Wolverine's Rogue
Chapter 5
by
Barbara Metzger
Three days had passed and Logan's cabin showed the roughhouse play that had ensued over every square inch of space. He especially liked the enthusiastic scene of Rogue looming over him with his arms bent back and tied to his desk chair. Logan glanced over at the wreckage. He was a little sorry he had to rip it to shreds when she wouldn't untie him. He also knew that they were both at their best because he didn't plan on staying around too much longer. As each day progressed, Rogue grew more and more distracted. No more denial. That's what she was up against. He'd told her not to ask if she couldn't handle the truth. Logan sat down on the corner of his bed and watched Rogue til she noticed she was being watched.
'Logan, I know what you're thinking.'
'I'd like to know what I'm thinking.'
Her eyes started to glass over with tears she struggled to hold in. She wanted to let her head fall back so she could howl out her misery.
'Look, I know you're gonna leave soon. I suppose I should feel something besides jealousy but I can't.'
'Jealousy?'
He didn't see that one coming. It was almost absurd and he thought he might laugh.
'You're jealous? Of what? There's no one else? No one, but you.'
'Your past, is a worthy mistress to feel jealousy for.'
She laid an arm on the counter and traced circles on last night's dinner plate with her finger. 'You sip at the present then run to your past. I want you to say you've found a home at Xavier's. I want you to say you'll stick around. I want you to say you'll stick around...for me.'
She closed her eyes and let her wet lashes brush her cheeks as she held her breath.
Gentle arms encircled her, gentle breaths laid across her neck. 'I've not had a home for a long time darlin'. Xavier's is the closest thing to home that I know.' Rogue's fresh dewy tear dropped on Logan's encircled arm. 'But right now, I'm not fated to lead a peaceful existence. I want you healthy, safe and miles away from me right now. That's the truth of it, I won't lie.' He stopped to form the next careful words.
'Darlin'...I'll promise one thing,' He brought the tear to his lips. He wanted to kiss her eyelids. He sank to his knees in front of her, with his arms around her thighs and laid his head against her softness. 'Set me free and I'll come back willingly when I'm done...for you.'
Rogue bent down and rained happy tears like showers on his head, and her radiant smile knocked the word 'jaded' off of his shoulder.
He narrowed his eyes and audibly sniffed the air. Like ants at a picnic Logan detected an unwanted presence. A wet wool blanket in a rainstorm. A familiar smell. A familiar shadow passed the window. He felt the familiar urge to bait.
'Don't mean to cut the moment short darlin', she raised a brow, 'but did you invite Scott to the party?'
Rogue eyes widened with a bit of knowledge completely forgotten til now. She hurriedly wiped her cheeks free of dampness and gave Logan a pitiful apologetic gesture.
'He's about to knock on my door.'
Logan withdrew from her body and raced to the door before the other reached it. He grabbed the knob and jerked it open startling the groomed man standing off balance in the doorway with an arm outstretched.
Snikt! One sharp middle blade halted entry. Logan drew a dark brow up.
'Scott, how do I know that it's really you?' he teased unmercifully.
'You're a dick,' Scott muttered.
'Tell me something I don't know,' he grumbled as he sheathed his claws. 'Everyone's tracking me down. I feel...so loved.'
Scott pursed his lips and dragged a hand through his hair, then side stepped the hulk in the doorway. 'I can't imagine what she sees in you,' he said while skillfully nudging Logan's shoulder in passing.
Logan snorted. . It was surprisingly easy to goad the man.
'I'm hear to bring you back Rogue. Remember? You did ask me to give you approximately one week.' He appeared to glance, as much as it was possible to glance with shades on, in Logan's direction. 'Never know what riffraff you'll meet up with on your own.'
'I know.' He goaded with a smile. 'Looked what popped in. You know what you--'
'All right, see? I'm packing. Now please shut up,' She blew air slowly out of her nostrils, 'the both of you.' She gritted her teeth, and moved out of range to gather her jacket. They were acting younger than her.
After briefly watching the men puff up their chests and spread their tail feathers, Rogue guided Scott to the door after saying her brief goodbye to Logan. Brief, because what more could she do or say. She looked past Scott and an unearthly calm fell over her. They made eye contact. Logan silently reinforced the promise. She stepped outside without a backward glance with Scott right behind her.
'Oh...and Scott?'
The man looked back as he was just about to close the cabin door.
'Stay away from my girl.'
Scott shrewdly said nothing.
Both men smiled at each other and left it at that.
All references to characters belonging to the X-Men Universe are (c) and TM the Marvel Comics Group, 20th Century Fox and all related entities. All rights reserved. Any reproduction, duplication or distribution of these materials in any form is expressly prohibited. No money is being made from this archive. All images are also (c) and TM the Marvel Comics Group, 20th Century Fox and all related entities; they are not mine. This website, its operators and any content used on this site relating to the X-Men are not authorized by Marvel, Fox, etc. I am not, nor do I claim to be affiliated with any of these entities in any way.