Introspection
Over the course of several weeks, Ororo Munroe finds true love in a beautiful blue package. Kurt has more than just a gentle disposition though; he harbors a traumatic past. Will Ororo's love overcome her fears and lead her to make the biggest commitment there is, or is there really no such thing as love at first sight?
Chapter One
Ororo Monroe: Weather Goddess, X-men member, and all-around Superhero was begged, cajoled, threatened, and finally dragged to the Mutant-only nightclub she was presently in. While Jean, Marie, Scott, and various other of the Institute's mutant inhabitants happily mingled and danced, Storm faded into the wall and sipped an innocuous glass of champagne.
Nightclubs were not her thing.
This is not to say that Storm was shy, no woman as striking and intelligent as she was could be, it was simply that she felt uncomfortable in the reckless environment that such a locale produced. Everything about the place screamed rebellion, the neon lighting and chrome detail clearly urging the dancers to give up restraint and revel in the glorious feeling of absolute abandon. Storm would not, could not, lose her control. It could mean the death of everyone in this taunting little dance club.
About an hour after arriving Ororo's mind was so dulled by the relentless thud of the music that she nearly missed what her tingling senses were trying to tell her. She almost blamed it on the champagne, though through judicious sips she was only just finishing her second glass. She quickly sorted out the feeling that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. She was being watched.
Ororo scanned the room, mentally noting that all of her friends were in view and thus were not in any immediate danger from the unseen watcher. She continued to glance around, hoping to spot the person, positive now that there was only one. On her second sweep of the room she met the pair of eyes that were fixated on her own. Her breath caught in her throat and it was only through a supreme act of willpower that she was able to hide her surprise. His eyes were yellow, his skin was blue, and was that a TAIL hovering behind him? She barely managed not to blush as she saw the unconcealed admiration in his expression as his eyes traveled down her leather-clad body.
Ororo composed herself and calmly met the man's gaze. After the shock of his first appearance wore off she found he was much easier on the eyes than she had first admitted. He was tall and strong-looking with handsome features. His brow was unlined but he had complex tattoos carved on his face and neck that were strangely alluring. She found herself wondering how far down they went. He was dressed in a black shirt and pants with a long black coat that reached to his knees. A small silver earring was in his tapered right ear. All in all she decided if he were half as interesting as he looked he would be a pleasant way in which to spend what she had thought would be a tedious evening. Having made up her mind she gave him the universal sign of approval, a faintly suggestive smile and a wink.
She watched as the man picked up something from the bar and threaded his way gracefully through the dancers. His eyes had still not wavered from her and she found that vaguely gratifying. When he reached her she saw he was carrying an extra glass of champagne, presumably for her. "Hmm, attractive and thoughtful," Ororo thought as the blue mutant gave her a soft grin.
"You have been watching me, sir," she said aloud.
"Well, when one finds the most beautiful woman in the room it is difficult to tear one's eyes away." he replied without hesitation in a delightful German accent.
She offered the mutant her hand as he presented her with a glass. "Ororo Monroe," she said with an artful smile, taking the champagne and placing her empty glass on the table.
"Kurt Wagner," he replied, replacing his W with a V. He grasped her hand, kissing it with a flamboyant bow.
Ororo favored him with a slightly sardonic smile, "The dubious honor is mine."
Kurt grinned at her, flashing sparkling white fangs. "I wouldn't expect such a stunning woman to be so sarcastic," he said.
"I wouldn't expect such a charming man to have a blue tail," she answered.
"I only brought it to help me stand out amongst your horde of admirers," Kurt said cheekily.
"You have a response for everything, don't you, Mr. Wagner," Ororo more stated than asked.
"One does one's best, Miss Monroe," Kurt said.
Ororo couldn't help but smile at the man. He was the embodiment of charm, and seemed to posses a kind of easy companionability that was infectious. She found herself effortlessly losing herself in the conversation, barely touching her drink. She wouldn't have noticed Rogue's approach if she hadn't almost fallen onto their booth.
"Sorry," the lovely young woman said as she tumbled into the seat, "but I'm a little winded from all that dancing." "I don't know how Scott and Jean are still upright," she paused, "and I mean that in a completely non-sexual way." She reached over and grabbed Kurt's glass, still talking, "Do you mind?' she asked Kurt, motioning at the drink. She didn't wait for him to nod before continuing, "Thanks, I'm parched," she quickly downed it, sputtering when she tasted the drink.
"Are you ok?" Ororo asked, concerned.
"Water," she croaked, still coughing.
"You need some water?" Ororo asked, beginning to stand.
"No," Rogue said, finally recovering and shooting Kurt a dirty look, "that was water," she said, pointing at the offending liquid, "I need alcohol!" Ororo gave her an amused look and handed the young woman her champagne. "Thank you, Ororo," she said with almost comic relief. "So," she asked, finally giving Kurt a good once over, "who're you?"
"Kurt Wagner," he told her, shaking her hand. 'I am sorry you did not enjoy my drink."
"It's no problem," Rogue said, already dismissing the incident, "but if you really want my eternal forgiveness you'll go get me something that will bring me closer to inebriation," she added plaintively.
Kurt nodded and stood. "If you will excuse me, Ororo, I will return momentarily." He gave her a smile and headed towards the bar.
Marie quickly turned her attention to her companion and narrowed her eyes. "So, found yourself a little something to bring home?" she asked archly.
Ororo gave her a reproachful look. "Kurt and I are merely talking," she said with perfect poise.
"Yeah right," Rogue said with a grin. Ororo gave her another look. "Hey, all I'm saying is he's cute, he seems nice, maybe you should consider loosening up a bit." She gave her a wink, "Maybe taking him home isn't such a bad idea, he looks strong, probably has a lot of stamina."
Ororo looked a bit unsettled by the younger woman's casual reference to sex. She could remember back when Marie would have blushed if it was even alluded to. She was reminded herself that Rogue was now 21 and a perfectly capable woman. She pulled herself back to the present with a minor jolt. "Even if I was thinking about...taking Kurt home....I wouldn't discuss it in the middle of this nightclub," Ororo said primly.
"Suit yourself," Rogue said, sitting up straighter as Kurt approached and handed her a drink. "I'm off to find someone of my own to 'take home'." She headed off in the direction of an attractive young man with small red horns protruding from his forehead. Kurt took her seat.
"What was that about?" he asked, nodding towards Rogue's retreating figure.
"Hormones," Ororo said, "and a certain young woman who needs to keep them in check."
Kurt laughed softly. "If you try to curb her it will only encourage her more," he said.
"Psychoanalysis, Kurt?" Ororo asked.
"Personal experience," he corrected, "I once knew someone just like her."
They talked for another hour or so. Every so often a member of the group would stop by the table and Kurt would be introduced. None of them made any of the blatantly obvious comments that Rogue had favored Ororo with, but all of them gave her very singular glances when they left to continue enjoying themselves.
It was a little after midnight when Scott hurried over to them, interrupting their conversation about famous sights to see around the world. "Storm, we have to go," he said, purposely using her codename. "Xavier called, Logan is back with some information." "I'm going to find the others, meet me at the car," he said, leaving abruptly.
Ororo quickly stood up; Kurt reached for her coat and helped her into it. "I'll escort you to your car," he said quietly. Ororo smiled in thanks, taking his hand and leading him through the crowd and to the door. They walked over to the van that the group had used to convey everyone to the club. "Thanks for walking me here," Ororo said with a smile.
"It was no trouble Ororo," he said. "I enjoyed our conversation." Ororo quickly made her decision and didn't allow herself to think about it. She reached up and pulled Kurt's head down to meet her lips.
The kiss was long and sweet, evoking feelings and urges that the weather Goddess hadn't acknowledged in a long time. Initially she had thought Kurt's fangs might produce something of a problem, but she found he knew exactly what he was doing. She never came close to being cut. When she finally pulled away they were both breathless. Kurt's tail had managed to wrap around her waist in quite a possessive manner. Ororo held up a small white card and quickly wrote her phone number on the back.
"Here," she said, handing it to him, "call me."
Kurt unwound his tail and tucked the piece of paper reverently into an inside pocket. He leaned down to whisper in her ear, "With that kiss, Liebling, you will be lucky if you reach home before your phone rings. With that he gently kissed her cheek and melted off into the darkness. A few minutes later the rest of the Institute's employees showed up and they all went home.
Over the course of several weeks, Ororo Munroe finds true love in a beautiful blue package. Kurt has more than just a gentle disposition though; he harbors a traumatic past. Will Ororo's love overcome her fears and lead her to make the biggest commitment there is, or is there really no such thing as love at first sight?
Chapter One
Ororo Monroe: Weather Goddess, X-men member, and all-around Superhero was begged, cajoled, threatened, and finally dragged to the Mutant-only nightclub she was presently in. While Jean, Marie, Scott, and various other of the Institute's mutant inhabitants happily mingled and danced, Storm faded into the wall and sipped an innocuous glass of champagne.
Nightclubs were not her thing.
This is not to say that Storm was shy, no woman as striking and intelligent as she was could be, it was simply that she felt uncomfortable in the reckless environment that such a locale produced. Everything about the place screamed rebellion, the neon lighting and chrome detail clearly urging the dancers to give up restraint and revel in the glorious feeling of absolute abandon. Storm would not, could not, lose her control. It could mean the death of everyone in this taunting little dance club.
About an hour after arriving Ororo's mind was so dulled by the relentless thud of the music that she nearly missed what her tingling senses were trying to tell her. She almost blamed it on the champagne, though through judicious sips she was only just finishing her second glass. She quickly sorted out the feeling that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. She was being watched.
Ororo scanned the room, mentally noting that all of her friends were in view and thus were not in any immediate danger from the unseen watcher. She continued to glance around, hoping to spot the person, positive now that there was only one. On her second sweep of the room she met the pair of eyes that were fixated on her own. Her breath caught in her throat and it was only through a supreme act of willpower that she was able to hide her surprise. His eyes were yellow, his skin was blue, and was that a TAIL hovering behind him? She barely managed not to blush as she saw the unconcealed admiration in his expression as his eyes traveled down her leather-clad body.
Ororo composed herself and calmly met the man's gaze. After the shock of his first appearance wore off she found he was much easier on the eyes than she had first admitted. He was tall and strong-looking with handsome features. His brow was unlined but he had complex tattoos carved on his face and neck that were strangely alluring. She found herself wondering how far down they went. He was dressed in a black shirt and pants with a long black coat that reached to his knees. A small silver earring was in his tapered right ear. All in all she decided if he were half as interesting as he looked he would be a pleasant way in which to spend what she had thought would be a tedious evening. Having made up her mind she gave him the universal sign of approval, a faintly suggestive smile and a wink.
She watched as the man picked up something from the bar and threaded his way gracefully through the dancers. His eyes had still not wavered from her and she found that vaguely gratifying. When he reached her she saw he was carrying an extra glass of champagne, presumably for her. "Hmm, attractive and thoughtful," Ororo thought as the blue mutant gave her a soft grin.
"You have been watching me, sir," she said aloud.
"Well, when one finds the most beautiful woman in the room it is difficult to tear one's eyes away." he replied without hesitation in a delightful German accent.
She offered the mutant her hand as he presented her with a glass. "Ororo Monroe," she said with an artful smile, taking the champagne and placing her empty glass on the table.
"Kurt Wagner," he replied, replacing his W with a V. He grasped her hand, kissing it with a flamboyant bow.
Ororo favored him with a slightly sardonic smile, "The dubious honor is mine."
Kurt grinned at her, flashing sparkling white fangs. "I wouldn't expect such a stunning woman to be so sarcastic," he said.
"I wouldn't expect such a charming man to have a blue tail," she answered.
"I only brought it to help me stand out amongst your horde of admirers," Kurt said cheekily.
"You have a response for everything, don't you, Mr. Wagner," Ororo more stated than asked.
"One does one's best, Miss Monroe," Kurt said.
Ororo couldn't help but smile at the man. He was the embodiment of charm, and seemed to posses a kind of easy companionability that was infectious. She found herself effortlessly losing herself in the conversation, barely touching her drink. She wouldn't have noticed Rogue's approach if she hadn't almost fallen onto their booth.
"Sorry," the lovely young woman said as she tumbled into the seat, "but I'm a little winded from all that dancing." "I don't know how Scott and Jean are still upright," she paused, "and I mean that in a completely non-sexual way." She reached over and grabbed Kurt's glass, still talking, "Do you mind?' she asked Kurt, motioning at the drink. She didn't wait for him to nod before continuing, "Thanks, I'm parched," she quickly downed it, sputtering when she tasted the drink.
"Are you ok?" Ororo asked, concerned.
"Water," she croaked, still coughing.
"You need some water?" Ororo asked, beginning to stand.
"No," Rogue said, finally recovering and shooting Kurt a dirty look, "that was water," she said, pointing at the offending liquid, "I need alcohol!" Ororo gave her an amused look and handed the young woman her champagne. "Thank you, Ororo," she said with almost comic relief. "So," she asked, finally giving Kurt a good once over, "who're you?"
"Kurt Wagner," he told her, shaking her hand. 'I am sorry you did not enjoy my drink."
"It's no problem," Rogue said, already dismissing the incident, "but if you really want my eternal forgiveness you'll go get me something that will bring me closer to inebriation," she added plaintively.
Kurt nodded and stood. "If you will excuse me, Ororo, I will return momentarily." He gave her a smile and headed towards the bar.
Marie quickly turned her attention to her companion and narrowed her eyes. "So, found yourself a little something to bring home?" she asked archly.
Ororo gave her a reproachful look. "Kurt and I are merely talking," she said with perfect poise.
"Yeah right," Rogue said with a grin. Ororo gave her another look. "Hey, all I'm saying is he's cute, he seems nice, maybe you should consider loosening up a bit." She gave her a wink, "Maybe taking him home isn't such a bad idea, he looks strong, probably has a lot of stamina."
Ororo looked a bit unsettled by the younger woman's casual reference to sex. She could remember back when Marie would have blushed if it was even alluded to. She was reminded herself that Rogue was now 21 and a perfectly capable woman. She pulled herself back to the present with a minor jolt. "Even if I was thinking about...taking Kurt home....I wouldn't discuss it in the middle of this nightclub," Ororo said primly.
"Suit yourself," Rogue said, sitting up straighter as Kurt approached and handed her a drink. "I'm off to find someone of my own to 'take home'." She headed off in the direction of an attractive young man with small red horns protruding from his forehead. Kurt took her seat.
"What was that about?" he asked, nodding towards Rogue's retreating figure.
"Hormones," Ororo said, "and a certain young woman who needs to keep them in check."
Kurt laughed softly. "If you try to curb her it will only encourage her more," he said.
"Psychoanalysis, Kurt?" Ororo asked.
"Personal experience," he corrected, "I once knew someone just like her."
They talked for another hour or so. Every so often a member of the group would stop by the table and Kurt would be introduced. None of them made any of the blatantly obvious comments that Rogue had favored Ororo with, but all of them gave her very singular glances when they left to continue enjoying themselves.
It was a little after midnight when Scott hurried over to them, interrupting their conversation about famous sights to see around the world. "Storm, we have to go," he said, purposely using her codename. "Xavier called, Logan is back with some information." "I'm going to find the others, meet me at the car," he said, leaving abruptly.
Ororo quickly stood up; Kurt reached for her coat and helped her into it. "I'll escort you to your car," he said quietly. Ororo smiled in thanks, taking his hand and leading him through the crowd and to the door. They walked over to the van that the group had used to convey everyone to the club. "Thanks for walking me here," Ororo said with a smile.
"It was no trouble Ororo," he said. "I enjoyed our conversation." Ororo quickly made her decision and didn't allow herself to think about it. She reached up and pulled Kurt's head down to meet her lips.
The kiss was long and sweet, evoking feelings and urges that the weather Goddess hadn't acknowledged in a long time. Initially she had thought Kurt's fangs might produce something of a problem, but she found he knew exactly what he was doing. She never came close to being cut. When she finally pulled away they were both breathless. Kurt's tail had managed to wrap around her waist in quite a possessive manner. Ororo held up a small white card and quickly wrote her phone number on the back.
"Here," she said, handing it to him, "call me."
Kurt unwound his tail and tucked the piece of paper reverently into an inside pocket. He leaned down to whisper in her ear, "With that kiss, Liebling, you will be lucky if you reach home before your phone rings. With that he gently kissed her cheek and melted off into the darkness. A few minutes later the rest of the Institute's employees showed up and they all went home.