Stranger than Fiction

"Wow thanks Wanda!"

"I take it you like these?" Wanda asked as Todd hugged her as best he could from his bed

"Hell Yes I do! How did you know to get these?"

Todd asked looking at the three CD's Wanda had brought to him. She had bought him OutKast, DMX, and Ludacris. Todd wasn't a huge fan of OutKast since he liked the harder edged rap and hip hop style of music. He always felt cheered up when he listened to them though. So he was happy she had gotten their new CD for him. He was however a huge fan of DMX and liked Ludacris for his style of rap and his often humorous video's.

"Jubilee helped me out. Are you sure you like them?" Wanda asked

"Of course I like em! .... Jubilee helped you? I thought you said you didn't like her." Todd said

"I don't ...... Well, Not as much ... She is easier to handle than the others." Wanda said

"So she's your friend now right?" Todd asked with a slight smirk. He had noticed in the first few weeks He had known Wanda she was not one to really share her feeling about others. Her saying" She is easier to handle" Was as close as she would get to saying she liked Jubilee.

"I guess... I don't feel like strangling her now when she busts in my room without knocking. is that what a friend is like?" Wanda asked

"Pretty much yeah." Todd said

"OK just checking.. Thought I might be loosing my bitchy edge." Wanda said with a slight laugh

"Naaahhh that will never ever happen." Todd said with a smile

"I hope not. I do have a reputation to maintain. Now have they told you how long it will be before you can be moved?" Wanda asked

"Four to six weeks I think.....What did they say about us staying?" Todd asked looking a little scared of the response he might receive from that question

"They were a little surprise with me staying. They also weren't to happy about me joining the team or asking you to come stay with me. Scott was more vocal about the whole thing though. But Jean seems to have shut him down and talked him into given us a chance... So don't fuck it up Todd got it?" Wanda said in a slightly harsh tone

"I won't I won't ..... Wait what about that big motherfucker?" Todd asked

"Who.....OHHHhhhhh Matthew... He doesn't mind you staying as long as you keep in line... Oh and you better just keep your distance from Rogue. Matthew is very protective of her and you trying to flirt or hit on her will put your ass right back in here. You seen what he did to Fred and to us for trying to keep him off of Fred now just think what he would do to you if he thinks you're trying to still her away from him." Wanda said looking very serious

Todd looked to be thinking over what happened that night of the concert. His face went from a darker than his normal greenish tent to a very pale grey.

"Uhh...OK I'll keep away from her.." Todd said

"That is a very good idea." Wanda said in response


"Can I look at the stuff now?!" Rogue asked sounding a little annoyed as Matthew and her walked into their room

Matthew let out a slight laugh and placed his bags on his bed that now sat in the corner beside the door. As he walked over to Rogue who was now sitting on her bed taking out the clothes she had bought herself he said.

"Yes, you can look at the stuff I got you. I want you to look in that one last though." Matthew said pointing to a rather large bag from Hot Topic

"OK then......Ohh you got me another set!" Rogue said as she looked in the first bag and smiled as she pulled out the same outfit Matthew had first bought her. She was glad he had gotten it for her since she loved those clothes so much.

"Yeah I wasn't going to cause I thought you might think of that as a replacement instead of a gift. But I knew you liked that outfit and I loved how beautiful you looked in it." Matthew said the last part with a smile

"Ohh Shut up you don't need to flatter me anymore Matthew I already love you. No need to butter me up with sweet talkin." Rogue said smiling herself

"Who said I am sweet talkin? You did look beautiful in that outfit....Then again you would look good wearing a trashbag." Matthew said with a smirk

"OK now you're sweet talkin." Rogue said with a slight laugh

"Just a little...Now look in the other two bags." Matthew said still standing infront of Rogue

" Ok..KICK ASS!" Rogue said looking in the next bag

Rogue reached in and pulled out three dvd's and a long sleeve shirt. The dvd's were the three Evil dead movies all special editions and the shirt was black with writing on the front that said "Don't annoy the unmedicated person". Rogue laughed when she seen that words on the shirt.

"Well, I can't say you don't know how to make me laugh...I think I will wear this the first day of school. Maybe It will give those assholes a little clue to back off." Rogue said folding back up the shirt and placing it with the other clothes Matthew had gotten her

"Oh don't worry about any of that stuff I'll keep em off you. If you get any problems just let me know OK?" Matthew said walking a little closer to Rogue

"Oh Don't worry about me I am used to it by now really. It's just the others that aren't used to being picked on at school. Besides most people backed off after I roundhoused the head cheerleader for calling me a carpet munching mutie." Rogue said showing a little pleasure on her face as she thought back to that moment.

"You didn't get in trouble for that?" Matthew asked looking surprised

"Oh I got in trouble for it that's for damn sure. I was suspended for three weeks and I had to clean out the garage and take apart Logan's Motorcycle clean all the parts and put it back together." (1) Rogue said curling her nose

"How the hell did you even know how to take it apart and put it back together?" Matthew asked

"Logan showed me how to when I first got here. Now every time I get in trouble I have to take his Harley apart clean all the parts and put it back together. I used to really hate it but I kinda enjoy doing it now Plus he let's me ride it sometimes when I help him work on it." Rogue said

"Ohhhh OK...Well you can look in the last bag now." Matthew said

"All right......OH MY GOD!" Rogue yelled in joy and surprise


Rogue said looking in the last bag Inside was a long black satin dress with black fishnets sleeves and a cut out back. Rogue took out the dress and walked over to the mirror on her bathroom door and placed it over her body like all women do when looking at a dress they liked. She smiled and her eyes got a little misty. She turned to Matthew and said.

"Why?......How did you know I wanted this? I didn't even let Kitty know I wanted this dress.." Rogue said looking at Matthew

"You remember the first time we went to the mall together?" Matthew asked walking over to her and smiling

"Yeah...." Rogue said looking a little puzzled

"I saw you stop for a minute and look at that dress in the front display while we walked to Sam Goody's. I knew you wanted it by the look in your eye. I seen a woman looking at it that looked like she had the cash to buy it So I got it before she did. I was going to wait till before we left for New Orleans to give it to you ...But...well.... I couldn't wait." Matthew said running his fingers through his hair with a slight laugh as he said the last part

Rogue smiled brightly and walked over to Matthew hugging him tightly and laying her head against his chest

"This is the best birthday gift ever..Thank you Matthew." Rogue said with a sniffle and her voice breaking slightly

"Awww Marie why are you crying?" Matthew said wrapping his arms around her.

"..Cause...." Rogue said

"Cause Why?" Matthew asked

"Cause you love me for sure if you remembered me glancing at this dress over a month ago...and I..I...I can't think of what else to say but thank you Matthew and I love you too I love you so much and I promise I will show that to you soon so you won't ever doubt that." Rogue said still laying her head against the lower part of his chest which was as high as she could reach without jumping when standing next to him.

"Of course I love you. And don't worry about having to show me how you feel. I know you love me Marie...Now go look in the bag again..There is one last thing in there for you." Matthew said pulling her away only far enough to kiss her gently on the lips and brush away the tears from her face with his thumb.

Rogue laughed a little while still a little misty eyed. She walked over to the bag and took out a gift wrapped box

"....Did you get me more jewelry?" Rogue asked

"Just open it." Matthew said walking up beside her

"OK...." Rogue tore off the gift wrapping and smiled

"You like them ?" Matthew asked

"Are these what I think they are?" Rogue asked looking up at Matthew

"Yeah...You could say they are." Matthew said smiling

The box Rogue was holding was a set of Rings. One for a man and one for a woman. It was the crow couple rings. Both said around the band "Real Love is Forever." and "The Crow"

"Why did you get these?" Rogue asked

"Well a couple of reasons. One because I love you and two because well...We were watching this when I was first intimate with you...So they hold a secret meaning. Their a symbol. You like them right?" Matthew asked looking a little nervous

"Of course I do you dickhead! Let me see if it fits though.." Rogue said taking out her ring

"No wait..let me do it." Matthew said taking Rogue's hand

"..uh...OK" Rogue said blushing a little

Matthew took Rogue's hand and slowly placed the ring on her finger. Rogue found herself blushing. Not from his touch so much as what he was now doing made her think of.

*Holy shit this is like we're getting married! He is putting a ring on my finger...a ring to show he loves me..Oh god he is going to make me cry my eyes out treating me so good. God I love him... He got me all this and it isn't even my birthday! ...Wonder what he is going to get me when it is....Oh god I can't wait!.....Oh I want put his ring on!*

"Wait let me put yours on.." Rogue said taking out his ring and sliding it on his finger.

Matthew smiled and they just looked at each other for a moment with the same look on their face.

"Did you just think about what I did?" Matthew asked after a good minute of the couple just looking at each other

"If it starts with a W and involves a big ass cake yes." Rogue said still blushing

"Yep that's it." Matthew said with a very nervous laugh

"Creepy uh?" Rogue asked

"A little....so wanna go get hitched?" Matthew asked jokingly

"Shut up ya dickhead!" Rogue said laughing and slapping Matthew on the arm



"I see..So my suggestion worked."

"Yeah Hank it did.Now What Do I do? You know just as well as I do I ain't had myself a seriously relationship since....well..Shit I ain't even sure If that was a real one or not. (1)Some stuff is still a bit fuzzy after the War." Logan said with a sigh

"I never knew you fought in Vietnam." Hank said looking a Little surprised

"I didn't.I was talking about World War Two." Logan said with a slight growl in his voice

"..My goodness I had No idea you were involved in THE war." Hank said looking even more surprised

"Shit Hank I been in involved in just about every war one way or another for the past hundred years...I didn't come here to tell you old war stories though Hank I came to ask you for more advice. I bought Ro those crystals like you said I should. It seems to have worked. Now what?" Logan asked

"To be quite Honest with you old friend I am not sure....I hadn't planned that far ahead. Perhaps now is the perfect time for you to try and figure out your feelings for her without my help. Tell me have you asked if she is willing to go with you to New Orleans For Rogue's birthday?" Hank asked

"I didn't have to she said she wanted to go together.She has only been there once before but that was for Chuck so she didn't get to really enjoy being there. So If those two kids keep out of trouble she should be able to now." Logan said

"Ah Well then I do not see your problem. Just take things slow now and for goodness sake don't try to push her If you feel frustrated." Hank Said

"I would never do something like that. I can control myself when the need rises." Logan said

"Yes well, I do hope that is true because my gut tells me you will need all the self control possible with Ororo." Hank said with a slight smirk

"No shit Hank." Logan said in responce



"I do not understand why you want me to read this letter."

"Because you're not one to go telling secrets now just read it Hank I am to nervous!" Matthew said pushing Hank to the computer in His and Rogue's room a little to easily for Hank's liking

"Matthew please be careful you still don't know the full limits of your strength..and to be quite blunt I don't feel like being turning into a big pile of greasy fury mush on the wall." Hank said as Matthew gave him a little to hard of a shove into the room sending him stumbling a few feet

".. Sorry Doc..Now please just read it out to me OK? I don't want Marie reading it cause she is in a real good mood and Carla might have wrote something to upset her. And I don't want any of the others reading it because they can't keep a secret." Matthew said

"All right my young friend I will read it to you.. If your promise to help me with some experiments." Hank Said going to sit as best he could in the computer chair with his large frame crammed into it.

"No problem that was my job for over a year anyway..Now read.." Matthew said typing in his password so fast even Hank was surprised

"Quite the typist aren't you?" Hank said with a laugh

"Happens when you surf the net as much as I used to." Matthew said

"Ahh I see...now let's see what the young lady said to you.." Hank cleared his throat and began to read

Dear Matthew:

Hey Matt! I am sorry I took so long to write you but I have been so busy since we got back into town. Once we got home your mother practically dragged me to Walmart to buy you some new covers and all for your bed in case you are able to make it for Thanksgiving. Then she pulled out all the old family photos and looked over them and put the ones she wanted Rogue to see in a photo album. Just be prepared to get horribly embarrassed when she shows them to her. So yeah sorry I took so long to write you back but your mom has had me helping her with all kinds of things. Now I want to be a little serious with you for a moment. Hopefully Rogue doesn't read this because I don't want to upset her or anything because she seemed like a really nice person. Jubilee told me she used to be the biggest bitch around before you showed up (her words not mine in case she is reading this) I am still real jealous of her because I do still love you so much. I am sure even the Carla from your world still thinks about you if what you told me about her is true. I just wanted to say this for her. I know her life may be real screwed up and that you think she would probably not give a rat's ass if you were able to call her right now but That is not true. I know if you two had been able to find each other you would have had what I had with my Matthew. Only it would have lasted. So I want you to stop thinking what if because you seen the what if when I showed up. What I want you to do now is just forget about all that stuff. I wont but I am going to be friends with you just like we used to be. I want you to completely concentrate on what you have with Rogue. Because if you screw it up with her and leave her alone again I am kicking your ass Matty. Now I have to go to work I will e-mail you again soon. Tell Rogue I said Hi and that I will e-mail her as well when I get home from work. Well, Bye Matty see you soon!

Love:
Carla

"That's it..I think it was wise of you to not allow Rogue to read this...It most certainly would have upset her somewhat...and cause Jubilee great bodily harm." Hank said

"Yeah I guess you're right. Thanks for reading it. You can go now." Matthew said standing up

"You don't want to talk over what she said?" Hank asked

"No, I am cool. Kinda cheered me up a little bit. I got that answer I wanted from Carla..even if it wasn't the same one I am happy I got it." Matthew said with a faint smile

"Ahh Yes your "What If". My friend you are very lucky indeed to receive an answer to that question. Not many people get an answer to that question. Even less find the answer they want. And you kno....."

"Dude seriously don't start to go all philosophical on me OK?" Matthew said cutting off Hank

Hank opened his mouth to speak again then shook his head and just laughed

"Well, All right then. You have a good day. I want to see you in the lab ten a.m. sharp tomorrow understand?" Hank said walking to the door

"Yeah I got it ten A.M." Matthew said as Hank left the room

"Correct My young friend." Hank said with a nod before leaving the room

"Shit..Marie is going to kick my ass for having to be up that early....."Matthew said after Hank left the room


"Wow Jub what are you doing?!"

"I am French kissing you dumbass now open your mouth!" Jubilee said before going to kiss Evan again

Jubilee had just let herself in Evan's room and now the two teenagers were sitting on Evan's bed. They had been playing a video game untill Jubilee just threw down her controllar and to Evan's surprise Planted a big kiss right in his lips and even more surprising was the fact she used her tongue.

"..mph mm Damn it Jub Hold up!" Evan said pulling her away

"What is your problem Evan?! You said you liked me! Act like it and stop acting like I have Sars everytime we are alone together!" Jubilee said looking a little angry

"I am just nervous!" Evan said

"WHY?! We have been best friends ever since I came here! Now you act all weird and shit when we are alone together! Do you really like me or are you just doing this to keep from hurting my feelings?" Jubilee said pouting

"Of course I like you Jub!...It's just..well I kind of have a little problem....." Evan said looking embarrassed

"What do you mean Little?...Oh my god you got a little dick don't ya?..Evan you dumbass I don't care about that stuff!" Jubilee said slapping Evan on the arm

"NO! It's not that..and I happen to be very well endowed thank you Very Much! It's just when I get excited I sometimes..well this happens" Evan said sprouting spikes down his arms

"...Ohhhh.. You think you might get excited and accidentally spike me right?" Jubilee asked

"Not think I know I will....It happens everytime I get turned on real bad.... You don't remember me running outside when all the girls started moaning that night?" Evan asked

"No..I was well..I was to umm.. Occupied yeah that's it." Jubilee said blushing

" Right....Well anyway I had to run outside before I spiked everyone...I am sorry Jubilee." Evan said frowning

"Why don't you tell the Professor or Hank about this?" Jubilee asked

"I can't tell them about this.. It's embarrassing. Know what is really messed up? I haven't even been able to get myself off ever since I found out about my powers. I tried a couple of times but I ended up throwing spikes everywhere. Promise you won't tell anyone?" Evan asked

"..Ok I promise..Even though I think you are fucking stupid for not telling anyone about this." Jubilee said

"Thanks Jub...I think" Evan said



"Why did you drag me in here for ?"

"He e-mailed me!" Rogue practically yelled dragging Kitty over to the computer

"You are like so totally spazzing on me girl ya need to chill ya know?" Kitty said falling into full on valley girl mode

"I am not spazzing dammit..Just read it to me I am to nervous to read what it says!" Rogue said now shoving Kitty into the chair infront of her computer

"I don't wanna know what Cody wrote you! Just have Matthew read it to you!" Kitty said turning to look at Rogue

"I can't because Cody still likes me and Matt will kill him if he said anything mushy! Now read ! " Rogue said pointing to the screen

"Fine you damn spaz!" Kitty said clicking on the email

Kitty sat there looking over the e-mail not saying anything while Rogue nervously paced back and forth behind her. After a minute of silence Kitty broke it with a slight giggle.

"What? What is it?" Rogue asked

"...You like Shania Twain?" Kitty asked turning to Rogue before bursting into laughter

Rogue stopped pacing and her whole body grew tense. Her face turned red with embarrassment and anger. Kitty covered her mouth and tried to stop laughing. In the last three years of getting to know Rogue she knew from the Goth girl's body language at that moment she was one moment away from a yelling fit or a "stomp ass" moment as Rogue called her outbursts of anger and violence.

"I TOLD THAT DAMN YAHOO NOT TO TALK ABOUT THAT ANYMORE!" Rogue said yelling and pulling Kitty out of the chair

"OUCH!! " Kitty said as Rogue pulled her out of the chair then sat down in it to read the e-mail

"Shut up and don't you dare tell anyone about me liking country music!" Rogue said looking at Kitty with her face still red

"Not spazzing my sweet little ass!" Kitty said rubbing her arm

"Shut up and let me read dammit!" Rogue said turning back to the monitor

"Fine like WHAT EVER!" Kitty said going to sit on Matthew's now vacant bed

Rogue rolled her eyes and shook her head and started to read the letter.

Dear Rogue:

I am sure you didn't expect me to write you even though I said I would. To be honest I wasn't going to at first. But on the way home I passed by that old tree by the creek. You know the one we used to climb and play around in when we were little. It brung back all the memories I had of you. It was at that tree when I first realized how much I really liked you. It was when you sat and talked to me all day about how depressed you had been getting after your turned fourteen. You were just sitting there looking so beautiful with your purple lipstick and eyeshadow on and it just kind of hit me. First I just thought it was my hormones but when you left and gave me a hug and I felt my heart skip a beat I knew I really did like you. I wanted to tell you so many times but I was afraid of loosing your friendship If I did. I finally got up the nerve the night of the dance with the help of my friends. I had even bought tickets to that Shania Twain concert since I knew you still listened to her music sometimes in private. You know to ask you on a date and all. Course we both know what happen that night. I just want to say I am sorry for what happened. I feel like everything that you have been through even though you didn't tell me everything was somehow my fault. You said yourself it was my touching you that turned on your powers. I am really sorry about that Rogue. I should have been more careful that night. I was just so damn nervous that you would kick my ass if I told you how I felt. None of that really matters now though. I am happy for you now don't get me wrong. I just wanted to tell you something so here it goes. You know I am not the best at words so I am just going to say this. I do still care about you a lot. But I knew you would never see me like I seen you the last two years you was around. I am guessing you could tell I was upset when you said you had a boyfriend and all. Maybe it was because I used to be the only guy you really trusted. This Matthew guy must be a real good person if you love him. I hope he treats you good and that you two have a long relationship. I am really happy you found yourself someone even if it wasn't me. All I ever wanted was for you to be happy and I could tell you was with him when you talked about him on the phone. So just to let you know I am not jealous of him or anything. OK just a little but I am just glad you are happy for once. Well, I have to go now Rogue I will write you again in a week or so I promise. Bye


Your Friend:

Cody

Rogue read the letter over twice not saying anything or showing any expression on her face. Kitty just sat behind her and waited for any sign of life. After the third time reading it Rogue shook her head and let out a heavy sigh as she turned to look at Kitty.

"Why is it the only guys that end up liking me are the ones I don't want to?" Rogue said

"It's like one of those unsolved mysteries.Look at me Rogue. I haven't exactly had like the best choice in boyfriends ya know..Well except for Kurt. If I had knew he was such a total romantic I would never have went for Lance." Kitty said laying down on Matthew's bed looking at her feet and wiggling her toes admiring her new nail polish

"Why did you even go out with that jerk?" Rogue asked

" I dunno..Lust maybe?..I mean you should see him without a shirt I mean like perfect six pack! I guess some mutants are just lucky like that. I mean look at you.You can totally pig out all you want and never gain a single ounce! And you know what els.....

"Hold it there Barbie. Turn down the vallery girl shit and get back to the subject!" Rogue said cutting off Kitty

"....Sorry...I really don't know why. I thought it was love ya know?..Then when he slept with Tabby I just kinda realized it wasn't.Then fuzzy boy lost Amanda and well...I kinda just latched onto him to get my mind off Lance..I mean I was still having trouble with the whole blue fuzzy elf thing ya know? ..Then when he finally stopped flirting with me and started getting all romantic and stuff I dunno what the hell happened. One minute I am looking at him watching Buffy and he is looking at me with his glowing eyes and I was just like "Wow .. I love him." Oh and you would not believe how handy his tail is I mean Oh my god this one time I was doing a cowgi......"

"GOD DAMN IT KITTY SHUT UP! I mean he's my brother for crying out loud! I don't want images of what he does with that damned tail in my head!" Rogue said cutting Kitty off again

"...Uh..eh..Yeah Sorry forgot ...What about you and Matthew? There has to be more to it than that stuff you said about coming back from the mall. I mean he is like such a knight in shining armor! If I wasn't with Kurt I would have tried to get with him...Hell I think all of the girls would." Kitty said

"You try and I kick your ass...As for why..When I am with him I feel normal. I mean it's not cause we can touch..It's just the way he looks at me.." Rogue said

"What do ya mean?...You are so getting all mushy girl" Kitty said

"Shut up!...I am serious. When he came here and even when he didn't know what could happen if he touched me...He..he..He looked at me like a person. I didn't pick up any fear from him when he was around me....Ya'll think I don't notice how tense ya'll get around me. I notice it..How none of you really want to touch me even when I am covered...How you are afraid I might slip and drain you. I didn't feel that with him. I mean he wasn't calm around me but I could tell it was because he liked me not because he was afraid we might touch on accident. I mean the first time i kissed him before we knew he didn't even get tense at all he just kissed me back and wrapped his arms around my waist.....I almost cried when he did that. Then what he said to me when I woke up the next day..You know that was the first time a guy ever said they loved me? Sure Remy said it..but it was just so heartless..When Matthew said it and the way he was looking at me..I knew he meant it but I was just so pissed off I tried to fool myself into thinking he was just trying to get in my pants." Rogue said not looking at Kitty but down at the rings on her fingers.

"Wow..you so totally love him don't ya?" Kitty said with a surprised look on her face .One because Rogue was being so open and two because She was beings so Open with her feelings for once.

" I love him more and more every day. God What is happening to me? I can't stop smiling when I think about him and I don't even feel depressed anymore. Next thing I know I am going to end up calling everyone fathead and "Sugah" Rogue said

"What the hell are you talking about?" Kitty said looking a little confused

"Seems I am some big flirty southern belle bombshell in the comics." Rogue said

"You a flirt? Yeah and I am gonna start to dress goth!" Kitty said laughing

"Yeah No shit!.. I never ever flirt!" Rogue said

"...Well you did with Scott...He was just so stuck up Jean's ass he never noticed." Kitty said

"..I..I DID NOT FLIRT WIITH HIM!" Rogue said blushing a little

"Yeah right! You are such a bad liar girl!" Kitty said

" I was not flirting! I was being friendly..there is a difference you know!" Rogue said now looking a litte angry

"...Sure ya were." Kitty said

"You damn right I was." Rogue said


"Wow that was cool!"

"Yeah it was wasn't it? Want to do it again Jamie?"

"Heck yeah!" Jamie said smiling

"Ok then pucker up!"

Jamie puckered up and Rahne planted another sloppy kiss right on his lips then slide her tongue over his lips. Out of reflex Jamie placed his hands on her hips.Rahne growled and Jamie let go.

"Sorry..." Jamie said after she pulled back

"It's nothing. I just growl sometimes when I get excited..No not that kind of excited keep your hormones in check! I told you a thousand times no tail until we are old enough." Rahne said crossing her arms when Jamie gave her a suggestive look

"..When will that be?" Jamie asked

"When you have underarm hair and a five o'clock shadow that's when! You really need to stop hanging out with Scott so much he is rubbing off on you. We are only 14 you know. Where I am from a lady doesn't do that untill she is of legal age or only with the person she is going to marry. So unless you want to break up please just settle for kissing for now ok?" Rahne said

"..Ok ..Sorry..I am just getting real...antsy now. Must be my hormonse. I think Puberty is hitting me full blast now." Jamie said

"Well atleast you didn't get fur all over the place when you hit puberty. I mean I wake up one morning and I got a snout and a tail how the blood hell do you think I feel? Not to mention I was in heat all last week." Rahne said still crossing her arms and letting out a growl of annoyance

"Is..Is that why you avoided me all last week?" Jamie asked

"Yes..you noticed? I am sorry about that.. I was just worried I wouldn't be able to control myself and just end up ripping off your clothes and riding you like a bitch in heat..which I was at the time." Rahne said with a slight laugh

Jamie laughed himself but really at the moment he was fighting the urge to drool all over himself and was trying his damnedest to keep that image out of his head since he knew Rahne would pick up on the "randy fumes" as she called them when someone was sexually aroused. Rahne had told him a few weeks after they came to the institute that she herself had very similar heightened senses as Logan and in fact he had been training her to focus them since the first day she began her training. Jamie found himself becoming painfully aware of that fact every time he found himself excited while around her. Rahne used to joke and make comments that hinted at the fact she knew he was "ready to rumble." Now however since they had started dating she would flirt with him or go into heavy kissing until he had to excuse himself for a "bathroom break."

"Ohhh ok I thought you were mad at me." Jamie said with a sigh and running his hand through his hair

"Nah I wasn't mad at you at all Jamie. It's just I still have problems controling my instinct. Logan says it might take years for me to be able to keep all of them in check. I mean yesterday I nearly bit Jubilee's hand off when she took some food off my plate."

"Wow what did she do?" Jamie asked

"She yelped and gave it back that's what she did. I told her I was sorry though that it was just a reflex. I think everyone is getting used to it now though because she joked about it at the mall." Rahne said uncrossing her arms and placing them in her lap

"I am used to it. I like it when you turn into a wolf it's fun playing with you then." Jamie said

"Oh you don't like playing with me like this?" Rahne asked pointing her hands at her human form

"I like that too!..I uh..dang it you know what I mean Rahne." Jamie said

"I know I was just messing with you Jamie. But I am not going to be doing that much during winter because I nearly freeze to death turning back all naked outside in the woods till I get my clothes back on." Rahne said with a laugh

"...Uh..I..er.. I got to go to the bathroom!" Jamie said jumping up

"Sit down ya wanker. I know what your going to go do and I am not letting you do it this time. Just sit down and let it pass I want to talk to you for more than ten minutes before you run off to play with yourself." Rahne said with a slight growl while pulling Jamie back down on his bed

"I wasn't going to go play with myself!" Jamie said blushing

"You aren't now that's for damned sure. Look I am control myself around you...well as long as I am not in heat. Just control yourself while I am around you..Tell you what you leave it alone for the next two weeks and I will let you touch my butt when we kiss how's that?" Rahne said with an evil smirk

"REALLY?! .. Wait two weeks?! I can't hold out that long I will explode! How about touch your butt and French kissing?" Jamie asked

"OK deal..And I mean it no jerking off Jamie. You know I can tell when you do so don't even try and sneak or the deal is off and you will have to settle for plain old normal kissing with no touching." Rahne said shaking her finger at him with every word while looking very serious

"OK I got it I got it ... So can we go back to kissing?" Jamie asked with a big smile

"No, I am not in the mood anymore." Rahne said

"Damn it...How about we play a video game? " Jamie asked

"OK I pick.....Mortal Kombat." Rahne said

"OK Cool! I get first player!" Jamie said running for the remote

"No, I do!" Rahne said running after him

"No me!" Jamie said

Rahne growled a little to loudly and Jamie dropped the controller

"...Uh you get it" Jamie said

"Damn right!" Rahne said smiling



"I see Cynthia...Are you sure you wish to do this?"

"Uh huh. I wanna help like Matty does. Is that ok Mister Xavier Sir?" Cindy asked Giving Xavier her now patented big puppy dog eyes

Xavier smiled as she did this.

" All right then. I will have a training uniform prepared for you and you may start your training as soon as you are given a clean bill of health from Hank. Now please understand you will only be training for now. You will not be sent on any missions until I feel you are mature enough in years and on a mental level as well to handle the things the older members of this Institute face. Do you understand Cynthia?"

"Yes, Sir...Will I get a cool costume Like Matty's when I become an X-Man..eh Woman?" Cindy asked smiling

Xavier laughed. Not so much from the question but from the emotions he was picking up from the little girl. She was a breath of fresh air for him and Jean with her almost always cheerful moods.

"I don't see why not. For the time however you will be wearing the generic training uniform. When you become a full fledge X-Man..Woman then you will receive your own personalize uniform. Now have you chosen a name for yourself?" Xavier asked

"Uh huh." Cindy said nodding still showing off her big bright smile

"Well, then Mind telling me what it is?" Xavier asked

"Tempus .. Jean said it means time in some old language. I just thought it sounded awesome." Cindy said smiling even more

"The language is Latin. It is also very fitting for your abilities. Tell me how are you enjoying your time with us so far?" Xavier asked smiling as well

"Oh I am having a lot of fun. Everyone is so nice and Ororo lets me help her in the green house all the time. So yeah I am having a blast. Plus my room is so huge! It's so much bigger than the one at my house!" Cindy said with a giggle.

"Ah is that so? Well, then I am happy you are having such a nice time here. Are you having in troubles at school?"

"Nope! No slip ups and that weird watch thingy hasn't messed up yet. I even made a some new friends! But I am a little worried though." Cindy said

"Oh..And why is that?" Xavier asked

"Well, see I have been picked on cause people know I am a mutant. But my new friends don't seem to care. Some of them even have family members that are like us. I am just afraid if they see what I look like they might not wanna be friends with me anymore ... Is that bad?" Cindy asked no longer smiling

"No, it is normal for you to feel some anxiety about this right now. I can't say it will ever fully pass but as time passes you will come to accept what you are and hopefully the friends you may find outside of this Institute will as well. I think it would help you if you had a talk with Kurt about this. He understands Better than any of us what you are going through. See He was born with his physical mutation. Many of us are and some of us like you and your brother only manifest our physical mutations when our abilities first become active." Xavier said

"Ohhh OK......Can I go now? I am starving! " Cindy asked rubbing her stomach

"Yes, you may go. Please also remember if you ever need to talk feel free to come seeme or one of the instructors. Also don't forget to speak with Kurt." Xavier said moving his chair out from behind his desk and over to Cindy

"OK bye! " Cindy said jumping up and giving Xavier a hug before walking out of his Office

The Professor smiled as she left the room. After she left he thought to himself

* I think that was the first time I have ever been hugged by one of these children. She is so innocent and cheerful. Such a breath of fresh air. I do hope she changes her mind about becoming a X-Man. This life is not made for someone like her. *


The rest of the day passed without much excitement. As it came time for everyone to turn in and get some sleep Matthew and Rogue lay in bed and as before talked to each other about the days events.


"So what did you and Kitty talk about? I mean you two talked in here for like four hours. I don't think I could handle her valley girl talk for that long without the urge to claw out my ears." Matthew said laughing a little

"Well, Yeah I was like that too but after a while you get used to it. And after sharing a room with her so long it was either get used to it or end up killing her. And we just talked about girl stuff." Rogue said

"Ohh not going to tell me are you?" Matthew asked raising a brow

"Damn right I ain't .. We just talked about stuff. You know girlie stuff..." Rogue said

"Ohh...Uh, OK then nevermind. Did Cody e-mail you?" Matthew asked

"Yeah. So I guess we are back to being friends. He said he was going to e-mail me again in a week or so. I think he wants us to come down and see him when we are down in New Orleans. I don't think I want to though." Rogue said with a sigh

"Why not? He forgave you for what happened. I mean I have no problem with you going to see him as long as he doesn't try anything." Matthew said

"That's the problem. I am afraid he will try something. I know how the thinks Matt. And as soon as I show up he is going to get all mushy and try and sweep me off my feet. I don't like him like that but I don't want to hurt his feelings either. So I think I will wait until he gets over that before I go see him. So anyway did Carla e-mail you?" Rogue asked

"Yeah she said Mama is already getting everything ready for us to come down and visit. She also said if I ever break up with you she is going to kick my ass." Matthew said with a smirk

"Her and me both!" Rogue said

"Aww you know I wouldn't break up with you." Matthew said smiling

"I know you wouldn't." Rogue said leaning in and Kissing Matthew

"Good now that we have that cleared up lets get some sleep. Those pills Hank gave me are making me sleepy as hell." Matthew said yawning

"Damn I was hoping to full around a little." Rogue said jokingly

"REALLY?!" Matthew said jumping up

"No, I was joking lay down you dickhead. No way am I fooling around after all the training I did today in the gym. Everything hurts. So yeah lets go to sleep." Rogue said laying her head back down on Matthew's chest as he lay back down.

"OK...goodnight." Matthew said turning off the lamp beside the bed

"Yeah.. Goodnight." Rogue said yawning

Ten minutes Later Matthew was in a medicated slumber and Rogue was fast asleep as well. And like that the Mansion was silent




There you go chapter 34! 4 more chapters to go folks!!! Now on a Sidenote I am very sorry I took so long to put this up but I have had some mad writers block for a while along with personal matters. Hopefully the last few chapters don't take as long for me to write. if it makes you feel any better I am going to really push myself from now on to give you better stories and more well rounded characters

1. From what I understand in the X-treme X-Men comic's Rogue now works as a mechanic fixing Motorcycles. Figured I would give that a little nod here and a possible way she ended up in that line of work

2. Little Nod to SilverFox and Logan's realtionship