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Ultimate Coverup	By : Polymer Category: X-men Comics > Het - Male/Female Views: 1569 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own X-Men comics, or any of the characters from it. I make no money from from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 14
- 15
- 16
Chapter 15

"M'iko," he growled into her ear, and she chuckled and pretended to be asleep. It was early by her reckoning, and she had lost sense of what day.

"Logan-chan," she murmured, opening her eyes and turning over to look at him straddling her, blue eyes filled with that animalistic desire for more. She spread her legs under him and Logan slid into her with a grunt of satisfaction. For the seventh time he drove into her at full pace, and she devoured his kisses. That red welt on her right shoulder he renewed, and she did the same, both tasting the iron flavor of their blood.

Rolling over and over, they forced one another to that incredible state of bliss. After they had both surpassed it, they lay together, not wanting to separate. Across her back she felt his fingers twined, and the warmth of the morning sun peeking through horizontal strips.

"Hell of a nice way to wake up, doncha think?" he purred, and she reluctantly untangled herself from him.

"No arguments here, beloved," she murmured, lying back as he rested next to her. He licked his lips, dozing lightly as he waited for his healing factor to kick in. The aches and stings of his sharp lovebites up and down her skin were starting to dissipate, and she saw the red welt midway between his neck and shoulder was still visible, but had already scabbed over.

At exactly one half the rate the stinging mark on her neck in the same place was still trickling blood, staining the sheets with it. Logan leaned over and lapped the blood with his tongue, and she sighed as he lay on top of her, burying his face in her neck, as she lay exhausted. "Don't want to leave," she murmured.

"If there wasn't a bleedin' thing called training I wouldn't bother," he murmured, kissing her neck. Before his eyes he saw the scab cleanly forming, and already slowly working to heal. As much as he took his own healing factor for granted, he was astonished to see someone else's at work before his eyes. Frowning slightly he realized he'd have to find another way to mark this woman as his.

"Kami Logan, I love you so much," she muttered. A lump formed in his throat and he realized she had said the one thing that he never figured any woman would say.

"Love ya too, M'iko," he whispered, kissing her deeply for a moment. Warm tears welled up and he wiped them away with one finger. They both lay in silence, realizing the seriousness of the moment. Logan lay her head on his chest, and let her doze against him while he listened to the Mansion waking up.

Next door he heard Bobby's groans, and the beeping of his alarm clock. Doors slammed, and Mariko buried her head deeper into his hairy chest as he lay there, tingling with well being. Her scent permeated his, marking him as much as he did her, and he stretched under her, licking his lips contentedly. Strains of cussing in French from the other side indicated Remy was tending to the onerous task of shaving.

"So, how much time DO we have?" Mariko asked as she shifted on her hips, and Logan released her reluctantly.

"Oh about fifteen before that Cajun bangs on this door and I skewer him," Logan mumbled.

"Forgot my toiletries," she mumbled.

"Not a problem. Providin' ya don�t' care if ya smell like old spice or not," Logan teased, as he shifted in bed. He stretched and watched as she got up first, and grabbed one of his flannel shirts. It was cute to see her buttoning it up and stumbling to the private bathroom he had. Logan weighed his options and decided what the hell. Why not join her?

Mariko attended to her needs, and saw there were extra towels piled up. She slid into the glass-doored showerstall, and adjusted the water to a hot temperature she liked. It was still difficult to stand, and she leaned against the tiled wall, her legs quivering till her own healing factor began to set in. As she grabbed the shampoo she heard and felt the floor vibrating, and saw Logan's shadow move across the floor.

"Mind if I cut in, lover?" he growled softly.

"Plenty of room," she whispered back, and he slid in after her. His fingers massaged her scalp, continuing the process of shampooing her long hair. He soaped her back and scrubbed with a washcloth. Then she turned and began to wash him as well. Dark thick hair covered his chest, arms and body, and she noticed the faded pink where her neckbite had been minutes before. Dogtags jingled around his neck on a chain, and she saw they were battered and worn, having seen better days. Logan got a better view of her entire nude body, and whistled his compliments. Although he saw the scars continued down her neck and over one arm, and to her belly, they were just small depressions that had healed over. His own bite to her neck was fast fading, though still a welt and not as healed as his own. Not to mention the multiple lovebites running up and down her hips, arms, and breasts. Bruises were vanishing, and he reverently saw the smoothness of the flesh coming into being.

On his forearm she saw no telltale tattoo, and realized her own was fading quickly. Even her scars were looking less definite, and Logan held her hand lightly to kiss it.

"Almost gone," he commented, and she nodded.

"It's so weird� it seems like all at once the healing factor's setting in�"

"Delayed reaction like ya said, darlin� and ya know it's kinda NICE not to have those past ties anymore is it?" he murmured, gathering her into his arms and kissing her. They let one another's hands roam their bodies, and suds spiraled down the drain.

"You finish up in here. I'll go rustle us up some grub," Logan said as he helped her dry off. She grabbed a towel and rubbed at her hair, and saw him rush out into the room. Digging through his clean laundry he grabbed a fresh pair of bluejeans, and slid them on. He was soon out the door and she heard his footsteps echoing as he moved off down the hall.

She grabbed one of his clean flannel shirts from the closet, a red plaid one, and buttoned it loosely around herself. Grabbing a pair of his boxers, she slid them on, and chucked at how they retained his scent mingled with fabric softener. While she had a change of clothes, including her uniform, there were still items that were in her room. There hadn't been much time to bring anything else except a few changes of clothes, her hairdryer, and other various and sundry essentials over.

She flipped on the TV to the morning news. Despite what he'd say next, she stripped the sheets off the bed, and bundled them up. There was a fresh change in the closet, at the top, and she made it up clean. Then she turned on the TV.

Logan kicked open the door, about fifteen minutes later while Mariko was puffing both pillows and finishing the process of bed making. He carried a thermos mug, the one he used on his Harley, a box of poptarts, a carton of milk, several bananas, and a covered plate that smelled suspiciously like sausage and scrambled eggs. "Ah no darlin' ya GOTTA stop doing that!" he teased as she turned to grab the food before it tumbled out of his hands. He kicked the door shut with a bare foot, and turned to lock it.

"Sorry, figured you'd have enough grief without someone making comments about the sheets," she joked. He took some of the items back and both of them sat down on the bed.

They struggled not to spill anything while she opened the foil packet. He uncovered the plate and she saw the extra large portion of scrambled eggs, bacon, and sausage with some hash browns that were still piping hot. Both of them started digging into the food ravenously.

"Sorry it's nothin' better, but hey, it was the best I could get without nosy onlookers askin' questions," he apologized.

She took a sip of black coffee, and then handed him the mug. "Do I look like an unhappy woman?" she asked, wiping coffee off her chin.

"Nah, as a matter of fact, ya look all pretty� like a woman who's been well fucked by her man," Logan said, and then regretted his crude remark.

"I resemble that remark," she said, leaning over to kiss away his self-recriminating frown. "And you're positively radiant�"

"Never been called THAT before," he murmured, his forehead creasing into a teasing scowl. "But I think it's a good thing�"

"Absolutely," she nodded, and leaned over to kiss his cheek, where a crumb of pop tart had remained.

"Better watch it, or we'll need another shower," he whispered back. "Damn, when's the first flamin' class anyway?"

"Drill practice. Followed by Chemistry� which Prof. X insisted I help teach�"

"I've got that damn drill practice in thirty," he mumbled, glancing at his watch. "Shit, it friggin figures. Gotta go listen to a bunch of newbies belly ache about this n' that�"

"X Men, report to morning formation, in ten minutes!" came a mental buzzing that stopped both their hearts.

"Damn I'll NEVER get used to that, no matter HOW long I'm here," she mumbled.

"Same here, darlin'," Logan grumbled, and finished licking his fingers from the remaining bits of egg and ketchup. Mariko got off the bed, and handed him the thermos. "You take the rest of the coffee�"

"Ya sure?" he asked.

"I'm positive," she smiled sweetly, and Logan drained the remaining three ounces. He watched Mariko's back turn as she leaned over, and grabbed her uniform out of her bag.

"Just admirin' the view�" he murmured. "Flannel never looked so good�"

"Get dressed you canucklehead," she teased, throwing his uniform at him and he groaned.

"I'm gonna REGRET teachin' you my slang, I just KNOW it," he growled good-naturedly.

Quickly they dressed in the black one-piece uniforms. They buckled the belts and tugged on their boots and gloves. Within five minutes Polymer and Wolverine stood looking at their reflections in the mirror, and feeling sober and sad that reality was intruding itself on their cozy little world.

"So� what ARE we going to tell people when they ask?" Polymer asked as Logan slid his hands around her from behind and nibbled on her neck.

"To mind their own flamin' business," he growled into her ear. "Nobody's business but ours� unless yer�"

"Not at all, buster," she said in precise English as she turned in his arms, and kissed him.

Logan returned the kiss, and then sighed as he released her. "Damn� this is gonna be harder than I thought�"

"I'll be right near you," she said as she reached for the door, and Logan reluctantly unlocked it. She grabbed her books, and he snagged his just inside the door. She started down the hallway while Logan locked his door, and shoved the key into his uniform pocket.

Other X Men milled out of their rooms, from the men and women's dorms. Everyone was adjusting his or her black uniforms with the square or round X buckles. Most of the students were too tired or hung over to give much thought to whom was standing next to whom. Except she saw Jean Grey almost immediately, and groaned inwardly as she felt a mental query brush her mind.

"There's her Royal Highness now," Logan whispered, squeezing her hand.

"See you later lover," she whispered back, and they released hands to enter the large War Room where all the students assembled on Monday Mornings.

Rogue had a large smile on her face, sliding into the seat near Gambit. Polymer sat down next to Jubilee, who gave her an inquisitive questioning glance. Michelle winked, and Jubilee grinned mischievously as she angled her head in Wolverine's direction. Logan had taken a seat near Colossus. Nightcrawler sat on Jubilee's other side. Alex, Bobby, and Lorna were in the back row, while Jean, Kitty and Scott were in the front. The other X men filled the one armed desks and waited as Professor X's hoverchair glided silently into the assembly hall front.

Amelia Vogt, Sean Cassidy, and Dr. Moira MacTaggert were all assembled near the Professor. All were in various stages of amusement and alertness. Polymer wrinkled her nose, suddenly getting acclimated to all the scents around her that were altogether greater than she had noticed. Other than her own scent, Logan's and the smells ambient, she hadn't given much thought. Now it seemed her senses were screaming full alert, and she could hear, smell and sense things that were only within grasp when she fought.

"You ok?" Jubilee whispered. Polymer nodded, hushing for silence as the Professor began to speak.

"Good morning students. I see that the mansion is still intact. I commend you on your cleanup, but I am to understand there was consumption of alcohol in excess of what was recommended. If further abuse is taken, five demerits and loss of television and Internet privileges will be imposed."

A general groan came from the entire room, and Michelle chuckled at her good fortune. Of everyone who had imbibed, only she and Logan were bright eyed and bushytailed due to their healing factors having broken down the alcohol shortly thereafter. Jean Grey was giving Logan evil looks, and he was completely ignoring her, to her chagrin. Scott sighed and fixed his sights on the professor.

"Another item of business is that we will be reassigning various squads. Blue, Red and Gold will be broken down according to new protocols once a drill test is given�"

"Excuse me Professor, but why?" asked Jean Grey.

"An executive decision in consultation with the other instructors," the Professor answered. "I should not have to explain my decisions to any of you. This matter is not up for debate�"

"But�" Jean trailed off.

"Jean let it go," Scott whispered.

"You will report to your new assignments after your morning classes. Do try to keep up this time� and no complaints please. I've had my fill of surprises," the Professor said crisply. "Dismissed�"

Michelle had a bad feeling when her class got out. She could swear she heard something that sounded like Logan howling in the background. "Excuse me," she said to Jubilee.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Something's wrong with Logan� I could swear I�"

"What?" asked Jubilee.

"Get the Professor� that came from the Danger Room�"

"Okay but�" Jubilee trailed off as she ran in the opposite direction. Michelle felt her stomach twist as she heard the loud roaring increasing in volume.

"Ooof!" Gambit huffed as she slammed into him. "Cherie� didn't see you�"

"Gambit, where is Jean and Logan?"

"Jean went to da danger room� she was pissed�" Gambit trailed off.

"Oh great," she muttered.

"Wait Cherie do you mean to say that�"

"She has a bone to pick with him� I have to get there�" said Michelle as she rushed off.

"Wait, Gambit will go with you�" he trailed off but she soon outpaced him. They rushed by Storm, who was walking with Hank from the bio lab.

"Michelle what the hell is wrong?" Ororo asked.

"Sorry� gotta run� Logan's in trouble�" Michelle huffed.

"Excuse me?" Hank asked.

"Somt'ing's definitely wrong," Remy huffed. "She say she hear da Wolverine howling� I don't hear not'ing�"

"Come to think of it I DO hear something�" Beast muttered, his ears pricking up.

"You don't think that�" Ororo trailed off.

"He was going t' the danger room� and Remy saw Jean�" Gambit said as he caught his breath.

"Oh hell," Ororo muttered as Hank turned.

"I hear him� he's outraged� and I also hear Jean shouting�" Hank said as he rushed after Gambit and then was followed by Ororo.

"Shit," Ororo cursed. "This is just GREAT�"

Polymer saw the flashing panel that lead to the Danger Room's lower entrance. A maze of lights indicated that safety level one was engaged in a basic simulation, but there were two occupants. "Kami�" she got out as she sensed two people immediately inside. Not only that but also Logan's smell, and something that was definitely feminine and belligerent.

"Jean� Jean's smell," she realized, wrinkling her nose. Ears heard the muffled screams of anger, and a loud roar and a thump. A bone-jarring crunch caused her to clench her teeth and she slammed her hand into the panel.

The door slid open, and her heart stopped at what she saw inside. Blue and white energies crackled, the air charged with TK power. Jean Grey had her back to the door, and large dents in the wall were suspiciously human sized. Pinned like a butterfly, Logan was forcibly restrained against the far wall opposite Jean by some invisible force.

"What the HELL do you think you're doing, Logan? You have NO right fucking with one of your teammates. I won't STAND for it! You'll only�"

"Red, I'm so goddamn sick of this� I don't wanna fight you anymore!" Logan coughed. "Can't you let this go?"

"I can't let you keep screwing with people's emotions! This ends NOW!"

"What are you doing?" Michelle demanded. "Jean!"

"Michelle, stay OUT of this! This is between him and me!" Jean barked, as she momentarily turned her head.

"M'iko� don't�" Logan groaned as she saw blood dribbling out of his mouth.

"What the hell are you doing?" Michelle asked angrily. "You're hurting him!"

"He has to be taught a LESSON! Don't you realize he's just USING you? He'll only cause you grief� he needs to be taught a lesson�"

"No!" Michelle said angrily. "You have NO right�"

"You heard the lady Red, let me go," Logan gasped. "This isn't necessary� this ain't yer business�"

"He's only going to use you up! Don't fight me� he's gonna screw you over and you'll be�"

"Jean, I'm warning you. Let him GO!" Michelle snarled. She was amazed at the sound of the growl in her throat, and Jean turned, her eyes glowing green.

"Stay OUT of this!" Jean snapped. Michelle gasped as an invisible force shot out and slammed her into the far wall. Her breath was knocked from her as she was pinned there.

"M'iko!" Logan roared. "Goddamn you Jean, you fuckin' let her GO!"

"Shut the HELL up, asshole!" Jean screamed as she narrowed her eyes, and Logan coughed and squirmed. His claws popped and he pushed with all his might, his teeth bared as he roared in anger. More blood poured down his chest and his eyes snapped shut as invisible tendrils reached into his mind.

"You can't do this to the man I love!" Mariko yelled. "I won't stand for it!"

"Love? You think he LOVES you?" Jean laughed. "Well I'll tell you that he got no IDEA what love is!"

"Red, you have no right interfering in my life�" Logan coughed. "Ain't nothing you can do�"

"I'll teach you to fuck with my teammate� you've done your LAST mistake� and you'll PAY! You've had this coming to you for a LONG time�" Jean snarled. Her eyes narrowed to green slits, her power unfolding like a bright and deadly flower inside her mind. Waves of telepathic force poured off her and both Polymer and Wolverine smelled the sheer rage filling the room.

"Why did you even let us get together if he's such a monster?" Michelle implored. "Please Jean you aren't yourself! You're going mad�"

"It's HIS fault! He's screwed with all of our heads for the last time� I won't let him�"

"Ain't your say Red�" Logan croaked.

"I told you to shut up, goddamn you!" Jean yelled back at him. "What does it take to close that damn mouth of yours?"

"I can't let you do this, Jean� for the love of Kami, stop now before I�" Michelle growled. A twisting in her stomach grew and she pushed hard against the wall. Logan's body looked as it was being slowly crushed, and he gasped in his struggle to breathe. His eyes flared wide as he foamed at the mouth.

"You can't stop me, Michelle� god only knows what I was thinking even letting him come near you�" Jean snapped.

What could she do, Mariko wondered? Pinned by a TK wave. Somehow she had to break Jean's concentration and push back. At least find SOME way out of this. If Jean was focussing ALL her attention on Logan, she could act. Narrowing her eyes, she began to form a film of plastic just before her body. Iceman would just push back with a wall of ice. Perhaps she could do the same. More and more plastic was generated, pushing on Jean's TK field, increasing her mass geometrically so she couldn't hold her there.

Jean felt the increase in mass pushing, and turned quickly. Michelle took the moment that she was freed, slipping out from behind the wall. She rolled over, and then a hail of spikes shot towards Jean as she regained her footing. Jean blinked to force the attack back, but Michelle had slipped out of her range of view.

"Don't make me hurt you Jean�" Polymer snarled from the side, and Jean felt something sting against her back. She whirled again, and saw Michelle twirling a plastic set of nunchakas, before a kick landed in Jean's face, knocking her back. Jean Grey reeled, and then a push sent her forwards.

"This is none of your beeswax, Michelle, you don't want to get me pissed off at you, do you?" she snapped. Michelle was nowhere to be seen. Logan crashed to the floor, coughing and spitting blood.

"I can't let you do this, Jean. You can't just butt into people's lives because you never got over him!" Michelle said angrily, and another blow from the nunchakas hit Jean in the stomach, and a leg flashed out and tripped her. Jean stumbled and whirled, her mind reaching out to try and anticipate where Michele would next attack. A dozen plastic shuriken whirled, and she managed to deflect them easily before avoiding Michelle's kicks and punches.

"You want to play dirty, I can play�" Jean snapped, and objects began to loosen from the wall and whirl about the room. She saw Michelle tumbling out of the way, and a wall of plastic rise to stop the heavier objects from pelting her.

"This is not a GAME!" Michelle's voice echoed from every direction. She moved fast in a series of flips and tumbles, that Jean couldn't recall her being so agile.

"Don't you see what he's DOING to you? He'll turn you against us!" Jean cried.

"M'iko, don't�" Logan gasped as he struggled to stand. Jean's power slashed out at him, and he crumpled as she turned her attention to him.

"I'm not done with YOU, you son of a bitch�" she snapped. Suddenly she felt a heavy object snare her feet, and hold them. Plastic was being wrapped around her as Michelle tumbled, and twisted the long thin strand to restrain her. Jean's power exploded, snapping the plastic cord easily.

Twin blades formed in Michelle's hands and she stood between Logan and Jean, whirling them threateningly. Jean Grey reached out with her telekinesis, but Michelle moved first. One blade swept out, and changed from translucent plastic to a thin sheet that covered Jean's face. The blades had been a distraction. Jean Grey gasped; her air cut off as she struggled to inhale. The buildup of CO2 cut off her oxygen and she wheezed.

"Polymer, desist!" shouted Professor X's mental command. The plastic sheet retracted, and then Jean regained her breath. In that second a TK force grabbed Michelle and slammed her against the wall hard. She crumpled, landing on top of Logan.

A red beam swept out, and hit the back of Jean's neck. Unconscious, she crumpled to the ground. Scott walked forwards, his face a grim line. Michelle groaned, her ribs cracked as she lay atop an unconscious Wolverine.

"My god�" Hank McCoy gasped as he rushed into the room, along with Ororo. "Michelle�"

"Jean�" Scott gasped, shaking his head.

"I had feared the worst� Scott, take Jean to her room, and keep her under close watch. Hank� are they alive? I sense their minds but�"

"Michelle has cracked ribs, but they appear to be slowly healing�. And she has a punctured lung. Logan's choking on his own blood�"

Kurt Wagner materialized instantly, and rushed over. Grabbing Michelle, he quickly teleported her to the medical lab while Hank and Ororo turned Logan over. "God� no�" Jubilee yelled.

"M'iko�" Logan gasped. "She�"

"Don't try to speak, Logan," Professor X telepathed into his mind. "Nightcrawler's tending to her�"

"Relax�"

"Dammit� I�" Wolverine started, before he began to wheeze and hack.

"Stay back petit� let 'em work," Gambit said as he seized a hysterical Jubilee.

"Wolvieee!" she cried as she saw the blood dribbling down his chest. "I have to GO to him!"

"I'll try and deaden his pain�" Professor X said as he reached out with his mind. Wolverine groaned, passing out from the gentle mind touch. Carefully Hank and Ororo managed to get him onto a stretcher and carry him out while Gambit grabbed Jubilee, who was kicking and screaming.

Michelle� can you hear me? Focus on my voice. The pain is great but you are still alive� stay with me�

"Professor�" she moaned through the darkness.

"She's coming round," came Hank's voice.

Pain wracked every bone in her body. Mariko blinked and moaned, her vision swimming with sparks of black pain and the dull ache that replaced the sharp spears. Something was constricting her chest, and she felt the wheezing in one lung slowly abating. A blue blur spun into focus, and materialized into the concerned features of Hank McCoy.

Professor X sat to the left, his hand to his head. Blue eyes opened and focussed on Michelle. She jerked awake, and gasped, "Logan� Jean almost� where is he?"

"He's alive, thanks to you," Professor X said. "Though barely�"

"I didn't want to hurt Jean but I had no choice�"

"You did the right thing," said the Professor gravely. "Your quick thinking saved both of your lives� had you acted any later, she could have driven him insane�"

"You've got twelve cracked ribs that are slowly knitting back together, and a punctured lung, and multiple contusions. If not for that healing factor you'd be dead�" Hank said grimly.

"What were you two doing?" Scott Summers asked as his head and shoulders bobbed into view. "My god you could have suffocated Jean!"

"Scott, back down," Professor X barked.

"But Jean could have�"

"I am sorry� but should I have stood by and let her kill Wolverine?" asked Michelle.

"No, but�"

"Scott, I share your grief, but this is symptomatic of a deeper issue. Which should not be discussed in the infirmary. As of now, till you and Logan have recovered, you're on temporary sick leave from the X Men�"

"How long�" Michelle asked. "Can I see Logan?"

"He's resting under sedation now� had to put him down so his body will stay still long enough to let his healing factor bring him back. Which will take forty-eight hours. And for you, three days for those bones to heal�" Hank said as he pushed her gently down. "The brace should hold your ribs in place so they'll knit back together properly�"

"You're lucky to be alive, both of you," Scott said grimly. "Why didn't you ask for help?"

"Scott, go to my office immediately," the Professor said sharply. "Michelle, I suggest you rest. I shall speak to you and Logan when you are more rested�"

"Relax� just rest�" said Hank as he stroked her hair out of her face. Michelle felt the pain swimming and she yielded to the urge to pass out.

However her hearing picked up the frenzied conversation between the Professor and Scott. She didn't want to pry, but she couldn't help herself but overhear:

"You can't just lock Jean up� she had every reason to suspect�" trailed Scott.

"She almost killed two teammates without provocation. I cannot ignore this Scott. Why wasn't I apprised of this?"

"She's had a mad on at Logan since she thought that he killed me� I thought she'd handled it�"

"Was there NO sign of provocation till now?"

"She had been against Logan and Michelle having a relationship," Scott Summers said. "And I warned her to stay out of it� and I thought she'd backed off� but I didn't have a clue that THIS was gonna happen! I can't get inside her head�"

"Michelle did what she had to do. Acting to save the life of a teammate� if she'd wanted to, she would have been capable of much greater violence than what she did to stop Jean. Notice she only tried to immobilize Jean� she didn't cause any physical damage other than bruises and scrapes�"

"She almost suffocated her� I don't think Jean was justified kicking the shit out of Logan� but to kick her off the team!"

"I am recommending a leave of absence� suspension� not kicking her off the team, Scott. She needs to come to terms with whatever is making it impossible to let go of her anger towards Logan. I cannot allow this to continue. As of today, she is no longer leader of X Men Red�"

"But who the HELL are you gonna get to replace her?"

"Ororo has been ready for some time to become a deputy leader. I think its high time she replaced Jean till further notice�"

"Professor� she's not senior enough�"

"I beg to differ Scott�"

"But that leaves us with another problem� you were going to have her lead Gold when she was ready� we don't have another senior X man�"

"I was counting on Logan becoming a deputy leader, but now�"

"Are you CRAZY professor? Nobody's going to follow him!"

"I share your concern Scott. Which is why I am appointing Polymer as leader of X Men Red. She showed her ability to decide today�"

"So what about Jean? How are you going to break this to her? How can we treat her for something we have no CLUE about?"

"That's why I'm going to send Jean on temporary medical leave�"

"I can't just abandon Jean!"

"I will be going with her. That is why you must have two leaders under you, Ororo and Polymer in my absence. You're in charge, but you can't have an unstable element compromising your decisions�"

"How long?"

"Only a few weeks, Scott. And then with luck we'll be able to bring her back. But she needs time and space away from the team. Alone with me. Perhaps I can help her face whatever she is."

"God this is just too much dammit," Scott sighed.

"I need your help Scott. She'll recover, but only if we're unified in this. As soon as wolverine and polymer have recovered, you must start Polymer with deputy leader training. In the meantime I will start working with Jean. Amelia Vogt will be headmistress of the school in my absence. I'll need all my energies directed towards her. We'll promote Ororo to X Men Gold effective immediately as Leader. Sean Cassidy, Banshee will assist with X Men Blue while you train Michelle to lead X Men Red�"

"But Wolverine and Polymer� should they be on the same team with this relationship of theirs?"

"Nightcrawler and Jubilee will join X Men Red, along with Colossus and Kitty Pryde. Rogue and will join Blue, and Alex and Bobby will be on Gold. You'll work with Polymer and we'll keep Wolverine in Red. But if there is any sign of their relationship interfering, you'll tell me immediately�"

"Jubilee and Kitty on the same team?"

"They'll have to get along. We'll see how well Polymer handles disputes. And if Wolverine can handle the responsibility of a relationship as well as a mentor for the younger ones. I have seen the tension between Rogue and Polymer and there is little use in stacking the deck as it were. This reassignment should ameliorate further tensions..."

"I hope you're right for all our sakes�"

Again she murmured, and heard the sound of someone sniffling. A cloth was pressed to her head, and she blinked up into Hank McCoy's face once more. "Ah, back to the land of the living�" he commented.

"Dude, could you be any LESS obvious?" Jubilee mumbled. The sound of snapping gum echoed loudly, and Michelle groaned and winced.

"I take it I'm still alive because it's too damn loud to be dead," Michelle mumbled.

"All RIGHT� you're okay!" Jubilee cheered, and Michelle groaned as she felt the sheer noise in the teenager's voice.

"Jubilation, please, calm down�" Hank said as he stopped her.

"Jubilee, I take it I've been under for a while, so will you behave if he lets you go?" Michelle asked, blinking up at the two of them wrestling over one another.

"I'll chill� jeez, okay?" Jubilee mumbled as Hank let her go.

"Will I live doc, or are the ribs still mending?" Michelle asked.

"Actually your bones from the last x ray seem to have knitted back together. Astonishing�"

"So, in other words, it's okay to hug her?" Jubilee asked. Hank nodded and released her. Jubilee pushed past him and quickly threw herself towards Michelle. Leaning over she carefully but enthusiastically hugged the older woman.

"Good to see you too, sis," Michelle whispered as Jubilee buried her head against her shoulder. Raising one arm, the one that didn't contain an IV, she stroked the short flyaway bits of the teenager's tousled hairdo.

"I was like SOO worried�"

"Couldn't pry her away with a crowbar," commented a deep voice, and Jubilee released Michelle to see the other occupant of the infirmary. In the bed next to her, Logan sat up, glancing over at the two of them.

"Wolvie, you're so dead�you scared us to DEATH!" Jubilee snapped at him.

"Logan-chan� you're�" she got out.

"Been better, sweetheart� just waiting for this big blue ape to let me the hell outta here before I climb the frickin' walls!" Logan grumbled as he folded his arms across his chest. "Dammit Doc, when are ya gonna spring us outta this loony bin?"

"Preferably when you get some MANNERS," Hank shot back.

Jubilee released Michelle and leapt over to tackle Logan. He gave her a hug, sitting up in the bed to do so, and ruffled her hair. She kissed his cheek and glanced at the others who were entering the infirmary. "Got a flamin' audience�" he muttered.

"Ohmigosh, took them long enough to wake up," Kitty Pryde commented. "You guys okay?"

"I will be, once I get this kid offa me," Logan playfully griped.

"Liebchen, let him have some air?" Nightcrawler scolded as he moved over and gently tugged Jubilee off of Logan.

"Hey lemmie go, you blue furred menace! I'll behave!" Jubilee yelped.

"Hi pun'kin," Logan said as Kitty walked over and gave him a hug. "You been makin' sure she's behavin' Petey?"

"I'm wondering about YOU," Peter Rasputin said as he walked over and clutched Logan's hand in a powerful shake. Logan grunted as he got a large slap on the back.

"Michelle, good to see you awake, this little one wouldn't stop worrying about you," Kurt Wagner said as he walked over and kissed Michelle's cheek.

"Nice to see you too, Kurt," she smiled wearily. Ororo also entered, seeing the assembly gathered in the room. Logan waved her over, and she leaned over to give him and Michelle both a hug and a kiss.

"So where's everyone else?" Michelle asked.

"Training. The only way they'd let us visit is in shifts," said Ororo. "Something about not letting you guys get worn out or something�"

"No way, Wolvie's FINE," Jubilee protested.

"Now just cause he's got a healing factor doesn't mean we can stomp all over it," Kitty said.

"Who asked you, cat girl," Jubilee stuck her tongue out at Kitty.

"Kitty, behave� and Jubilee, knock it off before I sick the Bamf on you," Logan grumbled.

"We brought you some stuff�" Kitty said as she handed the bouquet of flowers to Colossus. He set them on the bedside table between both of the hospital beds, and Michelle sneezed at the assault of the powerful fragrances blending together.

"Hurry up and get well. We're already getting sick of Cyclops," Pyotr said.

"Ugh, don't tell me HE'S in charge," Logan grimaced.

"Don't you know, that you're the new head woman around here?" asked Kurt as he patted Michelle's shoulder.

"Excuse me?" she asked.

"What's that?" asked Logan, blinking.

"You're leader of X Men red, starting the minute you get out of here," Ororo smiled as she sat down next to Michelle's bed.

"You've been kicked upstairs, girlfriend," Jubilee crowed as she sat on the edge of Michelle's bed and grabbed her arm enthusiastically.

"Thanks� I think�" she shook her head, in shock. "But why?"

"Natural selection," Pyotr shrugged.

"She's the oldest you mean, and the smartest?" asked Ororo.

"Oh shut up," Michelle groaned.

"Looks like it's a reality," said Kitty. "And we're you're new teammates�"

"Great," Logan groaned. "A tinman, a bamf, a valley girl, and a cat that walks through walls. Just what you always flamin' wanted�"

"Now that you've broken the news, can I ask you to please leave our two patients alone?" Hank asked as he pushed in among the guests. "Visiting hours are over�"

"Now come on�" Kitty protested.

"I insist� out. These two have a LOT of healing to do�" Hank said as he shoed them out.

"But I feel fine�" Michelle said.

"Come to think of it, you don't look so hot darlin� I think Doc's right�" Logan said as Hank winked at him.

"Now wait a minute�" Jubilee got out.

"Schatzi, I think they need some time alone�" he whispered.

"Oh�" Jubilee got out. "Duh on me�"

"Knock it off Hank� we're LEAVING already," Kitty groaned as Hank shoed them out.

"Later�" Pyotr waved. Michele blinked as they were all bustled out, and soon the infirmary was quiet.

"What was THAT all about?" Michelle raised an eyebrow as Logan smirked from the other hospital bed.

"Oh, just a little favor he owes me," Logan said.

"You owe ME now, Logan," Hank said as he shut the door.

"Add it to my tab, dogbreath," Logan said casually as he pulled his sheets aside.

"Leader� me?" Michelle shook her head. "They must be joking�"

"Apparently they're very serious," said Hank as he scribbled notes on his clipboard, and then hung it on the end of Michelle's bed. "Professor X wants you to take the reigns�"

"What did I do to deserve that�" she mumbled. "Someone really must have it in for me�"

Hank was about to say something, but saw the gleam of humor in her eyes. She leaned back and sighed, blinking up at the ceiling. "So, how long ARE we going to be stuck in here?"

"Till the Professor and I decide," said Hank. He strode out, pulling the curtain around both beds.

"You mean till the Professor decides if Red is nuts or not?" asked Logan. The curtain squealed back as Hank poked his head back in.

"Logan�" Michelle said reprovingly.

"I wouldn't have been so blunt," Hank said. "But yes. She's going through some personal sessions with him now�"

"That's why I'm leading instead of her?" asked Michelle. "Isn't it? I overheard you and the Professor talking. I just wasn't sure if it was a reality or not� I don't know if this is a good idea�"

"He has his reasons. Jean has been under considerable stress� I only hope there is no hard feelings resulting from this�"

"I didn't start it, she did," said Logan as he folded his arms across his chest. "Although after what she did�"

"I want to drop the whole damn thing," Michelle sighed. "Sure I�m angry what she did, but she wasn't in her right mind, was she?"

"Red's been holdin' a grudge forever, not just you, darlin," said Logan as he slid the railing down, and swung his legs around so he was sitting with his feet planted on the floor.

"I'll check on you two later," said Hank. "I suggest you get some rest and relaxation. Both of you are to remain in here till the Professor has decided what to do about Jean�"

"Is she a danger to us?" asked Michelle.

"No. Not as such. But you two almost died from her actions�" Hank said as he slid the curtain around.

Michelle exhaled the breath she'd been holding. The drips of the IV mingled with the sound of the whirring motors pumping nourishment into her body and with her heart pounding quickly. "I ought to hate her for what she tried to do�" said Michelle.

"M'iko, what you said back there� about me�" said Logan as he climbed out of bed, and sat on the edge of hers.

"Logan, are you nuts� Hank said�"

"Hank's not flamin here, darlin," Logan whispered as he nudged her over, and slid into bed next to her. "I wanna know� did ya really mean it�"

"Mean what?" Michelle asked.

"Sayin' all that mushy stuff about me being 'the man ya love'," Logan said as he slid his arm around her shoulders and tipped her chin to face him.

"Of course I did�. How could you doubt that?" Michelle frowned.

"I can't now," he said as he brushed her hair away from her cheek. "Not everyday two chicks fight over me�"

"You enjoyed it in some way didn't you?" Michelle mumbled. "You guys always do�"

"Nah, I'm serious� nobody� I mean no woman of mine� has ever stepped in to save my ass before like that. You're one in a million� and I'm wondering what in hell I did to deserve ya�"

"Don't start that Logan� or else I'll get upset at you," she said with a warning note in her voice.

"Can't have THAT, can we?" Logan asked as he pulled the sheets up around them. "Doc McCoy wouldn't want his patients getting SICK again, would he?"

"And you have the cure, Doctor Love?" she raised an eyebrow.

"Oh yeah baby, you know it," Logan said in a rather suggestive voice.

"You're crazy�" Michelle whispered back as he leaned over and kissed her. He pulled her down and repositioned himself on his side.

"Frickin' hospital beds� too damn narrow�" Logan complained. He shifted her to lie on top of him, and she felt his body heat warming her.

"Much better," she whispered as he pillowed her head on his chest, and wrapped his arms around her. Lying against his muscular body, she felt chills of desire, and a sense of security.

"I agree, darlin� gotta look out for ya� considering I only just found ya�" Logan purred. He kissed her gently, and squeezed her to his body. There would be a considerable period of time, and he wanted to spend every minute he could savoring his love before they had to get back to the hero business.
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Ultimate Coverup