Checking and Waiting

[Onyx]

And as the afternoon turned to the evening on a sultry Sunday in April, Jasper found himself working diligently on his motorcycle. He had neglected maintaining it the past couple of days, being that he had no reason to go to the garage. His motorcycle was the perfect excuse to go and hang out in the garage and with the others who frequented it. Those times were the best part of his week, being so close to his Angel, the girl with the eyes that had seared themselves into the core of his very soul.

As Jasper checked the sprockets for worn teeth, his eyes often wandered toward the garage door, wishing for it to open. He was even hesitant to put on music for fear that it may drown out the sound of vehicles approaching. His heart ached in anticipation for what was to come. Never would Jasper have ever thought that he would be in the state he was over a woman. He was consumed by this feeling that made him feel sick and light at the same time, his heart would beat fifty miles a minute at the mere thought of her, his Angel, his whole reason for looking forward to the future.

Ah but it would be rather unfair for Jasper to think that this was the only woman that he ever had in his life. True his Angel was the only one he had ever had such strong feelings for, felt what he could only believe was true love, but he left behind someone in Germany as well. He had been with Mieke since he was about fourteen, the two were from the same Parish, the same group of friends, and hell their families were even good friends. Sure he did love her, but now he realized it was more as a friend than anything else, as they have been together for several years. He hadn't spoken to her or anyone really since he left Germany after 'the incident' as he called it. That was something that he would rather not think about now, not when he had something more pleasant to think of.

He checked the parts on his bike, taking his time and trying to prolong the time he could spend in the garage as much as he could. Should there be a final blessing for his weekend, in between losing his wings and feeling more comfortable with himself, it would be the chance to see his Angel and his Love. No one could ever offer her or love her like he would, and soon he would prove it to her.

[Ironclad]

Using his garage opener, the door to the large garage opened up and the car and the two motorcycles drove into their designated parking spots. To the surprise of all of them, the garage was not in fact empty at this time of night as most likely everyone thought it would be, as there was Jasper, a common face found in the garage, but not often at this time. Mason exchanged a look with Tracy, wondering what the kid would think to see Wolverine riding in with them. "Oh man, and it starts," he muttered, parking the beat up car and popping the trunk open.

Mason was admittedly worried about what would happen with Aideen and Logan when they got back to the school. Both really seemed happy only when they were with each other, and he didn't want to see a depressed or upset, or hell, even lost like she looked when he first met her. He did care about her a lot, and in truth he always had a great deal of respect for Logan as well. It was no secret to most people in the school some of the stuff he had to deal with, between losing a wife a couple of times and losing Jean too, and honestly Mason couldn't remember a single time where he saw the guy as content and happy as he was with Aideen.

Opening the door of the car with some effort, he got out and went around to pull open Tracy's door. "Hey Bellford, whatcha doing here at this time? Ain't it bed time," Mason teased slightly as he grabbed the bags out of the trunk, silently hoping for Aideen and Logan's sake they had something worked out as to why he was with them.

[Onyx]

"Uh Yes, past bedtime," Jasper said in distracted voice as his eyes were glued to the figure of the his Angel garbed in Leather. It was like a trance as he watched the luxurious thick strands of silken hair the color of the gleaming bark of a tree fall over her shoulders as she took her helmet off. His heart started beating practically out of his chest, having never seen her look so... sexy! Of course she was always stunning, a seductive air about her with the perfect sense of mystery that would have anyone entranced at first glance no matter what. However he was so used to seeing her in a long sleeved shirt and either fitted jeans or workout pants, that to see her with her hair down and dressed head to toe in skin tight leather made his mouth go dry.

Jasper blinked a couple of times, trying to get a hold of himself as he looked at those hypnotizing sultry dark chocolate eyes that seared themselves into his very soul. Those eyes burned in his mind every time he closed his eyes, lured in by the eternal quality of mystery and a regal air that enchanted him in such a way that he was almost sure it was witchcraft. Jasper knew it though, the way his heart warmed just to have her look at him, just to look at her, that he was truly in love. How foolish he had been to put off having his feelings known, how now he would give anything to be able to pull her heavenly body into his arms and finally feel those perfect tempting lips on his own. Fear of love had driven men to do stupid things, holding back had made them lose a love that was worth more than anything they ever could encounter in life, and no more would he be one of those men.

He tried to swallow, his throat feeling too dry at the moment with this vision of loveliness in front of him. Jasper still couldn't get over how she looked in skin tight leather, and managed a silent prayer of thanks to God for giving him this privilege, this chance to be true to his heart and no longer hide behind the wings that bore down on his every move. "Aideen," Jasper said in a low voice, standing proud to be without his wings now. "Jou look beautiful." <Beautiful is perhaps the biggest understatement of the year.> "Did... did jou have a good veekend?" He managed to ask in a shaky voice, eager to hear her pulchritudinous soft voice that played in his head like the most wonderful of melodies.

[Ember]

The ride to the school was too quick for Aideen's taste, and even just seeing Iceman on the road was enough to make her heart sink as it meant that it was back to reality. Perhaps she had been spoiled by a weekend of just being with him, though they had more ups and downs in the span of a couple of days than she thought would be possible. Nonetheless, she would treasure the weekend close to her heart. It was a weekend in which for the first time she could honestly say she lived. As she drove into the garage, it was with what one would call a 'heavy heart.' Her weekend without pretenses and without fear with the one that truly meant more to her than anyone was over, and reality set in that it would be some time before she was able to spend time with him again.

Even worse, it was back to living like she had before and spending time to prepare her mind every day for having to deal with Rumble's advances. It was back to spending time in the library writing papers and scholarship projects for her college credits, and back to her training. Somehow the routine that she had gotten so used to and never had a problem with no longer looked so appealing.

Tearing her eyes away from Logan, not wanting to watch him walk out of the garage, Aideen's attention went on Jasper, who looked almost entranced. Niki was not kidding when she said he acted odd around me. "Oh hello Jasper," she said politely, never one to have been rude to him despite how odd he acted around her. "My weekend was wonderful and interesting, thank you for asking." She smiled softly and politely as she was taught, wondering why he was looking at her in such a way and exchanged a quick glance with Mason before turning back to Onyx.

It took a moment for the compliment to register, making her blink in slight confusion. Aideen shrugged it off and took her bag from Mason, giving him a soft polite smile as her governess taught her. "Thank you for the compliment as well," she said and went back to settling her bike and putting away her helmet on the back of her bike.

[Onyx]

It was a fight for Jasper to keep his eyes from closing in bliss at the sound of that soft voice that reverberated through his mind, soothing his mind like a cool drink of water on a hot day, but there was nothing cold about the woman in front of him. Despite her cold exterior and her anti-social behavior, he saw a warmth in her actions. The care she had taken guiding that Hellion she partnered with for science class while the both of them sat in the library pouring over the laptop and books. Jasper would watch from the side as he pretended to be doing his own homework, seeing the care in which she took to explaining various materials to him, the warmth that filled those dark seductive eyes when she patiently explained the subject matter to the Hellion until he grasped it. It was that warmth which he fell in love with, that care and heart that made his own warm with a heat and feeling he never knew existed.

He would watch her sometimes in the library when he was there, mostly on her own reading a book in a foreign language, or scribbling furiously on paper as she discovered a math problem she wanted to solve. Even when Jasper tried to deny his feelings, a real smile would find it's way on his face watching her. Her mind, God what a wondrous thing it was, to have a woman so intelligent in his presence was a blessing to him. The soft and elegant features on her face when she concentrated on a task, he had them memorized and burned into his mind at this point. How those large eyes of her focused only on the task on hand, how her nose scrunched just slightly when she couldn't figure something out right away, and she would bite those tempting lips of hers when she was figuring out how to handle it- all that made Jasper fall in love with her, plus hundreds of more reasons that he could never tire of thinking about.

Stepping forward, completely ignoring the others as he had eyes only for her, Jasper straightened up and tried his best to be a gentleman. He wanted so badly to tell her his feelings right then and there, but Aideen was a private person, and that should be respected. "Aideen," he said in a low voice, her name falling off his lips like the sweetest of morsels, her haunting scent of raspberries and vanilla filling his nostrils and making him sigh in content bliss. He swallowed hard, stepping forward and tentatively reaching for her gloved hand, the hand so elegant and warm that not even the leather could keep it at bay. "Vould jou do me zhe honor, of having dinner vith me tomorrow?" he asked, his voice sincere and hopeful, looking down into her dark eyes and feeling his heart speed up. <God must have been happy the day she was born, to give such a gift of beauty to the world is a day of celebration.>

[Ember]

It was like Aideen froze up when she saw him reaching from her hand, automatically wrenching her hand back. She hated being touched. Just earlier when Mason, a close friend of hers hugged her, it felt like torture. She wasn't used to touching, and she didn't like to be touched by anyone, save for Logan who took advantage of the privilege to his liking, but Aideen was not complaining. However, just because he had those privileges doesn't mean that anyone else did, especially a younger boy who stared at her often.

"Excuse me," she said in a slightly cold and offended voice at him reaching for her hand. Aideen blinked and stole a glance over at Mason and Tracy, her eyes moving to an amused Logan lighting up a cigar. ...They know something I don't. Now thoroughly annoyed, she looked back at Onyx and took a step back as she took off her gloves, keeping her hands protectively near her. Had it been anyone else, there was a good chance that Aideen would have broken their hand. What saved Jasper was that she knew he was Niki's friend and she had enough respect to not hurt a friend to her friend.

"Jasper, we have dinner together every night in the cafeteria. You sit a table away from Niki and I when we have dinner together, and occasionally glance at us," Aideen said suspiciously and unsure as to what was going on. She had a long day, with a horrible morning, a crazy afternoon, and she was pretty sure she had a leaf in her pants and was getting more irritated by the second as she didn't know what the hell was going on. Her dark eyes peered at Onyx in suspicion and put away her gloves on her bike's compartment.

[Wolverine]

Logan couldn't help it and started to laugh, almost choking on his cigar smoke he was trying so hard to hold back the laughter. School boy crushes were a painful thing to start with but if that boy didn't wise up quick his Angel Eye's looked like she was gonna teach him how fun it'd be to eat his meals through a straw. The only thing he was missing was some kind of mixed tape of love songs playing on the beat up old cassette radio, and a de-thorned rose held in his teeth as he bowed before her.

As tears of laughter threatened to roll down his cheeks and his ribs actually hurt from holding in the laughs Logan turned away. Trying not to break the kid's spirit and in a funny way admiring the kid's bravado in the face of certain doom. His ears picked up on the beating of the heart in his chest and the sound told him the kid was pushing max stress levels. He figured this had to be more than traumatic for the little German and he nodded at the youngster's mojo, composing himself before turning back around. Sniffling up the last of his chortles he stepped back into the garage to open his saddle bags and pull out his hat.

Sliding a hand over his hair to smooth it back he slipped his Stetson on his head, teeth clenched down on his cigar to hold back any errant laughs that might escape. With an easy fluidity from having done it a thousand times if he'd done it once, Logan slipped his saddle bags over one shoulder and tugged the brim of his hat as the sound of rapid footfalls approached the garage. Something about them told him it wasn't danger approaching though so he walked back toward the open door. As he passed behind his lady, close enough to feel her heat, he pulled in a gentle whiff of her scent to save in his memory until they were together once again.

Considering her last remark to the boy as a good enough closer to their little conversation Logan spoke. "Hell of a rider ya are there Lady. Takes a lot to impress me, but you really know what yer doin on top o'that thing." His eyes never wavered to the bike he was implying for Jasper's ears, but for his love the look in his eyes told her just what he meant and that he would miss every nook and cranny of her curvy sensual self. "It's been an honor ta share the road with ya.." he let his eyes linger on his angel's Angel Eye's before he looked to Mason and Tracy as two more kids came up to the door of the garage, two of Pete's kids, and the girl was Aideen's room mate he could tell by the smell of her. ".. Ladies." He said by way of a goodbye as he tugged on the brim of his hat again and strolled out.

[Haven]

"Uh, yea, bye." was all Niki could say, her mouth hanging sorta half open in near shock. She knew what was going on with him and her girl and seeing them together just then was like a total confirmation to her. Aideen'd been almost adorably oblivious to what was going on but Niki was too slick not to put the puzzle pieces together and she knew, maybe even before either one of them knew themselves.

Turning back to Ian she grinned huge and almost squeezed him around the neck because she knew she couldn't do it to Aideen, but then she caught herself and just bounced in place a little before squeezing his hand extra hard and letting go to turn and rush up to Aideen. "Oh man! Girl I missed you." She said walking up to fold her arms across her chest and lean up against Jasper as if he was the wall. "Come on, I cooked, you're gonna lov-" she finally realized she was leaning against someONE and looked to see who it was. "-Jasper? Oh brother.. you're doing this NOW?" Niki could see the look on his face and the position he was standing in and she knew he'd taken her advice. His timing was crap, but at least he listened.

[Onyx]

A slight glare was aimed at Niki and her annoying boy toy before his eyes went back to Aideen. "I am not doing anyzhing other zhan asking if Aideen vould have dinner with me," he said with a slight smile. "I vas hoping I could talk to jou about something over dinner if possible. I undzerstand zhat jou are tired tonight from a long trip, und I vould never vant to keep jou from jour rest. But if jou vould do me zhe honor of taking some time, perhaps at dinner, or vhever jou have free time." Jasper smiled at her hopefully, scolding himself for forgetting how skittish Aideen was around people. It was a foolish mistake on his part, and he needed to remember to watch himself as Aideen was no ordinary woman.

Jasper had stepped aside as Wolverine went by, barely sparing a glance at the man as he said something or other to Aideen. He didn't pay attention really to anything but the lovely creature in front of him as he collected his thoughts. It wasn't like it was anything unusual to begin with, as Aideen was Wolverine's favorite student, that fact obvious to even the most oblivious of people. Jasper had far more important things to wonder about, like how it would go when he finally told his feelings to her. Sure she may be surprised and he would give her time to get used to the idea, but he knew that no one could treat her better and care for her the way he would.

He swallowed hard again as he stared at Aideen, entranced by how the skin tight leather hugged her soft curves, so tempting that his hands itched to run his hands over them and feel the lovely body under his hands, exploring the panes of her body. "Vould zhat be alright Aideen?" Jasper's light blue eyes peered at her lovely face, searching for an answer.

[Ember]

The slight smirk and flush on her face from Logan's way of 'goodbye' faded only when Jasper started talking again. She looked between him and Niki, who instantly made her eyes soften to see her roommate and friend, as to what was going on. "You need to... talk to me?" Aideen looked at him with her large dark eyes, suspicion lurking behind them. She hated not knowing what was going on, and the fact that Jasper had never been so forward with her. He made small conversations once in awhile and she remembered helping him with his Math homework a couple of times as she could explain it in German and make it easier for him to understand, but other than that they barely spoke. Maybe exchange a few words in the garage, but that was it. What could he possibly want to talk to me about?

"Well as you know I'm sure, the horses are coming in tomorrow and I have a duty to Emma Frost that occupies my day," she answered in a crisp and polite tone, skeptical still of his intentions yet minding her manners. "Perhaps if you were to catch me at a free moment, we may talk I suppose." Aideen was still unsure what was going on and very uncomfortable with how everyone seemed to know something she didn't.

To be honest, she didn't want to deal with it anymore as it made her annoyed, and Niki and even Diesel were a welcome distraction. "Did you have a good weekend?" She shifted the bag on her shoulder and looked down at the time. "Actually I should be heading to my room. We may talk on the way to the mansion," she said waving goodbye to Mason inspecting his car and Tracy waiting for him to be content most likely. She turned to Jasper and nodded at him. "Good luck on your bike. Have a good evening," she said as politely as one would being brought up in her strict environment by a perfectionist governess. Aideen walked out with Niki and Diesel, just wanting to go to her room at this point and try not to think about missing Logan. "Anything interesting this weekend?" She asked genuinely interested and not wanting to discuss her confusion of the situation.

[Diesel]

"SPITFIRE!" Ian said with no shame whatsoever and grabbed Aideen up in his arms and hugged her tight, picking her up from the ground. He couldn't hug her hard cause he'd probably crush her in half and then Cyclops and Wolverine would kill him, but he knew by now how to hug someone properly and he knew that he'd survive whatever injury he got from Aideen, so it was all good. "Oh man you look HOT in leather. Since when do you wear leather? Man you oughta wear it more often," Ian said when he put her down and grinned widely at her.

He had his mouth opened when he saw her in the garage and was too much in shock to even greet her properly. It was the first time he saw her in anything other than a long sleeved shirt and jeans, and he rarely saw her hair down too so it took him a minute to register. "Lemme take your bag Spitfire, I'm a gentleman see, can't let a lady carry a heavy bag and not help." Ian took Aideen's bag without letting any protests he might hear effect him. He slung it over his shoulder and walked with Aideen between him and Niki. "Man babe, I'm telling you this weekend was nuts. I mean I know stuff's nuts when you're here, but damn it was pretty damn crazy this weekend though. You missed the cookout, which had mad good food. And there was some uh- other craziness that happened." He exchanged a look with Niki at that, not sure if he should bring up Rumble.

"We also got a buncha new people, so brace yourself babe. And I think more even came tonight," Ian added as they got to the front door of the mansion. He opened the door for both girls and closed it behind him as they stepped into the foyer.