Ari breathed in deeply... their lunch was already there, and it smelled wonderful! The Professor was very happy to see her again, and they ate a good meal, talking comfortably about her morning. He was amazed to hear all of the things that she had discovered. He hadn't known nearly half of what she was capable of, and with each new discovery, he was growing more and more intrigued with her. She was so invigorated, animated... she had no idea how beautiful she was, so alive. She seemed to be completely devoid of the self-consciousness that she had when he had first met her. She was discovering herself... and liking who she was. He smiled, you couldn't help but be caught up in it, her eyes shone and she chatted on and on in her beautiful, soft, low voice. Professor Xavier watched her with ever-growing admiration... and something else. He was quickly beginning to realize that he secretly hoped Logan would not remember what had happened... that thought bothered him, to say the least, but it was definitely there, lurking in the back of his mind.
Ari finally finished eating, she'd been ravenous and it surprised him how much she could eat, and still stay in such good shape. It must be related to her animal side, perhaps she had a higher rate of metabolism than normal humans. The fact that she was part animal was disturbingly arousing to him. He decided that he'd better find out where she stood with Logan, and soon. " Ari" Have you seen Logan yet?"
She looked up at him in surprise, laying her fork down slowly down onto the table. Her calm, comfortable demeanor changed immediately, she swallowed and licked her lips, her heart-rate quickening. He took note of all of it, fascinated, it appeared that she was didn't need to answer his question about how she felt about Logan, she had already done so, without saying a word. He sighed, it was probably for the best.
She raised a trembling hand to brush a curl away from her eyes, and spoke softly, " He came to my room last night." She paused, then her eyes flew up and she shook her head quickly, " I... didn't let him in... of course, I.... told him I didn't want to talk to him." The Professor frowned, " Did he say what he wanted? " She sighed and shook her head... " No, but it was my fault.... I had been thinking about him, remembering... " she glanced up nervously. " I was feeling out for him, to see if he was well, he was awake and getting something to eat, walking around... I was enjoying being with him, feeling him, and I guess..." she paused, lowering her head. " He felt me reaching out... it seems he can feel my presence just like I can feel his... I hadn't even thought of that being a possibility... I was careless."
The Professor, sighed sitting back in his chair. " Ari, are you sure you're doing the right thing, as far as Logan is concerned? If he feels you, on a subconscious level, is it possible that it is already to late to save him from this "terrible" fate you feel you have forced upon him? Is it possible that you are making it even harder on him? He doesn't know how or why, but he is drawn to you. Is that fair to him? "
She looked up at him, her eyes filled with anguish, " Do you think I don't care if he's hurting and confused? " She looked down tears coming to her eyes. " I care ...more than you know..." The Professor's heart sank. There it was, plain and simple, and now his only concern was how to help make the situation bearable for both of them. He sighed, trying to think of a way to get through to her. " Ari, why don't I have a talk with Logan today?" She looked up at him, fear in her eyes. He raised a hand, " I won't tell him anything you don't want him to know... but maybe I can get a clearer idea what he is thinking... how you are affecting him... do you think that could be beneficial?" She swallowed and tried to calm the wild thoughts and emotions that were running through her mind. " I don't see what it could hurt. As long as you don't tell him ... what happened." He nodded, " I will talk to him right away. Ari, Why don't you find something to do for the afternoon... and meet me back here at, let's say, 4:00... Alright?" She nodded, her stomach in knots. She really hoped this wasn't a bad idea.
Logan was just leaving the Danger room, when he got a message to meet the Professor in his office. It had come to his head so clearly; it always bothered him when he realized that people were capable of that. It had sent a shudder rippling through his body, leaving him with that creepy feeling of exposure and vulnerability. He didn't stop to change, sweat-soaked and ragged as he was, he went directly to the office, his heart pounding eagerly, hoping that he would be able to get some information about what was going on with Ari. His time in the Danger room had proved to him that he was indeed, almost back to his old self. He was a bit more winded than usual, but the hormones raging through his body had more than made up for any weakness he may have been feeling. He was excited, ready for answers and absolutely sure that by the end of this day, he would have them.
He knocked on the door, and entered, not waiting for a response. His keen nose had caught Ari's scent a while back and it was the strongest in here. His heart sunk as he opened the door to find that it was only the Professor. He sniffed the air, closing his eyes and sucking in long, deep breaths of her wonderful scent. She had been here for some time, and her essence was still hanging heavily in the air. Logan became aroused immediately, opening his eyes quickly and frowning, hoping the Professor hadn't noticed.
He had, of course, and smiled, motioning for Logan to have a seat. Logan shook his head and began pacing the floor, looking much like he had the day before. Professor Xavier frowned, he was hoping this would go much smoother than yesterday.
"Logan, good to see you, it appears you've been taking out a little frustration downstairs." He smiled,
" How did it go? " Logan nodded, and smiled," I did alright... I'm fine... thanks. Ari was just here, wasn't she ?" The Professor raised his eyebrows, obviously Logan wanted to get right to the point. " Yes, she was Logan... we just finished lunch."
Logan stopped pacing and looked up quickly, his nostrils flaring as he sniffed the air again. His senses had been so focused on her, he hadn't noticed the smell of food in the air. The hair on the back of his neck tingled, and his pulse raced. " You had lunch together?," he asked quietly, his brow furrowing deeply. Professor Xavier sighed, " Yes, we did. Ari and I had a lot to discuss. She is a very special woman, Lo..." His words were cut off sharply. " I know that." Logan said softly, his pulse throbbing in his neck.
" I am working with Ari, helping her to discover and understand her gifts, Logan. "
" Mmm ", he said, nodding and pursing his lips. " You make it a habit of havin' lunch, in your office, with beautiful women, while discussing their ... "gifts"?" He emphasized the last word, smiling, and raising a brow.
Professor Xavier's jaw tightened, he was beginning to feel himself getting angry. " I'm open to discussing Ari with you, Logan... when you are ready to behave like an adult. You let me know when you are ready to do that." Logan let out a deep breath, pulled his arms quickly away from the desk, and began pacing again, struggling to bring himself under control. Sometimes Xavier's calm and patient personality really got under his skin. Still, he was a little surprised at himself, he liked the Professor, and he knew down deep, he didn't want to treat him like this. He sighed, still pacing, " Sorry."
Professor Xavier nodded, accepting the apology. " Ari tells me you came to her room last night." Logan looked up quickly. " Yeah? I didn't cause any trouble... I left when she told me she didn't wanna' to talk to me." The Professor held up his hand." It's fine, Logan... I just wanted to ask you a few questions about it."
Logan frowned, looked down, and continued pacing the floor. He nodded, not sure he was 'gonna like where the conversation was headed. " Ari told me that you said you could feel her. Logan, how is it that you can "feel" Ari?"
Logan looked up, " I don't know... I just can."
He nodded. " Logan, have you ever "felt" anyone else like this... the way you "feel" Ari?" Logan shook his head, no. " When did you first notice your ability to feel her presence?" Logan frowned, " The minute I met her." The Professor was surprised. " You could feel her BEFORE you were ill?" Logan nodded.
" Fascinating."
Logan snorted. " Yeah, fascinating... that's one Hell of a way ta' put it." He walked back up to the desk and rested his hands on it, looking at the Professor with a hunger for knowledge in his eyes. " Listen, I don't know what's goin' on with Ari... but I need to talk to her... I ... figured some stuff out today..."
" What have you figured our today, Logan?" he asked quietly. Logan jerked his head, and walked away sighing deeply. He didn't want to get into this with the Professor, but it looked like he wasn't going to have much of a choice. " I know that Ari was in my head..." the Professor sucked in a breath quietly, but Logan didn't miss it. He whirled around and walked toward the desk, smiling. " I see I'm right," he said,
" why the Hell does it bother you that I know that? What's the big deal? ... the big secret?" he asked, opening his eyes sarcastically. " It's my head, Dammit! ... why can everybody know what goes on in MY head, except
me? "
Professor Xavier mentally chastised himself for his slip, then thought for a moment how to proceed. " Ari helped to heal you Logan, she was able to reach you on a different level than Jean or I could have done. It appears that you truly ARE an animal, Logan... Ari was able to reach that part of you, and bring you back to us... in the process, she was forced to follow... "avenues" that she was uncomfortable with. She prefers to let those avenues remain private... and I respect her wishes. "
Logan shook his head, and cracked his neck. " How much does she know about me?," he asked, afraid to really know the answer.
He shook his head, sighing. " I would imagine that she knows almost everything there is to know about you, Logan."
Logan's heart sank, he dropped his head. " Shit! " He was right, he was probably the reason that she wasn't talking to him. He walked over and dropped into the chair, closing his eyes, and covering his face with his hands. The Professor could feel the pain that he was in. " Logan, how do you feel about Ari?"
Logan shook his head, not looking up. " I feel like if I can't see her,... can't be with her... I'm 'gonna do somethin' crazy. " He dropped his hands, his eyes were filled with torment. " ... it's like... I HAVE ta' have her."
Xavier was not surprised, on the contrary, he clenched his jaw and nodded slowly. He was in a dilemma over what he felt compelled to say, and what his conscience would allow him to say. He decided to walk the thin line very closely. " Logan, would it help you to know that I believe Ari needs you even more than you need her? "
Logan sat up and leaned forward, his heart in his throat. " What do ya' mean? She won't even talk to me." His eyes were alive with hope. " Last night... I went to her room because I could feel her, needing me... achin' for me..."
The Professor nodded. " Logan, don't let her walk away from this. I have to believe it will only destroy you both in the end. " He regarded Logan closely, deeply... almost angrily.
" I'm going to share something with you Logan..." He sat back in his chair and sighed. " I was secretly hoping that this wasn't true, that Ari didn't want you, because I found myself wanting her. " His eyes narrowed, " That's right Logan, I find myself drawn to her, as you are... she is a wonderful and interesting woman... " he sighed, pursing his lips. " ... but it's you she wants ... no one else, ... and Logan?... " Logan looked closer, frowning, his eyes narrowed. " I'm going to be watching you. I will be watching every move you make, and if you hurt her, Logan... You are going to have me to deal with. You had better treat her like a piece of fine china, Logan. "
Logan was angry, but he understood, and nodded. The Professor took a deep breath, and smiled.
" Now, what are you going to do about this?"
Logan sat back, trying to calm himself, his mind was filled with a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. He sighed and raised a hand to his mouth, rubbing it down over the hair on his face, frowning, deep in thought. " If I can help it, I'm not 'gonna push her... there's still somethin' goin' on with her that I don't get.." he looked up, " and you're not 'gonna help me with that, are ya'? " The Professor shook his head, he had said far more than he wanted to already. Logan sat up and eyed him squarely. " Thank you... I'll take care of her... I promise."
Professor Xavier smiled slightly, and nodded his head.
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