Primal Urges

Part Twelve

It takes more strength than Ororo knew she had to let Hank in the room…even though he actually looks like an overstuffed member of ‘Monsters Inc’…

He started in the back of the room, but as the time progressed with him in there, she let him come nearer.

Soon, she let him sit right next to the bed, but he didn’t push it.

“I know this took a lot out of you, Ororo…I appreciate your effort.” Hank tells her as their conversation ends. She shakes her head, “It’s more to it that this…I have to fight back, I have to stop hurting Logan. This isn’t just for me…this is for us.”

“What do you mean?” he asks.

“I love him, Hank…he is my mate. We claimed each other weeks ago, before all this…even though we didn’t make it official. He stayed by my side through my crying, screaming, pain, and anguish…he bore it all and all I could do is scream at him. I want…no, need him in my life and I know he needs me. It’s going to take everything in me, in the both of us, to overcome what Creed has done. We’re better than that…”

Hank nods, “Very well put, but you have an uphill battle with Logan. He opened his heart and got hurt, by the one who said she would never do it…he’s been lied to more times than I can count.”

Ororo gives him a hurt look, “I know and I have never been so sorry…you have to help me, Hank. I can’t lose him…I won’t lose him.”

Hank nods, “Okay, Ororo. I’ll do what I can…”

“Good, can you tell Logan to come here?”

He nods as he stands, lightly touching her hand before he leaves. Ororo sighs, fully prepared now for what she wants to do…but a little apprehensive because she’s not sure how her body is going to react.

Within moments, Logan comes in, “Hey, ya’ wanted ta’ see me?”

“Yes, can you help me to walk?”

He gulps, “Are ya’ sure you want me ta’ help you? Hank was here, or maybe Scott?”

Ororo smiles, “I want you to help me…please?”

It has been close to two months since he has been able to touch her, even in the littlest way. Walking slowly, Logan comes over as she swings her legs over the side of the bed. He ignores the sensual pull of mocha skin peeking out from under her gown. As she settles her feet on the floor, he looks behind herand notices the open backed gown. Not able to handle seeing more bare skin, he asks her, “Do ya’ want me ta’ get ya’ a robe?”

Ororo feels the light breeze against her back, “Yes, there is one behind the door…Jean got it for me a little while ago.” He moves away and grabs the light blue robe from the hook, bringing it back for her to put on. His fingers are trembling…he’s still not sure that she’s going to let him do this.

She is fighting the fear of letting him touch her…the war of that fervent desire to have him do it and the need to get him away battling fiercely. Finally, Ororo has the robe around her and she looks up at him, “Okay…I’m ready.”

He comes over and takes her arm…she seems okay, so he places his hand around her waist to help her up. As his body comes close, her mind reverts back to that cave…the hair covering the arm is golden instead of midnight. Her mind continues to seize as she remembers the taunting voice, sharp claws, and rotting breath. Her breath catches and she starts to panic…Ororo jerks her arm away, pushing against him, trying to get him away…a shriek building in her throat. Instinctively, Logan knew she was going to do this, but that little bit of hope that won’t fucking die was doing exactly that…hoping. He backs off, a defeated expression on his face, “Well…that does it. I’ve gotta go…I can’t do this…”

She watches him start to leave…while she is trying her hardest to calm herself down.

“Logan!” she finally forces out. He stops, but does not turn around…his heart shattering a little more. Ororo calls out again, “Logan, please…I’m trying…dear Goddess, I’m trying. Please, don’t leave…don’t leave me. I want to beat this…I want you to hold me again. I am trying so hard…please.” Her tears fall as she pounds on the bed.
He turns to look at her, not sure what to do. A part of him wants to run as far as he can from her…but the more sensible part wants to be able to hold her again as well. “’Ro…I know this is hard for ya’…it’s hard fer me, too. But, I can’t continue ta’ take ya’ lookin’ at me like I’m him…it’s killin’ me, ‘Ro.”

She looks at him and sees his face contort with pain…'oh Goddess…'

“Mpenzi…” she whispers and his eyes meet hers. A long moment passes…

“Koibito…”

“Oh, Goddess…” Ororo cries as she holds her arms out to him. It takes only a second for him to move over to her and sit on the bed next to her. Slowly, gently…he takes her in his arms and holds her close. A wave of fear grips her and she starts to push away, but he holds on…whispering his name for her again. Ororo sobs, lowering her face into his shoulder…clinging tight. Logan lets out a sigh of relief as he softly strokes her hair…she cries out her joy into his strong chest.

Jean comes into the lab to hear Ororo’s crying and she fears that another session in trying to get closer to Logan has failed. She cautiously heads over to the room, but when she looks in, she’s met by the best thing she’s seen since this whole ordeal has started…

There…at the edge of the bed are Logan and Ororo, hugging each other like they will never let go…again. She smiles, but doesn’t disturb them…this has been a long time coming.



They never got to walking; they just stay in the room and talk. They realize that the one thing they were always good at, the one thing that made their relationship so easy was the one thing they had not done. Ororo slowly started to open up about how she felt while she was in the cave, how she blamed him for it, but most of all…she told him how she felt that up until he came for her, she wanted to die. Ororo wanted to stop her pain and prevent any from happening to him…she hadn’t really thought of him coming, but she continuously told Creed that Logan was the better man.

Logan’s face shudders as he listens to her tell her tale of horror, “My God, ‘Ro…I’m so fuckin’ sorry…I…”

She takes his hand…her fear dissipating, “I think we have done enough apologizing to last us into eternity…I know you are, I am too. We didn’t do this…he did! We can’t let him win, Logan…this is why I am fighting so hard. When we first told each other how we felt, I knew what you had done…you had staked your claim…”

Logan’s eyes widen, “How did ya’ know that?”

She smiles, “Because I felt the same way…we may not have officially sealed it, but we are a part of each other. I need you…as much as you need me. I couldn’t keep pushing you away.”

Logan stands and moves over to the window…his heart leaping for joy with the words…

His mate…

“We still have to take this slow…I don’t want ya’ ta’ do this ta’ make me feel better…I wan’cha to want this as much I do.” He turns to face her, “I’m here ta’ help ya’…but I have ta’ tell ya’ I almost wasn’t…” Logan waits for a reaction, but she just sits intently listening. “Chuck and Hank had ta’ stop me…I was gonna leave. I couldn’t take not being able ta’ be near ya’ without ya’ thinkin’ I was as bad as Creed. The Professor told me if I helped ya’, I could leave once ya’ were back to normal.”

Ororo looks at him closely, “So, you made the deal? Are you going to keep it?”

His eyes never waver, “Ya’ know I wouldn’t lie ta’ ya’…no, I think I’ve gotten back my reason ta’ stay.”

Her eyes brighten up for the first time since all this began…”A new beginning, then?”

The man known as Wolverine smiles back, “Yeah, a new beginning…”




Things at the mansion are starting to get back to normal…the kids in the house have been informed that Ms. Munroe is on the mend and will be back in the classroom before they know it. For the most part they were happy about that, but those that know about the homework she loves to give hopes for a few more weeks off.

As far as the rest were concerned, Ororo had been tortured, which would be a good enough excuse to explain any scars she may have once completely healed…it would be left up to her to explain any farther.

Rogue and Remy have become thicker than thieves since their little romp down on the lower levels. Now that they have a secret to share, they have been getting to know each other a lot better, much to the chagrin of one Bobby Drake. Even though his attentions have since drifted from Marie…it’s bothering the hell out of him that she found someone new, and in a relatively short time. They both have kept their word to Ororo…neither has said a word on her condition and for that, they have been able to visit her when they felt they needed to. Rogue, most times, visited to speak about her growing affection for Remy. She knew the easier person to talk to would be Ororo…Logan would probably want to take the kid’s head off!

So a little more time passes…Logan and Ororo are getting along a lot better than before, but she is still wary of any close contact for long periods of time. But he doesn’t mind now…her gentle glances and sweet words soothe that damaged beast when those bouts of fear strike her.

On this day, she wants to try to get around, so she calls for him again…

“Logan, I think I can do it this time…” she insists, but he holds back, “Don’t rush yourself…”

“I am tired of being in this bed! Please help me…” Ororo pleads and he nods. He grabs her robe first to let her put on, then as he waits for her to get ready…he braces himself for another panic attack. When she gives the nod, Logan comes over to take her hand, then slowly wraps his arm around her waist. Ororo stiffens a bit, but tries to relax when he helps her to her feet. As the blood rushes back into her limbs, she feels a little light-headed…slumping against him. To anyone else, she may be quite a bit to handle…but to Logan, she’s nothing but a feather. She tries to clear her head, not quite realizing that she is leaning against Logan…but once she does, she just looks at him. Any overwhelming trace of fear has disappeared and she starts to totally relax against him.

Logan smiles at her, “That’s ma’ girl…” he says softly.

Nodding, she pushes back a little so that she can stand straight up. He holds her steady as Ororo places one foot in front of the other…occasionally stumbling as she attempts to get her legs back. They make it across the room when she asks him to stop, “I think that’s far enough today…I’m winded.”

“Wanna walk back?” Logan asks her and she nods, so they make their slow trek back to the bed…just to have her flop down on it face first. He laughs as she turns her head to look at him, “You think this is funny, huh?” as she fights her way into a more dignified position. Logan can’t help but laugh as the robe twists around her, revealing more of her soft skin. Instantly, his body reacts and he steps back a little…the grin slowly leaving his face. Once Ororo has righted herself, all of her shapely legs are showing…giving him a slight glimpse of the hidden area between them. His mouth goes dry as his arousal flames quicker than he can control it. She looks up to see why Logan has stopped laughing and is taken aback by the naked hunger in his eyes. Fear registers so she quickly covers up, bringing his attention back to her face. The animal quickly retreats when he sees the panic on her features.

“Oh jeez, ‘Ro…I’m sorry. I can’t help it…yer so damn beautiful,” he murmurs but he keeps his distance. Ororo looks at him with a confused look on her face, not sure how she should be acting. He pulls up a chair to take a seat, “Ya’ know…this is one thing we haven’t talked about at all.”

She looks down, “I know…”

“I’m not gonna lie to ya’, darlin’…there is nothin’ in this world I’d love more than to be able to make love to ya’ right now…but that’s not even an option at this point.” Logan gently reaches out to tip her face up to his, “No matter what’s happened, you’ve been and always will be the most beautifully, exotic woman I’ve ever had the luck to meet, let alone be in love with. I don’t know what it is about ya’, but I can be patient…wait for ya’ ta’ decide what it is ya’ really want.”

The mere idea of physical sex with Logan is even more terrifying than to have him just touch her. It’s a heady sensation to be scared, yet eager for such a sensual experience. Her heart knows that he wouldn’t hurt her, ever…but her mind is still fighting off images of that rutting bastard that violated her so brutally.

Another small step…one more small step she has to take before she can really be on the mend.

She looks at him, wishing more than anything that she could ease both their yearnings and submit to the bliss she remembers feeling under his skilled touch. “Logan, you have been more than patient with me already…to have you wait more for something you have more than deserved isn’t fair to you…”

“And it ain’t ta’ ya’, either. Everything has been changed for ya’…been made nasty and repulsive when that couldn’t be further from the truth. Ya’ deserve ta’ be cherished, loved, and made whole again…I can only hope that ya’ let me show ya’ that.” Logan returns. He shakes his head though as he realizes how he sounds, “If ya’ ever tell anyone I sound like this, I’ll have ya’ committed!”

Ororo laughs, “It will never pass my lips that Wolverine is a gentleman under all that rudeness and gruff.”

Logan smiles at her as her eyes twinkle.

“Your eyes…they have that glow again…” he says reverently and she touches his cheek, feeling his smooth jaw tremble with her touch. “Because of you…it has returned, mpenzi.”

“Naw…ya’ve done most of the work, darlin’. Ya’ hadta fight through this…” he says shaking his head. The feral stands suddenly, “Well, I think I should letcha get some rest…I’ll be back later…”

“You promise?” she asks, yawning.

“Promise…now get some sleep.” Logan kisses her gently on the forehead before letting her snuggle down into the covers.



Logan makes his way back up to the main hall, heading to Xavier’s office. He hears voices inside, so he enters quietly. When he steps in, he sees Hank, Scott, Jean, Rogue, and even that kid Remy sitting around Xavier’s desk having some sort of intense pow-wow.

“Can anyone join, or is it invitation only?” Logan asks jokingly. They all turn with somber looks on their faces and Logan’s demeanor changes, “What’s wrong?”

“We have new intell about Stryker and Sabretooth. It seems as if they have been gathering information about only the female members of the X-Men. I was able to capture the thoughts of one mutant that has been working at Alkali Lake and the name Dr. Schmidt came up. He is the foremost expert on…”

His hands itching, Logan steps forward menacingly, “An expert in what?”

“Gene splicing and reproductive medicine. It seems as if Stryker is looking for a subject for a new experiment dealing on those topics.” Xavier sees the eyes on Logan darken…recognition appearing in his face. He comes over to the desk and stares at all the people looking at him. “Ya’ mean ta’ tell me that the whole reason for all this was ta’ find someone to purposely get pregnant with some crap they’re mixing up?! And with Stryker, they have more than enough mutant DNA on file to create with?!”

His blood is boiling now…the evidence being the claws sliding out of his hands. Everyone in the room was shocked with the information, but Logan…he is outright livid.

“Unfortunately, that isn’t all. Stryker still wants his subject and has planned to dispatch Wraith and Sabretooth to bring her in.”

Logan’s face turns white, “Whaddya mean ‘bring her in’?! He’s sending that asshole out for ‘Ro again?!” Hank jumps up to grab Logan before he launches himself on something.

“Logan, I understand your anger…but save it for later, we have to figure out what to do…”

He shakes Hank off, “What ta’ do?! She’s suffered enough because of them! I know what ta’ do…” the adamantium claws shine in the dim light as a reminder of what the Wolverine can do. The sentiment is shared by everyone in the room…

Xavier comes from behind the desk and over to a raging Logan, “There may be one thing in our favor…Stryker doesn’t seem to know what exactly happened in that cave…he gave specific instructions to leave the subject untouched so that there would be no unforeseen problems with any insemination.”

A furious roar erupts from Logan as Hank tries to hold him back. This is too much! Logan struggles against the burly mutant to get out the room…to go somewhere, actually to find Creed…

“Logan, look…we all feel the same way ya’ do. I wanna go afta’ them ma’self, but we gotta think this through. We can’t let ‘em get her an’ we gotta figure out how they gonna do it.” Rogue says soothingly. Even with the heavy panting, Logan begins to calm down.

Remy takes all this in…trying to start forming a plan. Maybe I ‘kin help in some way…

Scott actually wants to cut Logan loose…let him enter into one of his berserker rages and take out the whole compound. They would deserve it…and he would be the right man to do it. But, common sense prevails and he sits silent…waiting to see what damn idea they can come up with to keep Storm safe.

“She has just started to walk again, and her powers…I’m afraid of the day that she actually lets them loose, she’s had them suppressed for so long. “ Jean states, “I don’t want to submit her to anymore trauma before it’s necessary. The main thing we need to know is how much longer is Stryker going to wait before they come after her again?”

Xavier shakes his head, “We don’t know yet, but we have to assume that the timeline will be considerably shorter now that they have lost what they were looking for, namely Ororo…he will want to rush the results once they get her back.” He turns to look at everyone in the room, “We have to stay on full alert until this passes. I will continue to monitor Cerebro for any more information…Scott, you and Hank send probes out to Alkali Lake. I want as much information as possible on the equipment they have to use and any other precautions we need to take.” Xavier looks pointedly at Jean and Rogue, “I want you to find out more information about this Dr. Schmidt; how long he has been working with Stryker and what procedures he is known for.”

Finally, he looks back at Logan, who has finally calmed completely down. “I think you should be the one to tell Storm what we found out.” Logan stares at him, “She’s just started to be able to take me being around her, now ya’ want me to remind her that she’s still in danger?!”

“She will be able to take it from you…” Xavier reassures him while he shakes his head. “Logan, you are the only one that can make her feel safe…you are the only one that she wants to make her feel safe.”

Logan frowns, “Damn ya’, Chuck…just goddamn ya’!”

As everyone stands to leave, the feral mutant moves over to the window, staring out over the grounds. His inner beast starts to crawl around to be let go into that air and freedom, but he has more important things to do. Xavier comes over to him, “I have to apologize to you, Logan…”

“What fer?”

“For tricking you into staying here for Ororo’s sake. I did the same thing Jean had done so many months ago, and I know you resented that. It wasn’t fair for me to play on your heart, and I’m truly sorry.” Xavier explains. He watches as Logan just continues to stare out into the sky.

“I knew what ya’ were doing…fer once, I didn’t mind. Ya’ were right…I do love her and want’er well.” Logan says quietly. He looks down at the Professor to continue, “I didn’t wanna have ta’ tell ‘er so soon about…her condition. I didn’t wanna be the one ta’ break her heart some more, but I hafta’ if she hasta’ know about this.”

“I’m sorry, Logan…I truly am.”

“Yeah, everyone’s sorry…but no one knows howta’ stop.” Logan finishes as he heads out the room. Xavier looks on, wishing he had chosen a different way to do this…Logan has had enough.



Logan comes back down to the room, only to find her sleeping. Quietly, he moves to sit beside her. I can wait for her ta’ wake up…no need ta’ bother her now…

He pulls a chair next to the bed and gets comfortable…lying his head beside her on the bed. He could use a nap, too.



“Logan…Logan, wake up.”

Logan lifts his head groggily, wiping his eyes as he tries to focus his sight on the room around him. The first thing he sees is a pair of glittering blue eyes smiling down at him. He can’t help but to smile back, “Hey there, gorgeous,” he murmurs as he sits up to stretch.

“Hey there yourself, handsome,” Ororo returns and he raises his brows at her.

“Handsome, huh? Another first…”

She chuckles, “How can anyone not see that?” This playful banter has him feeling good, but the talk that the team had earlier comes back to him and his face falls…and she comments. “What’s wrong, Logan?”
He sighs as he takes her hand, hating what he has to do, “’Ro…Chuck found out some things while he was probing with Cerebro, and it ain’t good.”

“What is it? Please tell me…” Ororo asks. He squeezes her hand tighter, “Darlin’, it ain’t over yet…they’re still planning on comin’ fer ya’.”

Her hand flies to her throat…her breath suddenly labored, “Why…why do they still want me…oh Goddess…” Logan sees her begin to panic…those fucking thoughts of Creed must be coming back to her. He reaches out to her instinctively, pulling her close to comfort her…and she lets him. He kisses the top of her head as he talks softly to her, “What Creed did was not what was ordered…he did that jus’ ta’ get me and for that I’m gonna kill ‘im…but Stryker wants you for an experiment of insemination…” Her head pops up at that and Logan hates himself for the next thing he has to say.

“I didn’t wanna tell ya’ this until I really hadta’, but ya’ need ta’ know. Everyone’s doing what they can ta’ protect ya’, but even if they get their hands on ya’, it won’t matter…Creed…he…he…”

She sees that it’s hard for him to tell her…his arms tightening as he tries to force it out. Ororo places her hand on his cheek, saying, “I can take it, Logan…please tell me.”

“You can’t have kids, ‘Ro…he damaged ya’ uterus. Jean said that even if ya’ heal properly…the chance is near impossible.” He waits to see what she does…she pushes back from him and sits back. Ororo stares into the room as if in a trance…then a wind starts to blow. Her eyes slowly begin to turn white and her hands flex out as if she were shocked. A low keen escapes her throat while the objects in the room start to move from the wind.

“’Ro! ‘Ro! I’m here, darlin’…ya’ gotta calm down! C’mon, baby…please!” Logan calls as the sound in the room is amplified by her pain. Weeks of anguish and suppression start to flow out of her as the room becomes a war zone with things flying around and damaging sensitive equipment. Logan grabs her, holding her to him as he tries to calm her down. “’Ro…I’m here, I’m here…it doesn’t matter ta’ me, yer what matters…please darlin’. I promise, once ya’ can walk outta here, I’ll take ya’ somewhere ya’ can be free…I promise, but not now. Please…” he murmurs the same soothing words over and over again, rubbing her back and keeping her close. Soon, the winds subside and the flying objects fall to the floor. Deep heaving sobs come out of her before a yell of pure pain…one that brings Jean, Hank and Scott running. They come in to a wreck of a room…and two people sitting in the middle of it, clinging to each other.

Jean asks Logan, “What happened?”

“I hadta’ tell her, Jeannie…because of the situation, I hadta’ tell her.” Logan answers quietly.

They all look at the sobbing woman in his arms and all they want to do is destroy everything threatening her. “Why her? Why did this have to happen to her?” Jean asks as she breaks down as well, turning her head into Scott’s shoulder. He kisses her temple, “I don’t know Jean, but as long as she has us…she’ll make it.”
Hank stares at them for a second before adding, “As long as she has him, she’ll make it. Whether we are here or not, she has chosen her lifeline…her mate.”

“What? Mate?” Jean inquires as she lifts up to wipe her eyes.

Hank nods, “Yes, that is how she put it to me…her mate, as primal as Logan can be at times, so is she. They understand each other and know what the other needs. She told me that they committed to each other before all this happened…if not officially….”

“What do you mean, officially? He didn’t give her a ring?” Scott asks and Hank has to smile…he would find it hard to understand.

“No…” Hank starts to explain, “In the animal world, when a wolverine claims a mate, they bite the neck of their intended while they are copulating…the mark being their symbol of eternal devotion and love, so to speak. They never got that far, but the decision has been made.”

“That is savage!” the young man exclaims and Jean hits him for it…speaking in their defense, “To them, it’s as natural as breathing and as binding as a wedding ring, even more so. If I understand it, she’ll carry his scent from that point on…making her his.”

“That was what Creed was trying to do to hurt Logan, stake his claim and leave his scent…but because of the inhibitor, he couldn’t leave his mark so she is still free,” adds Hank. Scott shakes his head…all of this is like a lesson on Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom!

“Nice to know we’re such a popular topic of discussion…” a low growl says. They look over at Logan and he’s staring at them intently…so is Ororo. They all look sheepishly at the pair before Ororo speaks, “Brilliant explanation, Henry…couldn’t have explained it better myself!” She looks up at Logan tenderly before resting her head on his shoulder…and Scott finally gets it.

She has made her choice…and as significantly as can possibly be done…

Her choice is Wolverine.