Logan had been holding Marie’s head over the bowl for nearly an hour when Ororo had come in with her little stack of ‘goodies’. Milk, soda crackers and dry toast. Marie was moaning and pushed herself weakly away from the bowl, her face was pale and sweaty but she looked wonderful to him. She caught the pride in his face and punched him in the arm. “If you think this is so great why don’t you get pregnant!” He just grinned at her and Ororo smiled.

“If they did Rogue the world would grind to a halt, could you imagine what they’d get upto? Stopping every two minutes to complain about the pain, eating way too much and bragging about the size of their stretch marks?” The whole idea of a pregnant Logan ran through both their minds and Marie just burst into a fit of laughter. Bringing colour back to her face as the tears rolled down, clutching her stomach as the wave of nausea left her. Ororo handed her a small glass of milk and avoided the glare Logan was giving her. Sipping it slowly Marie stroked his neck and felt him settle his ruffled pride. Getting up he took the bowl into the bathroom, “If you two are done assassinating my character I’ve work to do. The horses need sorting out and the meat course has yet to be found for Christmas dinner.” Ororo gave him a stern look as he mentioned it.
“Yes you promised you’d have that sorted by now Logan, what’s wrong losing your touch?” The impish smile touching at the corners of both their mouths made his knuckles itch. Growling he just left them to it and went outside, not allowing either of them to know that Marie wasn’t the only one feeling sick in the mornings. The last couple of days he’d been up twice in the night to throw up. Once the first night after Marie had gotten home and twice last night. Her ankle was strapped up tight now, Hank had taken a scan of the break and told her to keep her weight of it as much as possible but she could still get around with crutches.

Moving through the kitchen he felt his own stomach do a flip and he grabbed a couple of dry bagels off the counter top before he set off to sort out the horses. They’d been a comfort to him over the last few weeks, he’d found himself spending more time down there with them. They never seemed frightened of him even when he was in a foul mood, their solid bulk just comforting somehow.

Kurt and Ororo had made their announcement to Xavier yesterday, he’d heard the joy in Xavier’s voice and some of the man he’d come to care for had returned. He’d be staying in Scotland for a while longer at least until the New Year had passed. Christmas day was only two days away and the kids that were spending it here were getting very very excited. Even Jube’s and Bobby were grinning like idiots, showing Damask everything about Christmas, the lights on the tree, the decorations that hung everywhere and the uses for Mistletoe. He could have swung for Jubilee when she’d shown Damask how to use it and what it meant. Damask had had this particular leer on her face and she’d raced after Peiter, holding the sprig in her hand. She’d finally appeared after an hour looking a little flushed but her sprig was entirely gone, only the stalks remained. Jube’s had just curled up with laughter and Bobby had almost died of embarrassment. Peiter had stumbled into the rec room looking like he’d just done fifteen rounds with Mike Tyson. Even he’d had to smile then and he’d hid it behind his book on joinery. His ears had caught some of the conversation between Jubilee and Damask, if Bobby had thought for a moment that he wasn’t going to suffer the same fate he was well mistaken. Smirking he’d left them to it as he’d done his rounds, passing the outer wing he’d seen the light on in Bobby’s room. He’d heard what shared knowledge could do and he’d just smiled and carried on.

Now standing in the stables cleaning the horses he just lost himself in the task, making their coats gleam with the brushes. Feeling the warmth of their bodies he’s shrugged off his outer shirts, he’d be working in his vest as usual. He hadn’t heard Damask until he’d smelt her, her scent still rich on the air and making him struggle to think. Even the Bay he was brushing scented her, moving skittishly, he didn’t stop his task he just waited for her to speak.

“Logan, can I ask you something?” She sounded upset and he turned to face her, he read her body without having to hear her confirm it. She ‘needed’ him, the desire was burning out from her face, he’d never had the time to talk to her since the night she and Marie had been together. She sat down on a straw bale and he watched her shiver. “Put my shirt on if your cold, you should wear more when you come out Damask. You know that by now.” His voice was calm but his body was picking up on her nerves and her scent had deepened just by being here with him. Concentrating on pushing the thoughts of her naked under him, away from the top of his mind he bent to check the forelocks of the Bay in front of him. He picked up on her intake of breath and he knew she was struggling with whatever it was she wanted to ask him. He decided to help her out. “What is it Damask? You can’t stay out here all day.” She looked up at him, she’d been holding his shirt upto her nose breathing him in, allowing his scent to cover her completely, flushing as she remembered the feelings it stirred in her. Her eyes met his and she lost all control, she flooded the stable with her and she saw him blink as it hit him.

Inside the animal raged to the surface, hunger rose in his body and he felt himself react to her, the pressure of his jeans making breathing difficult. Hands gripping the brushes he just crushed them, snapping them in two as he fought to keep control. A long low growl worked its way up out of him and his eyes snapped open piercing Damask through to her core. The Wolverine was out and he wanted, he needed and he’d take and damn the consequences. Damask saw the animal take him over and for the first time she felt afraid, she didn’t move but it made no difference because he was. Throwing the ruined brushes down he grabbed her by his shirt and pulled her into him baring his teeth as he growled and breathed her in. Her eyes widening as she saw the heat of him devouring her, knowing she had to think quickly or she’d make him do something both of them didn’t want him to do. Bringing her knee up sharply she caught him right on the mark. Grunting in pain he just lowered his head and held onto her through the shirt, twisting herself away from his grip she ran down the stable block and shut the door tightly behind her. Throwing the bar across it she ran back to the house, tears running down her face as she thought about the woman she was about to hurt.

Marie, Jubilee and Ororo were sat in the kitchen when Damask ran in, face puffy and skin pale from the cold she just launched herself into Marie’s arms. “I’m so sorry, I just wanted to talk to him about Peiter and I , I , lost.” The grip on Maries arms was almost painful as she carried on. “I didn’t mean to hurt him I didn’t, I love him and you know I’d never come between you both, I’m so sorry Rogue.” Marie’s face just took in what she was saying as she calmed down and warmed up. After she was able to talk without crying she asked her to start again. Damask told her she’d gone to see Logan about Peiter, to ask some advice from him but she’d been upset and her control isn’t as good when she’s upset and with everything else she’d been a little wound up. She’d lost her control completely and he’d been there when it happened. Ororo looked at Marie as she just flew out of the door, leaving Jubilee running after her.
“Rogue, wait up you can’t go in there not if he’s lost it. I remember the mess he made of the training room after his ‘grief’ session. Jeez girl he’s going to kill you if you go in there.” They’d reached the stable block and she could hear the horses getting nervous and tetchy. Turning to Jubilee she looked at her friends face and decided that telling her was the best thing she could do.
“Jube’s he wont hurt me.”
“How do you know? He could be doing anything behind that door!” Her hand gripped her shoulder tightly.
“He won’t hurt me because I’m carrying his baby Jube’s. He’d never hurt me anyway but he’d die first before he hurt the baby.” The shock of the news spread out across her face, smiling she patted her friends hand. “Now open the door for me and lock it when I go in okay. Come back in a while with Hank and we’ll see where we go from here.”

The Wolverine was drowning in heat, the scent had ripped through him, forcing Logan deep under. This was primal, personal, his skin was on fire and he shed his clothing quickly, tearing at the seams in haste. Only slowing when he was free from their grip, her scent was maddening and he’d heard her run away down the path. The pain she’d given him had been too much to react to at the time, when he’d recovered a little he’d heard other voices outside and could scent others. One he knew very well, growling low in his throat as they entered the stable. Her scent reached him she was still covered with his own, her rich deep odour adding to his frustration. Hearing her come closer he moved fluidly to watch his mate approach, hand already stroking himself, readying himself for her.


Jubilee just opened the bar lock and helped Marie to slip inside, the warmth of the air in here making her breath hitch a little as she heard the low growl coming from an empty stall. The pheromone traces were still here and she could feel the strength of them herself. She really had lost it in here but at least she’d had the sense to get away. Slowly walking down the centre of the stables she was looking in every stall, her own body reacting to the scent around her. She’d been up close and personal to Damask herself and she let the emotions run over her body. Her own sex beginning to moisten as she walked toward the empty stall at the end. Before she got to it, he moved out of hiding, naked and the look in his eyes was something she’d only ever seen him hint at before. This was The Wolverine, not Logan, this was the thing she’d toyed with when he allowed her, when he felt safe enough to allow her to touch it with her mind.

The eyes were darker, deeper more animalistic, his hand went up from the floor and began to stroke his already straining erection. His body was taught and humming like a bowstring, everything he did was fluid, even the movement of his hand on himself was smooth. She felt her skin flush as she began to react to the scene in front of her. Shedding her coat she let it fall to the floor and began stripping her top too, when he rushed her. Grabbing her and pulling her off balance into the empty stall, his hands tearing the cloth away as he bit and suckled at her skin. Leaning her head back, she gave him the submission he’d been wanting, feeling the deep growl of acceptance roar through her as he slowed his movements a little. His hands went up her skirt and ripped the underwear away in one movement making her wince with the force of it. Listening as he growled in pleasure as he felt her wince, digging his nails into her skin trying to make her cry out. Instead she bit his shoulder hard until her teeth met, the roar that left him was nothing to the shock of being rammed into with such force. Feeling his body just lose everything into the movements, his hands gripping her hair, winding it tightly around his fists. Pulling her head away from his shoulder and latching his mouth to hers, tasting his own blood on her mouth and fucking her harder as it went through his mouth and into his senses.

Her own hands were clawing at his back and waist, digging as deep as she could, riding the wave of The Wolverine as he thrust between her thighs. Each one harder than the last until she thought he’d come through the top of her head. Feeling him tense up, his movements became jerky the nearer he got, lifting her hips and wrapping them around his waist. Pushing harder as he moved her around the stall, her voice found she coaxed him closer. “Come on Logan, you’re so near I can feel it, come on!” His eyes met hers and she saw them changing, the darkness retreating and his own soft hazel returning to her. His movements still frenzied but his grip lighter, lifting her clear of the straw and holding her upright. Growling out her name, as he came inside her the heat in him dissipating quickly as he came down.

Seeing her still wrapped around him with her legs bruising and breasts marked he just bent his head to her chest and cried into her skin. Huge sobs wracked through him as she stroked his hair and tried to calm him, “It’s okay shh, it’s okay. She’s alright Logan, she got away. That’s how come I’m here, she came and got me.” His face so full of shame he didn’t meet her eyes till she moved his head. “She’s okay, I’m okay only a little sore that’s all.” He took in the sight of her, the start of bruising already showing on her sex and thighs, sliding out of her as he looked at the damage he’d done.
“Oh God Marie!” He just bent his head into her and cried as he cradled her to him. She let her mind touch his, showing him what he couldn’t see, what she had felt and seen. How much it had turned her on to see him like that, just wanting to have her, to take her anyway possible. His mind tried to recoil away from the sight of her being fucked by him but she wouldn’t allow it. She showed him her feelings what she’d felt as he’d been in her, the desire to make him hers alone. She loved him, all of him even The Wolverine.

Lifting his head to look into her eyes, the tears still falling from his own, “I don’t deserve you.” Shifting herself round in his lap she felt him rise again as she moved. Smiling she answered.
“Well you might have to wait for a while until I get checked out by Hank. Just to be on the safe side.” His body stilled as the thought ran through his brain, the baby!
Picking her up he just pulled a blanket out of the rack wrapped her in it and went to the doors. Finding them locked he just popped a set of claws and cut the bar open. The two doors swung open and he stepped out completely naked carrying her back to the house. Hank and Jubilee were running toward them. The sight of a naked Logan coming toward them made Jubilee gape, she looked like a fish out of water as he passed her and Hank. Hank made to touch Marie as he passed and Logan just pulled her away and growled the threat. His claws still visible in the chill air, Marie just looked and shook her head at him as they passed into the house. He went through the kitchen it was the quickest way, Ororo managed to keep hold of the plates she was stacking as he passed. Watching his retreating rear go into the corridor she moved to watch the view. Assessing the perfect specimen of mutant manhood that had passed in front of her eyes, she watched until they went into the lift, Jubilee was seating herself at the table when she turned back her face still registering her shock. Noticing her Jubilee finally closed her mouth and opened it again, “Oh man that’s a sight I won’t forget for a few years, no wonder Rogue’s always smiling. Damn!” Ororo couldn’t help but smile as she saw the look on Jubilee’s face, the imprint of a naked Logan burned onto her memory. “And to think I spent a night in the same room with that sat in the chair!” Laughing Ororo joined in.
“That may be true but could you have handled it?” Jubilee’s eyes went wider.
“Handle it? I don’t even think it’d fit!” Ororo broke down into full laughter as Hank slowly made his way into the kitchen. His own nerves struggling a little with the pheromone bomb that was still dissipating in the cold air. Looking at them both Hank just ran for it through the kitchen hoping that they didn’t notice his own discomfort. When he was out of earshot Jubilee turned to Ororo, an unusual smile crossing her lips. “Wonder what’s got the Doc all nervous?” Her wolfish grin making it plain she knew exactly why he’d raced past them both, her eyebrow curving upward. The sight of it made Ororo stifle a giggle, “Jubilee if you think Logan won’t fit you’ve got no hope of ever seeing Hank.” Jubilee’s eyes widened and her mouth just fell open again.
“You mean he’s…” She didn’t even finish the sentence, Ororo nodded and put her hands apart like a bragging fisherman, “GOOD GOD!” At that moment Kurt decided to bamf into the kitchen and wrapped his arms around her waist making them both jump. Seeing the look covering Ororo’s face as his hands touched her Jubilee made a speedy exit, still mumbling about it being impossible to fit.

Kurt was quiet for a while as his tail wound around Ororo, touching her body and making her squirm against him. Her hands were still showing Hank’s size and Kurt’s eyes narrowed as his mind worked it out. “Was that necessary?” His breath sending shivers down her spine as it tickled her neck.
“Yes, Jubilee has to realise that not everything comes in the same size,” turning to him she pressed her body into his feeling him react to her. “Or the same amount either.” Taking hold of his fiancée he bamfed away leaving only a lingering scent of sulphur behind.

Logan had reached the medical bay and was pacing in front of the table waiting for Hank to arrive. Marie was seated a little uncomfortably and she shifted in the blanket watching Logan wind himself up even further as he looked at her. She could see him worrying about what he’d done, what he could have done to the baby. Hank came in and went straight to Marie, his eyes avoiding the very naked Logan who was pacing up and down his medical bay. “Let me see Rogue.” Her eyes met Hanks and the gaze was all steel as she dropped the blanket. Her breasts were marred with purpling bruises, her sides of her neck had teeth marks and her waist was beginning to bruise at either side, showing Logan’s own handprints. They both caught the low growl as he saw the damage he’d done to her, it was almost a whine as he stopped pacing and stood away from her. His body burning with shame and his eyes dangerous, Marie held out her bare hands to him and he walked toward them reluctantly. Her fingers touching his bare flesh and marvelling at the sensations still new to her. Hank touched the bruises with cooling witchazel, seeing her wince a little but not complain once. Finished with her upper half he looked at Logan first and then to Marie. “You’ll have to undress Rogue.” Logan’s eyes met Hanks and he saw The Wolverine flash in them for a second until she bent his head to hers and kissed him. “Please honey, go get dressed. I’ll be okay, we’ll be okay,” her hand straying to her stomach. “All of us, okay?” Sending a deadly look Hanks way, he left her with him.

Watching him leave Marie could let herself feel the pain now and she leaned into Hanks arm. His grip tightening on her as she laid down on the bed. Her gaze catching his and holding it. “You ever tell him I did this and I’ll finish the shaving job those idiots started. With Nair, got it?” Hank smiled as she moved into a better position, wincing as she moved.
“I understand Rogue, I really do.” His amber eyes settling on hers and she remembered the conversation she’d had with Logan the other day. The one about the arrangement him and Hank and come to, the difficulty he’d had in even telling her what had happened and why. He hadn’t wanted her to hate Hank, only to try to understand him, why he had to help him the best way he could. Taking off her skirt Hank could see the full damage The Wolverine had done to her. Criss-crossed with scratches and deep finger marks, bruises already turning purple and the swollen flesh of her sex, looking at the damage Hank spoke. “You’ll have to lift your legs up Rogue so I can check for tears, I know it’s not very comfortable but I’ll be as gentle as I can.” Trying to relax she just lifted her legs up and slowly opened her thighs, wincing as she felt the muscles fight to give. Gentle hands helped her and she felt the gloved fingers checking her most intimate place, the touch making her flush a little. “There’s no tears, but plenty of bruising, your going to be stiff for around a week I’d say.” Putting her legs down and pulling the long skirt over herself again she pushed up from the table only to be helped back down. “I need to check on Junior.” Moving her over to the scanner he positioned her bed into it and set the scanner running. A few passes later the image solidified on the small screen, the tiny little bump was fine, blood vessels were already strengthening. She smiled in relief, her hand hovering over the little piece of life she had inside her.

Logan chose that moment to return to the medical bay, just as Hank was pointing out the growing umbilical cord. Marie had her shirt closed and held together her scent was relaxed and he could feel her ache from where he was. Wrapping his arms around her he squeezed lightly, nuzzling her neck from behind. “I’m sorry.” The pain dripping from the words almost breaking her heart with their weight. She just ran her hands over his and pulled them down to her stomach. “Say hello to your daughter.” His eyes looked at the small screen in front of him and the tiny bundle of cells that was growing inside Marie. The look of confusion passed his face as he wondered how they knew it was a girl, Hank saw his confusion and helped out.
“All babies are girls when they first start Logan, it’s only later that they change, that is if they change.” His amber eyes finding Logan’s and telling him that he didn’t judge him for what he’d done. He knew the struggle they both fought with and he was lucky to have someone who understood all of him and accepted it, all of it. Marie hugged him tighter, “I don’t mind if it’s either, as long as I’ve got you.” The simple words echoed through him, soothing the pain of his guilt, feeling Marie beginning to shift off the bed he stopped her and picked her up. Looking to Hank he waited for orders, Hank obliged.
“Bed rest Logan, no sex for a least a week. Well not penetrative sex anyway, she’ll need to have the bruises treated everyday.” He turned and handed Marie a small bottle of witchazel. “Make sure you get everywhere Logan and I do mean everywhere.” His large amber eye winked at him before he pulled of his gloves and walked away. Holding her in his arms she just snuggled down into his warmth. Pulling her closer they walked out of the medical bay and back to their room.

Guilt trip
Damask had holed up in her room, she knew the others would blame her for causing this. She’d lost control of herself when she thought she could control her emotions, but he’d been so close and she’d needed to know the truth. If he still loved her like he said he did, she knew he belonged to Marie, to Rogue but there was still a place for her wasn’t there?
Peiter was outside the door, he’d been waiting for her to let him in but she hadn’t yet and she knew he was upset and unsure of what had happened but she couldn’t face him yet.
She loved him. For the first time in her life she loved someone for who they were, not what they did, not how they smelled to her but for the way they made her feel. With a look of their eyes as they saw her and smiled, Peiter loved her too and this was what she couldn’t understand. Was it just her scent or did he actually care for her? The only other person she knew who did love her was Logan and she’d gone and messed things up with him and Marie now. Confused and alone she cried into her sheets wishing she could let someone into the room without hurting them.

Logan saw Peiter stood outside his room, the huge man was trying to be patient but he was being torn in two by the sounds coming from inside. As he passed him he nodded and went onto his own room, he’d be back in a while as soon as he’d settled Marie. She was sleeping in his arms when he got to their own room, gently placing her on the bed he wrapped her up in his blanket. The old thing had been with him for years, it’s pattern faded and old but it held his scent longer than anything else and he saw her curl into its folds and settle down again. The memory of her under him in the stables was still hurting but she’d shown him her view, the raw power of him, the emotions he’d fired in her surprising her with their strength. She’d wanted him like that, she’d wanted The Wolverine in her on her, she hadn’t been afraid of him, Damask had been. Brushing his hands over her head he wondered how he’d come to deserve a woman like her, maybe fate had been smiling on him when it had thrown them together. Letting his hand rove down her body until it rested over her stomach and the little life she was carrying. She’d been the only one who’d have been safe walking into the stable, he could smell himself on her as she’d walked in. The Wolverine knew it’s mate and wouldn’t hurt her intentionally, just that she wasn’t as strong.

She’d brought Logan back to the surface, even as he was lost in her body she’d managed to reach out and bring him back to the surface. No one had ever done that, not even Stryker. They’d just left him to calm down on his own, bloodstained and feeling the memories of The Wolverine pour into his mind, closing off Logan’s ability to feel. Marie had eased him with a few words, love was a strange thing but he wouldn’t be without it now, wouldn’t be without her.

His mind went to Damask, the look of terror that had passed across her face as he grabbed her and pulled her body into his. He knew The Wolverine had loved that fear, that spike of terror but she’d had the sense to hit him where it would hurt the most and run. She’d run from him and that hurt him, he’d never wanted her to see that side of him and it wasn’t all her fault either. Sighing he let go of Marie and went back out of the room taking a last look at her sleeping body, his ears picking up Peiter trying to get Damask to open the door, to tell him what was wrong. He was needed down the hall and he left to pick up the pieces he’d left Damask in.

Peiter saw him approach and he heard him tell her he was coming, hearing her footsteps come near the door he stopped outside with Peiter. Sensing the large man’s pain as the door opened to reveal Damask flushed and tearstained. Pushing into the room Peiter picked her up and held her to him, trying to soothe the pain that was coming from her. Watching her as she tried to struggle out of his grip but he wouldn’t let her. He had her and he wasn’t letting go. Logan just watched as she fretted and finally settled in his grip, her scent under control again. Her violet eyes found his and the sorrow and fear in them made him feel awful, knowing that he’d helped to put it there. Her voice small and quiet as she spoke, “I’m so sorry Logan. I never meant to, I didn’t mean it, please don’t hate me.” Her hand was reaching out to him while the other was being stroked by Peiter, his eyes full of concern and his body tight with fear. Logan closed the gap between them and let her have his hand, her fingers clutched at his tightly and Peiter met his gaze with a barely disguised look of jealousy.

Tearing his eyes from his Logan spoke to her, “Want to talk about it now?” Sniffing she nodded and made to move out of Peiter’s arms but he held her tight and Logan stopped her too. “What ever you have to say Damask you say to both of us, it’s safer that way.” Looking into Peiter’s eyes she saw the depth of his pain, that he didn’t know why this had happened, what had caused it and why. She sighed and relaxed into the firm body holding her.
“Okay, at least put me down. I can think better when I’m moving.” Reluctantly he put her down on the soft carpet, her feet quickly taking her over to the large window, her body hugging itself as she spoke her mind to them both. “Logan I love you and I need you, you’re the first person who ever treated me as if I was normal and I’ll always love you for that.” Logan noticed Peiter’s hands clenching and his body tensing up, he was expecting bad news. “The thing is…” they both heard her struggle with the words and take a breath, “I’m in love with Peiter too.” Peiter almost ran over to her but Logan held him back and shook his head, asking him to let her finish. “It’s different than you, it’s not gratitude or debt for getting me away from there, from up north. That’s the problem Logan, that’s what I’m having trouble with.” Her voice becoming thick with tears, “I don’t know why he loves me, why he would bother with me. I’m scared it’s because of my gift and that’s all it is, that it isn’t me at all, not the inside me anyway.” The sobs wracked her small frame and he let go of Peiter, he just knelt in front of her and made her look at him. He didn’t say anything he just wrapped himself around her, pulling her into his warmth, the scene so personal Logan turned and left them to it. The words so quiet he almost missed them, “Thank you Logan.” Smiling he walked back to his own room where Marie was waiting for him, Damask had her fears finished for a while and he’d talk to her eventually. But not just now.


Christmas Eve

The day had been already started at 4am for Logan, he’d been retching in the bathroom when he’d heard the rustling of the bed. “Logan? Logan what’s wrong?” Hearing Marie walk into the bathroom catching him looking like death warmed over. Her hands gloved for the night he felt her concentrate as she flicked the switch in her head and pull them off, “Oh darlin’ why didn’t you say something?” He growled low in his throat as the next wave of nausea hit him forcing him to retch again. She stroked his back as he threw up, this was not the thing he wanted to her to see, he was supposed to be her protector, her champion, her strength. Not feeling as sick as a dog and throwing up for all he was worth, he leaned back and felt the cool tile against his skin. “How long does this last Marie?” Her hands gently wiping his brow with a towel she answered.
“It can be as short as a couple of weeks then it could be for the whole nine months.” He groaned at the prospect of throwing up for nine months, he’d never done this much in his whole life and he didn’t want it to become a regular thing. “Hank explained it to me, it’s my bodies reaction to the pregnancy, it fights it for a while then it kind of accepts it. The sickness usually stops then, he said his own mother never even had it.”
“Some people are just lucky.” She knew what he was saying even through his gruff statement and she ruffled his hair.
“Yeah I know, I love you too.” Helping him up from the floor, she sat him on the bath edge looking at his colour returning. “You feeling better?” He just nodded as his body cleared the feeling, looking at Marie as the colour began to drain from her face. “That’s good because I’m not.” She made the toilet in time and a small amount of bile emptied from her mouth. Rubbing her back gently watching as she emptied her stomach, after a few minutes she stopped and cleaned her mouth out. Taking care to brush slowly she watched Logan remake the bed, his movements almost reverential. Turning it down again he waited for her to come back to bed, watching as she moved stiffly to the open side. “Does it hurt?” His eyes full of remorse as she slid into the still warm covers.
“Yes but I’ll heal, besides you’ve got to medicate me now while I’m awake. I’m not sure if I’ll be awake again later when you come back from hunting. So you’d better do it now.” He just looked straight through her, how on earth had she known he was going out? Then he noticed her gaze was stuck on his boots, he’d oiled the leather last night, making it supple and quiet so he wouldn’t be heard in the snow. She still had his memories and thoughts running around in her head, snuggling her to his side he kissed the top of her head and reached for the small bottle of witchazel. Turning it over in his hands he wondered if there was anything else Hank could give her to speed up the process. The thought passed his mind and he saw her grab it as it passed through.
“Oh no mister, that is not the way to get me better. Besides my body might not take too well to it while juniors here, it might decide to ‘heal’ them too.” The thought of losing the child he’d just thrown up for settled it, witchazel it would be. “Besides that’s the most gentle stuff I can have Logan, Hank wants me to have a natural pregnancy. As few drugs and junk as possible, so I’m afraid pizza night is officially cancelled for the next few months, so is beer.” He quirked an eyebrow at her last statement, so that’s where his beer had been going, he’d blamed it on Bobby. Touching her skin with the cool liquid he smiled as she gasped as he rubbed it into her bruises.
“That’ll teach you to steal from your husband.” The word slipped out before he even realised what he’d said and Marie just froze under him, her eyes locking onto his. “What?” She just blinked at him.
“You just said ‘husband’.”
“No I didn’t.”
“Oh yes you did!” Stopping his work on her skin, he just thought back and there it was, he had said it. It had just fallen out of his mouth without thinking. Marie’s eyes were brimming with tears as she flung herself around his neck. Feeling her laughing into his neck at his slip he put the bottle down and pulled himself out of her grasp. She was grinning like he’d given her the world and she quickly kissed him, “I love you too Logan. I won’t hold you to it though, not until you can ask me properly. No matter how long it takes.” With that she snuggled down under the covers, her skin forgotten for now and leaving Logan in a state of shocked surprise. He hadn’t just asked her to marry him had he? Looking at the soft form slowly falling back to sleep under his sheets, his eyes tracing her curves he supposed he had really. In his own kind of weird way that was, kissing the top of her head he pushed off the bed and dressed for the cold. He still had to get Christmas dinner and the dawn was a few hours away yet, plenty of time to settle his stomach before he went out into the cold and try to find a way to ask her properly.

Passing the rec room, he found Hank sat in front of the fire, his body relaxed and his mind totally on the flames in the fireplace. Looking at the clock on the wall it read 4.45am, even a little early for Ororo, seeing the firelight reflect off his fur he reminded him of a bear. Chuckling he walked in and seated himself next to him, Hank didn’t move his gaze, only spoke to him in a whisper. “I love this time of morning, the world is still asleep and it’s almost as perfect as it can get.” Logan just watched the fire as Hank’s distinctive smell reached him, with all its undertones and musky richness. Finally, Hank took a look at him “Are you feeling all right? You look a little pale this morning.” He shifted uncomfortably as Hank hit the nail on the head and he just squinted into the flames. “Come on what is it? Is Marie keeping you awake with her sickness?” Logan sighed and spoke. “You could say that, except I’ve been the one to get to the bathroom first before she wakes up. When she wakes up she gets it.” Hank looked at him seriously before he spoke again, considering what he’d just been told. “I’ve got a theory but I’ll need you both down in the lab later. If it’s what I think it is you’ll be riding the roller coaster with Marie until she finishes her first trimester.” He groaned as the news sank in making Hank smile. "Just eat some ginger before you go to bed Logan, it’ll settle your stomach.” A comfortable silence fell between them as they both watched the flames devouring the split logs in the large fireplace. Only knowing time had passed when the hall clock chimed five. Looking out of the window and seeing the snow beginning to fall again Logan sighed and pushed off the warm sofa. “This isn’t getting Christmas Dinner,” looking down at Hank still lost in the flames he tapped his shoulder and the twin amber orbs met his. “Any preference this year? Deer, Boar?” Hank took his time in answering.
“Do the grounds have any Elk?” Logan searched through his mental map of the animal territories and found himself nodding to Hank.
“Yeah way at the edge of the land here, well where we blend into the wilderness really over the West ridge, where the wolves come in from time to time.” Hank rubbed his hands together and made ready to get up and start the day.
“Then Elk it is, that is if you can find any.” His eyes looking out into the snow filled air outside. Smiling Logan pushed away from the warmth and pulled his jacket closed.
“If it’s out there I’ll get it. See if I can bag an old male might only come back with half of it though, I doubt we’ll need all of it.” His gaze taking in the heavy snow clouds above the grounds. “We’re not the only ones who’ll be looking for dinner in this.” Hank met his eyes as he got up off the sofa and stretched, a moment of understanding passing between them. That out of the two of them they made two normal things, one human one animal, it’s just that they were the mirror reflection of the other. “See ya later Hank.” With that he left to get tomorrow’s dinner, thinking of the years he’d missed on the road, never knowing what day it was until it had been too late.

Stopping the thoughts dead as he saw their room light on again and he could see Marie at the windows, she was watching for him and she just lifted her hand and smiled. The cold retreated from his skin as her eyes roved over him, taking in his wrapped body, making him flush with heat. Smiling he raised his hand and waved, thinking of the small bump that was growing inside her and knowing without a doubt who had put it there. Turning into the snow he set his course across the field and set out to find dinner.

The snow wasn’t too heavy on the ridge, the cold air making tracking easier as the scent lasted longer. He’d found Elk but also a fresh set of Wolf tracks, at the most four different wolves travelling single file. Climbing over the ridge he found the pack, they had an elderly male Elk at bay, one wolf was already injured and limping badly. The other three were trying to keep away from the impressive rack of antlers that were being held down at them each time they tried to get close. He could feel the growl rising in his chest as he stripped off the warm layers, hanging them on a tree to keep them out of the way. Dressed only in his jeans and vest he felt the blades slide out of his hands, the sharp pain making him growl, the sound alerting the wolves to his presence. Two of them swivelled their ears to find the source of the sound, the injured one risked a look and barked quickly. The large alpha turned his head and their eyes met, his brown coat was full but his body condition wasn’t great, none of them were. He stood his ground for a few seconds more then chuffed and the pack followed him over the next rise, leaving the Elk behind. They drifted away like smoke, the only thing to say they’d been were their prints rapidly filling with fresh snow.
Pulling his concentration onto the large Elk it started to move toward him, it’s large feet plunging through the crust of the snow, breath pluming in the darkness. Snarling now Logan readied himself for the kill, bending low to the ground, his hands gripping the snow, he was above the elk able to use the advantage as he fell onto it. Letting The Wolverine free he dove toward the Elk, it didn’t see him until it was too late and the blades severed the neck cleanly. Blood fountained into the snow, it’s body falling as the blood stained the ground.

Sitting next to the body as it bled out its last into the snow, his breathing slowing, wiping his claws in the fresh fall after slitting the stomach open. Steam erupting from the still warm carcass, hearing the soft footfalls of something and the blades snapped out. The alpha wolf was back on the rise, his eyes were on the carcass and his hackles were raised. Logan worked quickly, slicing the carcass in two and taking the rump. Emptying the innards on the snow Logan walked away with his prize. Back up the ridge and toward his clothes. As he made the top he saw the alpha come down and start eating the still warm meat. They didn’t squabble there was plenty for them here, the alpha raised his head for a second and chuffed in his direction. Silently taking the acknowledgement he walked back home carrying the meat with him, life can be hard but it makes a huge difference when you have others around you who are willing to back you up.

When he got back to the kitchen there was a full-blown argument going on, nearly all of the winter boarders were involved and Ororo and Kurt were having trouble keeping some of the kids civil. Opening the door he caught some of it. “I’m telling you miss ‘Oh I know everything’ that I know it isn’t true and you can’t make me believe it.” No one noticed him walk in, bloodstained and carrying enough meat to feed an army. Walking over to the large island in the kitchen, he slammed the meat down the sound sending waves of silence around the room.
“Now if you’re finished arguing I’ve got work to do in here.” His voice heavy with threat and every eye was on the carcass on the island. Several kids just bolted out of the room and Ororo followed them, the rest just finished up what they were doing and left. Jubilee was rooted to the spot, her eyes hadn’t left the carcass on the surface. Eventually her eyes met his and he raised an eyebrow, “Yes Jubilee?” his tone was even but his temper was getting a little frayed, he hadn’t eaten properly yet and his stomach was complaining. Blinking she found her voice.
“Did you kill that?” She was drawn to it just by its sheer size, popping a claw he began to skin the meat.
“Yup about half and hour ago.” Jubilee’s hand crept out to feel the pelt as he stripped it from the meat. Snatching her hand back as she felt the warmth still in it.
“It’s still warm!” Her face showing shock as he finished and put it in the sink. His eyes watching her reaction as he sliced the meat from the bones, laying each large piece on the counter. Wrinkling her nose she pulled out a large plate from under the counter top and pushed it toward him. “Put it in here. You can’t just put it on the countertop.” He just glared at her and continued to carve the meat away from the large thighs. Her eyes widened as she realised he wasn’t going to move it, “I’m not touching it!” He stopped carving and just looked straight through her, she managed fifteen seconds of his stare before she broke. “Okay but if you tell anyone I touched it I’ll deny it entirely!” Jubilee picked up the pieces of still warm flesh and stacked them in the large dish. Smiling Logan decided to find out what the argument had been about.
“What was all that racket?” Jubilee was washing her hands when he asked. Turning as she dried her hands, paling as she watched him slice the bones into smaller pieces. Concentrating on his face she answered.
“It started out with Anne asking about Father Christmas.”
“Anne?” Jubilee kept her face on his as he struggled with the hip bones.
“Yeah young kid, around 14, can morph water?” He just threw her a look which she read as ‘Their not Marie so I don’t notice’ and she sighed. “Anyway she was saying how much she missed seeing a Father Christmas, she’s knows she’s too old to go to the Mall one but it was a nice memory she had you know before her mutation kicked in. Paul kind of kicked off and started arguing about it being impossible for someone like him to exist.” Paul the name rang a bell with Logan.
“Paul? Brainy kid?” Jubilee noticed his interest.
“Yeah high IQ not much else if you ask me. Cyclops’s little golden boy. Well after all that the younger kids got into it and we had a full-blown blow out. It’s been brewing for days if you ask me, a lot of the kids here are away from home for the first time this year and it kind of stings. Those that had a home.” Darkness swept across her face and her smile slipped as she prodded the plate, he watched as she slipped under further. Her eyes losing their shine, not even wincing when he snapped the bones with his hands in front of her. Laying the bones with the skin in the sink, washing his hands clean in the other. Turning back to Jubilee he watched a tear roll down her face, the way she just ignored it as it fell almost broke his heart. Moving toward her Jubilee pushed away into the kitchen and out of the door before he had the chance to touch her. Sighing he put the meat into the large fridge and went to find Marie.

She was sat with Hank in the rec room, the tv on loud and the kids sprawled out on every seat. Some reading some watching the Christmas cartoon specials, his vest was getting sticky and he needed a shower badly but he wanted to talk to Marie first. Her foot was propped up against Hank and he bent down to her before she had time to recognise who it was. Kissing her deeply she just moaned into his mouth and he felt himself rise to her touch. Breaking the kiss he heard Hank stifle a chuckle as Marie touched him, “Morning handsome,” looking at his vest she wrinkled her nose and pulled at the brown marks drying on it. “Found our lunch then?” Logan noticed Hank’s ear twitch as food was mentioned.
“Yeah we’re having Elk.”
“Elk?”
“Big deer.”
“Oh, right.” The feel of her hair against his skin was wonderful and she looked up into his eyes, seeing there was something bothering him she pushed. “What’s wrong?” He was quiet for a second as he thought about what Jubilee had said, his eyes ran over the kids in the rec room. They seemed restless, fractious almost, each one lost to themselves even in the groups they were sat in.
“Do you feel okay?” Marie blinked at the statement and looked at him unsure what he was trying to get at. “I mean do you feel okay with all this,” his hands waved at the decorations and the tree in the corner, understanding what he was trying to ask she answered.
“Yeah, it was kind of weird the first year I was here but it was kind of special too. It was a nice time to be with everyone, it felt like home especially with The Professor here. He always made us feel welcome.” The realisation of what he was getting at hit her and she looked around at the kids her face picking up on the small groups that still didn’t look right.
“Jubilee been through here?” Marie just looked at him when he spoke.
“No why?” Letting her go he stood up and looked around the room before he answered her.
“She’s a bit upset, the kids had a huge argument in the kitchen when I came back, something about Father Christmas.” As if on cue, Paul walked into the rec room being followed by Jubilee her face angry and her tone carrying across the room.
“You had no right to do that Paul, Anne and Rebecca don’t have much as it is.” She grabbed his arm as the young man tried to twist away from her. “It wasn’t fair and you know it.” Paul rounded on her and bit out at her.
“What would you know about it anyway? You’re not exactly ‘poster girl’ for mutant integration are you?” They could all see the pain flash through her eyes as he continued, “You’re not even bright enough to know when you’re being stupid. They have to learn sometime that the world is cruel to people like us, better they learn it now than later.” Logan’s eyes narrowed as he watched Jubilee crumple inside, Marie was already making her way over. Her hands clenched and her body stiff as she walked over. Paul just turned to look at her and sneered, his comment low enough for only Jubilee and Marie to hear but he didn’t know that Logan could hear him too. “Well if it isn’t our little mother, got something to add?” Moving closer to the small group he saw Marie’s hand pull back and slap Paul across the face. The sound rang out across the room, her voice quiet and low as she answered him.
“That I may be Paul,” almost spitting out his name “But one thing I ain’t is as dumb as you are if you think what your saying is true. There’s plenty of people out there who feel just the same as we do and it don’t matter to them whether you’re a mutant or not.” She looked him up and down as he twisted out of Jubilee’s grip on him and touched the red mark on his face. “Just because you’re brighter than us don’t make you any more smart when it comes to everyone else. Fact is even Logan’s better at figuring things out than you, at least he lets himself ‘have’ feelings. When was the last time you felt one huh?” Paul cast them all a dark look and stormed out of the room, barging past Bobby and Kurt as they entered the Rec room.
“What’s got into Paul?” Bobby’s eyes took in the scene and Kurt went over to a group of silently crying children. It was turning into a great Christmas.

Marie stood holding Jubilee gently stroking her friends arm, talking to her quietly. She shot him a look and he just nodded as they both walked away from the room. Bobby started a foosball tournament on the table and managed to rope in the kids who’d been watching the fight. Logan watched Bobby’s easy manner with them he joked as they played around, even put a thin layer of ice on the table so the ball slid better.

Turning to Hank he tapped him lightly on the shoulder, gaining his attention. “So tell me about Father Christmas.” The serious look on his face was enough to assure Hank that he wasn’t making fun of him. There were gaps in his memory, BIG gaps and the whole Yuletide season was one of them, maybe that was why he always avoided it.
Now his curiosity wanted to know why the whole thing was causing so much trouble. Hank moved so he could sit down on the sofa and Logan just climbed over the back, sitting comfortably in the leather folds. Clearing his throat Hank began, “The whole thing was a pagan tradition many years ago, it started with a midwinter festival, to bring the sun back to life. They’d celebrate together as a tribe or large group. The druids of England still do it every year, although many of the Wiccan religion do too. The main figure we see is the figure that Charles Dickens brought to life in ‘A Christmas Carol’.” Logan stopped listening for a moment and remembered a half-seen image of a huge man dressed in green and had a bunch of candles on his head. Seeing Logan thinking he picked up the remote and flicked around the channels until he hit on the channel he wanted. “Yes there he is look, that’s the image we have of the original Father Christmas." The screen showed a large actor dressed in what looked like an old green velvet curtain wrapped round the middle with a huge leather belt. His face was red and his voice boomed out across the screen and Ebeneezer had the good grace to be frightened by him. Feeling drawn into the scene he just sat in silence and watched it, not even noticing Anne flop near his head and sigh, “Oh no, not that again!” She waltzed off to find something more exciting to do. The scene changed from the ghost of Christmas Present to the Ghost of Future and Hank switched it off. “That’s the Father Christmas we have in our hearts, when we think of him. The red and white Santa Claus is another matter all together. He was a marketing opportunity for Coca-Cola. Not a real Father Christmas at all.” Logan took it all in and looked around the room and finding who he wanted to talk to, he made a beeline.
“Thanks Hank.”

Anne was sitting in the window seat looking at the snow coming down when she caught his movement out of the corner of her eye. She visibly paled when she saw it was him, hearing her heart speed up. He kept a couple of feet between them both. “Hey kid,” Anne lifted her gaze to his face and tried not to show her fear.
“H… hey.” He crouched down so their eyes were level and he didn’t seem that much of a threat. He could see her skin flushing and he realised as he caught a drift of scent that it wasn’t fear making her blush, stifling a smile he decided to make this short.
“What did that idiot say to you?” His voice was flat but his eyes caught hers and she could see he wanted to know the truth. He heard her gulp and she licked her lips nervously.
“He told Rebecca that there was no Father Christmas for Mutants, no one cares enough for there to be one.” Her voice cracked a little as she told him and he felt himself holding a snarl down as she carried on. “Rebecca’s only ten, she’s never been away from home before at Christmas you know and we were talking about the times we’d gone to the mall, you know to see the store Santa’s.” Her eyes flicked to the cold outside and he felt her nerves fade and a pain replace them instead. “He just said there wasn’t any point in us going, no-one would want a mutant on their knee anyway, especially not Santa if he even existed.” Her eyes met his and they burned with hatred, something that bit down deep inside her and it hurt him to see it in someone so young. “I know he doesn’t exist but he didn’t have to hurt Rebecca.” She turned her head away from him and he could smell the tears she was hiding. “I hate him.” He didn’t know what to say to that, so he just left her sat in the window seat, watching the snow come down. Pulling himself back up he walked back to Hank a question on his mind.
Flopping back down on the couch he spoke his mind, “So who’s Santa?” Hank didn’t bother turning from the tv to see him, “He was a Saint, Saint Nicholas patron saint of Children he was written into the myth around 400 years ago. But he’s not Father Christmas although the two have become interchangeable in the modern world, something I find a little sad.” Taking the remote from Hanks hands he switched the tv off again, Hank sighed and turned his full attention to Logan, noticing how much like a child he could be when he had a bee in his bonnet.
“You have Paul in your class, what do you think of him?” Hank thought about his answer before he spoke.
“Paul is very intelligent and he has a gift for electronics, he can communicate directly with them, literally talk to a computer with his mind. But he does have a few problems adjusting to others, his mind works so quickly you see. Scott even gives him extra classes to keep him busy, I think he’s been touching on Quantum theory this semester.” Logan thought back to the rosta he’d drawn up for the patrols with Peiter and couldn’t remember seeing his name on any of them.
“How long he been here?”
“About six months, why?”
“How many times has he been outside with the rest of the kids?” Hank looked at him oddly and then sat up in the sofa.
“I’d have to check his file to find out.” Logan’s eyes met his and he saw the question lodged in them.
“I think you’d better check his file, see where he comes from and why he’s never been on any patrol lists even though he’s old enough and should’ve been on them. I want to know a little more about our Paul.” Hank just nodded and got up from the sofa, leaving Logan feeling a little lost and hungry. When all else failed to please him, there was always food. The thought of seeing Marie in the kitchen fed that idea too. Smiling he left the kids to the tv and foosball, he had other things to think about.

The kitchen was a mess, several tubs of ice cream were open and the blender had been used, fruit peel was strewn on the counter-top. A couple of very full women were sat finishing off whatever it was they’d been eating. Ororo, Jubilee and Marie were sat there grinning like idiots, walking into the kitchen he got a smouldering look from Ororo and a small smile. “Nice to see you had the time to dress Logan,” her frankness sometimes surprised him and Jubilee almost choked on her last mouthful as she heard the comment come out of Storms mouth.
“Yeah well.” He leaned against the island and looked at the remains in front of him. “Feeling better?” His eyes meeting both Jubilee’s and Marie’s, Marie answered first, planting a chocolate orange tasting kiss on his lips. Savouring the taste he licked it away, seeing Ororo smile even more.
“What have you been upto in here? Apart from decimating the ice cream, I can hear your minds plotting something. What is it?” Marie looked innocently at him and he knew he was in trouble, especially when she twisted her hair around her fingers and pouted at him. Knowing the effect it had on him he adjusted his body so it wouldn’t be so obvious to the rest of them. Growling softly he just snapped it out, “Come on what is it? You want me to do something so spit it out.” Marie looked disappointed when he didn’t react the way she thought he would but Ororo’s glance around the island reassured her it had. Smiling she answered him.
“Well we were thinking about what Paul had said to Anne and Rebecca, you know about there not being a Santa Claus.” He held up his finger and stopped her.
“Don’t you mean Father Christmas?” She just continued ignoring his comment.
“Well we thought it would be nice if there could be one for the kids here tonight, someone to put presents in their rooms you know, someone who could sneak around the mansion without being heard….” She let her look bore into him and he realised what she was getting at. She wanted him to dress up as SANTA!

Her sweet little smile ended at her eyes where the mischief began, he’d rather be dead than get caught creeping around the mansion with a sack of toys sneaking into children’s bedrooms. It just wasn’t something he could see himself doing, not in a million years, not even for Marie.
Looking at their expectant faces he realised they’d already planned it and were getting Marie to get him to agree to it. She batted her eyelashes at him when she realised he’d worked it out, damn the women were sneaky, he was glad that Scott wasn’t here to see this. Growling under his breath and realising if he didn’t do this Marie would never let him forget it.
“Okay but I’m not doing SANTA, Ghost Of Christmas Present yes, but NOT Santa!”

With that he left them to their ice cream and grabbed a hunk of cheese from the fridge, along with a plate of cold meat. Three confused faces looked back at him and he realised they didn’t know what he was talking about.
“Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens?” The trio of faces slowly worked it out between them and a sly grin spread across Ororo’s face as she spoke.
“You’ve seen it I assume?” He just nodded as he ate the meat and cheese. “Then you have no objection to the costume? Or that you’ll be giving out gifts to all the children here this evening?” His eyes met Ororo’s and he saw a flicker of amusement in them, he’d better be careful here.
“Yeah as long as I’m not the only one in costume,” he looked pointedly at Marie and Jubilee. “I could do with a couple of helpers.” Before they had time to complain Ororo spoke.
“Agreed then we’ll come get you around 8pm after dinner? I assume you’ll be doing your stint on duty tonight?” Looking at the rosta he found his own name on there for the grounds until 8pm, checking his watch it was nearly time for his shift to start.
“Sure okay.” Ororo smiled wickedly and bent Marie’s ear to hers and whispered in it, Marie quickly told Jubilee who almost dropped her glass on the table top. His eyes speared them through and he looked for any sign of deceit in their scents but he couldn’t find any. Shrugging he finished off the plate and stacked it in the sink, he had other things to think about and walked out of the kitchen.

When he was out of earshot Marie turned to her co-conspirators and tried to get the grin off her face. “Oh man, if he knew what he was letting himself in for, he never would’ve said yes.” Ororo just patted her arm and smiled
“That is true but we’re not the ones who have to sleep with him tonight.” Leaving Marie with that thought she slid off her stool and went out of the kitchen, Jubilee slightly panicked by the realisation that Marie was pregnant and could be the brunt of Logan’s anger.
“He wouldn’t would he?” Marie brushed off the question easily with a toss of her head.
“Of course he wouldn’t. He loves me Jubes, he’d never hurt me. Snarl a bit sure but never hurt me.” All she could think of was what he’d look like in the costume and hoped her hormones would allow her to stand near him dressed like that without touching him. Sighing she turned to Jubilee and motioned to the dishes. “Come on you stack, I’ll rack.”



Bah Humbug

The cool night was worth the hassle of being roped into Christmas, breath fogging up as he covered the grounds Logan just let his mind catch up with everything that had gone on since the death of Jean. He still missed her but not in the same way as he thought he would, it wasn’t the stolen glances or sight of Scott getting is blood pressure to new heights. It was the simple little things, like walking into the medical bay and seeing her there, her smile as she’d walk into a room and see her family in front of her. Those were the things he missed the most, the safety she’d brought to his world. He’d been attracted to her sure, who wouldn’t be? But she’d been attached and there was no way in hell that she’d ever change her mind about who was the most important to her. It had taken her death for him to see that in her eyes, she chose and in doing so had left him alone with the truth. That he was Marie’s and always had been, she’d known ever since Liberty Island, when she’d felt Marie die and the grief that had torn him apart. Even in the Blackbird when she’d been sucked out, she’d felt his rage as he’d realised he couldn’t help her, luckily Kurt could and did. Stopping for a moment he realised he’d never thanked him for that, never said thanks for saving his life too. Remembering how she’d looked wrapped up in his arms had almost been worth the pain but part of him knew then that she was his. He’d just crushed it down and finished the job with Stryker, he’d left his past behind him sure but it didn’t really have much meaning to him if he was always alone.

Standing in the cold air he felt the wind caress his face and he let his thoughts of Jean float away into the night, into the darkness where they belonged. Turning his head toward the mansion he looked at the new security system that Scott had been putting together, when it was operational it would cover the entire grounds. The motion sensors would track everything for a mile radius around the house, giving them plenty of time to organise an escape for the kids. Looking at the main doors he saw Peiter come out dressed in his long coat and gloves, checking the front porch as he always did before setting out on his rounds. The door opened behind him and Damask slid out into the cold and hugged him from behind. He watched them for a second before he left them alone, Peiter was a deep man and he needed a purpose in life. He’d come to the School to learn control and had found a home here, now he’d found someone who could soften the edges of him a little. Moving toward the kitchen door across the snowy field he heard the soft footfalls behind him, slow and sure. Keeping still he let his nose pick up the scent’s around, the wind was behind him and brought a warm doggy smell mixed with dried blood. Turning slowly the wolf only shifted slightly as his eyes met the calm gaze directed at him, blood was still visible around its head and chest. It just stood there weighing him up, appraising him with its amber stare. The eyes reminding him of Hank but the stance was all his, a second wolf trotted out from the woods and he didn’t need telling who it was. Turning the wolf just flicked it’s ears and it retreated back into the dark line of trees, giving him a last look the wolf turned away. Trotting home to the forest, it stopped once to send him a look over it’s shoulder, one he recognised as it’s jaw hung open and ran back to the safety of the trees. The joy in it’s movements obvious as it disappeared from view, the sound of playful yapping reaching his ears and making him smile as he made his way back to the warmth of his own pack.

Kurt was in the kitchen peeling potatoes when he walked in, knocking the snow off his boots his nose picking up the dinner still waiting for him in the oven. Walking straight over and opening the door, plucking out his still warm dinner, picking up a fork he set to with abandon, noticing Kurt’s eyes watching him as he ate. “Spill it Kurt, what have those three witches got me into now?” Seeing his tail lash from side to side nervously as he debated telling him what he’d seen Ororo sewing this afternoon with Jubilee. Logan pierced him through as he picked up the chicken leg and bit into the still warm meat, knowing that Kurt could see his own body in the hands and mouth of the Wolverine. Putting the last of the peeled potatoes in water he carried them to the fridge and placed them carefully inside. Logan’s eyes never left him making his skin crawl with their intensity and he saw Kurt reach for the small crooked cross that was always at his waistcoat. “Kurt?” His voice was even but there was a slight edge of menace to it and he understood the nerves Kurt showed him when he turned around.
“I’m sorry Logan I just can’t.” He bamfed away leaving the air a little tainted with his distinctive smell. Finishing his plate he took it to the sink and saw a small piece of green cloth on the floor, it was decorated with a sparkling cover of silver and it smelled of Ororo. Smiling he thanked Kurt, he couldn’t tell him but he could show him, “Thanks for the heads up Kurt.” Leaving his plate in the sink he went to find Marie.

The scent of burning wax drew him to the rec room, the doors were closed and he could hear excited voices behind the door, Jubilee to be precise. “Oh god he’d going to freak when he sees this, I’m sure he’s just going to go ape.” Listening to the conversation his hand just resting on the doorknob, Ororo’s rich tones answered. “Oh don’t worry Jubilee, I’m sure he’ll ‘rise’ to the occasion, it’s only once a year after all and the children are feeling a little down. What else can we do, it’s not as if we can take them all to the mall is it? Not after your last trip.” The smile on his lips faltered as he remembered the Mall trip and the subsequent arrests that had been made. He could hear Jubilee’s intake of breath as she answered and smelled her distress.
“Yeah I know, doesn’t make it any less sucky if he won’t do it. I mean he didn’t even know what he was getting himself into.” That peaked his interest, Ororo’s rich tone filled the room. “Don’t worry about it Jubilee I’m sure he’ll be fine and you look wonderful too. I’m glad I kept those old dresses from the play,” he could sense Ororo’s impatience. “He really should be here by now. Marie do you want to go and find him?” He picked up Marie’s rich scent as she moved.
“I don’t need to.” Ororo spoke again.
“Why is that?”
“He’s outside the door listening.” Busted he walked into the Rec room, it was transformed, the foosball table had gone, as had the pool table. The large tv was covered by a huge dark cloth and a throne like chair was sat in front of it. The whole room had been decorated candles littered every available non- flammable surface. Presents were stacked against the chair, carefully labelled and stacked in size and order. It looked amazing and he whistled appreciatively, the chair looked like one from the conference room and was spread with a green cloth with what looked like a fur trim, breathing in the scent he confirmed it as fox fur.

Marie watched as he soaked it all in, the room had taken two hours to prepare, the woven ivy garlands criss-crossed the entire room, making the ceiling lower and the room darker. The candles they’d raided from the stores in the cellar, the costume Ororo and Jubilee had made as she’d been weaving the garlands. Brushing down her own costume she walked over to his side and slipped her arm through his. “You ready to do this?” His eyes met hers and she drew a breath sharply, they were glowing. Something she’d never seen before in his eyes was showing itself just to her and it fired a memory she knew wasn't hers but was just as important. Smiling she reached up and ran her fingers delicately down his face as she pulled him into a kiss. The heat pouring through her body as he pulled her into him, feeling the connection grow between them, seeing inside him for a split second. The vision of a wolf standing with it’s mate out against the snow and others in the background just waiting. The vision leaving her as he broke away but the light in his eyes was just as bright. Squeezing her in her dress he leered down her cleavage, feeling him rise against her as she breathed. “Guess a I owe you $5.” Jubilee’s voice split through the moment, bringing them both back to the here and now. He grinned wolfishly at Jubilee who was dressed in a similar costume but one that was all gold even here she had to stick to yellow. Her own dress was a deep emerald with dark midnight blue touches here and there. Ororo was dressed in pure white and he had to admit he almost drooled at the sight of her curves poured into that dress.
“You’re going to give Kurt something to confess in that outfit,” his voice deepened by his arousal. Ororo just laughed and walked to the chair picking up what he’d thought was the cover. She held it up for him to see, it was a simple robe, trimmed in fur, the belt was one of his own. There were no ties on it the sleeves were long and trimmed with the same fur as the collar. A wreath was left on the chair and he saw Ororo pick it up and walk over with the two items. Her eyes were alive with mirth as she handed them to him, the silver sparkling over the dark green material reminding him of the snow outside. The crown wreath even had two points on it to match his hair, quirking an eyebrow he looked at Marie who just smiled. “Your idea huh?” She playfully slapped him as she slipped out of his grip, “Get dressed you big lunk.” Grabbing the coat he began to shrug it on over his clothes that was until Ororo stopped him.
“Oh no Logan, if your going to do this you do this properly.” His eyes met hers and he looked confused for a second then the image from A Christmas Carol shot through his mind. He’d be bared chested, the coat open enough for his skin to be shown, the rest of the coat wrapped around his legs. Smiling he shrugged it back off and took off his coat and shirts, listening to the little intake of breath from the women in front of him and he couldn’t help but feel his ego swell a little. With women like this around it was hard not to feel the cock of the walk.
Bare chested he reached out for the robe but Ororo didn’t let him have it, she just smiled and looked at his legs and feet, her own brows lifted as he realised. “Oh no, that’s it,” snatching the robe from her grasp he slid it over his bare skin, the velvet feeling like an all over caress. “I’m not being buck naked under this thing while kids troop through. I think they had enough of seeing my backside the other day.” Ororo tried to stifle a laugh as Jubilee just let her mind speak for her, “Yeah that’s a sight to remember, pure Hallmark.” Logan shot a look and Jubilee realised she’d said it out loud to the room not just in her head face going bright red, Marie just laughing. Jubilee recovered enough to defend herself, “Well I was just there, it wasn’t as if there was anywhere else to look.” Leaving it at that she went to rearrange the presents again, her skirts swishing as she walked. Smiling at him Marie went and helped her friend get over the embarrassment of wanting to jump her best friends boyfriend. They both knew he had something that the women of the school either loved or hated, although most of them loved him. All he had to do was walk into a room with no shirt and soon every female eye would be checking him out. As if it was his own private harem and they were all willing candidates but he’d never flirted with anyone or made a move on anyone but Jean and now Marie. They could dream all they wanted but they’d never be allowed to touch him.

Pulling the robe on and tying the belt around him Ororo helped him to arrange the folds so they sat naturally, the wreath she gently moved around until it sat straight and true. Happy with her work she called, “Girls, have a look.” The looks that covered their faces were absolutely priceless, Jubilee just stared and he could hear her heartbeat speed up from here and the blush she already had deepened. Marie just slowly dragged her eyes over him, as if she were touching him with her hands. The look of want that crossed her features was something he’d never forget and if the tightness in his trousers was anything to go by it wouldn’t be long until he saw it again. Jubilee just gripped the box in her hands until Marie nudged her “You’ll break it if you squeeze it any harder.” The comment making him laugh out loud, filling the air with its rich deep sound, the sound of Christmas. Jubilee just blushed even harder and sat on the small stool next to the chair, trying to ignore her hormones.

Turning to Ororo he saw her rich smile he just winked at her as he took his place in the chair, rearranging the folds so his boots were covered by the material. Looking down at a furiously red Jubilee he just smiled, “How are we doing this then?” Jubilee flicked her eyes up to his, seeing the amusement in them and couldn’t help but smile in return.
“Storms going to collect the kids a room at a time, starting with the younger kids.”

The clock had struck ten before the first group of kids had been led in by Ororo, all he had to do was look imposing and hand them a present. It sounded so easy but things never go to plan the way they should, several of the kids wouldn’t even come in the door when they found out who it was. Eventually Hank had led them in, mostly hiding behind his large furry body. The older kids weren’t such a problem, even Anne was surprised and smiling when she took her gift from his hands. Her eyes meeting his for a moment and seeing a silent thank you for a sweet memory he knew she’d treasure. He winked just for her and saw her blush as she moved out of the way for the next recipient.
Soon all the kids were back in bed and the clock had chimed eleven, Ororo and Kurt were in the kitchen getting everything ready for the dinner tomorrow with Bobby, Jubilee and Damask. There were only a few gifts left to hand out, some would have to wait until their owners returned from other countries but there was one he wanted to deliver in a way that only he could. Hank had been and told him what he’d found out about Paul, also about the plans that had been in progress before the Professor had had to leave. A smile had crept across his eyes as he’d considered something. He outlined his plan to Marie who just grinned and raced off to the kitchen to inform everyone and to bring the errant recipient.

Paul had had a crappy holiday so far, the computer linkage he’d been promised hadn’t materialised with Cyclops being away and he’d felt more out of place everyday. Rubbing his eyes he was so tired but no matter how much he slept it never seemed to go away. He could feel his mind calculating, working out problems that he’d seen in the day, throwing up the answers in bright bursts of light behind his eyes. As if his head was a huge computer linked into everything else around him. He could even feel the electricity running through the wires in his room. Sighing he collapsed on his bed and waited for sleep to hit him, the small light over it illuminating his text books laid next to him. Closing his eyes for a second he felt a moment of total peace descend on him, no longer feeling the wires humming or his brain picking up on everything with a computer inside it. Just peace.

Snapping his eyes open he was met by darkness, flicking his lamp a couple of times he found the power was off. Going to the window he saw the lights were off in the grounds, if the lights were off there had to be a problem downstairs. Throwing open the door he bolted downstairs expecting to see others but he didn’t see anyone. No one at all, fear pinched his chest and he felt his heart move up into his mouth as he came down the stairs. There was one light in the whole corridor and it was under the Rec room door. Someone was stood just in front of the doors on the other side, he could see their feet as they moved away from them.
Moving cautiously he approached the doors and opened one, sliding his head around it seeing the room had been changed. His eyes searching for the person he knew was in here, he couldn’t be alone here in the school could he? He shoved the thought down as absurd, they had to be somewhere. Picking up a candle in it’s holder he was about to leave when he heard someone. “Where do you think your going?” the voice was deep and he knew who it belonged to, Wolverine. He just froze, Rogue must have told him about what he’d said earlier because his tone was very very cold. Turning around he walked into the darkened room and went to where the sound was coming from. Unlit candles covered every surface, he knew there had been something going on but he’d made himself scarce.

Locking his door to the rest of the school, trying to keep his mind clear of the noise around him, of the generator buzzing in the basement, of Cerebro doing maintenance checks on itself. Walking closer he found the source of the sound, the light from the candle falling on the Wolverine sat on a huge chair in front of the tv, dressed in a sparkling green robe with a wreath on his head. If it wasn’t so surreal he’d have laughed but all he could feel was fear, he was alone with the Wolverine and he’d insulted his girlfriend earlier. “We missed you earlier. Marie knocked on your door more than once to try and get you.” His eyes glittered as they bored into him, flaying him open without even moving. Paul felt his throat tighten, “I didn’t hear her.”
He wasn’t lying, he hadn’t heard anyone. He saw the Wolverines eyes narrow as he leaned forward, his hands gripping the arms of the chair and breathing his scent in deeply as he looked at him. Wolverine looked like an old god, sat on his throne judging the soul of the person in front of him. He listened as he growled deep in his chest, feeling the reverberations in the air. “You upset her and I don’t like that, I don’t like that at all.” He got up then and leapt down from the chair landing just in front of him, it was all he could do to just stand there as the Wolverine just bored into him with his eyes.

Burning, opening the heart of him, seeing him as he really was, alone and afraid. He couldn’t take the stare any longer and he just collapsed inside, able to feel something that wasn’t electrical, wasn’t something else other than his own mind. His voice was small when he spoke, thick with emotion. “I didn’t mean to upset her, I just couldn’t hear her, there’s so many other things going on I sometimes get lost in them all.” Paul’s hands played with the wax that had run down the side of the candle his body screaming to him to run away but his legs refusing to move. He remembered his biology lessons, predators like it when you run.

Logan looked through the boy in front of him, barely sixteen but mentally aged by his power, fear was coming off him in waves but he didn’t move. He just stayed perfectly still except for his fingers which were saying exactly how nervous he felt. Grunting a little he moved away to the stack of presents and pulled out the small gift for him. Pushing it into his free hand he took the candle away from him watching as he just turned it over in his hands as if it was something he’d never seen before. “Aren’t you going to open it?” Looking straight through him Paul’s hands roved over the paper wrapping and he just sighed.
“No because I know what it is.” Logan quirked an eyebrow and Paul answered. “It’s a Palm Pilot, I can feel the circuitry. Cyclops was trying to keep it a surprise but I’ve known since he bought it.” The look of dejection was evident on his face and he just laid the present down on a table. “As if I need more stuff in my room.” Anger was bubbling upto the surface now and Logan couldn’t help but wonder why.

How could he do this to him? Cyclops knew he could feel the imprint of the circuit board with his mind, knew he didn’t want another piece of electronic equipment so why? His eyes found the label through the anger that was pouring through him, the present wasn’t even for him. It had been for Jean.

The image of Jean shot into his mind, the doctor who’d shut off everything non- essential in the lab whenever he came down so he could actually talk to her without distraction. Jean who’d told him he could call her by her first name, seeing as he spent so much time around Cyclops and her. Jean who’s residue was still in the Blackbird he’d felt her mind and the decision she’d made. That she’d sacrificed everything for the ones she’d loved, he’d cried alone in the cockpit for over and hour. No one had even known he was there until Cyclops and come to check on the diagnostic’s he’d been left to run. He didn’t know that Jean was still part of the plane and he wouldn’t understand either so he’d kept it to himself.

Anger burned up him again as he thought about the present in his hands, how could he just stand there and not know he’d given him Jean’s present? Grabbing the wrapped box shoving it back at Wolverine, his voice dripping with malice as he spoke, “Maybe you should learn to read, it isn’t even mine, it’s Jean’s.” Wolverines eyes burned through him when he met them and his voice wavered, “I mean Dr Grey’s.” Slowly Wolverine took the gift from his hand and placed it on the table, Paul watched the movements. His eyes never leaving the large hands and the blades he knew were underneath.

Logan almost choked when Paul called his bluff, biting down a smile he took the insult and just pulled the box out of his hands and put it on the table. He’d gone through at least five different emotions now if his scent was anything to go by. The kid had guts or he was hiding behind that ‘superior’ mind of his, time to find out. He reached out a heavy arm and put it on his shoulder, “Come on, we’ll find yours then. There’s not that many left.” He growled out the last bit of the sentence, “Not that you’d know, seeing as you didn’t bother to come down when Marie went for you.” He tightened his grip on his shoulder and felt the muscle give under his fingers and Paul tightened up, fear battling with the anger.

Paul watched in horror as the large green covered arm wrapped around his shoulder. The strong fingers gripped into his flesh pulling him toward the chair and the dark. The small light Wolverine held was moving and throwing weird shadows around the large room as he led him to the small pile of presents. It seemed absurd to his eyes, the Wolverine stood there looking through the presents, carefully reading each one and replacing it on the pile. Paul was watching him as he picked up the last one, hope blooming in his chest but seeing it dashed as the box was replaced on the pile. Confusion rode across Wolverine’s face as the truth hit Paul like a stone. He didn’t have one, there wasn’t a present for him. Pulling everything deep inside he closed the door on his feelings, allowing a steel to fill his heart and freeze it solid. His eyes blank he just watched Wolverine as he went to the large tree and fiddled with something on the branches.

He could feel Paul’s hopes rise and fall with each gift he looked at, he knew it wasn’t here in the pile. He’d moved it earlier into the tree. As the last present went down he could feel the disappointment rush through the boy, he was still a child inside, his gift had forced him to be something he wasn’t, a machine. Leaving him alone as he went to the tree he could feel the change in him, walking back the light from the candle hit his eyes and his mind recoiled from the look in them. He’d seen eyes like that before, Stryker’s eyes had looked like that when he’d seen him at Alkali Lake. Cold indifferent a machine to get the results he wanted, feelings weren’t useful so they’d been crushed down until he’d forgotten how to feel. Even when he’d put his claws in him he’d still been closed off, still denying his feelings. Logan was sure he wasn’t going to let this happen here. He just handed him the small gift.

The Wolverine dropped something into his hand, a small little package, it had his name on it. “Open it. It’s got your name on it.” The sarcasm was thick and he could feel the heat from him he was so close. Meeting his gaze he brought the small package up into the light and began to open it. The paper was wrapped tightly but it opened and a key and fob dropped out into his hand. It was a room key, his eyes snapped up to The Wolverine who just kept his glower and met his questioning gaze. “New room kid?” His voice wavered a little.
“I don’t know,” he opened his hand and showed him, feeling the rough fingers pick it up and turn it over and drop it back into his hand. Reaching under his robe he saw Wolverine pull out his own key to his room, offering it up to the one in Paul’s hand. The key’s were the same type, even the fob with it’s little ‘X’ in the middle. Confusion settled over him as Wolverine put his away.

Smiling at the reaction he put his key away, the kid was wondering what was going on, time to get the rest of them in on the act. “Come on lets find out what’s going on.” He grabbed Paul roughly and pulled him to the doors, he just hoped they’d had enough time to set things up.

Feeling the rough hand of Wolverine grab him and pull him toward the door he wanted to say something, that he didn’t understand either. He didn’t know what was going on but the look on Wolverine’s face didn’t look like he was upto anything but getting angry. So he let himself be taken out of the room and into a corridor of light. Candles were lining the entire hallway and stairway, their golden light making everything look beautiful. Wolverine didn’t stop to look at the beauty around him, he just pulled him up the stairs avoiding the candles with the long edge of his robe. Silence reigned as they walked down the halls toward the teachers wing. The candles were more spaced out here and the flames were still establishing themselves. They’d only just been lit. He was snapped out of his thoughts when Wolverine stopped in front of a door. “Open it.”

Shaking slightly he put the new key in the lock and twisted it. The door popped open and the room behind it was lit with candles everywhere, his eyes taking in the room. There were no power points in here, not even an overhead light, a small photosensitive cell was sending out an ambient glow that filled a corner of the room. Walking inside he ran his hands on the wall nearest to the door, trying to feel the cables he knew ran beneath it. But there was nothing there, nothing at all. Turning to the Wolverine, he could see him smiling, the light catching in his eyes and making them dance with something that wasn’t entirely human. “Merry Christmas kid.” Everything he’d said that day, about no-one caring enough, about no-one understanding about no-one wanting to know mutants came back at him.

The pain he’d been nurturing inside, been cradling since he was ten and had aced every test ever given to him. Been the brightest and best even though he’d been hated by everyone else, his mutation kicking in the middle of an exam. Being hounded for cheating, for changing his grades, for entering the school computer system without permission, for just being who he couldn’t help being, for being a mutant.

The first tear slipped out without him knowing and he saw Storm and Dr McCoy standing next to Wolverine. Their faces soft and smiling, hearing Dr McCoy tell him about the room, “The room is shielded from most of the electrical circuitry we have here. Using some of the technology we share with our beneficent government the Professor managed to do a deal for this room. We’ve managed to shield you from almost everything, your computer will still work in here but you’ll have to run a cable to the outside.” The tears were making it hard to see as the walls came down inside. Storm came in and wrapped her arms around him as he cried. “We know how hard it is for you Paul, the Professor and Cyclops have been trying to get it fully finished for you as there’s still a few things that need to be done. It was Wolverines idea that you have it now instead of waiting.” Paul looked up into Storms face and saw nothing but the truth in it. The rumble that came from Wolverine almost shook the doorframe.
“Yeah there’s only one humbug round here and that’s me.” Paul’s gaze found the Wolverine’s and the smile that was hidden inside them, winking quickly to him he turned and left him with Storm and Dr McCoy. Explaining how the systems worked in his new room and that could stay here tonight and move his things over tomorrow. His mind wasn’t on what was being said, it was on the figure walking away down the hall, his footsteps a little heavier than they needed to be. A Mutant Father Christmas, not the sugar sweet kind he grew up with, or the fake ones in the Malls. One that did what it could whenever it could, smiling he let himself be held for the first time in six months. Free to think without being drowned in data, looking around his new room noticing a little black book on his table. On it was a small piece of holly, wrapped around a pen, noticing his gaze Hank answered the question in his mind. “From Rogue, Jubilee and Wolverine. They just said sometimes it’s easier to write it than say it.” The tears clouded his vision again and he let Storm hold him as he cried, feeling her hands brush over his hair something he used to love before he’d come here and closed himself off. His voice so quiet they almost missed it, “Thank you.” Feeling the warm hand of Dr McCoy land on his back and pat it gently, he let himself feel wanted for the first time in years.

Logan walked down hallway his robe moving as he went the velvet rustling and he stopped outside his room door. Smiling he unlocked the door and went inside, coming out again still wearing the robe but walking down the hallway in his bare feet. A fire reflecting in his eyes as the lights were put back on, he still had one present to deliver.

Marie and Jubilee were just putting out the last of the candles when Logan just stood watching them eventually getting their attention. Jubilee noticed him first and as her eyes met his, she just nudged Marie. The lights didn’t do him justice and he heard Jubilee’s intake of breath as she noticed the toe peeking out of the bottom of the robe. Shifting his foot forward so it became uncovered completely made Jubilee’s eyes go wide and Marie’s face to take on a predatory leer. Her voice husky as she spoke, “Finished giving out presents sugar?” Her tones making his skin crawl with want. Jubilee just took one look at the pair of them and made her exit, hurrying up the stairs she managed to squeeze past without touching him. He growled low as she passed him and he saw the blush rise in her skin and her own scent hit a high note. Squeaking she bolted up the rest of the stairs, her flush spreading as the thoughts of what he had on (or the lack of it) under the robe filled her mind. She needed to find Bobby, fast!

Laughing he picked Marie up and pulled her into him, her dress making her waist seem even smaller than it really was. Purring as he ground her into him, his erection beginning to push forward under the heavy velvet, swinging her hips across his groin and hearing him rumble in pleasure. Pulling him to the doors of the Rec room its lights still off and only a few candles lit in the room. Making him raise an eyebrow at her, “What you think I’d let you sneak off without giving me my present?” Her grin was indecent as she pulled him over to the large chair, “You gonna put me on your lap and ask me what I want?” She pushed him into the chair, marvelling at how the light reflected from his body, how it made his eyes shine. Taking hold of the wreath she threw it off into a corner, hearing it land near the tree making the baubles rattle. Her legs trying to straddle his but finding the arms of the chair in the way, noticing Logan just pulled the arms out putting them to either side.

Seeing the heat in Marie’s eyes at his display of strength, he smiled “I’ll repair it later.” Pulling her down into his lap and his heat, her hands sliding under the velvet across his skin. Bending her head to kiss his neck, feeling the fox fur tickle her as she chased his pulse down his solid throat. “Marie,” his voice was thick with need for her but he knew she was still hurting from the other day. His eyes told her his concern and she just shushed him and lifted her skirts so she could sit comfortably. Her skin feeling the slightly scratchy quality of the spangled velvet against her inner thighs, he could tell she wasn’t wearing anything under the skirts and he rumbled his approval.
“Like your present huh?” Her voice muffled as she bent her head to his skin and trailing small kisses over the broad expanse of chest in front of her. His own hands sliding up the dress, fingers slowly making their way along her thigh in small circles. Feeling her muscles tense with each maddeningly slow trace, closing his eyes and just losing himself in her touch. Breathing slow Logan opened his eyes to find her hands on his belt buckle and a leer across her face. His heart almost burst when he saw her slide down his legs and nudge them apart, making room to kneel in the green velvet. His eyes never leaving hers as her hands slid up the robe, fingers tickling each hair she passed with her hands. Hearing his breath hitch as she moved over his knees, sliding her hands up the inside of his thighs. Logan finding it difficult to breathe as he watched Marie take him in her hands, opening the robe so she could work without a barrier between them. Her face open and hungry as she sized him up licking her lips as a whimper came out of Logan. His body humming with anticipation as she licked her lips, making them shine in the semi darkness. Her voice almost as soft as the velvet she was knelt in she bent to his erection and kissed it gently, “Merry Christmas sugar.”
Her mouth slowly took him inside, sliding in so slowly so he could see every little movement of her head and lips. He grabbed the back of the chair in an effort not to thrust upward into the warmth of her mouth, her tongue slowly licking the underside of his shaft, making him groan loudly.

He could feel her smile and she opened the link they had between their minds, images of him dressed as he was, picking her up and fucking her, no grace, no tenderness just an animalistic joining. Her own hands clawing his skin and drawing blood, her own growls mingling with his own as they rutted. Her face snarling and vibrant, eyes on fire as she pulled him deeper into herself as he thrust down into her. The images flooded his senses, mingling with the feelings she was creating on him, her fingers digging into his thighs as she lost herself in the rhythm of her work. Grabbing her cheek he slowed her down a little, listening to her skirts rustle and seeing her own hand sneak under the dress. The bloom of scent reaching his nose and making him twitch against her mouth. He could feel her smile as she worked on herself, her breath cooling his erection as she sighed at the feel of her own fingers. Releasing him for a moment she looked in his eyes, he was barely contained, every fibre was alive and humming, smiling she slowly licked his shaft from the root to the glistening tip. His growls deeper, more animalistic as he fought to keep his mind together.

Her hand grasped him and pulled him hard making him jerk toward her, his hands released he grabbed her and pulled her up in front of him. She didn’t even hear the claws release as he began to cut the dress from her, sliding the claw up the bodice and watching it fall away from her skin. All he cared about was getting to her as quickly as possible, as he cut she slid her hands over his groin and squeezed him tightly, her voice sliding over his nerves like silk, “I’m waiting sugar.” She opened her mind to him again, showing him what she wanted. He was behind her, supporting her weight with his hands, her legs wrapped back around his. Her own hands against the wall pushing back, in her mind she showed him a wink and licked her lips as he fucked her seeing the blush of her orgasm run through her. The dress completely off she stepped away from him pulling him by his straining erection out of the chair, his robe completely open.

Her eyes taking in the magnificent sight in front of her, shuddering with the amount of effort it took to restrain his hands from just grabbing her and lifting her up and onto him. Instead he lifted her up and carried her, the fur edge tickling her breast as he walked over to the dark part of the room, his fingers managing to find her as he held her. Sliding a finger past her lips and feeling how ready she was for him, how hot she felt and how slick. The tops of her thighs were damp as he realised how ready she was, her own body so close to coming already, her eyes glittering in the reflected light from the room. Breathing heavy she showed him her thoughts as she spoke “Logan, please.” His hands holding her open as he dove into her, hands wrapped around her thighs as he licked at her core. Making her grab his hair viciously, seeing his own fingers dig into her pale skin just to hold her still for a moment, standing still as the image passed into his mind and through him. Hearing her need in every breath, trying to keep controlled, fighting to keep the Wolverine down, to use his energy but not his violence. Reaching the wall he slid her down to her feet, turning her away from him, her eyes opened and Marie leaned against the wall. Pushing her hips backward to meet his, her round softness meeting his erection and she listened as to his halting breath as she slid herself against it, her own whining becoming louder. Needing him inside her, sliding his hands down her skin resting on her hips for a moment he lifted her up just enough to slide past and into her.

Heat and muscle tightened around him almost too much for him to take as he filled her, feeling her tighten around him further she pulsed with her own excitement. Feeling her feet wrap around his calves as she moved against him her arms and body doing most of the work as he stood there. Holding her tight as she moved, fingers digging deep into her skin bracing her with one hand, the other reaching around to play with her sex, lowering his head to the skin of her back. Running his tongue down her sensitive skin, taking it between his teeth and nipping gently as she moved against him. Her movements becoming more frantic as she tried to buck against his hand and his body. Hearing her breathing become deeper, more harsh as she neared her peak, opening his mind to receive hers, flooding him with sensations and visions. Him as the Wolverine in the stable, holding her down as he took her, feeling her excitement as he’d lost himself in her body, knowing it was her that was doing this to him. Her, Marie no one else, not even Damask, her mind showed him the possession she had on him, he was hers just as much as she was his.

The Wolverine rose to the stimulus, biting her shoulder he pushed against her taking over he growled into her body as he fucked her, his fingers becoming rough against her sex and hearing her writhe on him. Sweat making her slide down his legs a little as he pushed deeper into her. Listening to her whimpers as they became moans feeding his own as he felt her begin to clench around him, her back stiffening as he felt her grab him tightly. The muscle contractions sending him into a frenzy, holding her with both hands on her hips as he pounded into her from behind. Feeling control slip away as he came hard inside her, biting into the back of her neck, growling as the shock waves passed through them both.

Staying locked together as they both recovered, moving his hands he saw the deep red marks in her skin and he felt a pang of guilt run through him. Pushing back against him, making him gasp her head turned to see his gaze and the guilt in it. Unhooking her feet she moved and slid off him, her feet a little unsteady as she turned to face him. Her hand reaching up to his face trying to wipe away the guilt in his eyes. “I wanted this Logan. Don’t you dare try to take that away from me.” Reaching under the robe she pulled herself closer to him, snuggling next to his body under the velvet. Taking hold of the two sides he wrapped them around her, bringing her under his robe. Feeling her warmth running through him, body still humming with energy as her lips kissed his skin as he held her. Resting his chin on her head she squeezed him tightly, “I love you Logan, everything you are including The Wolverine.” Her face lifted to meet his gaze, “You forget I’ve had him riding around in here.” Her hand lifted to her head and tapped it gently, “You’ve never hurt me Logan, you’ve given me everything I’ve always wanted and that includes you.” The light in her shone through her skin and warmed him through, burning the guilt away with its heat. Forging them together again, feeling her safe within his arms and the small baby growing inside, kissing her deeply feeling her melt against him and his own body harden with her touch. “Want to unwrap another present huh?” Her fingers dropping down to grip his hardening member, “Well you’ll have to wait till tomorrow because I’m starving, seeing as I’ve used up all my energy for now.”
“Who said you’d be moving?” His voice deep as he wrapped her up in his robe, the velvet covering them both as he blew out the final candles around the room.
“Sounds lovely but I really could do with some food Logan, seeing as I tend to throw up whatever I manage to eat anyway.” Stopping for a moment he thought about it, something high in calories but not too heavy on the stomach. Remembering the shopping he’d seen Ororo put away a grin spread across his face.
“I think I know the perfect thing, we’ll have to make a pit stop in the kitchen though.” Her eyes lit up as he mentioned food, her mind quickly assessing what she knew was in there.
“Which flavour do you want? I’m not sure I’d like the brandy flavoured one.” He quirked an eyebrow at her and smiled as he knew she’d worked it out.
“Yeah me too, lets just go for the ordinary, less mess too.” His grin sending her into a shudder as she let herself be carried through the kitchen and upstairs.

Just before they entered their room he stopped and let her down so she was wrapped up in the robes warmth. “I love you Marie.” She looked into him and could see what he wasn’t saying, that he was thankful for the chance to be here with her. To have her carry his child, to have memories he could hold onto no matter what the future brought. That she brought him love without cost and brought out the best in him, even in The Wolverine which she accepted as part of him and therefore worth her love and trust. Smiling he just pulled her tighter to him as he opened the door, “Merry Christmas Marie.” Following her into the room he closed the door when they were both inside and wondered if custard would come out of velvet, well he’d let Ororo worry about that later. He was going to have the fun of finding out how it tasted when he poured it on Marie.


Christmas Day

Logan made it to the bathroom in time, retching into the sink he swilled the remnants of his stomach away. Marie was still asleep her face cuddled up to the blankets, looking at her small body he wondered again how he’d ended up here with her. He could hear the kids running down the stairs and his mind went back to last night, the presents in the rec room and his own particular present from Marie. The smile froze on his lips as he remembered that Marie’s dress was still down there, sliced in two. Snatching a look at the clock it read 7.30am, maybe he’d be able to get it before anyone else saw it. The last thing the kids needed to see was the dress that Marie had worn last night in tatters.

Flying into the Rec room he saw with horror that he was too late, kids were everywhere, toys were out on the floor, games were being played and everyone was doing it as loudly as possible. Even Bobby in the middle of it all having his hair brushed through by several children holding coloured dye pens. His eyes scanned the floor and he couldn’t see the dress anywhere, deciding to enter the room to have a better look he almost ran over Jubilee who was seated next to the doors. She quickly moved her legs out of his way and smiled as she saw him scanning the floor. “Looking for something?” Her voice was tinged with humour and he just turned his gaze to hers. “If it’s what I think your looking for me and Bobby put it under the tree, at the back. It’s all wrapped up so no-one will see it, although I don’t think Storm’s going to like it when she sees it.” Jubilee’s grin was almost as wide as her face and Logan couldn’t leave this as it was, she’d managed to get one over on him and it wouldn’t help his pride any if he left it this way. Standing over her he bent his head down to her and looked at what she was reading, a book on fashion design. His eyes met hers and he heard her breath hitch a little as she felt his bulk crowd over her. “How did Bobby like his present last night?” Her face coloured a little.
“I have no idea what your talking about,” he smiled and she saw the glint of pure mischief in it. Slowly moving he straightened up and looked over to where Bobby was and he made sure she could see what he was going to do.
“Oh Bobby,” hearing his name called he turned around to see Logan stood next to Jubilee who was a little flushed. “Jubilee just wanted me to know how much you enjoyed her present last night.” It took about a second for Bobby to go from pale to bright red and start to fend off questions from the children around him. He turned his face back to Jubilee and saw her mouth wide open, tears forming in the corner of her eyes. Seeing the hurt in her face he regretted his joke immediately. “Hey I didn’t mean to…” She didn’t give him the chance to apologise, she just got out of the room and ran upstairs. Bobby watched her leave and saw Logan clench his jaw in frustration biting back a swear word, the kids were still around and he couldn't explode like he wanted to. Logan met Bobby’s gaze and he saw the hurt in him, Bobby just nodded back and carried on playing with the kids.

Why did things always go wrong? She’d tried so hard to keep things on an even keel with Bobby and now Logan was rubbing her face in it? How much had Rogue told him? She wanted Bobby so badly she could taste it and having Logan around didn’t make it any easier. He could just walk through a room and have every female in there on their back in seconds. He just oozed sexuality in the megawatt range, it had taken her a couple of days to stop her power’s sparking off everytime she saw him alone, surely Rogue hadn’t told him had she? Flicking through the last couple of days she quickly discounted that theory as she knew she hadn’t had the time. Tears were flowing now and she avoided the crowded area’s and headed for the library. No one would come for her there and she could calm down a little. Even if she did want to fry her best friend’s lover right now.

Logan went back upstairs and found Marie awake and in the shower, sighing he just sat on the bed and waited for Marie to come out. “What’s up? You look like someone just drank your last beer.”
“How long have Bobby and Jubilee been together?” Marie cocked her head to one side.
“Why?” He looked up at her with a defeated look on his face and she sighed. “Oh god Logan what did you do?”
“I remembered we left your dress in the Rec Room, all sliced up?” She nodded as he continued, “So I went down to get it and found the kids were already there, I went in and found Jubilee had already hidden it with Bobby’s help.”
“That’s a good thing yes?”
“Well yes and no.” She walked over and sat down next to him her hand brushing through his hair. “I upset her, I made a joke about last night on the stairs. When she was going to find Bobby.” Her hand froze mid stroke and she stood up, her body tense. “What? What did I do?” Marie turned around and he saw the look of uncertainty on her face, she was struggling with herself and her friendship.
“I can’t tell you why Logan I just can’t I promised her. But it’s something to do with when she was in care back in L.A.” He thought back to their conversation a few days ago in Rosie’s, about her not wanting to be left alone, about her confusion about whether he was attracted to her or not, remembering the fear he’d picked up from her. He’d put it down to her nerves at finding herself alone with him and not upsetting Marie, now it looked like he’d gotten it completely wrong.
“Marie is she still...” Her eyes met his and he saw the answer to the question.
“She told Logan but they didn’t believe her, she had to stay there until The Professor found her.” He felt as low as dirt but he had to know.
“Has Bobby, have they...” Marie just shook her head, tears forming now.
“No, he’s just being there you know, helping her. You can’t tell her I told you Logan she’ll never forgive me, only The Professor knows it all. That’s why she has sessions with him every couple of weeks, with him being away she’s been talking to me about a few things. Bobby and her got together after her unscheduled ‘field trip’ down to Rosie’s.” She let her tear fall and she wiped it away, “She was sweet on you you know, she didn’t tell anyone but she always stuck up for you when anyone said anything. It wasn’t just for me, she needed you around as much as I did.” She looked through him and he knew she couldn’t help him fix this he’d have to.
“Marie I’m sorry, it’s just that she always plays everything so carefree, especially around Damask.” Marie nodded.
“Yeah but she asks more questions than anyone else about her experiences Logan, she needs to know she wasn’t alone in what happened to her.” He gripped her hand and stood up.
“I fucked up didn’t I?” Wondering how much he’d changed over the last twelve months, to caring about the people around him, including those Marie cared about. Marie just nodded and let his hand pull her up into his arms.
“I can’t tell you what to do but at least you understand why she is the way she is now.” She could feel his guilt on him like a filthy covering, smiling she tugged his head down to hers. “She needs you ya big lunk, now go get her.” Giving him a long kiss she saw she warmth come back into his face, “It’s not your fault Logan, you didn’t know. Like Bobby and cows, it’s something you’ve not needed to know,” letting him go she went back into the bathroom.
“What about Bobby and cows?” She just laughed at him and he decided to try and find Jubilee before he ruined anyone else’s Christmas.

Jubilee was curled up in front of the fireplace, the small fire was comforting in the library and she just watched the flames eat the log she’d put in there. She’d managed to keep out of everyone’s way for a couple of hours now, her watch read 11.30am, nearly time for dinner. The large wing back chair hid her from view so she wouldn’t be found easily, her eyes looking out of the window and watching the snow fall outside. Snow, she’d never get used to it, she was a tropics person, needed the heat of the sun on her face all year round. Hence sat in front of the fire now and wanting to be miles away from where she was and who she was. Logan had hurt her, he couldn’t have known how but he had and it stung. She thought she’d managed to get a little ground under her with him obviously she had been wrong. Wishing she’d had the forethought to bring a drink with her when the can dangled in front of her nose. Blinking back tears she looked up into Logan’s face looking down at her. “I’m sorry kid, I didn’t mean to upset ya.” Her hand took the offered can and looked at it, it wasn’t soda. It was a vodka mixer and she just looked at it.
“Thought I was still an ‘almost’.” Her tone flat and cold, she saw him shrug his large frame.
“Hey it’s Christmas.” Nodding at the logic she popped the can and downed half of it in one slug. Sighing to herself as she looked at the fire, Logan still leaning on the back of the chair. He wanted to say something to her but he just couldn't start and Jubilee knew it.
“It went well last night didn’t it? The presents I mean, you made a kick-ass Santa.” He smiled at her letting him in with the conversation.
“Nah, Father Christmas. Not Santa he’s based on a Saint.” Lifting the can to her lips Jubilee took a smaller drink.
“Saint Wolverine huh?” Her mind thinking through the requirements for Sainthood. “Well you’ve completed two tasks of Sainthood already Logan. One brought someone back from the dead,” watching as she counted them off on her fingers. “Two you’re a protector of children and the weak and three….” She stopped to think about this one, “You manage to annoy or scare the shit out of almost every other man alive with just being in the same room as them.” Moving round to sit on the arm of the chair, staring into the fire, Logan looked at her furtively. Her face was calm but he could smell the tears she’d shed earlier.
“I do that huh?” She just nodded. “Don’t do it on purpose though. I can’t help it if every other man’s a jackass.” Jubilee just looked at him, the look of sheer disbelief across her face. She looked like she was about to burst into tears again when she just exploded into laughter. Her shoulders shook with the effort and he just watched as she sank into the chair in a fit of laughter. Grabbing the can out of her hands as she slid further into the chair, her feet almost touching the fire grate. “Careful there or you’ll end up burned. Mind you, you could always ask Bobby to chill em down for you if you do.” Her laughter came to a stop when he mentioned Bobby again and he saw the hurt return into her eyes. “I’m sorry about the comment I made in the Rec Room Jubilee, I had no right to say that. Your life is your own business. I’m sorry for doing it, it’d be like someone telling the kids what we did last night. Thanks for moving the dress, it didn’t occur to me till I woke up this morning.”

Jubilee was quietly mulling over what he’d said to her, here he was The Wolverine, one of the most dangerous mutants alive apologising to her for upsetting her feelings. For hurting her when he had no idea what he’d said that had hurt her. She looked at him and saw the gentleness that Marie had known about from the first time she’d seen him in the cage. His eyes met hers and she could see he really was sorry. “It’s okay Logan, me and Bobby aren’t what everyone thinks. He’s been really great about it all, I do want to be with him eventually, it’s just that it’s a little difficult for me.” He just looked into her face and nodded.
“Yeah, you just tell him if he ever hurts you I’ll gut him so fast he’ll flash freeze his own meat trying to hold em in.” She could see he was serious and it made her glow inside to know he’d do that for her putting his place here with Rogue at risk for her. Tapping the can he added, “Make sure you finish that before you come to dinner. Vodka don’t leave no smell behind Jubilee but it’s better to be safe than sorry eh?” He winked and left her alone again, letting her feel a little more wanted than she had before. Tipping the can to the snow falling outside Jubilee smiled, “Cheers Logan, Merry Christmas.”


Christmas Dinner

The table was set, the dinner itself would be fantastic if the scent was anything to go by and all the kids had washed up and dressed in their best. Even Hank had put on a shirt and tie, although it had raised a few eyebrows when he’d come into the dining hall with it on. Conversation was at a low hum as the thirty or so residents were gathered along the large table in the ballroom. Logan and Kurt had moved it into the room earlier in the morning and had left Jubilee, Bobby, Ororo and Kurt to sort out laying it while Peiter and Damask finished off the last few trimmings for the dinner itself. Logan had busied himself with the fires in the large room, making sure he’d piled them high with fragrant apple wood and pinecones. Their scents filling the large room and warming the air, which seemed to be permanently chilled because of the large wall of windows looking out over the grounds. As the first dish entered the room the kids cheered as it was set down, the rest of the food came out and was placed on the table. Dishes full of vegetables were placed in easy reach for everyone and then Peiter brought out the meat. Already carved the smell was turning heads and the plates were cleared quickly of the steaming meat. Logan managed to snag his share as it passed him, finding a small smile on the child across from him as he passed him the plate. “Thank you sir,” the comment floored him, the kid had just called him ‘sir’. It took Marie to give him a little kick under the table to bring him back out of his thoughts. He just watched as the kids got stuck in and listened to the conversations that were going on around him. Damask and Peiter were still feeding each other, Jubilee was sat across from Bobby and he was doing his best to make her smile. Even Kurt had made an effort to look normal by hiding his tail under a pair of baggy trousers but by half way through dinner his tail had managed to escape. The look on Ororo’s face had been priceless when his tail had stolen her fork

He’d never thought that just watching people eat could be pleasurable but it warmed something inside him as he finished his plate and saw the kids sit back and pat stomachs. He knew that the kids here in the ballroom didn’t have anyone else that cared for them, no one that wanted them anyway, so something like this was important to them. A meal that someone had prepared just for them, that someone had thought and cared enough about them to give them a present each. Looking around at the happy eyes and smiles he couldn’t say he didn’t share Xavier’s hope of a better future but with it came the knowledge that these kids had been abandoned by a society he’d be asked to protect.
The knowledge soured his stomach and Marie noticed his eyes darken a little. “What is it?” She put her fork down and rested her bare hand on his. He found her concern everywhere and he smiled trying to put her at ease but she knew he was faking. “Come on spill.” She squeezed his hand tightly.
“It’s just the kids, they look at me as if I’ve done something amazing. Hell all I did was hand out a present or two and go hunting for meat.” His gaze dropped to his plate and wished it could have been larger so he could’ve hid in it.
“Hey,” she shook his hand until he met her gaze. “You did do something amazing, you gave a damn when no-one else did. If you hadn’t been here I doubt we’d have had this meal here this year. That’s something to be proud of Logan, we’re proud of you.” Her hand dragged his down to her belly and placed it over hers.
“Yeah but what if…” She shushed him with a finger.
“Just enjoy it Logan, believe me there’s still pudding to go yet and the rest. The clean up is going to be enormous today and we’re all roped in on this one.” Smiling at her words he looked up in time to see Kurt bamf into the room holding a couple of trays filled with dessert which were quickly passed down the table. Conversations stilled as the food was eaten quickly, the contented happiness filling the room with warmth as the dishes were collected and taken away.

Everyone was still seated at the table, which surprised Logan a little, usually the kids just ate and ran this was something different. Ororo stood up and raised her hands for silence getting it almost immediately. “Now you all know that it’s our tradition to give thanks to those who’ve worked hard all year. This year is no exception although it is unusual as we have two recipients this year, not just one. But first I’d like to thank everyone for helping out today with dinner and Logan for providing the meat for our dinner.” Her smile reached him and he raised his beer in acknowledgement. “It’s time for our thanks to be shown to those who’ve brought us a little extra this year with their efforts and skills.” Peiter got up and opened a connecting door to a small office bringing out a small stack of presents. Logan watched the scene as the children who’d excelled academically this year were given something, even attendance records got a prize.

Noticing with a smile that everyone got something, no one was left out, even Paul got a prize a hand made fountain pen with ink. He caught the smile that was unused to being on his face and noticed his genuine gratitude. Ororo’s voice snapped his attention back to her, “Now for our two older recipients, the first is Jubilation Lee.” Watching as Jubilee got up from her seat and walked to the end of the table, her smile a little nervous. Ororo wrapped her arm around her shoulders and spoke to everyone. “Jubilee has been here for everyone this past year, things have been difficult but she’s raised herself to the challenges that have been put in front of her and she’s succeeded. A good friend to everyone and a valuable team member, her efforts earlier this year went beyond friendship and duty into love. So it seems only fitting that we return the commitment by offering you a place on the team and a permanent place here on the teaching staff, that is if you’ll accept it?” Ororo looked into Jubilee’s face and caught the tears that were being quickly wiped away. Smiling Jubilee just nodded and the room went into cheers, kids ran over to them both and hugged Jubilee for all she was worth. Marie smiled and let his hand go as she pushed out of her chair and went to congratulate Jubilee. The kids still excited and now having energy to burn Kurt’s voice echoed out above the din, “Snowball fights outside in ten minutes!” The room cleared in around a minute flat, leaving the few remaining adults to clear up the dishes that were left. Ororo was still stood at the head of the table, a half-smile playing on her lips. Picking up his beer and the few plates around him he walked down the table length to the doorway, smiling at his domestication she followed him into the kitchen. The dishwashers were stacked and full and were already on their first cycle, putting the rest of the dishes down he looked out of the window to see the first snow forts being built on the lawn. Ororo was next to him in a moment, “We haven’t finished yet Logan, there’s still one more present to give.” He looked at her sideways and saw her smile.
“Oh no I’m done giving presents Ro, all I want to do right now is go sleep off dinner. Maybe watch some hockey and get some peace.” He felt her hand touch his shoulder lightly and he knew he’d lost the battle already.
“It won’t take a minute Logan and it is Christmas, then you can do whatever you want to do I promise.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief and he knew there was something he didn’t know about going on, now he knew it was something his curiosity wouldn’t let him leave alone until he’d found out. Growling he shoved a cigar in his mouth and let Ororo take him out of the back door to the equipment shed. The cold air was a nice surprise and he felt the prickle of cold as it ran over him. She took out a key and controller and opened the large shed flicking on the light inside. A large tarp was in the centre of the shed and she just looked at him, “Go on, it’s yours.” Breathing in the scents of the shed he couldn’t find anything unusual in the room, just oil and metal as usual. Taking the edge of the tarp in both hands he threw the cover off, underneath was a custom bike. He caught the name ‘Orange County Choppers’ on the leather of the seat. The bike was almost pure black, it’s shine like a crows wing purple and blue in some light, black in others. His hands went over the curves almost reverentially, as if it was a living creature. The forks were sprung old style and he could see the chasing going up them, a pack of wolves running at full speed. The whole bike was understated but it’s details were there to be seen, the oil filter was a wolverine in adamantium, the petrol cap was a push button release with a wolf head in relief. The back fender had a winter snowscape on it with mountains in the distance, he recognised them as the ones he’d met Marie in.

There were so many little details on the bike, he took his time taking them in and Ororo had left by the time he tore his attention away from the bike in front of him. Marie was stood watching him as his gaze lifted, smiling holding her arms open to him as he pulled her to him and onto the bike. “It was Xavier’s idea, we’d been thinking about a Harley for you but everyone seems to have a Harley. Bobby was watching tv and found these guys, they make one off bikes and we thought you deserved a one off seeing as you are one.” Her fingers touched the handle bars tracing the little rows of ‘X’s’ that covered them, “It’s all yours Logan. He ordered it in June you know and it’s been in here waiting for you since November.” That answered his question, he’d always wondered if Xavier had felt him when he’d almost come home it looked like he had and had planned a little bribe just in case he hadn’t come back for Marie. He knew he had but it was a beautiful bike anyway and it suited him down to the ground. Small, strong, well built, not overly flashy but the thing was all in the details, just like him. “I took a trip to their workshop you know, so we got the design right. You in here came in very useful believe me.” She tapped the side of her head and grinned. “So you going to take her out?” He just held onto Marie and breathed her in.
“No, not yet. I’ll wait till the snow clears some then we’ll take her out. I’ve a nice warm seat and a hockey game to find. Fancy it?” Marie snuggled down into his arms.
“Sure why not, it’s not as if we’ve anything to do today is it?” Letting her go he pulled the tarp back over the bike and locked the shed again, just as he turned to go back inside a snowball hit him in the ear. Turning to the culprit he saw a small child hold a glove up to her green face, a look of terror etched across it. Scooping up snow as he ran across the field he took aim and let the snowball fly above the child and into another. Catching the little one he spun her around in the cold air and made her whoop with joy, putting her down behind a snow fort wall he got hit in the back of the head. Turning round he saw Marie wiping the snow off her hands and trying to look innocent. Grinning he scooped up more snow and slunk toward her, going slowly across the snow field, each movement slow and steady eyes never leaving hers. “No Logan, you can’t get me back I’m pregnant.” He cocked his eyebrow at her comment and rushed her, “Damn!” She almost made it before his hand caught the back of her jumper and the cold ice went down her back. “Agggrrrrhhh Logan!!!” She struggled in his grip, “I’m all wet and cold now you idiot!” The smile was plastered to her face and her eyes were bright.
“Good then I get a chance to warm you up then don’t I?” She caught his look and smiled as her hand wound into his hair.
“Okay but I want chocolate too, with marshmallows on top.” Laughing he picked her up and carried her back inside, being happy with the thought of having someone to spend many more Christmas’s with and the prospect of a baby to make next year even more interesting. Stopping just outside the entrance to the mansion he kissed her under the bunch of mistletoe that hung there. “Merry Christmas Marie.” Her face a little red from the cold but her eyes holding enough warmth to melt the Arctic. “Merry Christmas Logan.”
She thought a little as he carried her upstairs, “Next year is going to be different though, we’ll have someone else to share it with.” He just nodded and thought about the changes that had happened to him since he’d met up with Xavier and his X-Men.
He felt a little like old Ebeneezer himself, he’d been offered a chance to change things for the better and he’d grabbed it with both hands. He knew his future wasn’t perfect or safe but at least he wasn’t alone anymore, his mind going back to last night and the wolf in the forest. He’d found his pack and he’d defend them to the last breath he had in his body, he had young to care for. Letting Marie down from his grip he bent his head and kissed her again, knowing that life from here on could only make more good memories because she’d be with him. No matter who he became or what he found out about himself or what he did, she’d always love him and that was enough of a miracle for anyone.