutation not much can be done. But if it will make you feel better you can take off your shirt and wring out all of ‘your’ sweat over my head.” Ororo teased silently praying he didn’t take her up on that offer.
“Yeah or I could just use my body.” Logan said as a playful twinkle hit his eyes. Ororo’s eyes widened for she knew he ‘would’ grab her and hug her against his sweaty, smelly body. Without saying a word Ororo took off as fast as she could in an attempt to get away and Logan was fast on her heels. Both Bobby and Rogue had to jump out of the way as they zoomed by in the hallway.
“Those two are acting like a couple of kids,” Rogue threw out and Bobby could only nod his head in agreement as they both stared off after Logan and Ororo’s fast retreating backs.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.