Stranger than Fiction

The trip Matthew had planned to take with just Rogue had suddenly grew to everyone in the institute say for Hank who chose to stay behind. Even Xavier had come along. As everyone entered the mall the guys went off in one crowd while the girls went off in another.

"I refuse to go into such a place." Storm said

"Fine then you stay out here." Wanda said

"I don't even see the reason you wish to buy such things." Storm said looking to the group of girls

"Because it makes us irresistible to horny guys now come on." Tabby said

"I refuse to be seen in such a place now let go of my arm Tabitha." Storm said as Tabby tried to drag her into Victoria's secret

"Like come on Ro If you put one of these on Logan won't be able to resist you!" Kitty said grabbing Storm's other arm and dragging her into the store

"I do not need to use such scandalous apparel to attract a man." Storm said sounding annoyed as they dragged her into the store

"There is a difference between looking like a slut and looking attractive Ororo." Jean said

"She's right you don't have to walk out with a crotchless pair of panties on and a whip in your hand. Just get some pretty underwear if that will make you feel better. You need to anyway I don't think Logan would find those granny panties you wear to sexy." Jubilee said grabbing a matching pair of Bra and panties and throwing them at Storm

"For the last time Jubilee We are not together. And I do not wear Granny panties..." Storm said trying her best to control her emotions

"Close enough. Hot girls like us are supposed to wear thongs and G-strings. Oh this is hot get this!" Tabby said throwing a rather tiny undergarment at Storm

"This looks classy yet sexy too you should get this." Jean said throwing another pair of undergarments at Storm

"Whoa I am getting this for myself." Rogue said with a smirk as she picked up a matching thong and bra set

"Oh this is cute you should get this Ororo." Kitty said throwing another undergarment at Storm

"My goodness you people actually wear this stuff? How can you even breathe in these things?" Amara said looking at a rather small piece of lingerie

"Children please!" Storm Yelled. A loud crack of thunder was heard outside following her outburst

Jubilee nearly jumped out of her clothes from the loud crack of thunder. All the other girls of the institute stopped and just looked at Storm.

"Whoa Like calm down Ro we are just trying to help ya know!" Kitty said crossing her arms

".. I know that Kitty but I have already told all of you I do not wish to court Logan in such a manner." Storm said calming herself

"This isn't to court him Ororo this is for when you two finally get busy!" Tabby said with a smirk

"Tabitha!" Storm said looking shocked

"Oh stop like you haven't thought about it. I think all of us have though about humping him at least once. I know I have." Tabby said now smiling

"Ew Tabby that's gross!" Kitty said curling her nose

"Oh yeah like you haven't thought about fucking him!" Tabby said still smiling

"I..uh....your nasty!" Kitty said blushing

"Tabitha language! This is a public place and such language is not tolerated. As for what you said I do not allow myself to have such thoughts. It is disrespectful of Logan and of our friendship." Storm said

"You know you really need to loosen up." Tabby said

"Tabby is right ya know you totally need to loosen up Ro. Come on you should be like all happy and bubbly now that you and Logan know how you feel about each other." Kitty said

"I am happy.....I just don't think it would be wise for us to jump into a more personal relationship at the moment. I want to make sure our feelings have truly moved beyond friendship first." Storm said Looking at Kitty

" Ohh....Well, you still need to get all this just in case" Kitty said with a wink

Storm cracked a faint smile.

"All right I will buy these but I am not going to wear them to try and seduce Logan." Storm said walking to the dressing room

"She is such a damn liar." Tabby said


"Chuck You know I respect you right?" Logan asked looking to his old friend

"Of course Logan. Why do you ask?"

"Because if you don't pick out a damn book in the next ten minutes I'm kicking your ass." Logan said with a scowl

The Professor cracked a smile. They had been in the book store for over thirty minutes while the Professor looked at everything from science fiction novels to poetry. Logan had already picked out three Tom Clancy novels as well as two new unarmed combat manuals. Even though he already had almost every book on the subject in this collection. His reason was simple "I might have missed something."

"I am simply looking for something to help pass the time while the student's return to school." The Professor said

"Come on Chuck you got a big ass library at the mansion I am sure you got something in there you can read." Logan said

"To be quite honest with you Logan I have already read every book there at least three times... I am getting rather bored with them. Ah this looks interesting." Xavier said looking over a book

"What is it?" Logan asked trying to see the cover

"A study into human evolution and theories on what may have caused the "mutant phenomenon." Doesn't seem to be a form of propaganda as so many of the other books on the subject are...I think will get this....Yes I am ready now Logan." The Professor said handing the book to Logan.

"About damn time Chuck. The others done took off fifteen minutes ago. We better hurry and find them before they cause any trouble." Logan said as he paid for the books

"They will not cause any problems. We have taught them better than that." The Professor said as he sent out a mental call for Scott

"Yeah I know that I wasn't talking about them Chuck. I was talking about those dumb ass mutant haters. Not to mention Matthew ain't exactly a turn the other cheek kind of guy." Logan said as they walked out of the store and headed for one of the wheelchair friendly elevators

"That was only one incident Logan. He knows he will be punish if he responds in a violent manner to such an occurrence.... Ah they are at the food court .... Seems however Matthew has gone off on his own. He must be buying another gift for Rogue." The Professor said with a slight smile

"You still ain't able to get in his head are you?" Logan asked as they entered the food court

"No, Not that it really bothers me. It's nice to have a conversation with someone without knowing what they will say next. " Xavier said

"What you don't enjoy what I got in my head?" Logan asked with a grin

"....... I don't think Storm would appreciate you thinking of her in that way Logan." Xavier said with a slightly shocked look on his face

"Hey that wasn't an invitation Chuck!" Logan said with a scowl

"I hear the two of you are pondering what to do with your relationship now. I must say I am rather relieved the two of you told each other. I was about to play matchmaker if neither one of you confessed your feelings. And with my track record I am sure it would have went quite well." Xavier said with a smile

"Yeah you got Rogue a nice boyfriend. Don't let it go to your head. Last thing we need is you getting a big ego." Logan said smiling too

"There you are! Took you two long enough!" Scott said when he saw Logan

"Don't look at me it was Chuck's fault." Logan said sitting down at one of the many tables the guys were sitting at

"Where is Matthew?" Xavier asked moving his chair to into the middle of the men of the institute

"He went to get some clothes for school. I think he went to get Rogue something too." Kurt said before taking a huge bite of his third big Mac

"I see. Ah here come the others." The Professor said as the ladies of the institute came into view

Logan looked at Storm and glanced at the bags she was holding. Then took a doubletake

*Who the hell got her to go into Victoria's secret?… Why the hell did she even go in there .... oh* Logan thought to himself

Storm quickly handed her bags to Kitty who rolled her eyes but took them anyway. Storm went and sat down beside Logan as the rest of the girls went off to sit with themselves. Much to the disappointment of the guys.

"You really called him?!" Jean asked looking very surprised

"Yeah...." Rogue said

"But I thought you said he didn't want you to talk to him anymore." Jean said

"Well, That's what I thought but me and Matt got to talking last night and the next thing I know he kinda points out that it was probably Mystique that said that stuff to me. I would have been able to figure it out myself if her damn mind wasn't such a fucking mess. Anyway I called him and it turns out Matthew was right." Rogue said looking angry

"Forget if he was right or not tell us what Cody said!" Jubilee said

"He said he missed me and wanted to know if I was coming down around there anytime soon." Rogue said looking at Jubilee

"Awww That's sweet. Are you going to stop by on your way to New Orleans?" Kitty asked

"I want to yeah But if I do he might do something stupid." Rogue said

"You mean stupid as in try and get you in the sack?" Tabby asked

"Yeah pretty much ...... He sounded real pissed when I told him about Matthew so he must still have the hots for me. If I show up I am sure he will try something to get me to be with him." Rogue said frowning

"He might but he can't touch your or anything and I know you wouldn't go for it Right?… Right?" Jean asked raising a brow

"God no! I love Matthew and I would never do something like that to him!" Rogue said

"I just asked you don't have to knock my head off Rogue." Jean said

"Sorry...." Rogue said

"Speaking of Matthew, Did any of you see him on our way over here?" Wanda asked looking around

"I didn't see him." Kitty said

"I am going to go look for him. Watch my bags" Rogue said before getting up and walking off


Rogue walked around the mall twice but couldn't find Matthew. She was just about to give up when she saw him in Kay's jewelers.

* Oh my god what is he doing in there?! ... He must be getting my birthday present already. Shit I better head back to the food court before he sees me or before I see what he gets me. * Rogue thought to herself as she turned around and walked off at a fast clip to the food court


*Shit was that Marie? ... Dammit I hope she didn't see what I got her ... * Matthew thought as he caught a glimpse of Rogue in the crowd of people outside the jewelry store.

"Thank you for your purchase. I am sure she will love it very much." The clerk said as she handed Matthew a small black bag

"I hope so." Matthew said walking out of the store

On their way back to the food court the couple bumped into each other. Matthew quickly put the bag in his pocket and Rogue acted like she didn't see him do it.

"Damn you sure did get a bunch of clothes Matt." Rogue said looking at the large number of bags Matthew was holding with ease.

"Well, I only got three pairs of pants and six T-shirts at home so I got as much as I could afford .... I also got you some stuff. You know since you lost the clothes I bought for you.. Here." Matthew said handing Rogue three large bags

"Matthew I told you I hate gifts... What did ya get me?" Rogue asked trying to look through the bags

"Oh this and that. Where are the others?" Matthew asked as the walked beside each other

"I left them at the food court they probably done took of to go shopping again though." Rogue said

The couple walked to the food court and just as Rogue thought everyone but Xavier, Logan, Storm, and Jean had went to finish their shopping. Xavier was looking over the book he had purchased. Logan and Storm were talking while Jean was sitting at the end of the table with a large number of bags around her.

"What the hell are you doing?" Matthew asked looking at Jean

"I am the one they picked to guard the bags." Jean said looking slightly annoyed

"Ohh.. Sorry about that." Rogue said sitting down in front of Jean and putting the bags Matthew handed her on the table

"You might want to wait till we get home to look in that one," Matthew whispered in Rogue's ear when she started to open one bag

Rogue raised her brows in a look of shock.

"You better not have got anything kinky Matthew.." Rogue whispered back

"No ... it's just I want you to wait till we get home for you to look at the stuff I bought you .. Is that OK?" Matthew whispered back

"Ok.. But can I at least look at one of them?" Rogue said no longer whispering

"Yeah here." Matthew said taking a bag and pulling out another smaller bag inside of it

"What's this... Damn ....." Rogue said as she opened the bag and looked inside

"Do you like it?" Matthew asked looking slightly nervous

"Let me see what it is first Matthew." Rogue said taking out a jewelry box

"Oh he got you jewelry!" Jean said smiling

Rogue opened the box and smiled brightly. Inside was a ring and earring set that matched the necklace Matthew had bought her.

"Thank you Matthew I love it!" Rogue said before kissing him

"I would have gotten that when I got the necklace but I thought it would have been a little bit of an overkill." Matthew said smiling

"What did he get you let me see." Jean said

"Here look." Rogue said handing Jean the box

"My goodness .. This looks kind of pricey Matthew. Where are you getting all this money?" Jean asked

"Places......" Matthew said

"Matthew where did you get the money?" Rogue asked looking very serious

"From my grandmother's will." Matthew said

"What do you mean? You didn't have any money when you came here." Jean said

"Not that one the one here. She gave me a nice amount of money for when I was supposed to turn eighteen here and since well the Matthew here died they gave it to me. The Professor set me up a bank account a couple of days after I got out of the hospital and my parents moved the money there." Matthew said showing them his debit card

"How much did she give you?" Rogue asked

"...Ten thousand." Matthew said

"HOLY SHIT!" Rogue said with a look of pure surprise

"Oh my god Matthew that's a lot of money. I hope you didn't spend it all here." Jean said looking at all the bags Matthew had

"No, I kept enough of it for when we go to New Orleans. And for other stuff...." Matthew said look at Rogue and smiling

"What other stuff?" Rogue asked when he smiled

"You'll see." Matthew said leaning in and kissing her

"You got something planned don't you?" Rogue asked

"Hmmmm Maybe." Matthew said with a smile

"You are such a devil." Rogue said smiling

"That's why you love me though." Matthew said before kissing Rogue

"Damn straight." Rogue said after Matthew kissed her

"Get a hold of yourself you two. We are in a public place you know." Jean said jokingly

"Yeah We know....Damn I am starving. Want anything to eat ?"Matthew asked looking at the two girls

"I'd like some sweet and sour chicken if it's not to much to ask. Oh and a diet Pepsi." Jean said

"I don't mind..What about you Marie?" Matthew asked getting out of his chair

"What I always get when I come here. Pizza and lots of it. I don't care what kind just get me some." Rogue said

Matthew laughed and walked off. Fifteen minutes Later he walked back with Jean's food and three large pizza boxes. Normally Jean would be shocked by the amount of Food Matthew had with him but she had heard about his high metabolism From Hank this morning and knew that two of those pizza boxes were his. She was however surprised by how much Rogue could eat and yet never seemed to gain a single pound. While Jean herself had to watch every bit of food she had or she would blow up like a balloon.

"Thank you Matthew." Jean said taking her food with a friendly smile

"Hey thanks Matt. What kind did you get me? Oh supreme!" Rogue said smiling as Matthew handed her the pizza in question

"Yep all three of em are supreme... So Jean did Scott say anything to you about Wanda and Todd?" Matthew asked

"Nothing I can say in public." Jean said

"Did he even say why he doesn't want them with us?" Rogue asked

"He just said he didn't trust them. I did manage to talk him into giving them a chance though. So hopefully they don't blow it anytime soon." Jean said

"I am sure Wanda will keep Todd in line." Matthew said eating his food

"She hasn't done anything since she has been here so I am hoping she does keep Todd under control." Jean said

"Todd will play it cool if he comes to stay here. He will probably be to afraid we will kill him if he does anything anyway." Rogue said

"Yeah you are probably right ... Do you think he will try and be friends with you again?" Matthew asked Looking at Rogue

"I think he will try. Then again he might be to scared of you to even look at me with you around ... You aren't going to do anything to him are you?" Rogue asked looking slightly concerned

"No, Why would I? Sure I handed his ass to him at the concert but that was a a whole other story compared to this. I may not really like the guy but If he is willing to do something like this for Wanda I am going to give him a fair chance. I mean I really shouldn't even have a say in the matter. I only been around a little over a month after all. So I am just going to sit this whole thing out I think unless Scott starts acting like a dick again. You're gonna keep a wrap on him right Jean?" Matthew asked

"Yes, He may have said he was going to give them a chance, but I am going to make sure he does. If he doesn't..well let's just say he won't be spending any time alone with me for a while." Jean said with a wink

"Oh Gonna use sex as a weapon huh?" Rogue asked with a smirk

"I prefer to think of it as a deterrent. As in he acts like an ass he doesn't get any of mine." Jean said smiling

"Ahhh I see. Your gonna hold out on the old horndog's treats huh?" Rogue said smiling

"You got it. If nothing works maybe not letting him sleep with me will." Jean said

"It will either work or make him even worse..you know pent up sexual frustration and all that shit. " Matthew said

"Well, Let's just hope it really doesn't come to me having to do that. I know he is at least going to try and give Todd and Wanda a chance so if they play it straight I won't have to do it." Jean said taking a sip of her soda

"I hope not either. I remember how much of a dick he was the first time you held out on him." Rogue said curling her nose before taking a huge bit of pizza

"What? Why did you do that?" Matthew asked looking at Jean

"Why should I tell you?" Jean asked

"I was just curios ..." Matthew said with a shrug

"She didn't let him hump her for like four months after they got caught the first time." Rogue said with a mouth still full of pizza

"Why don't you just tell the whole damn town Rogue." Jean said

"OK..." Rogue said with a smirk then stood up taking in a deep breath

"NO!" Jean said jumping up

"Calm down red I was just fucking with you." Rogue said laughing at Jean's outburst

"That wasn't funny ....." Jean said looking a little angry and even more relieved

"I thought it was." Matthew said with a smirk

"See Matthew thought it was funny." Rogue said sitting back down

"He is supposed to. He's your boyfriend." Jean said now with a faint smile



"Logan why are buying me this?"

"Shit Ro I don't know just felt like it is all... You said you wanted it .... Right?" Logan ask looking up to Storm

"Yes, But that was weeks ago ..... You remember me saying that?" Storm asked now with a smile crossing her face

"Course I do." Logan said with a smirk

"Well, thank you Logan this is very kind of you .." Storm said now with a bright smile

"Your welcome Ro." Logan said as they walked to the counter

Logan placed the item on the counter. It was a very beautiful and also rather expensive set of meditation crystals. Logan himself didn't understand the reason behind needing a "fucking rock" as he put it to meditate. But Ororo used them and she said she really liked the ones he was buying for her right now so he never bothered to ask her. He liked buying her nice things anyway. He always had. He felt any lady used to being worshipped as a goddess deserved to be given gifts worthy of such a title. Even if they were friends and she seen him as an equal. He also found himself looking forward to those moments when her cool exterior cracked when she opened a gift he had gotten her and that beautiful smile of her's crossed her face for just a moment.

Storm was pleasantly surprised to say the least that Logan remembered her mentioning she liked the crystals he was buying for her right now. She had only mentioned she would like to buy them as an afterthought after a conversation on the subject of meditation. Not to mention that said conversation took place over a month ago. The fact he just flat out said" I am getting these for you Ro." Was a pleasant surprise as well. Sure men had bought her gifts before but this was Logan. As long as she had known him she could never once remember Logan buying someone something unless he had to such as for a birthday or holiday even then it was something cheap. Then she remember Logan had always got her nice things for such events. She thought it was just because they were friends but now she wondered just how long he had really cared for her the way he seemed to now show her openly.

"Where to now Logan?" Storm asked as they walked out of the store

"I am going to go buy myself a couple of movies." Logan said as they headed to Suncoast

"What Kind?" Storm asked

"Ain't got a clue. Got myself one of those fancy dvd players. Figured I might as well get me a few before the thing collects to much dust. You want anything here?" Logan asked as they walked into the store

"Not really. You know I am not one for movies or television." Storm said

"Oh yeah.... This looks good." Logan said picking up a boxset

"What is it?" Storm asked looking at the dvd boxset

"Band of Brother's." (1) Logan said looking over the box

"Oh.. That's the mini series you watched right?" Storm asked

"Yeah .... I am going to get this. Brings back memories." Logan said looking like he was thinking about something

"All right but I have to tell you I am not going to watch this with you. You know how I feel about violence." Storm said looking very serious

"Yeah I know you hate war movies." Logan said walking around the store

"It's not the fact I hate them I just don't like the violence in them." Storm said walking behind Logan

"I can understand that...... Oh think I'll get this too." Logan said picking up another box

"What's this one?" Storm asked

"Rambo box set." Logan said

"Don't you ever get anything without guns?" Storm asked

"Not really everything else bores the hell out of me." Logan said with a smirk


"You're really going to get him a gift?"

"Yes, Now help me find him something he will like."

"I don't know what kind of stuff Todd likes." Jubilee said looking through a row of CD's

"Well, He likes rap music .... And porno. But I sure as hell am not getting him a porno so just help me find a nice rap CD." Wanda said looking through another row of CD's

"Well, any idea who he likes?" Jubilee asked looking at Wanda

"No, I fucking hate rap music. And I don't know who he likes because I threw all of his CD's out after he kept me up one night listening to some guy called two packs or some shit like that." Wanda said

"It's two pac not two packs...." Jubilee said laughing

"Whatever.... Wait he said he likes these guys do you think I should get him this one?" Wanda said pulling out a CD and showing it to Jubilee

"Shit yeah OutKast fucking rule!! Oh it's the new one hand me a copy!" Jubilee said reaching past Wanda and grabbing the CD

"You are such a... what's the word? .. Oh yes Spaz." Wanda said at Jubilee's outburst of hyperness

"Oh good picking up on the hip old words now aren't you? Next we have to teach you to talk hip NEW slang words." Jubilee said

"Why the hell can't people our age just talk like everyone else?" Wanda asked

"Because it's not cool. Now why are you getting Todd a gift?" Jubilee asked

"Because I went to see him and he didn't once try to cop a feel on me this morning." Wanda said

"You don't want him to cop a feel? He is your boyfriend He is supposed to feel all over you ." Jubilee said

"I know that... I just don't feel comfortable with that right now..." Wanda said

"Why not? You said you love him so you should be fine with it..wait you weren't messed with in that hospital were you?" Jubilee asked

"GOD NO! I just am not ready to be touched like that yet. I am OK with him kissing me just not that right now. It did feel nice when he squeezed my ass though." Wanda said with a smirk

"Well, at least your boyfriend wants to touch you Evan is fucking nervous as hell when we are alone together. He still hasn't even grabbed my ass or tried to touch my tits when we kiss." Jubilee said looking a little disappointed

"Never knew Evan was like that. The way he was staring at me while I was in that bathing suit I figured he was a horndog just like the rest of them." Wanda said looking a bit surprised

"Well, I thought all guys our age were but I guess not. He must be a virgin or something. I mean he even sucks at kissing for fucks sake. Don't get me wrong I like him but if he doesn't get some balls and try something soon I am going to have to make the first move. All these little friendly kisses and shit just aren't doing it anymore" Jubilee said

"You ever think maybe he wants you to make the first move?" Wanda asked

"Maybe .. Shit that's probably it... Well, I'll just have to find out then won't I?" Jubilee said with a smirk

"Do as you wish just don't give me details...." Wanda said

"I wasn't going to tell you anyway ... Unless it is really good. " Jubilee said with a slight laugh

"I doubt he will be from what I understand virgin men don't have much staying power the first time or two." Wanda said

"Shit you're right ... Damn. Oh well if he really is a virgin I am going to school him in a few things then. You know like how to....." Jubilee said

"I said don't tell me anything damn it!" Wanda said cutting Jubilee off

"Sorry..." Jubilee said





OK I am asking for some major help here people. I need as much info about New Orleans as anyone out there that has been there or lives/lived there. Places you think Matthew and Rogue would like to go to and things like that. Since I have not been there Myself I need everyone's help. This isn't going down now but in my next story so I need as much info as possible so I can mold my next story into something better than this one has turned out. I am sure everyone would love that : )

1. This was the epic miniseries HBO had a while back. It's based on true accounts of a company in World War Two. The Book is also called Band Of Brother's. I love the mini series and plan on getting the book sometime in the future.


There ya go folks Chapter 33. A day out on the town for the whole X-Men crew! I hope everyone liked at least parts of it now don't forget to rate and review!