Stranger than Fiction

"What's this about?" Jean asked as her and Scott were the last ones into The Professor's office

"Yeah Professor why the sudden meeting?" Scott asked sitting next to Jean

"I already told you shades we gotta be up bright and early to go digging on some deserted island." Jubilee said turning around to Scott in her chair

"You were serious?! Come on Professor this is our night off how can we enjoy ourselves if we have to be up at the crack of dawn tomorrow?" Bobby said

"I understand that Bobby and Believe me I do hate to somewhat ruin the plans for some of you But we are first and foremost all X-Men. Therefore it is our duty as protectors of both races of humanity that we must investigate this situation to the best of our abilities as soon as possible." Xavier said in response

"Charles is right we all signed up to this way of life knowing we would all make sacrifices. That means we have to put our personal and social lives aside from time to time. Please continue Charles." Storm said

"Thank you Storm .. Now, As Jubilee told most of you tomorrow at dawn Myself and Dr. McCoy as well as members of the team we feel would be best suited for what may be required to excavate Magneto's Base will leave for Hook Island." Xavier said looking over everyone in the room as he spoke.

"So who's going?" Matthew asked

"This situation calls for certain abilities. First and Foremost we require someone with the strength to clear away the larger parts of the collapsed base. So Matthew Piotr you will accompany us to Hook Island and take shifts in removing the rubble. Are the two of you up to it?" Xavier asked looking to the two large young men.

"Da." Piotr said with a nod

"Yeah I am up to it Professor." Matthew said

"Very well then. Now for the rest of the team. Kitty you will be accompanying us as well. We will require your unique gift to scout out the base for any hidden areas and to help us break into Magneto's computer systems if they are not damaged. As well you will be needed if the base collapses So you will be part of the rescue team with Hank which brings me to Kurt. You will be accompanying us as well... Just please concentrate on the mission and not each other. If the two of you sneak off there will be a very harsh punishment for both of you. Is that understood?" Xavier said when the two looked at each and smiled

"Yes, Sir." Kitty said frowning

"Yes Professor" Kurt said with a sigh

"Very well then now that we have a team the rest of you may return to you plans for the evening." Xavier said

Everyone stood up and walking out of the room. Jubilee staid and walked up to Xavier.

"What about me?" Jubilee asked after everyone left the room

"You will not be needed Miss Lee." Xavier said

"Oh so I am not needed? *Just say My power is useless and I am not needed at all. * Jubilee thought after her response.

"Miss Lee your power is as useful as the rest of the new Mutants. In fact I have just the job for you. You will be in control of security and monitoring communications between the base and the Blackbird while we are on Hook Island. Do you think you can handle this?" Xavier asked already knowing the answer.

"SHIT YEAH!!!...ehh..er..sorry.. I mean yes Sir." Jubilee said with a big smile and a squeal of happiness.

"Very well then I expect to see you up and ready for duty by 8 a.m. sharp. No arguments. Is that understood? If you are not ready someone else will take on this task." Xavier said

"I will be Up I promise! Thanks Professor!" Jubilee said before leaving the room

"Chuck you sure that was such a good idea?" Logan asked after he was sure Jubilee was long gone.

"She needed to be reassured she has a place here with the others. I simply helped her realize that. After all Logan she handled the same task very well today. I am sure she will be able to do just as well tomorrow. But to be sure I will activate the automated security system before we leave. Now on to a more current matter if I am not mistaken the two of you have a dinner plan this evening. I was suggest that the both of you get ready before you are late." Xavier said looking to Ororo and Logan.

"How could we be late? .. Logan? What are you up to?" Ororo asked looking to the man in question

"Nothing Ro.. Chuck just means we need to get there before the place is packed..right Chuck?" Logan asked looking at the man and thinking *Little help here Chuck*

" ..Yes that is what I meant. Now if you will excuse me I must be off as well. Good evening and I hope you enjoy yourselves." Xavier said leaving the room

"Logan will you please tell me what is going on." Ororo said

"Nope.. Just get dressed and put on something classy." Logan said before leaving the room without giving Ororo time to say anything more.

"But Logan I... nevermind. Very well he wants to surprise me I'll just surprise him as well." Ororo said before walking to her room.

And soon the mansion was nearly empty. Everyone had gone out except for Logan, Ororo, Rogue and Matthew. There was a knock on the younger couples door as Matthew went to open it Logan was standing there in a long black coat covering his clothes underneath.

"Aren't you going to be late? ... What the hell are you wearing?" Matthew asked as he noticed Logan's attire

"None of your damn business kid. .. Why the hell haven't you two left yet? From what I heard the movie done started." Logan asked

"Oh yeah our date.. Marie said she pulled a muscle in the gym and doesn't feel like going so we are just gonna order some pizza and I am gonna go rent a bunch of movies. Besides someone needs to stay behind anyway to make sure nothing happens while the rest of you guys are gone." Matthew said leaning against the doorframe which he had to almost squat down to fit in.

Logan's brow narrowed and his lip curled a little.

"You two ain't up to anything funny are ya?" Logan asked looking into the room and seeing Rogue laying on her bed with one her legs propped up with an icepack on her knee.

"What is it Logan?" Rogue asked when she saw his head pop through the doorway under Matthew's Arm.

"Uhh.. Nothing Rogue just checking on you. You gonna be OK? I could call Hank back if you want." Logan asked

:NO!.. Er I mean no it's OK I'm gonna be fine just hurts when I try to walk. And I don't think I wanna show up at the movies with Matthew holding me." Rogue said turning off the tv

Logan snorted.

"You two better not be trying to pull a fast one on me. I smell anything funny in the air when I get back and both of you are going to be in deep shit got it?" Logan said with a growl

"Yes, sir." The couple said at once

"Good. I'll be back around 11 and when I get back I want You at the door smelling just like you do right now got it Bub?" Logan said with a little wink Before walking off.

"What the fuck..." Matthew said scratching his head after Logan winked and Matthew swore he saw the man smirk before he walked off

"Ouch!..god damn talons" Matthew said as he cut a gash in his head form scratching his scalp.

"What is it?" Rogue asked sitting up on her elbows trying not to move her leg to much

"Nothing... I am gonna head on out and rent some movies .. Here you call the pizza place and order whatever ya want OK? * Matthew said walking to the bed and handing Rogue the phone.

"Uh How the hell am I supposed to answer the door?" Rogue asked raising her brow.

"Oh.. Just call it in and I'll pick it up after I get the movies." Matthew said

"Ok . Bye Love you Matthew be careful OK?" Rogue said hugging Matthew as he leaned down and kissed her on the crown of her head

"You know I will be. OK I'll be back in a little while. Don't get out of bed while I am gone unless you have to OK?" Matthew said after kissing Rogue one more time on the lips.

"OK." Rogue said smiling

A few moments later she heard a car start and a smile cross her face.

"Oh I knew it would work!"


"Logan what is this? I didn't know you had such attire." Ororo said as Logan met her in the hall outside her room.

"I told you no questions now come on Ro we are gonna be late if we keep dragging ass." Logan said holding out his hand and Ororo sighed and took it. Trying not to show her discomfort from the rough touch of his skin.

As the two friends walked out to the garage and Logan jumped on his motorcycle he handed Ororo the helmet on the seat.

"Logan I am not riding on that thing it is dangerous." Ororo said

"Ain't no more dangerous than flying in the Blackbird. Now come on all the other cars are gone anyway... Look Ro you know you can trust me I been riding Motorcycles Longer than you been alive now come on.:" Logan added when she shook her head no.

"Very well. But if this ruins my dress it will have an unfortunate accident with lighting." Ororo said as she put on the helmet and sat behind Logan wrapping her arms around His waist and resting both legs to one side of the motorcycle.

"OK hold on darlin. I am going to have to floor it a little to make it in time." Logan said not even trying to keep the large grin crossing his face in check.

"Logan I don't think that is such a good .IDEA!!!!!!" Ororo said as Logan tore out of the garage and the driveway of the mansion like a bat out of hell. his long dress coat billowing like a large black cape wrapping around Ororo.

"LOGAN SLOW DOWN!!!!" Ororo screamed at the top of her lungs as Logan went through a red-light barely missing a truck.

"No can do Darlin we got ten fucking minutes to get downtown... and stop yelling I can hear you just fine." Logan said taking one of his hands off the handlebars and pointing to his ears in a gesture to remind Ororo of his heightened senses.

"I will stop yelling when you slow down!" Ororo said in a slightly lower and calmer voice.

"I said no can do Ro. Now just hang on and trust me I do this all the time." Logan said as he ran through another red-light.

"Very well but if we have a wreck I am going to kill you myself." Ororo said tightening her grip around Logan's waist.

"Deal!" Logan said with a smirk

Ten Minutes and three more red-lights later Logan stopped infront of a building. Ororo Seen a couple walking in very well dressed. She also noticed the sign on the side of the Building which was in French.

"Logan what are we doing here? I heard about this place. Its the hardest restaurant to get into in the whole state. Are you lost?" Ororo asked as Logan slowly pulled up to the front of the building.

"Nope" Was all Logan said

A tall thin man with short black hair and a mustache walked up to them as Logan brung his Motorcycle to a stop at the front entrance.

"I am sorry sire But employee parking is in the back please take this..this vehicle to the back entrance." The man said in a low whisper

"I don't work here Bub I got a reservation." Logan said in a growl

"Oh my apologies Sir. DO you wish to have vale parking?" The man asked waving his hand at a young man in black pants and a red sportscoat.

"No one touches My cycle but me Bub." Logan said with a deep growl when the young man reached for his motorcycle.

"S...s..sorry man." The young man said backing away.

"Very well then Park your motorcycle there." The man in with the mustache said pointing to a parking lot.

"Gotcha" Logan said starting back up his motorcycle and parking it in the closest empty parking space.

"Logan Are we actually going to eat here?" Ororo asked.

"Yep." Logan said as the door man opened the door for them.

"But How did you manage to get a reservation?" Ororo asked a little shocked.

"Chuck helped." Logan said

After Logan and Ororo were lead to their table and Logan ordered a rather expensive bottle of wine Ororo finally asked the main question.

"Why all this? Why are you going to all this trouble Logan?" Ororo asked

"Just felt like it." Logan said looking a little uneasy.

"Logan please be honest with me." Ororo said reaching out her hand and placing it over Logan's

"I thought you would like it. I wanted to impress you I guess." Logan said

"Logan you know you don't need to impress me. I would be just as happy eating at any restaurant as this one." Ororo said with one of her rare smiles.

"You mean you don't want to eat here?" Logan asked

"No No. I would love to try some French cuisine. And after you went to so much trouble it would be rude of me ask for us to leave." Ororo said taking a small sip of her red wine.

"Ok..So you like my surprise then right?" Logan asked sniffing the Wine and snorting slightly before taking a large gulp.

"Yes, Logan I do. I am very happy you went to all this trouble for me.... You know Logan your supposed to sip your wine not drink it like one of your beers." Ororo added after Logan took another gulp finish His glass of wine and refilling it with the bottle left at their table.

"I knew that." Logan said stopping himself from gulping down the rest of his wine.

As Logan poured his third glass of wine the waiter returned to their table.

"Good evening Are the two of you ready to order?" The man asked as he took out a small notepad

Logan picked up the menu and looked over it. The squinted and looked again. Ororo smirked and took it away from him and flipped it.

"You were reading it upside down." She said handing it back

"I knew that.. I was just testing you." Logan said as she handed the menu back

"I don't understand a damn thing on here.." Logan said after looking for two full minutes.

"If you wish I could suggest something off the menu." The waiter said picking up Logan's Menu and putting it under one arm

"Sure..What's the best steak you got?" Logan asked

"Ahh yes we have a most exquisite Ribeye of certified Black Angus studded with bone marrow, olives and black truffle, cooked on a spit, and macaroni gratin." The waiter said

"Sound good I'll have four of em. You got any good steaksauce?" Logan asked

".. Sir this dish is very expensive are you sure you want four?" The waiter asked looking a little surprised

"Well, It better be worth fifty bux a pop or I am going to want my money back Bub. Now about the steaksauce." Logan said in response

"I am sure we may have some. Any kind you are interested in?" The waiter asked.

"Don't matter to me just gimmie the best ya got." Logan said sipping some of his wine.

"Very well this Sir. Have you made your selection Miss?" The waiter asked

" I have to confess my French is a little rusty as well. What is the most requested vegetarian dish on the menu?" Ororo asked

"Well there are two. The one I personally recommend is Grilled Eggplant Terrine with Red Bell Pepper and an Italian Parsley Sauce. It is a very delicious dish If I do say so myself." The waiter said

" It does sound very appetizing. Very well I will have the eggplant dish." Ororo said handing the menu back to the waiter.

"Very well. I will return as soon as possible with your dishes in the meantime enjoy the wine." The waiter said with a slight bow before walking back to the kitchen.

"Four steaks?" Ororo asked with a slight smile

" I'm hungry ." Logan said smiling

"Yes, I had guessed as much. However I am surprised after all the years you lived in Canada you never learned the French language." Oror said raising a brow and smirking before sipping her wine.

"Never had the time or a reason to. Besides French Canadians get on my nerves." Logan said curling his lip.

"Oh yes I keep forgetting about that." Ororo said with a smirk


"Damn Why did I come here alone I have no clue where anything is"

"Sir can I help you?

*Yeah just kill me now. * Matthew thought as one of the staff at the movie rental store walked up to him as He was crouched down looking at the bottom row of new realizes.

"Yeah where's the horror movies?" Matthew asked in his deep southern voice.

"Right over there man." The guy answered with a slightly shocked look in his face as Matthew rose to his full height. To which Matthew cracked a smile for just a moment.

"Thanks." Matthew said walking off

*Don't think I will ever get used to people looking at me like that. Wonder how he would act seeing me without this fancy holo... Oh I know "Oh god a mutie kill it kill it!!" " Matthew thought with a sigh as he reached the horror section of the movies.

"Lets see..Crap ...double crap...king of crap...seen it...soft porn.....ooo this looks promising...hmmmmm....ok this one is a good start...." Matthew said picking up a dvd case

15 minutes and five dvd picks later Matthew left the movie store and got into the car. As He drove to the pizza place in the mall to pick up the order Rogue had called in Matthew was running over everything he had been through since that night in August. It had only been a little over a month but it felt like a lifetime to him. He shut off his Holo as he drove hoping the darkness of the night and the speed of the traffic would keep anyone from really noticing his appearance as he drove he looked at his hands. The dark and light shades of grey they had become with the black lines of his veins showing through. His long sharp talons that seemed to grow stronger every day.

*Man I never would have imagined all this. In just weeks I go from a normal lab assistant to a damn x-men in another reality....Damn That sounds so fucking crazy even just thinking it. Yet here I am. My body is growing stronger every day I have fucking superpowers and a really great woman I love. Shit even got my best friend and Family back...well kinda anyway. ohh and living in a big ass mansion to boot... Shit I am a X-Man.. I am a fucking superhero....if only my family back home could see me now..that would show those sorry fucks real good." Matthew thought with a slight scowl turning back on his holo as he reached a busy intersection.

Soon he pulled into a parking space in the overcrowded parking lot of Bayville Mall. As he entered the mall and walked into the food court heading for the place Rogue had said she was going to order from he placed his hands in his coat pockets. Not wanting to chance someone bumping into them and hurting themselves or drawing unwanted attention to him. The mall was crowded but he had no trouble reaching the pizza parlor.

"Yeah I am here to pick up a order ..Name is Ballard." Matthew said walking up to the counter.

"We haven't had a call in under than name yet." The woman behind the counter answered.

"Damn you sure?"Matthew asked with a sigh

After he asked the phone rang and the woman walked to answer it. A few moments later she came back.

"Ok we just got that order in its going to take a while they ordered quite a lot. Maybe you should go shopping Its going to take us at least 30 minutes to get all the food they ordered ready." The woman said as she walked back into view from the back

"I guess I'll just walked around the mall.. You said thirty minutes right?" Matthew asked runing his fingers through his hair and sighing

"Yes give or take ten minutes." The woman said

"Ok....be back then" Matthew said turning around and walking off

*What in the hell took her so long to call? .. Maybe she fell asleep..Oh well maybe I can get her something nice while I wait* Mathew thought to himself as he walked out of the food court.


"Damn It Peter you drive like an old lady you know that?"

"I sorry I have only drove car handfull of times" Piotr said after Tabby's outburst

Piotr was driving 30 miles an hour down the highway as cars drove by beeping their horns and evenan old lady drove by shooting them the bird. Tabby had tried to drive the car but Piotr demanded he drive. As the drove and he spoke she noticed his English seemedto get worse the deeper the traffic became.

"Why the hell are you talking so funny?" Tabby asked

"I am nervous. I have trouble with language when nervous." Piotr said in responce

"Move over and let me drive dammit before we miss the movie." Tabby said reaching for the wheel

"Nyet .. I have heard of driving skill from Katya." Piotr said removing Tabby's hand easily but gently from the wheel.

"Fine then but if we are late you can forget abut any funny stuff later!" Tabby said crossing her arms

"What you mean by this "funny stuff?" Piotr asked

"Are you that damn clueless?Funny stuff you know fooling around.....I mean have sex." Tabby said when Piotr looked at her witha still confused look.

"Ahh sex..Da I know this word."Piotr said blushing a little.

"Who wouldn't after hanging with that Hot Cajun guy." Tabby said

"You mean Gambit.. I was not friend with him. to..to..how do you say...he was a pork. Da that is correct word i think." Piotr said noding his head

"You mean he was a pig. We say pig not pork." Tabby said with a hint of laughter.

" Ahh Pig..da that was what I meant to say." Piotr said in almost perfect english now as they pulled into the movie theater.

"Not nervous anymore huh?" Tabby asked

"Nyet" Piotr said he he parked in the parking lot and got out of the car and to Tabby's surpirsed walked over to her side of the car and opened the door for her.

"What the hell are you doing?" Tabby asked

"Being gentlmen." Piotr said reaching out his hand for Tabby

Tabby shoke her head and got out of the car without taking Piotr's hand.

"I told you to stop acting like this you dumbass. This isn't a date...Just uh ..uhhhh..a night out." Tabby said turning around to face Piotr before walking into the movie theater.

Piotr shook his head and said in a low voice "Americans" Before walking into the movie theater after Tabby.Tabby was allready in line and buying her ticket as Piotr walked in.

"Hurry up Russkie we got two minutes before the movie starts." Tabby said as he walked in

"Da understood." Piotr said as he walked up to the last empty ticketbooth and bought his ticket.

"Ok come on I want some snacks...ohhh Get me some twizzlers and a large coke." Tabby said

"I though you said this was not date..." Piotr said

"Well...yeah ..But I don't have any more money I spent the last of it on my ticket.. Come on big boy be nice and get the pretty girl what she wants." Tabby said smiling.

" Very well. You will have snacks..." Piotr said walking to the snack stand and ordering what Tabby wanted as well as popcorn and a large coke for himself as well.

"Ok Hurry up the previews allready started." Tabby said grabbing Piotr's arm and dragging him to the theater as the previews played on the screen.

Tabby then dragged Piotr to the back of the theater and sat down propping her legs up on the back of the seat in front of her. Piotr sat beside her and watched the movie start to play out on the large screen before him With a rather fasinated look on his face.

"Whats with you?" Tabby asked looking at him

"First time to theather....It's so......those people in the corner are.. I believe the right term is fooling around.." Piotr said turning to Tabby and catching a young couple in a rather lude act in the far corner.

"Wow ......nice" Tabby said with a smirk

"I was not aware someone could move in that way." Piotr said with a shocked look on his face as the young woman twisted her body in a better position for her lover of the moment.

"It just hurts for a moment or two really...What?" Tabby asked when she noticed the beet red color of Piotr's cheeks

"Nothing." Piotr said turning his gaze back to the movie.

"Oh god did you get embarrassed again or something?...ohhhh I know you are getting horny aren't you? It's cool I am a little turned on myself." Tabby said with a evil smirk

"You are very open person...." Piotr said

"Yeah I am ..Now come on why the hell are you blushing all the damn time when I talk about sex. You'r not a fucking virgin or anything are you?" Tabby asked

"Nyet.. I am not virgin....I have ma....fooled around before." Piotr said taking a bite of his popcorn and closing his eyes when the couple moaned loudly.

"oh my god you are!" Tabby said putting her hand over her mouth and laughing

"It is not funny!"Piotr said

"Jesus Christ this is getting to be kind of ridiculus. I mean first Matthew and now you. Here I thought I was supposed to be the innocent virgin and you where supposed to be the sex crazied freak. Times sure have changed." Tabby said with a smirk

"I am not virgin.. I have done things...just not that." Piotr said looking over to the couple again now in full on intercourse. The young man covering the woman's mouth to keep her from moaning to loudly.

"Wow....that boy knows how to work it." Tabby said with a wide eyed look at the Young Man's rhythmic motions that were sending the young woman into ecstasy.

" I do not need to look. I hear fine." Piotr said taking another bite of his popcorn and trying to drowned out the sound by focusing all his attention on the movie. Which at the moment was failing miserably.

A few moments later and Usher came down the isle and caught the young couple and had security quietly escort them out. Much to the disappointment of Tabby and the relief of Piotr.

" Let's go." Tabby said a few minutes later

"But movie is not over." Piotr said his broken English a dead give away he was still unnerved by the sexual display moments before.

"So what this movie sucks come on." Tabby said getting up

"Very well.." Piotr said walking after her.

As Piotr walked out of the theater he heard Tabby raise her voice from the side of the building. Her tone and the speed of her words confused him as he still sometimes had trouble translating English. As he walked to her direction he saw her standing in front of a man roughly the same age as her. The man was in her face his finger right in her face his cheeks red as he yelled words Piotr could not understand say for one word.."Bitch". Was all Piotr needed to hear. He walked over to the two arguing teenagers and forcefully pushed the young man away.

"You should learn to respect a lady comrade." Piotr said as he placed his hand on the man's shoulder and pushed him away from Tabby.

"Fuck you !" The man said punching Piotr in the Jaw.

Piotr just flinched for a moment as the punched connected. Then He pushed the man down to the ground. He turned around and started to talk to Tabby when He felt another strike in the center of his back. Piotr turned around and out of reflex backhanded the man sending him to the ground.

"I suggest you stay down this time." Piotr said his accent kicking in full force.

"Who is this person Tabitha?" Piotr asked not turning his gaze away form the man on the ground.

"Some guy I fucked that think's he owns me now. I told you to fuck off it was just a one time thing you damn stalker!" Tabby said looking down to the man.

"You fucking cunt!" The man said trying to get back up only to have Piotr push him back to the ground.

" You have a wicked tongue my friend. if you wish to keep it I would suggest you bite it."Piotr said as he threw the man back down.

"Can we please just go now Peter?" Tabby said in a very uncharacteristic tone.

"Da Tabitha.....For your sake my friend I would suggest leaving the young lady alone.... You do not wish to become my enemy." Piotr said walking off.

As Piotr was walking off The young man jumped to his feet reached for Piotr and spun him around only to have Piotr punch him right in the nose knocking the young man out before he even hit the ground. Piotr brushed out the wrinkle in his shirt and walked off with a pleased look on his face. As he reached the car Tabby was allready in the driver's seat and had started the engine. She quickly cleaned her eyes and looked away From Piotr as he got into the car. Piotr gave her a strange look then just buckled his seatbelt. Just as Tabby pulled out of the movie theater at a very fast speed.

"Are you alright Tabitha?" Piotr asked placing a hand on her shoulder

" I'm fine don't worry about it... Oh I know lets go to a club!" Tabby said changing the subject quickly and placing a fake smile on her face.

"..Very well...though I do not know how to dance." Piotr said with a sigh

"Is there anything you do besides fight?" Tabby asked

" I am a very good artist." Piotr said

"That's awesome. I used to go with this guy that designed tattoos back home. He was a major asshole but could fuck like a pro." Tabby said with a evil smile

"You share to much sometimes Tabitha.* Piotr said

"Boy I haven't even got started telling to much " Tabby said laughing