Title: Testing
Author: Donna Bevan
Email: bevan1013@mindspring.com
Fandom: X-Men movieverse
Rating: PG
Summary: The X-Men deal with the aftermath of the revelation that Logan and Rogue can touch, and Jean cooks up a little experiment.
Series: Adaptations #7
Category: Rogue POV, Logan/Rogue romance
Disclaimer: Not mine. Never have been, never will be…No matter how many times my friend Victor teases me about my (nonexistent) Wolverine blow-up doll. <wink>


He tries to hide it behind his gruff exterior, but Logan really is a big marshmallow. He's been hovering ever since I woke up on this examining table. How did I wake up on the table? I think I might have fainted. I'm not really sure... One minute I was kissing Logan, which is in and of itself a miraculous and spectacular thing, and the next... Well, he was placing me ever-so-gently on a table as Jean fussed over me.

I personally think she should be fussing over Scott instead. I feel just peachy, but he's got a pretty ugly bruise on his face where Logan smacked him into the wall. I feel really bad about distracting him so Logan could get the jump on him - I'll definitely have to apologize later.

But Jean is still fussing over me. Her hands are gloved and cool. She suspects that no one but Logan can safely touch me, and I think she's probably right. Of course, the way Logan is standing over me right now, no one else could get near me even if they wanted to.

It's kind of sweet, you know?

He grimaces as she slides a needle into my arm. "Do you have to do that again?" he demands, arching an eyebrow and clasping my free hand in his.

"Logan, it's okay. It doesn't hurt," I assure him softly. His eyes lock with mine, and his expression gentles. "It doesn't."

"I just don't see why you need to do another blood test," he grouses at Jean, who has finished taking the sample and is carefully labeling the vial.

"We need to find out why she fainted, Logan," she answers in a completely businesslike tone. She's in full-on doctor mode right now, and it makes me smile. I've never felt better in my life, but I've been spending so much time in the infirmary over the last month or so that it's starting to feel like home.

"I feel great, Jean," I tell her as she shines a penlight in my eyes. "Honest, I'm not feelin' bad at all."

"You fainted, Rogue," she insists, flashing me a dubious look but pocketing her penlight.

I hesitate for a second, then confess, "I didn't, though. I... I think I swooned." At my words, Logan blushes a little and the Professor makes a sound that could be a strangled gasp... or maybe even a laugh.

Jean smiles a little and winks at me. "I'm still going to run those tests, just to be sure. Logan, I also want to check your vital signs, all right?"

Logan has to remove his sweatshirt so she can fit the cuff of the blood pressure monitor over his arm, and the sight of his bare chest makes me want to dance and sing and cry, all at once. He is the most beautiful man I've ever seen and, thanks to our shared dreams, I've seen quite a lot of him. But it's different seeing him in reality, in actual life. Better.

And I can touch him. I can touch him all I want, as much as I need. The thought of it alone makes me giddy. And I wonder if he can read my mind, because suddenly his eyes are on me and he is watching me watch him. I try to smile, but I don't think my face is cooperating. My eyelids just feel so heavy, like I can only open them halfway, and I can't really breathe...

"Hmm. Your pressure's up a little, Logan, but that's not unusual, considering... " Her voice trails off, and she clears her throat. Then her brow furrows and she gets this look on her face, this concentration, and I can tell that she's communicating with the Professor. For Professor Xavier, it's so easy that he doesn't even have to try, but Jean always looks like she's thinking real hard.

A snicker wells up in my throat, and I have no idea why. Nervous laughter, maybe? I sit up on the table, frowning. I can't stand it when she and the Professor think about me behind my back. I always wonder what they're thinking that they can't just say out loud. And now that it's about me and Logan... Well, I need to know what's going on.

Logan hasn't put his shirt back on, but he's moved closer to me. He's standing behind me now, and he reaches around me to twine our fingers together. I can feel the warmth of his chest through my tank top, and our arms are bare and pressed together. It's a little embarrassing. I mean, for me that's a pretty intimate touch, and in front of everybody... It just kind of feels like we're making out in public.

Jean's brow smoothes and she smiles at me. "Okay, Rogue. So far, from what I can tell, it looks like your body is suppressing your mutation in order to allow you to touch Logan. The reason that I haven't tried to touch you is because I'm fairly certain the suppression is tied to your reproductive cycle. Therefore, there would be no reason for a female to touch you, and I think your body would recognize the difference." Her smile fades a little. "What remains to be seen is whether another male besides Logan can touch you as well. So what we really need to do is test that theory."

I can feel Logan's body against my back, and he stiffens at her suggestion. I don't like it any more than he does, to be honest. I mean, it'd be nice if I could touch people, but if I can only touch men... Well, there's only one I really want to touch. But I understand what she's saying, so I nod.

"I'll do it," Scott says from his position by the Professor's side. "If we react quickly, then there's not much harm involved, right?"

The Professor shakes his head. "The only problem with that, Scott, would be your power. What if Rogue were to absorb it? She could cause considerable damage."

"Besides that," Jean adds, "I think it's important that our volunteer be someone who's... well, attracted to Rogue. Body chemistry may play a large role here. We just don't know yet."

When he speaks, Logan's voice is deceptively relaxed, but his body is still tense behind mine. "So, who do you suggest we call in for your little science experiment then?"

"Looks like I'm a little late for the party, no?"

The voice comes from the doorway, and I close my eyes, shaking my head. Aw crap, whose crazy, awful idea was this? "What is Remy doin' here? Are y'all tryin' to piss Logan off, or somethin'?" My questions do not surprise Jean. I glance at Scott, and he smirks a little. I suddenly know that Ororo told him about what happened in the dining hall yesterday.

Professor Xavier answers. "No, Rogue, quite the contrary. I've summoned Remy here for several reasons, not the least of which is that Logan seems to perceive him as a rival. If Logan sees him that way, there must be just cause for it. It's possible that Remy is chemically compatible with you as well."

I am amazed that the Professor could be so dense. Most of the time, he's so wise and knowledgeable that I tend to forget that, under all that wisdom, he can be such a guy. I mean, who ever said this had anything to do with chemical compatibility, anyway? Maybe I can touch Logan because he's him and I'm me and we belong. Did anyone ever think of that? "Or maybe Logan's just jealous?" I suggest, rolling my eyes.

"Or maybe your Logan, he knows dat you'd be mine if I had half a chance, ma chere," Remy drawls, walking closer to the table. The grin he gives Logan is slightly feral. "You tried to slash me up at lunch yesterday, but I don't think we've met. Name's Remy LeBeau. Folks call me Gambit." He doesn't extend his hand, and it's a good thing, too. Logan looks like he'd just as soon chop it off as shake it.

Jean approaches Remy, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Remy, there's a possibility that Rogue may now, for unknown reasons, be capable of touch. What I need to know is if she can touch anyone besides Logan, and I'd like for you to help us with a little test. If her power still affects you, you could be hurt. I'll be here to care for you, of course, but...I need to know if you're willing to take that risk."

He looks at me with open, honest eyes. "I'm willing to do anything she needs."

Logan growls, and I look back at him. His mouth is compressed into a thin line, and I'm not at all sure this is a good idea. Still, it'd be nice to know...

"Logan." My tone is soft, low. "I need to know."

His hands tighten around mine and, after a moment, he drops a kiss to my temple. "For you," he whispers, too quietly for any of the others to hear.

"Thank you." I lean against him for a brief second, then away. He walks toward Scott, arching a brow at the purplish discoloration on his cheek, then shrugging.

Remy flashes me another of his scandalously wicked grins, and I can't help but smile a little. He's funny and attractive and charming, and I know he cares about me. There's a part of me that wishes I could love him. Sometimes I think it'd be so much easier, giving my heart to someone like Remy - someone with fewer scars, a lighter view of the world. Someone blithe and engaging.

There's only one thing wrong with Remy, but it's kind of a deal breaker.

He's not Logan.

The brightness of his smile diminishes when he sees the slightly sad look on my face, but he recovers with admirable speed. "Let's see, chere," he says, "What to touch... ?" He rubs his chin and pretends to ponder his choices. "I've been dreaming of kissing you, petite fille, but I don't think your man'd like dat too damn much, would he?" His mischievous grin is only half-teasing.

"Probably not," I agree with mock solemnity, casting a glance at Logan. "He might kill ya." And, indeed, he is looking quite murderous.

Remy's eyes follow mine, and he smirks at Logan. "Ah, chere, I think he might! But I would die happy, no? Ah, I know." He reaches for my face. "A chaste brush of my hand on your cheek, eh? Sure but he can't object to dat... "

I tense and shudder as his fingers near my skin. Closing my eyes, I wait, not really sure what I'd like the outcome of this little test to be.