Rings Around Roses

"Logan, I am not wearing that… that… thing in public."

"Yer choice. Ring or collar. I think Jeannie'd like the collar actually." Scott blushed. He grinned.

"Okay, okay. You get your damned ring and ceremony. I already said 'yes'. On the radio, across the country no less. So, stop whining."

"I'm not whining. So, we gonna do this private like or have the Prof solemnize it." Scott shook his head.

"Did you eat a dictionary when I wasn't looking?"

"Figured if I had ta deal with ya and Jeannie'd I'd need the ammo."

"You'd think you were marrying Hank," Scott muttered. Logan smiled.

"Ain't my type. Too tall." Scott snickered. "Too blue."

"Didn't think you were hung up on looks."

"Ya up fer a game o' pool?"

"Sure."

*****

"Rougie, y' got plans f' tomorrow?"

"Maybe," she said coyly.

"I was thinkin' that mebbe, y' like t' go out f' dinner," Remy shrugged. He was fidgeting and Rogue couldn't help but stare. The Cajun never got nervous. She smiled.

"Sure, Sugah." She tried to keep it light. He smiled at her and kissed gloved fingertips. He laid them against her lips.

"Je t'aime, Rougie." Then, with a swirl of fabric he was gone.

"Someday Ah'm gonna pin ya down and make ya tell me how ya do that," she said to the empty air. She could swear she heard his laugh trail through the hall.

*****

Xavier opened the email. "Dear Friend," Eric began. "Will you be at home on Valentine's Day? Or is your otherworldly lover returning for a brief fling of passion to utterly destroy my chances of a good chess match and a cup of tea?

"No matter. If she is there when I arrive, I shall merely kiss her hand and ask if she would like to see what pathetic humans like myself are capable of creating in the vast darkness of space. And then crush every avian bone in her beautiful body.

"On second thought, that sounds infinitely cruel. Perhaps I will merely show her was true flight feels like, in the moments between when I take her soaring aloft and she crashes into the hard ground.

"If you wish to save your lady love from my wrath, you would do well to respond to my email and tell me whether to bring wine or stay here, locked in the dreadfully monotonous clutches of the Acolytes that believe me to be their god. I do not understand how your precious Windrider was able to free herself from that conceit. I find it quite nice to be worshipped myself.

"Perhaps I can show you someday.

"Yours, Eric."

Xavier snickered and hit reply. "Dear Companion, I shall indeed be stuck at home on this frigidly cold February 14th. The young ones have mostly decided to spend the day out on the town, and I am loath to ask them to stay in.

"As I told you, Logan has returned. Rather much to the dismay of Scott's credit cards I feel sure, and the three have decided to seal their relationship on tomorrow. They will exchange rings and vows. And, then, I am sure find a suitable way to spend the rest of the day. It is fate's cruelty that makes them unable to see how my heart aches to be a part of that ceremony, though they have decided to make it a private affair. Perhaps it will be truer then, but I will miss seeing my son wed again.

"I shall provide the tea and chess board. And dinner, if I can convince the crazy Cajun to leave me the number for the French caterer that he had deliver a midnight snack a few months ago. The man is insane. In that I believe you are correct. At any rate, you will not have the pleasure of splattering my love's body to the ground or grinding her bones into dust, as you seem to be threatening to do.

"Don't forget the wine.

"Yours, Charles."

*****

Hank was staring at the blood sample under the microscope. He wasn't all that pleased with it. There was still a virus in it. He wasn't pleased at all. The strongest acid seemed to do nothing but destroy the blood cells that the virus fed on. He felt cool hands on his shoulders, rubbing, kneading the tense muscles. He sighed. "Thank you, Robert. It feels as if I'm climbing a mountain and can't find the way to the top."

"Then maybe you've got to stop climbing for a minute and get a better perspective on things. Maybe it's time you got out of this lab."

"Robert," Hank sighed. Bobby's hands found a rather sensitive knot of muscle and loosened it. "What did you have in mind? I will become a puddle of component molecules if you don't stop."

"I’m taking you in to town. I've got a room. Get your things. And no coming back into this lab. Got it? I'll drag you out of here if I have to."

"You'd try."

"I have my ways."

"Very well."

*****

Bishop glanced down at the ground where he'd settled the teddy bear. He sighed. He didn't know if Storm did, but most of the women in this time seemed to like stuffed creatures. The problem, he decided, was how to get the object in to the house with no one being the wiser. He wasn't a thief. His eyes narrowed. Had anyone been looking, they would have seen a rather terrifying sight. Bishop was grinning.

*****

Jubilee laid moping across her bed. Sam hadn't asked her out for Valentine's Day and she was beginning to feel like the only woman in the mansion who wouldn't be going out. She had a technical blueprint spread over the coverlet. She gave it the finger. There was a knock on her door. "Yeah?"

"It's Sam. Can Ah come in?"

"Sure, Kansas." Jubilee shoved the schematic off of the bed in the direction of her desk.

Sam looked around the room. He shook his head. "Ah didn't know tornados hit a single room in New York. Back home they sweep up everythin'."

"Oh fuck off, Sammy. I'm not cleaning up until Scott's forehead starts to pulse with that little vein on his temple going red."

Sam grinned at her. "Are you doin' anythin' tomorrow?"

"Just homework."

"Ah'm sure you could get one day off, if Ah ask nice enough."

"You're gonna try to charm Gumbo? Good luck. But anyways, what are we doing? Do I need to dress up?"

Sam shook his head. "Just jeans'll be fine. But wear a nice shirt, not one of your Institute ones, okay? Ah'm gonna try to find your mentor."

"He prefers 'Master.'"

Sam raised a brow. "Jubilation Lee, Ah never knew you were into that sort of thing. My sister'll be shocked to tears."

Jubilee laughed. "I'll get you a collar then, huh?"

Sam considered. He winked. "What ever turns you on, sweetheart."

"I'm underage."

"And we ain't gonna be doin' anythin' consistin' of the legal definition of sex."

Jubilee laughed out loud at that.

*****

Betsy smirked at Warren. He looked at her suspiciously. "What?"

"I know something you don't know."

"I'm sure you know a lot of things. What don't I know this time?"

"I know what you're getting for Valentine's Day."

"Can I guess?"

"You can try."

"Is it soft?"

She considered. "Yes."

"Is it small?"

She smirked. "It can be."

"Hmm." Warren considered.

*****

Scott paced nervously. They'd agreed that the ceremony would be informal. Logan said he didn't give a fuck if they were all naked in the middle of the forest, but that was just Logan. Jean was going to dress up. He knew it. Logan knew it. But neither of them did anything about it. Scott rubbed his hands on the leather pants Logan had given him. They were soft and felt like a second skin.

Logan watched him with a smirk. "What ya so nervous about, boy? Ain't like you ain't been mine fer two months."

"I always get nervous when I'm going to give someone my word. I don't like not living up to expectations."

"And yer still thinkin' I'm just gonna toss you away."

Scott bit his lip. "If I say 'yes' are you going to lecture me again?"

"Yup."

"Well, then, no, I'm fine."

"Bullshit. You know better'n to try that shit with me, Scooter."

"Talk to me afterwards. I'll be nice and secure then."

"That's a laugh," Jean said from the doorway. She was wearing the green leather dress Logan had chosen. They openly appraised her.

"Damn," Scott breathed.

"Where'd ya find those boots?" They were thigh-high black leather, stiletto-heeled boots with laces up the back.

Jean grinned. "Would you believe in Boston?"

Scott's lips twitched. "Emma?"

"Who else?" Jean sashayed into the room. "Now, boys, we were going to do something today weren't we?"

"Well, we were, but I'm willing to overlook it in favor of seein' how you dance in those boots," Scott stated.

"Now, I'm thinkin' I should've insisted on the collar," Logan growled into Scott's ear. "Ain't lettin' ya back out on me now." Scott licked his lips.

"Collar?" Jean asked, eyes bright. Scott flushed. "You let him collar you? And you never let me do it?"

"He was persuasive." Scott shrugged. "Now, who was holding the rings?"

"That'd be me." Logan fished out the box. They stood looking at the gleam of gold for a minute. "Fer better or worse, to death and beyond, I love ya both with all my heart. I'll live for ya, die for ya, and do my level best to care for ya, and kill anyone who harms ya."

Jean felt the tears prick at her eyes. "To death and beyond," she confirmed.

"To death and beyond," Scott echoed.

*****

Rogue opened her eyes to find a package on the pillow next to her held by a stuffed gopher. "I dug deep in my heart to find the perfect thing," the tag said. She opened it to find a diamond teardrop pendant. She put it on her dresser to put on after her shower.

In the bathroom she found a bouquet of flowers in the tub with a vase of cut crystal. She shook her head. She placed them on the dresser with the necklace only to find another package there. She looked around the room. "Swamp Rat," she threatened, "if ya watch me in the shower, sugah, I'll kill ya." She opened the box to find tickets to the ballet. "Oh, Remy," she whispered. She loved the ballet.

*****

"Gambit, would you come to my office?" Xavier asked.

"Oui, M.," the voice came back cheerily through the intercom.

Xavier smiled. The Cajun in a good mood meant he'd be able to get practically anything from him.

*****

Hank stretched and looked around the comfortable hotel room. He smiled and settled and arm more firmly around his lover. Bobby snuggled in close. "Isn't this so much better than the mansion?"

"Yes, you were correct. I needed that time away from our erstwhile family."

"I always know best when I comes to that sort of thing." Bobby grinned, smug.

"Of course you do." Hank smiled. "And in case you think I have forgotten you on this most revered of lover's days, I have something in my bag for you."

"Really? Can I go get it?"

"If you like." Bobby considered.

"Later."

*****

Strom rolled over. She stretched, then opened her eyes. She gave a startled yelp that she'd later deny as she was greeted by a hovering teddy bear. Well, it wasn't really hovering, she noted a few minutes later. It was held up by fishing wire connected to her skylight. The one she always kept open, in case Remy wanted to visit. Her first thought was that Remy had left it, but then she noticed the flowers. Remy was very particular and practically Victorian about the flowers he sent. He would never send the message she saw: I love you deeply, you are my ecstasy, beauty, I adore you, forever thine, marriage. Instead of red roses, Remy would have left white. And where had Bishop found OrangeFlowers? The trees in the conservatory weren't blooming yet. She quickly assembled a response from her greenhouse. Iris, ivy, and the dahlia Bishop had left for her. She left it on his bed and went back to her loft to plan. She'd need a dress, or perhaps simply a few scarves. And Remy needed to be told, of course.

*****

Sam knocked on Jubilee's door. She opened it with a grin. "Hey, Sammy-boy." She was wearing black jeans and a yellow blouse with little pink flowers on it. It tied to the side and was so totally unlike anything else he'd ever seen her wear that it had to be new. Her earrings dangled and bounced as she darted into her room for something wrapped in purple paper. She tucked it into her purse and threw the bag over her shoulder. "So, like, where are we headed?"

Sam smiled down at her and offered his arm. "It's a surprise." They walked down the stairs discussing the latest Danger Room charts and what exactly everyone else in the mansion might be getting up to. Then, they were at the garage and Sam was opening the door of his car. It was a Honda Civic, with the spoiler in the back in silver tones. Jubilee settled down. He handed her a wrapped CD. "Just for yahr pleasure."

"Have you noticed your drawl gets stronger when you're being all chivalrous-like?"

"It's a gift, sweetie."

She rolled her eyes. "You'd think I'd be immune since I spend so much time with Gumbo, but somehow. . ."

"Hmmm?"

"It still gets to me. It's still cute. God, I'm a sap and I didn't even know it."

"I think you're sweet on me, Miss Jubilee."

"God, that's just too much."

"I'm sure we could get you some insulin, Darlin'."

"Don't 'darlin' me, bub." She threatened. "Now, let's see. What did you get me?" She opened the flaps of the paper carefully. It was more a matter of drawing out the suspense than any real thought of reusing the paper, but still. She folded it open to reveal the newest HamsterDance CD. She giggled. She worked off the plastic and put it into the stereo. Sam just smiled as he pulled out of the campus and headed towards the center of town. "You're perfect," Jubilee informed him. "So, where are we going again?"

"Surprise means yahr gonna have ta wait, honey."

"Too smart for your own good."

Sam smirked at her. "I worked with Cable, sweet-tart."

Jubilee looked suspiciously at him. "So?"

"If ya ain't smart, he'll let ya get yahr ass shot off."

She snickered. "Sounds like Fearless in a mood."

"Well, there might be some truth in that rumor that they're related."

"Father and son, Sammy. Father and son. And you can see it in the frown."

"So what is the famous thief teachin' ya, cream-puff."

"I'll cream-puff you, buster," she mock threatened. "He's teaching me all sorts of shit. How to break mansion security. How to reprogram computer programs. Most importantly how to pick locks."

"So nothin' major yet?"

"No. He's promised to let me get the Hope Diamond though, as my final." She grinned.

"Lord, what am I gonna do with ya, moon-pie."

"Are you hungry or something?"

"Why?"

"Because we started at honey and just hit moon-pie."

"Well, we're heading to lunch, sweet-cakes."

"Stick to something a little less, well, sugary? Did you hear that Gumbo's taking Rogue to the ballet tonight? I hear they're wearing matching outfits like at Christmas."

"They always match on holidays. Enough to make ya wonder."

"Wonder what?"

"Are we sure they're a couple not just models?"

"Oh, trust me on that one, Sammy, they're a couple."

"And ya'd know that how?"

"Rogue is wizard at gossip." Jubilee's smile turned a little grim. "And who do you think gave me 'the talk'? Logan? He doesn't even admit I'm over 13."

"He's just protective of ya." A thought struck the young man. "Do you tell Gambit everything?"

"Sure. Just like he tells me."

Sam laughed. "I'd better be good."

"Don't worry, lover-boy, Gumbo doesn't tell Logan anything about what I get up to. He's always been a good spy that way."

Sam nodded and they listened to the cheerful music. He pulled in at the Italian restaurant Jean had recommended. They had a cheaper lunch menu than dinner. And after lunch he'd give Jubilee her last present. Then, they'd cause trouble around the shopping mall for the rest of the day.

****

Warren looked into the box that Betsy had given him. He smirked. "I think we should go ahead and try this out."

Betsy's smile was framed in bright red. She slowly slipped her robe off. Warren took the toys out of the box. "Lay down," he said in cold voice.

"Make me," she challenged.

****

Scott found himself smiling as Logan and Jean glared at one another. "Just tell me how you got him to agree to it. He's never let me put one on, even as a fashion statement."

"Well, girl, you gotta get him pliant and tyin' him ain't too hard."

Scott snickered at that, finding something truly dirty in the thought. Logan looked down at him where he was stretched between his lover's bodies, glare softening into a smile. "What was that, Darlin'? You wanted Jeannie to tie you up?"

Scott shook his head. "Just that it seems pretty hard from this angle."

"Well, ain't that a sight, Cyke makin' dirty comments."

"You've never listened into his thoughts in the middle of a staff meeting," Jean told the Canadian, snarky mood effectively broken. She stroked through Scott's hair. She leaned down to nuzzle at his throat, feeling the leather there against her cheek. "I think you should have insisted he wear it all the time. I think it looks good." She tugged at Scott's ear with her teeth.

"Oh, that would be helpful wouldn't it? Like anyone would listen to me." Scott shook his head. "Don't get used to seeing it, Sweetheart." Scott accent made the word a little sharp and Logan smirked. "Now, maybe if you'll wear those boots more often. . ."

Logan flicked Scott's nose with a finger. "You've got a story to tell me about handcuffs and twist-ties."

Scott laughed. "Oh, you found those?"

"Yep."

"Well, Jeannie decided that instead of fighting evil mutants we should arrest them. She carried the cuffs around for almost a year and never got to use them. I told her I had a use for them. For some reason, she didn't believe me. So I had to show her." Scott grinned in reminiscence. "I decided that I'd better make sure the keys didn't get misplaced because I got rid of my lockpicks when Xavier took me in." He shrugged. "What did you want to know?"

"How often you been usin' them?"

"I don't know, maybe once every few months."

Logan smirked. He fished them out of his nightstand, the yellow twist-tie still holding the keys to the chain. "I’m thinkin' we should try them out a little more often."

"You said rings, not bracelets," Scott argued. "Later. Right now, I want to feel you not metal."

Logan unsheathed a single claw and stroked down Scott's cheek. "No metal? Ya sure about that?"

Scott turned into the touch. "Yes."

Logan shrugged. He tossed the handcuffs onto the nightstand. He leaned close for a gentle kiss. Jean smiled, feeling Scott's arm tighten around her waist as she stroked down Logan's spine with light fingers.

****

Rogue hugged her lover close as they left the theatre. "Thank you, sugah." She beamed at him. "It's been a wonderful night."

"I'm glad y' liked it. Don' know much 'bout ballet, me." He shrugged.

"Remy," Rogue paused, unsure how to ask the question.

"Oui?" he opened the door for her and helped her into the Beamer.

"Get in first."

Remy started the car and they left the parking lot. "Remy, why are ya so tense tonight? I've haven't seen ya this coiled up since we had Sabretooth in the house."

"Last time I went to the t'eatre bad t'ings happened. Leave it at dat, okay, chere?"

"Don't shut me out." Her voice was soft. "I won't run away."

"Girl, that's what we're both best at."

"Give me a chance."

Remy swallowed hard. "Last time Remy went t' a play, he brought de place down on his head. Near t' killt have a dozen folks and hisself. Weren't no where t' run. T'ought I was dead. Mebbe I was f' awhile, I don' rightly know." He sighed. "Oh, chere, m' heads so messed up I can't remember it all. It makes m' vision go funny an' m' heart beat somet'in' fierce t' set foot inside one of dose places. Y' enjoyed it so much though."

"Oh, Remy." She put a hand on his knee. "I didn't know."

The Cajun smiled. "Don' worry y'self, chere. Remy'll live. Mebbe y' help him relax some t'night?" He winked at her. She laughed.

"Of course, Remy."

****

Bobby was happily engrossed in his new game while Hank examined the books Bobby had found for him. The sound of Bobby yelling at the screen was so normal that Hank had to smile. He never would have thought that just the sound of Bobby's voice would make him melt. But then again, it always had, he mused, he just hadn't recognized it.

****

Charles poured another glass of wine for Eric. For once, they were just friends playing chess. There were no hidden motives, no dangers. Their discussions had ranged from cooking to art to current politics and neither of them had lost their tempers once. He smiled. "It's good to have you here tonight, Eric," he said, breaking a happy silence.

Eric smiled. "It's good to be here, Charles."

****

Storm laughed as Bishop swept her up into a hug and spun her around. He hadn't shown that much emotion since she'd known him. She wrapped her arms around him and called a warm wind to surround them. "When shall we set the date then?"

"How much time do you need?"

"I don't have any family to contact that isn't here."

"Neither do I." His smile quirked to the side. "Oddly, the only person who might care is the same person you'll be speaking with later tonight."

Ororo laughed. "Let me see how soon we can gather all the teams to witness for us."

"Very well. I'll need to find a ring for you. What stone would you like?"

The weather goddess considered for a long moment, savoring the feel of his arms around her. "Whichever you like."

Bishop smiled. He kissed her gently on the mouth. Some things were easier without words.

****

Sam opened the purple wrapped package carefully. He laughed aloud at what he found. The collar he'd been half expecting was there in all it's black leather glory. "Oh, sweet-tart." He didn't know what to say. He lifted it carefully and found a key beneath it. He lifted the antique key up curiously. It was on a leather strap. He opened the notecard. "Here's the key to my heart and everything else," he read softly. He blinked away the sweet sting in his eyes. He reached for her hand. "Thank you." Jubilee smiled at him. He handed her a present in yellow tissue."

"But you've already done too much today."

"Just open it."

She rolled her eyes and opened the package to reveal a leather folder. She opened the folder and squealed. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him full on the mouth. Startled, Sam wrapped his arms around her. There was a cheer from the group of college students at the corner table. Jubilee flicked them off, not letting Sam see the gesture and there was a smatter of laughter. Sam was bright red when they separated. Jubilee tweaked his nose. "I'll use them as soon as I get the thumbs up from Teach. I can't wait."

Sam slipped the key over his head and dropped it down the front of his shirt. The collar he put into his pocket. He didn't dare try it on here. Jubilee smirked at him. She waved for the check and fished out the debit card she had for the professor's account. He'd given it to her when she'd come to the mansion and she hadn't used it yet. "Jubes," Sam started.

"Shush. The Prof can handle one dinner. We didn't even go to La Hacienda."

Sam grinned. "Just so long as they don't blame me."

"You worry too much, Honey."

****

Betsy snuggled closer to her angel, feeling his wings automatically wrap around her.

FINIS