*** Legal issues: Kia Jaeger(codename Bast) is an original character and belongs to me. All other characters and core X-men concepts are copyright Marvel, Stan Lee, and other creators. I do not own any of them, nor do I profit from them in any way.
Author Note: This story is based upon the story and setup in the comics and takes place at no particular point in them, but is instead treated as it's own events separate from many of the large happenings in the comics. Also, I am not fully aware of every significant event that has happened in the X-men's long history, so the information presented in this story and the information in the comics may not always 100% add up. Some characters who might even be dead as of the current X-men issues may be alive in this story. ***
Chapter 7
"Ah, Logan," Kurt smiled as he walked into the garage. Wolverine stood by one of the many cars, waiting for his blue friend to arrive. His unruly hair was relatively groomed and he wore a clean, well fitting red flannel shirt and a pair of neat brown slacks. The sleeves of his shirt were even rolled down and buttoned close.
"I am happy you are joining us for Mass mein friend. Ze service today vill be enjoyable."
Logan shrugged. He was not as devout and serious a church goer as Kurt, but for some time the two had enjoyed a measure of religious discourse together. Logan found, given all he had been through and the violent nature he so often felt, it was good to have a spiritual side when he was able.
Kurt stepped up to the car and pressed a button on the wrist band he wore. The lines of his form blurred for a moment, and soon a tall, average looking Human male stood where the striking Nightcrawler had been a moment before.
"I hate that damn thing," Logan growled. "Ya shouldn't have t'use it."
"It cannot be helped," Kurt said softly. "At least, not yet. Maybe some day I vill valk into ze house of God vithout having to wear zis t'ing. But now, it is necessary. I do not vish to alarm my fellows."
"Fellows. Tolerance and acceptance my ass," Logan spat.
"We Christians strive to be better zan we are, Logan. But ze good hearted have zeir limits. And besides, pushing people...even good people...it never ends well, ja?"
"Whatever," Logan muttered. He opened the driver side door to their car and looked up at his disguised friend.
"Anyone else comin'?" Logan asked.
"Ja," Kurt nodded. "Kia vill be joining us."
Logan's brow rose. "She Catholic?"
"Ja," Kurt smiled. "She often comes to Church vith me. Her fait' is strong. A good, pure woman, Kia. She is strong in ze Lord."
"Seems awful rebellious for a Catholic," Logan commented.
Kurt grinned widely and shrugged. "She loves ze Lord and ze Church, but she remains herself. Vat is wrong vith zis?"
Before Logan could reply the door leading into the Mansion opened and Kia stepped through. She wore a simple, modest blue dress and sandals. Her eyes went a bit wide as she spotted Logan, but she smiled as she walked to the two X-men.
"I didn't think you the Church type," Kia said to Logan.
"Coulda said the same t'you," Logan smirked. He glanced down at her feet and arched a brow. "Sandals?"
"They worked for Jesus," Kia shrugged with a grin.
Kurt laughed and patted both his friends on the shoulder. "Let us go, mein friends. Ze service vill begin vithout us."
"You look silly, Kurt," Kia commented as they got into the car.
"Told ya," Logan smirked, and pulled out of the garage.
***
Rogue sauntered somewhat unsteadily into the kitchen at the late hour of 12:30AM that Tuesday to get herself yet another beer, only to find Kia rummaging through the freezer.
"Don't ya ever sleep?" Rogue asked teasingly.
"I can't sleep without my chocolate," Kia muttered with her head firmly in the freezer, not even glancing back at her friend.
Rogue stared at her. "Ain't that just gonna keep ya up?"
"It's my nightcap," Kia giggled as she took a large carton of Rocky Road from the ice chest. She looked her friend up and down and raised a brow. "Have you been drinking, Rogue?"
Rogue grabbed a half-full box of cheese crackers from the counter and plopped gracelessly and somewhat unsteadily into the nearest chair. She flicked a long white bang out of her bright green eyes with a gloved hand, then stared at the glove sourly for a moment before placing it in her lap. "Ah've had a few. Ah'm gonna stop after this one. Probably."
"Mmm," Kia muttered softly. Then, for the sake of conversation, she said, "Charles told me a few students came to his office complaining about how much homework I give."
"Ain't the classes ya teach optional?" Rogue asked.
"Yeah," Kia nodded.
"Why're the complainin' then?"
Kia shrugged. "Because they're whiners. Charles reminded pointed out that I handed out a full syllabus the first day of class describing my class in full. He reminded them they could transfer if they didn't like it."
Then Kia shoved a giant spoonful of ice-cream into her mouth.
"Ya gonna punish 'em?" Rogue asked distractedly.