Chapter 4

                 Logan quickly found out the weak link defense wise without powers was Jean, she relied on her powers too much.  She did not know how to read body language, just minds.  She was getting frustrated with him pointing out her mistakes, and taking her down so hard.  No, there was no flirting in the way he pinned her down or even Ororo.  But Ororo surprisingly was almost stronger than even Scott fighting wise, she was competitive and held nothing back.  

Jean was seething as Ororo dropped her once again and Logan nodded his praise.  Even Scott was impressed with Ororo!  It was high school all over again, except Ororo was the queen of this jungle.  Jean watched Logan show Scott the move again slowly, his muscles were something else.  He had more bulk than Scott, muscle on muscle.  She glanced at Ororo who was watching him also with fascination, and another emotion she could not decipher.  It was deeper than flirting, Jean glared, the goddess couldn't be in love that fast.  

Even though no one could bring Logan down, they were not as hopeless as he had originally thought.  Ororo had surprised him with her skills, she had learned from her time on the streets.  Something Scott and Jean could never learn with all their training.  He set a schedule and told them the plan for the month and asked Scott if it was suitable for the team, which the leader appreciated.  Logan dismissed the class and laughed as Jean groaned as Scott helped her up.  She was a strange mix of feminism and submissive, female in distress.  She made you feel utterly male and drawn to help her, everyone else be damned.

"You should add a lil cardio each morning and strength training," he told her, "it will help with what we will be doing.  Have Scott rub your muscles fer now kay?  The more ya do, the easier it becomes darlin'."  Logan walked to 'Ro as she stretched to touch the ground between her feet and forward, he couldn't help but look her over appreciatively.  She was in a tight blue tank top with an 'X' over her heart, it exposed her flat stomach and to his surprise a belly piercing.  Her black yoga pants were low on her hips and clung to her with sweat.  She looked like she had been ravished, with her flushed face and hair now loose about her.  She felt him watching her and looked up at him over her shoulder, a lazy smile unfurled on her lips.

Then all hell broke loose in the danger room.  Jean couldn't take all this pent up jealousy she had, Logan had flirted with her first and again last night!  Now suddenly the unattainable goddess had a new follower!  She knew he wanted her and god help her she wanted him too, she loved Scott.  But she wanted something more also, something raw!  Jean felt old childhood fears burst out and she lashed out at those closest to her.

"He's looking at her like an animal," Jean hissed, "He may as well piss on her leg and mark her his!"  Scott looked startled at his fiancé, then glanced at Logan who had stiffened at her comment.  "Why doesn't she tell him off, did Forge leaving really hurt her pride that much?  She'll take an animal looking her up and down like a piece of meat as alright!"  Scott glared and hushed Jean, but she glared back just as hard.

I growled as 'Ro straightened up and frowned over my shoulder at Red, I don't know if I was more mad that she was right or that she had voiced it.  I was an animal, and the bitch better watch her fucking mouth!  "Do you hear that?  He even growls like a fucking animal!"  I suddenly saw red and howled as I unsheathed my claws, I turned on them as Scott slowly dropped Jean to her feet and pushed her behind his body.  Jean suddenly remembered Logan's medical file and cursed her blasted mouth.  He had been experimented on and treated like an animal for years, he went feral as a defense mechanism.  His feral would not let this grievance slide, she had goaded and degraded him like his torturers.

Ororo thought to Jean and Scott, ((Why did you do that Jean?  Why do you have to be so childish!  Do not move either of you, don't speak or smile, no teeth!  Let me handle this!)).  She slowly circled around to the front of Logan and had her hands out, to show she was no threat to him.  He growled at her, then seemed to scent the air.  His silver eyes were now black, but the wildness was now tempered somewhat as he caught her scent.  As if he recognized her!

She is amazed when his body tension eased slightly, so she cautiously stepped forward.  But then Jean cried out in fear for her friend, screaming when Logan growled loudly to cut her off.  Logan growled and stalked forward, stopping only when Ororo blocked his path.  His feral was conflicted, recognizing this female as its mate and not wanting to harm her.  But she was in the way of the threats he need to neutralize, Ororo approached him once again and cupped his rough cheek.

His chest heaved as she stroked his cheek, she spoke softly to him in Swahili until his breathing slowed.  She called Logan's name once again as his eyes undilated.  He blinked and his eyes bled to silver once again and focused on her, she smiled up at him openly.  Logan sheathed his claws and looked down at her, horrified at his actions and thoughts.  But she just hugged him tightly, he was confused as he reluctantly hugged her back just as tightly.  Her scent called to the primal part of him, but her essence soothed the turmoil that raged within him.

Charles entered the danger room concerned for his team, he had felt Logan's rage and heard Scott's mental shout.  Logan closed his eyes and looked away as Scott apologized silently, even through the googles Logan could read his eyes.  But it was too much too soon, especially since he wanted to rip him and his lady love limb from limb.

"Is everyone okay?" Charles asked, "What happened?"

"Nothing," Jean told him and hugged Scott tightly.  She was so ashamed and hoped they could deal with this later between themselves, her heart was racing so fast.  She couldn't take Charles' and Scott's disapproval or disappointment.  When Logan was completely feral he was gone, yet completely open.  He had it in his head Ororo was his mate!  He felt for Ororo, just as much as she did for him.  But he had reserves about falling so fast for Ororo, plus he wanted her too; Jean smiled into Scott's shoulder, she could accept that.  She wanted him and couldn't take losing to Ororo again.  Then Scott pulled her back and his jaw was tight,

"That was far from nothing Jean, you let your personal feelings bleed into the danger room.  You pushed Logan with your comments and put us all in danger.  We need to deal with this now."  Charles looked in disbelief at Jean as she put her head down in shame,

"Jean, you and I went over his medical file, you of all people should be more aware of what is over the line.  Especially being the mansion doctor, this infatuation of yours with him and Ororo is over.  You need to focus on yourself and your relationships with your teammates, friends, and family.  Do I make myself clear?"  Charles could catch glimpses of Jean's thoughts and impressions, they worried him.  She had been the catalyst that sent Ororo over the edge and had her run off to new Orleans for two years without communication.

"Perfectly," she hissed and stomped off.  She felt like a chastised child and for him to air out everything, it was embarrassing!  Why did he have to bring another man to the mansion and why did she have to want him so bad?  Scott apologized to Logan and Charles then went after his fiancé, she had been downright cruel earlier.  Hopefully she would see her flirtations and comments were hurting others and affecting not only the team but their relationship.  She was doing things out of the ordinary and he was worried.

"I'm sorry 'Ro," Logan whispered, "Now ya see what I'm fightin'.  I could've..."  He shivered at the thought of hurting her or worse, he flinched when she touched his bare shoulder.  Her touch was soft, unlike any he has felt before, she rubs his shoulder as the scent of ozone fills the air.  It smelled like rain and his feral swirled under the surface, it scared him how a like he and 'Ro were.

"You could understand me Logan," she told him, "Your feral recognized me by my scent.  You should have more faith in your feral.  It is apart of you, a living entity within yourself.  Much like Storm within me, I embrace that part of me that could wipe out everyone and everything I hold dear.  It must be accepted and given the respect it deserves.  Or else it will continue to lash out at those close to you."  I choked out a laugh as she pulled me into a tight embrace, she held me as I struggled with my emotions.  Charles left eventually and I ended up laying my head on her lap as she sat on a bench stroking my hair.  She tipped my face back and kissed me chastely and stood up, pulling me to my feet.

"Ready?" she asked.

"What, ya don't like a man pourin' his heart out?" I joked as we walked out.  She grinned and walked backwards,

"Only so much, I'm all about the make up and comforting."  I grinned ferally and reached for her, but she flew back just out of reach.  Then stilled so I could grasp her rounded hips and set her down softly on her feet,

"Yer somethin' else darlin'."  She blushed to her roots and laughed, as if she didn't believe me. A guy can't win sometimes, I think Jean would take the compliment and expect more.  Ororo is so innocent when it comes to flirting with me directly, I frown as we walk down the hall.  Maybe I should try being friends with her first before rushing into anything, plus I don't want to hurt her by being an asshole.  She deserves my friendship, not me panting after her for her body and scent.  Logan's animal howled sadly as he entered his bedroom alone, as Ororo continued on to her loft.

       Ororo showered and pulled on just ripped up long jeans and a tight white tee shirt, she left off a bra planning to grab food and head back to rest.  She ran into Jean on her ways own the stairs, she was mad at her long time friend and went to walk past.  Jean grabbed her arm and pleaded with her green eyes, so Ororo stopped and looked up at her friend.  Jean winced at Ororo's eyes,

"Ouch, I guess I deserve the ice.  I am so sorry, I have been..."

"A total conniving bitch?" Ororo offered with a smirk.  Jean smiled and nodded,

"I'm sorry Roro, I don't know what came over me.  I guess I am used to getting attention and then you were shining so I tried to catch whatever attention I could.  Good or bad, mostly bad.   I have been scared and anxious lately, like everyone is going to leave me or forget about me.  Like when I was a teenager, its crazy I know!  But can you ever forgive me?"

"Yes I can, but you need to apologize to Logan.  It was really cruel what you did to him, he felt horrible," Ororo explained and hugged her friend, "He really is a great person and could use more interactions and friends right now.  Just give him a chance Jean, please?"

"I will apologize right afterwards and try to get to know him better," Jean promised, "But I wanted to tell you something, when he was feral his mental defenses were down, and he..."  Ororo held up a hand to stop her,

"you should keep what you accidentally learned to yourself, it is privileged.  Okay?  I trust him, it wasn't illegal was it?"  Jean shook her head and smiled,

"How did you get so smart and mature?"  Ororo laughed and shrugged as Jean went looking for Logan so she could apologize and hopefully start over.  Ororo went on, out the patio door and to her greenhouse, she spent the afternoon watering her plants and singing to them.  She finally finished and stood up wiping the sweat from her forehead from the beaming summer sun.  She suddenly felt someone watching her and grew anxious, so she quickly left her greenhouse.  Her nerves had her looking about, but she saw nothing.

"Hey Roro wanna play volleyball?" Kitty called out.  She was playing with Marie, Bobby, and Peter, Ororo declined and kept walking briskly to the house.  As she entered the kitchen her heart was racing and head pounding.  Logan and Jean were talking at the bar counter, lost in a conversation and each other it seemed.  Jean had a hand on his arm and Logan rubbed it softly with his hand, they looked so intimate.  Ororo felt a pang in her chest when Logan looked up and pulled away from Jean, who stepped closer to him then looked over her shoulder.

Scott looked up to greet Ororo, and rushed over at seeing her drawn face.  Ororo was grateful for the distraction and let Scott lead her into the kitchen.  Jean blushed as her eyes met Ororo's hurt ones, but as Scott attended to Ororo she felt triumphant.  Jean turned back to Logan, pissed he was watching the interaction between Ororo and Scott.

"Roro?  Are you okay, you look shook up?" Scott asked, he hugged her as Jean and Logan approached.  Ororo looked at Logan and he automatically rubbed her shoulder,

"I was working in my greenhouse and finished, but it felt like someone was watching me.  I did not see anyone or anything but I hurried back.  I think you should check the perimeter, just to be safe."  Scott and Logan looked at each other then headed out the door.  Jean hugged Ororo and sat her at the counter,

"Roro your shaking!  You shouldn't be out there alone anyway, god I hope no one is out there.  Logan can take care of any threat it seems."  Ororo nodded and stilled as she saw a hickey on Jean's creamy neck, her heart drop knowing Scott would never do that Jean.  He didnt want to "flaunt" their relationship and saw hickeys as something degrading or animalistic.  She pulled Jean's collar over to cover it and Jean blushed deep red as Ororo just looked out the door.  Jean's heart raced as Ororo just sat quietly, she couldn't read Ororo's mind since puberty and it had always hurt her.  Even though deep down she knew it wasn't on purpose or voluntary.  

But Jean knew she was hurting over Logan, Jean couldn't help but feel satisfied at that.  They both watched the male team members look about the perimeter, then soon returnwith all the kids in tow.  "Did you find something?"  They shook their heads,

"Thank god, I must have been anxious!  Thank you for checking though.  I am going to go lie down I don't feel well, Jean can you cook dinner tonight?  I think I shall turn in early."

"Are you sure, I can keep you company?  Let me at least check you out..." Jean rambled as she tried to hug her.  Ororo put up a hand and Jean brought her hand back,

"I'm quite fine just shook up, I just need some space.  And I am sorry if I bit your neck too hard, I was just playing around."  Jean rubbed her neck and nodded, as Logan stilled and tried to catch 'Ro's eyes.  He knew she knew he had done it, yet she was woman enough to cover for her friend, and him.  God knew they didn't deserve it, but he knew it would help cool down whatever  had been growing between them since he arrived.  But it didn't ease the sickness or pain in his stomach any.

"Ouch, quit trying to bite my girl," Scott joked and Ororo smiled as she left.  Once her back was turned, Logan could smell the salt in the air and knew she was crying.  Logan looked at her retreating form as a pair of unseen eyes watched the x team from the woods.

TBC