Title: Baked
Author: Peachy
Email: kkeene@bradley.eduTeaser: the graduation pool party gets a bit crispy
Rating: PG-13
Genre: comedy, drama This is the next in the Peachy, Season's Change Series after "The Letter". Enjoy...more to come...sorry it took so long...
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Logan took Marie aside as everyone went inside to change for the pool party and bar-b-que. She was pulled over to a tree and captured between the trunk and Logan. He couldn't stop staring at her. She got all red and embarrassed.
"What are you looking at?" she said as she tried to hide her face.
He took hair and used it as a shield to pull her face back to him.
"Your beautiful you know that?"
She just smiled. He always could say such simple things and put so much behind it. She knew he meant every word.
"Close your eyes. I have a graduation gift for you." "You didn't have to" "Close your eyes." He said again.
He took a small box out from behind his back. He loved buying things for her, doing things just for her.
"Okay, open 'em!" She opened to see the tiny box. She was surprised he got anything for her. He was never the best at gift giving. "Thank you." She hugged him close and didn't want to let go, but he made her so she could open the gift. Inside was a bracelet made of silver and had tiny blue stones around it. It was breath taking and must have cost a fortune. "It's beautiful. Thank you." He helped put it on for her. It fit perfectly, not to big, not too tight around her white glove. It was exquisite. He kissed her gently by the ear over her hair. She felt the warm lips connect with her skin beneath.
She didn't realize she said it aloud, "I wish you could," She left it as that. "I need nothing more then you, just as you are." He stressed looking into her eyes and making sure she saw the truth that existed. She cried. She was so happy and didn't deserve him. She smiled and he gave her a hug.
"I'm proud of you. You worked hard and deserve this." He tapped on her diploma. "I try," she said with a grin. After a moment of standing there she finally broke up the silence. "Well I'm going to change for the party," she said. She and St. John had a surprise of their own for everyone. "Then go!" Logan said.
************
Logan went off to get everything from the kitchen for lunch. He over heard Jean and Xavier talking so he stopped by the door. Apparently they weren't worried about him ease dropping, the telepaths didn't know he was there. Their conversation was about him and Rogue. He knew it was coming, it was only a matter of time.
Jean didn't approve and Charles said there was nothing that could be done. Jean saw the age difference and yet felt the connection that existed. It worried her. Xavier said to leave it. Their relationship was not a problem right now and he didn't see it becoming one anytime in the future. She was an adult and so is Logan. They couldn't judge, there was noting they could do.
Logan then strolled into the kitchen pretending to have not heard anything and moved on.
Jean jumped a bit and was surprised by his presence, hoping he hadn't heard what was being said. Logan smiled at her and she returned the gesture. Charles went to go get ready for the event and Jean followed him out, leaving Logan alone. He didn't care what they thought but yet it bugged him. Made him question if he was doing the right thing by being with Marie. He didn't want to think about it now, later he'd deal with Jean and her opinions, and probably Scott's as well. Whatever the cost he wouldn't let Marie find out about their doubts. She had worries already about that and Logan constantly reassured her the only thing that mattered is what she wanted, not what other people think.
*************
Scott changed quickly and lit the outdoor grill to get it hot for the food.
Jean, Felix and Ororo were getting all the rest of the previsions out and Xavier was just enjoying the day outside.
Charles even wore the outfit the graduating class gave him, Hawaiian boxers and just as tacky a shirt to match. Jean tried so hard to suppress her giggles whenever she saw him. He'd still look at her, knowing what she was thinking. Charles agreed but he did it for the students. Jean felt guilty every time and apologized, "I'm sorry Charles." And Ororo would follow with a giggle herself, "Very vibrant would you not say?"
****************
Logan even gave the professor a second glance as he headed over to the grill with all the meat.
"Out of my way red eye." He said. Logan wanted to do the cooking. No one was better then grilling meat by an open fire then himself.
"I don't think so, rod boy." Scott was just as rude back. It was his party he organized, he gets to cook by the grill.
"You're gonna cook." Logan had to grin at that thought. "Betty 'Summers' Crocker. Now that's fuckin' funny." He laughed. "Let a real outdoorsman have the helm."
"Grilling is an art Logan, and we all know you taste in art is like your cheap beer. We want to eat the food that gets cooked you know. My party, my grill, my meat... I think that makes me the cook."
Logan retracted his middle claw and Scott didn't even flinch.
"I know enough about skewering and cooking so as get it right. Oh but let me guess, you were a Boy Scout right? So did you get your merit badge in bar-b-que." He said sarcastically.
Scott let out a little chuckle himself.
Jean watched the two boys go at if for a while. It was amusing. She liked Logan a lot, he was a breath of fresh air every time he was around. He could always make her smile, no matter how bad a mood she was in. Maybe that was just what Rogue needed. Sure Jean was worried about the age difference and if Logan's wild side would burst up again but it all vanished when he was around Rogue. Maybe she was just over reacting.
She glanced back at the two children playing by the fire, each one never going to admit the other was just like him in a way. Both were good friends that could rely on each other, they acted like brothers.
***************
"Come on Rogue, let me see!" St. John demanded. "I feel so naked." She yelled from the other side of the door.
She decided with St. John's precautions she would try her hand at he bikini Jubilee and Kitty got her for her Christmas.
"Come on Rogue. It's not that bad."
He opened the door to be daring and she covered her self up.
"Please don't get close...Please..." She pleaded. "You're not going to hurt me. Get that through your head!" and he cautiously let the words sink in to Rogue's thick skull.
Finally she removed the towel. His jaw dropped and eyes bulged, just like in the cartoons. St. John like the suit, it made her look unbelievable hot! "It's...it's... nice." He was trying to breathe. Rogue notice and put the towel back on. She also blushed. St. John wasn't exactly looking at her face.
"I don't want people gawking at me!" It felt weird having her friends look at her like that. "Well face it sweetie, they haven't seen you with that little clothing before. They will notice and then go about their ways after not being able to do or really say anything. I'll help in that department too okay." "Will you be able to talk?!" She shouted at him. He gave her a look, "That is why I get first dibs, so I get use to it and just act naturally."
He smiled. She knew he was eating this up. She wanted to be pretty and have people actually notice her but not stare so. She was getting nervous.
"You got the tape?" Marie asked. "Would I let you down?" "Are you sure?" "As one of your best friends, I assure you, you'll be fine."
She smiled. He was crazy, but she really wanted to get some sun on her otherwise white body from three years of hibernation. She'd have to put on sunscreen or fry.
He stood there and got everything out from under his bed as Marie put on sunscreen. He couldn't get over how good she looked. Finally they noticed everyone was outside so it was time to go. She grabbed her flips and a towel, sunscreen and sunglasses.
"Am I ready?" Rogue stood before him with glasses, towel and everything else. St. John thought she looked like a regular beach bunny. "You are... but the world ain't." He grinned. "I'll clear the path."
As they walked outside St. John acted as himself. He pretended to be her body guard, well he was her body guard, literally making sure she had a clear path to a chair so as not to hurt anyone.
**************
"Excuse us! Coming through, hey no pictures... let her pass, clear the way."
His words made no difference as people just froze, and stared. Most cleared the way anyway giving her plenty of room to the chair. Bobby and Gambit both had to grab onto something before they fell over. Kitty and Jubilee just exchanged glances with each other, nodding their approval. After Rogue found her chair and got situated, St. John so kindly created a three foot radius using Do Not Enter, Crime Scene tape around her. Accord to him it was appropriate, she was illegal.
***********
Scott and Logan quit arguing when it got really quiet over by the pool, both turning to look. Logan's jaw dropped and. Scott just smirked and smiled, nodding his approval.
Logan growled at him. "Remove your eyes." "Free country Logan, but I'll just let you keep cooking over here and I'll go see what Jean is up to over by the pool." "Not so fast prick. You cook." He shoved the meat in his hands and went over to Marie.
He wasn't sure he liked all this skin in public. But with the other girls wearing bikinis and swimsuits it still shocked him.
"Thank you Rogue." Scott smiled. Now he didn't have to deal with Logan and he could get the food ready without his arguing. She'd occupy his time.
*****************
He stood guard and after a while Rogue had to laugh. John was standing there with his arms crossed checking everyone out like the secret service.
"You can go have fun now, John!" she smiled at him. "How can I say no to that face? You want anything to eat?" "Sure." She looked over to where Logan was coming and Scott was cooking.
"Duty check!" she yelled and St. John assumed the position stepping in front of Logan.
"Excuse me sir. That's far enough." "Excuse me?" he raised his eye brow while asking the question.
Rogue had to giggle to herself, she was loving this.
"Sorry, four foot radius, no closer. It's for both your safety. You have to kill me to cross it."
Logan stared at the kid. With out hesitation he said, "Okay." And extended his claws on one of his hands, flashing it conveniently in front of St. John's face. "What do I do if he's armed?" he yelled back to Rogue. "Logan!" She yelled. He didn't move, "Let him through," she said. "You've been cleared," and John stepped aside.
St. John went to go see if Scott needed any help with the old grill.
"So you're actually wearing it?" "Why not it's a beautiful day, besides, I'm just too pale. Like it?" "As if you have to doubt that." She blushed. "Aren't you gonna cook with Scott?" "Nah, let Laser eye do it himself." He leaned in to her ear and she sat dead still so as not to touch him, "You're beautiful."
He was mixed, wanted her to cover up with all the guys looking at her but knew she wanted this so much and it made her happy and that was the most important thing for her. To be able to do normal stuff like this. He'd have to actually thank St. John for this. Logan got up and let her socialize with her friends. He never did show much emotion in public.
Rogue sat, with the gang at a distance eating and she even took a dip in the pool. St. John the life guard clear the way and allowed her to swim. Finally she put on her head phones sand laid out in the sun.
The guys tried showing off dives into the pool and the girls yawned going back to their books.
Bobby and Gambit were itching for a practical joke or two. There were many push-into-the-pool attempts, water balloon throwing opportunities and silly string in storage for use, but they made a promise to Xavier to keep this day free of gags. They kept their promise but as Gambit said, "Tomorrow is another day... and it starts at midnight."
****************
Rogue was finally awoken about an hour later to a huge balloon ball all wet smacking into her back. "Sorry," one of the younger kids said. She smiled and threw it back.
St. John looked at her and felt terrible. "Oops." "What?' Rogue asked. "Um..." St. John didn't know what to do. Katherine did, "You're back is red as a lobster Rogue!" She picked up a towel and threw it over her friend who now began to feel it.
Marie forgot to put on sun screen after she took a dip. It hurt and the rough towel didn't help. She took it off. "How bad is it?" She wanted to know...
Bobby came over, "You better get inside and put somethin' on it. I can help with that." "Ow...ow..."
It hurt for to move her upper body at all. She couldn't believe she was so stupid. "Everyone clear a path, make way." St. John yelled again.
She went inside and Bobby took her to her room and told her to lay down. "Ow, ow, ow, ow..." she could barely move and she laid down on her bed face down.
"Don't take this the wrong way Rogue but I'm gonna put ice on you back and..." "Shut up and just do it...ow" "I need..." He was getting really embarrassed right now. "I need to unfasten your top." "What!!!" she said lying down and got half way up, until the bending of her back pinched her baked skin and she slammed her self back down on the bed. Shew as not expecting that remark.
"It's either that or I risk permanently freezing it to your skin."
She though a moment. That wasn't a pleasant thought and she finally agreed. She just wanted the fire to stop.
"But be careful!"
He took her gloves and used them to protect his hands.
If Kitty knew about this she'd kill him, hell, Logan would. He prayed someone didn't walk in and take this the wrong way.
Rogue felt so embarrassed. She was half-naked in a room with her best friend and he was stripping her. But when he pulled the straps off her back and shoulders, she loved him. She kept her arms close to her body, making sure he didn't see anything.
His hands were nervous doing this and yet he kind of like it, but he thought this was so weird with his best friend. He just was trying to help her...just trying to help her...just trying to help her. He repeated it as if to convince himself.
"Tell me if it hurts or is too cold."
He moved his hands just centimeters from her back. "Don't move" He concentrated and created a thin layer of ice over the burn that started to melt instantly. "Oh my!!!!!!!!" Rogue cried. "What?!" he thought he did something wrong. "Does it hurt?" "No, it feel so good. Please don't stop." Since that layer already melted he made another and another... then Logan slammed open the door!
************
"Where's Marie?" Logan snarled after eating yet another hamburger. He was tired of the current company of Scott and Jean. Not that he didn't like `em, but he gave them their privacy.
Jubilee responded, "She went inside to get an ice treatment. She fell asleep and her back turned redder then a stove coil! It's gonna be painful."
He ran inside to find her, but what he heard coming through the door was not what he was expecting...
What he saw didn't help his already roaming imagination but then he looked at the ice on her back melting.
Bobby shot up and hit the wall expecting the total Wolverine furry to pounce on him.
"Logan!" Marie shouted with a mix of surprise and anger. She wanted more ice on her back. "That doesn't look good, Marie." "Tell me something I don't know. I can feel it you know. Bobby, more ice please." She begged. He looked to Wolverine for approval before moving one step. Logan could sense the fear in the kid but put him at ease.
"Well what are you waiting for. The lady wants ice..." Logan said and watched Bobby cover her again and again with ice.
Logan left and came back with a bottle of lotion he got from Jean. After about a half-hour of frozen ice, it was time to put on this lotion.
"Out!" Logan said and Bobby left without a complaint. He wanted to get back to the party anyhow and away from Logan.
"Why did you do that? It hurts!" Marie complained. 'It's called sun screen." "I don't need your sarcasm. I did put some on but I forgot after I went swimming to put on more okay!" She didn't want to be lectured on sun protection right now, just cured of it. "Sorry." Logan apologized. He didn't mean to make her upset.
"Me too. It just hurts." "I got lotion from Jean to put on your back to help." "Can you do it, I can't move."
He goes up to her face again and looks at her in the eyes and grins, "Boy, would I ever." She smiled back and bit her lower lip and grinned. Logan thought Marie was cute whenever she did that.
He grabbed a pair of Jeanie's medical gloves and used a silk scarf of hers to wipe off the extra water. It hurt a bit and she flinched every now and then. "Sorry, I'm being as careful as I can." "I know. I knew something was gonna happen today." "This is nothing. It will heal."
He wanted to make sure her back was dry and blew on it. Giving her goose bumps on her arms and legs, especially when he blew on her neck. "Stop," she said with a smile. It tickled but on her back it felt so cool. He continued blowing on her back until it was dry.
He got a little on his hand carefully and gently rubbed the lotion in.
Marie let a little gasp escape as it felt like his actual hands were touching her skin. She loved it. She closed her eyes, taking in only the feeling and cool soothing lotion that he was putting on. It was touch, every bit of it. She was drowning in the sensations, like a drug high. She didn't ever want it to stop.
He felt his fingers flow over her body and it was driving her crazy. His fingers moving grazing from her shoulders to her hips and lower back. Down on her pink legs as well.
His hands moved carefully. He was touching her. That meant so much to him. He saw her eyes closed and could hear her breath increase, as well as her heart beats. He liked that he was doing this to her. He imagined her skin as if it was as smooth and silky as the lotion he was putting on. He wanted to feel every curve he could and every muscle in her back. But gently.
Finally he finished up and it took her a while to realize he stopped. 'Done already?' she thought to herself. "Thank you," She whispered. "Anything for you." He took of the gloves off and handed her a t-shirt, setting it by her face. "Here, this is light and it won't bother your sun burn as much with the lotion. I'll put it on every hour." "Promise." She said wickedly, amazed it came from her own mouth. "Promise." He replied with a light laugh.
They sat there like that for a bit. "Well?" Rogue asked. "Well what?" "Get out a here so I can change!" she said. "Sorry, " Logan got up and left.
She put on the light colored shirt with no bra unfortunately. Well it will be a while before she tried that again. Maybe she should go to a tanning bed to help her become more resistant to the sun's evil rays. She put on some tights and went back outside, covered from head to toe. Now she felt natural, sore but natural.
***************
The rest of the day went off without a hitch. Rogue stayed covered and St. John helped her to feel better by getting anything she needed to help reduce her movements. Jubilee and Katherine liked the outfit and promised Rogue they'd all go out together again, just for short periods of time.
***************
In another part of the grounds, Logan cornered Jean that evening as things wound down for the day.
"Jeannie, can I have a word." "Sure, excuse me Ororo." and Storm watched them leave to go inside. Jean and Logan made their way to an empty room and Logan closed the door behind them.
"You have doubts tell me to my face and not behind my back or Rogue's. I don't want her to hear shit like you and the professor were talking about earlier today. I don't want that to hurt her." He bluntly explained. Logan didn't realize he was so mad until he started talking about it.
Jean didn't realize he was listening in on that conversation. She felt like she had a lot to explain to Logan. She felt terrible for talking behind his back, probably just because he found out and over heard but he was right. She was wrong to do so.
"So what's your problem..." He cornered her so she couldn't avoid him or leave the room.
Jean didn't know where to begin. There were many questions and concerns she had and some where not her own but Scott's or Xavier's.
"I'm just worried is all. I care about you and Rogue but I know how you are..." "Read my mind Jeannie." He interrupted her. "No, I'm not going to..." "Read my mind." Logan stated firmly, giving a command. It wasn't an option.
She stood frozen not sure what to do. Finally she placed her hands on either side of his head and closed her eyes concentrating. She felt something snap as she broke through into his mind. Jean saw Logan in his past life and how he was today, images... his memories with Rogue flashed by her as well.
She felt his emotions, his love, care, protection, admiration, awe, everything... everything for one girl with white streaks in her hair. Jean even started to cry and she finally pulled away from him...
"I'm sorry..." Jean said. She understood now he wouldn't leave Marie, wouldn't hurt her, wouldn't go after anyone else, not even Jean anymore. Jean was wrong and she admitted it.
"I was wrong..." "You were." and without another word he walked out the door leaving her to his memories and her own thoughts...
The End