Part 1.
Kael entered Professor Xavier's office without knocking, a habit he had maintained since becoming an essential part of the mutant leadership. The professor sat in his chair, facing several holographic screens displaying diplomatic documents and biochemical analyses.
"Professor," Kael greeted, taking the opposite chair. "How are the negotiations progressing?"
Xavier switched off the screens with a gesture. "Better than we expected, Kael. We've reached an agreement with Krakoa and have already begun mass production of the medicinal compounds. The preliminary tests we conducted before the attack showed extraordinary results - now it's just a matter of production and formal announcement."
He paused, his expression turning more serious. "However, we still haven't had success with analyzing the Healing Spell Potion. Our best scientists can't replicate even a fraction of its properties."
Kael nodded, having expected this. "I just came from Hank's laboratory. His discovery confirms what I suspected - the Elixir itself cannot be produced or replicated in this world."
Xavier furrowed his brow, his fingers meeting over the desk. "Do you have any theory about why?"
"My hypothesis is that the Elixir is the pure essence of my spiritual dimension taking physical form," Kael explained. "It doesn't follow the laws of physics or chemistry as we understand them. It's like trying to capture starlight in a jar - you can see the result, but you can't reproduce the source."
The professor remained silent for a moment, his expression distant. Kael sensed something else was on his mind.
"Did something happen, Professor? I heard the girls seemed somewhat nervous in the hallway, but I didn't pay attention."
Xavier looked directly at him. "You encountered Rogue earlier, didn't you?"
"Yes, she was with the other girls leaving the gym. Why?"
"They're looking for you, Kael. Apparently... you managed to touch her." The revelation made Kael pause for a moment. He thought about the brief contact in the hallway but hadn't given it importance at the time.
At that instant, a knock at the door interrupted their conversation. The door opened to reveal Storm, followed by Kitty, Jean, Jubilee, Amara, and Rogue. The latter kept her gloves firmly in place, but her eyes were filled with anxious hope.
Storm entered first, her gaze moving from Xavier to Kael. "It seems you've caused quite a stir, dear," she said, a slight smile on her lips as the girls crowded behind her.
Kitty spoke first, her voice accelerated by excitement. "Kael, it's true! You touched Rogue's shoulder in the hallway and nothing happened!"
All eyes were on Rogue, who seemed simultaneously frightened and hopeful. Kael, finally understanding the moment's importance, stood and approached her.
"You're wearing gloves now," he observed softly. "Take them off."
With trembling hands, Rogue removed the gloves she always wore, revealing pale, intact hands. Kael extended his own hand, first touching her fingertips with his. When nothing happened, he completely enveloped her hand with his.
The effect was immediate. Rogue let out a choked sigh, her eyes filling with tears. Without thinking, she threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly while silent sobs shook her body.
"Ten years," she whispered against his chest. "It's been ten years since I've hugged anyone."
Kael held her with surprising gentleness, stroking her back. "It's alright," he murmured. "It's alright now."
After a long moment, Rogue pulled away, blushing deeply upon realizing everyone in the room had witnessed the emotional moment. "Sorry," she said, stepping back and wiping her eyes.
Jean was the first to break the silence. "How is this possible, Kael?"
He looked at Storm, then back at Rogue. "I think it's because of the Elixir. My theory is that it creates a barrier at the cellular level that prevents Rogue's power from functioning."
"Test it on me," Storm suggested, extending her arm. "You mentioned I might have small amounts of Elixir in my system now."
Jean raised an eyebrow. "And how exactly did she get this Elixir?"
Kael didn't hesitate. "Having sex."
The direct statement made all the younger girls blush intensely while Jubilee and Kitty laughed nervously. Storm simply smiled, amused by their embarrassment.
Rogue, still recovering her composure, extended her hand and touched Storm's arm. This time, there was a reaction - a pull of energy strong enough to make Storm stagger. Kael quickly caught her.
"It's different," Rogue said, examining her finger. "I could feel it, but it was... obstructed. Like there was resistance."
To test the hypothesis completely, Kael closed his eyes for a moment. The air in the room seemed to vibrate slightly before a Valkyrie materialized in the office center.
The warrior was impressive - almost as tall as Kael, with fiery orange-red hair cut at shoulder length that seemed made of frozen fire. Her clear blue eyes examined the room with focused intensity. She wore minimal leather armor that strategically covered her chest, waist, and groin, leaving muscular arms and powerful legs exposed. In her hands, she held a double axe that seemed as natural as an extension of her body.
"Valkyrie," Kael greeted, even though he could have simply given the mental command. Outside of battle, he appreciated the unique personalities of his troops - their eccentricities and mannerisms amused him.
The warrior inclined her head. "Architect. You called me?"
"We need to test a theory," he explained, pointing to Rogue. "Please touch her arm."
Without hesitation, the Valkyrie reached out and grasped Rogue's bare arm with a firmness that would make any normal person flinch. Again, nothing happened - no energy drain, no loss of consciousness.
The Valkyrie released the arm and looked at Kael with a bold smile. "Satisfied? Or do you need more... tests?" Her tone was inviting, almost challenging.
Kael laughed and nodded. "Thank you, that will be all for now."
Before disappearing, the Valkyrie maintained her gaze on him. "You know where to find me when you want to... talk more." Then she was gone as quickly as she had arrived.
The demonstration confirmed the theory - the Elixir in Kael's troops made them immune to Rogue's power. As the girls processed this information, Kael felt a new understanding of his power - he could feel the connection to the Arena now, not just as a place he visited, but as an extension of himself that he could summon at will.
Before they left, Rogue approached Kael again. "Thank you," she said softly. "Can I... have another hug?"
He opened his arms. "Whenever you need physical contact, you can ask me."
The hug was shorter this time, but equally meaningful. As the girls left the office, Kael noticed Storm had a thoughtful expression - not of jealousy, but of deep contemplation.
---
Rogue's Point of View
As they moved away from the office, Amara gave Rogue a gentle elbow nudge. "Any physical contact, huh?" she said with a laugh. "If it were me, I'd know exactly where and what I'd ask him to touch."
Rogue and Jean turned red instantly, while Kitty laughed. "Amara!" Jean admonished, but there was a slight smile on her lips.
The conversation remained light as they walked through the halls, but Rogue could barely follow. Her mind was spinning with the possibilities opening up for her after a decade of isolation.
When they reached their rooms, they separated with promises to meet later for dinner. Rogue entered her individual room and closed the door behind her, leaning against it for a moment before walking to the bed and lying down on her back.
Contrary to what might be expected, her mind wasn't on the recent hug or the revolutionary sensation of touch without consequences. Instead, she was reliving the memories she had absorbed from Storm during the brief contact in the office.
The touch had been quick, but sufficient. The memories of the previous night flowed through her mind - not just images, but complete sensations. She could feel the weight of Kael over her, the texture of his skin against hers, the depth of their physical connection.
She turned over in bed, her body responding to memories that weren't hers but felt as if they were. A moan escaped her lips as she pressed her hip against the mattress, feeling the echo of the penetration Storm had experienced. The sensation was intense, vivid, as if it were happening to her at that moment.
Her own moans surprised her as her body writhed against the pillow, reaching a quick, intense climax that left her breathless. When she finished, she looked at the damp sheets.
With slow movements, she got up and removed the sheets, taking them to the bathroom to wash.
---
Jean's Point of View
In her room, Jean sat on the bed, still flushed. As a telepath, she always struggled to maintain mental barriers, but the emotional storm from Rogue had been so intense it overflowed.
When Rogue absorbed Storm's memories, the wave of physical sensations was so powerful it hit Jean like a tsunami. She had felt everything - every touch, every kiss, every intimate movement between Storm and Kael.
Now, alone in her room, the memories echoed in her mind. Her body responded involuntarily to sensations that weren't hers. She felt her trembling hands open the nightstand drawer.
"How embarrassing," she whispered to herself, but couldn't stop.
As Rogue's memories - which were originally Storm's - continued to replay in her mind, Jean let herself be carried away by the sensations. Her body arched against the sheets, responding to the echoes of pleasure that didn't belong to her but felt as if they were real.
When it was over, she lay panting, embarrassed but understanding that sometimes even a telepath could be caught off guard by others' emotions. She made a mental promise to strengthen her barriers, but knew that some memories... some memories were worth reliving.
Part 2.
The door to the Danger Room hissed open, revealing a sweaty and breathless Kael. Logan stepped out behind him, wiping his face with a towel.
"You're learnin', kid," the Wolverine said. "But you still drop your guard too much."
Kael laughed, feeling every sore muscle. "It's what happens when you get used to having an army to defend you."
It was then that Logan's expression turned serious. "So it's true then? You really touched Marie without any consequences?"
Kael nodded, seeing the genuine concern in the older man's eyes. "I touched her arm. Nothing happened—not to me, not to her."
Logan was silent for a moment, processing. As a paternal figure to many of the young mutants, especially to Marie, this news was both hopeful and concerning. "Be careful with that power, Kael. Things that seem like gifts can sometimes be traps."
"I understand," Kael replied seriously. "And I would never hurt Marie."
Logan nodded, his protective instinct still alert, but recognizing that Kael was not a threat. "Go take a shower. You reek of sweaty defeat."
Kael headed to his quarters. When he opened the door, he found Ororo on the balcony, the evening light illuminating her profile. He approached and wrapped his arms around her from behind.
"You smell of sweat and effort," she said, relaxing against his chest.
"Much more sweat than anything else," he laughed, kissing her shoulder. "Have you had dinner?"
"I was waiting for you."
After showering, they went down to the cafeteria. Dinner was normal, but Kael noticed something strange. Jean Grey and Rogue were avoiding eye contact with them. Whenever he or Ororo moved, the two would quickly look away, with Rogue visibly blushing.
Back in their room, he mentioned it to Ororo: "Did you notice Marie and Jean today? They were avoiding us as if we were contagious."
Ororo let out a soft sigh. "When you touched Marie, she must have absorbed some... memories... from me. Quite intimate memories from our last night together."
Kael blinked, and then he understood. "Oh... that makes sense. And Jean probably read those memories from Marie's mind." He lay down next to Ororo. "Do you think she's in your mind right now?"
"I hope not," Ororo replied with some resignation. "But living with telepaths, you get used to the lack of privacy. Especially with Jean... her powers are sometimes involuntary."
A mischievous smile spread across Kael's face. He pulled Ororo onto his lap. "Well," he whispered near her ear, "how about we put on a good show for our telepathic audience?"
The night that followed was another of intense passion, with Kael perhaps performing a little more than necessary, whispering things that would surely make any telepath blush.
The next morning at breakfast, he couldn't contain a smile upon seeing the dark circles under Jean's eyes and how she completely avoided looking at him. Rogue seemed equally embarrassed, but he noticed a curiously hopeful gleam in her eyes when she quickly glanced at his hands.
After breakfast, Kael headed to the mansion's entrance, where a black SHIELD car was waiting. It was time for his first joint mission with the agency, a new step in his journey as a hero.