Once And For All
by
Dark Ferret
DISCLAIMER: I don't own these characters, so please don't sue me.
NOTE: Dedicated to Sandy and her lunchtime escapism, Natasha who understands my obsession, and Nancy who promised to be my first customer. Your e-mails keep me going. This one's for you .
Jubilee and Kitty lay sprawled out on a mat in the gym.
"Don't look now Kitty, but here he comes."
Suddenly queasy, Kitty briefly considered the idea of phasing through the floor to safety, but the idea was quickly squashed by the impending shadow of Wolverine fast approaching.
Groaning to herself, Jubilee got to her feet with considerable effort.
"What the hell do you two think you're doing?" taking a menacing look at both girls Logan continued, "What I meant by ten laps was ten laps! So get!!"
Scrambling to get up, Kitty squealed in terror and ran after Jubilee who was already jogging. Rogue was coming up fast from behind them both in a steady pace.
"Ah told ya not ta stop. " Grinning and panting, Rogue increased her pace and pulled out ahead of the two struggling girls.
"You're a traitor, Rogue!!" Jubilee was frantically trying to make her legs move faster, but Kitty's grasp on her left arm for support slowed her down. "I swear she does it .just to make uslook bad."
"Jubes, I think I'm going to pass out."
Ignoring the cramp in her side Jubilee, continued, "Don't die on me Kitty just three more laps." Whimpering slightly, Kitty pouted and kept going.
Ahead of them, Rogue came to a sudden stop. Grabbing a towel, she wiped at her face and collapsed to the ground. Lying with the towel over her face, she relaxed until her breathing became normal. Spotting the boys on the far side of the track, Rogue smiled. She had finished two laps ahead of everybody else. Kitty and Jubilee were even further behind the others. Coming around Jubilee stuck her tongue out at Rogue. Rogue just blew her a kiss and waved. Caught up in her teasing, she failed to see Logan come up from behind.
"Not bad."
Startled to a sitting position, Rogue responded with a characteristically humble shrug. "Ah guess."
Realizing that she looked a mess, Rogue smoothed back her ponytail and got up. Logan handed her a bottled water he had brought with him and she was grateful to have something to do. Around Logan she was always nervous and awkward. Even in sweats and a T-shirt he was gorgeous, and she never knew quite what to say. Finishing half the water in a long gulp, Rogue looked over and caught him staring. Looking down at her sneakers, Rogue didn't catch Logan's flustered gaze.
Clearing his throat and fiddling with his clipboard, Logan cursed to himself and refocused his attention on the kids still running, "You are certainly improving your time, uhmm, I'll see you tomorrow, Kid."
Slightly hurt that he was walking away so quickly, Rogue nodded and gave Logan a weak smile. "Sure, Logan, Ah'll see yah tomorrow." He was already walking away before she finished.
Angry, Rogue tore off her sweatshirt in frustration and headed to the showers. She hated how she acted around Logan. As Kitty would say when watching her soaps, she was "a completely pathetic display of hormones."
Looking back, Logan caught Rogue's retreating form, clad only in leggings and a sports bra, heading into the locker rooms. Quickly tearing his sight from her, Logan stormed off to his office. He despised the way he turned into a fourteen-year-old boy with a crush around Rogue. Planting his feet on his desk with a loud thud, he ran his fingers through his unruly hair and closed his eyes. He could still see the sweat glistening down the sharp indent down Rogue's back to where her black tights stretched snuggly over her soft curves. Shit. Opening his eyes again, Logan berated himself for lapsing into his little fantasies again. It was Rogue, which meant look but don't touch and not because of the skin. It was just too damn complicated.
He had been back since New Year's, almost five months, and still he had no idea on how to act normal around her. She was an enigma, so beautiful and shy and yet so tough and deadly. He always thought back to when Jean told him Marie had a crush on him. That was over a year ago and yet she still looked at him longingly with wide green eyes when nobody was looking. He knew damn well he could have her at any time, but he couldn't. She was barely eighteen, and she deserved better. Not someone that could well be her grandfather. Shit. Agitated at the thought, Logan popped his claws to help him concentrate. More frustrated than anything, he turned his sight to the kids still circling the track. Time to go bust some chops. It always helped.
Kitty was so tired, she actually shuffled into the room through the door rather than through the walls. Slumping down to her bed, she moaned in a lifeless tone, "I think my legs are going to fall off. I swear that man is sadistic."
Walking over to their small stereo, Jubilee put on a Sarah McLachlan CD. Slamming down onto her bed with a bounce, Jubilee regarded her friend cautiously. "Than could I have the picture you keep under your mattress of Ricky Martin?"
Looking up with a shocked expression, Kitty hurled a pillow at her roommate. "We agreed!!! You can't bring it up, or I'll tell everyone about" halfway through her berage an indignant Kitty smiled mischievously. Rogue had just walked in.
Suddenly very alert, Jubilee jumped off her bed in protest, "Kitty no!! You can't tell anyone!!" Without a second's hesitation, Jubilee jumped on her friend and started tickling her unmercifully. Giggling and flinging pillows at each other, both girls went over the bed and landed on the hardwood floor with a thud.
"Owwww, get off me Jubes, you've had one cheeseburger too many!" Looking over at Rogue, from under Jubilee's armpit, Kitty's giggling suddenly died out. "What's wrong, Rogue?"
Straightening out in a hurry, both girls went to Rogue's side. She was sitting on the fake purple 'bear-skin' in between both beds, with her legs drawn up to her chest.
"Rogue, have you been crying?" Jubilee carefully took a few strands of white hair out of Rogue's face.
"Yeah" Looking up at her friends' concern, Rogue smiled weakly and continued, "Ah'm okay really, is just that " Unable to find the words that could describe her conflicting emotions, Rogue snapped her mouth shut and stared at her gloved hands.
Suddenly remembering what she witnessed between Wolverine and her friend less than an hour ago in training class, Jubilee frowned. "It's Logan isn't it."
Kitty stared at Jubilee with wide eyes. "Jubes, the word is TACT, look it up!!"
Rolling her eyes and snapping her gum simultaneously, Jubilee dismissed Kitty's disapproval. "Well Rogue what happened? What did he say?"
Letting her legs slide down on the rug, Rogue let out a sigh, "He didn't say anything."
Both girls knew about Rogue's crush on Logan. They would always tease her about him, but she could never fully reveal her feelings for him. In a way they were so much less mature than her. On top of it all, they had never been in love. Suddenly very aware that she was wearing her heart on her sleeve, Rogue opted for understatement.
"It's just hard ta realize that he'll nevah feel anything for meh." Letting a slow sigh escape her, Rogue held the tags around her neck. "Ah should have nevah been so wrapped up in this idea that he'll love meh. No mattah how much time goes by, Ah'm just ah kid ta him."
Letting a few tears leak out of the corners of her eye, Rogue held both her friends' hands. Unsure of what to say, both girls just held hers back. Kitty put her head carefully on Rogue's shoulder and sniffed. All three sat quietly as Sarah McLachlan sang on about sweet surrender. After a few minutes, Rogue wiped her face with her sleeve, got up and left. At the door she turned, and whispered in a soft voice, "Thanks guys, Ah'm gonna miss yah so much. Good naght."
Still sitting quietly on the purple bear skin, Jubilee chewed her gum slowly and thought. It wasn't fair. Kitty eventually retreated to her bed to do her homework in silence. It was one of their last assignments because they were all graduating in one month. Most kids were going away to college, except Rogue that is. She was the best athlete out of all of them, and she had already passed her test for entry into the X-men. Besides, she stood out like a sore thumb, wrapped up in clothes from head to toe. She was taking classes through the Internet and staying at home instead. It was hard to think about, but the infamous trio would be broken up before long, and that was a scary thought.
"Kitty, do you think Rogue will be alright when we all leave in the fall?"
Caught off guard and thinking similar thoughts, Kitty wrinkled her eyebrows. "Yeah, she's tough."
Nodding quietly in agreement Jubilee added, "But do you think she'll be okay, okay?"
Taking a second to think, Kitty smiled, "Umm-hmm, besides she'll have the Professor, and Storm, and Jean, and Scott and " Not wanting to complete the list, Kitty chewed on her pen and frowned again.
"Logan." Jubilee ran her hands in the purple fur.
"Yeah, he takes care of her the most. Mr. Bad-Ass supreme is never far from our Roguey."
"It's a real shame he can't realize how crazy she is for him."
Not knowing what more to say, Jubilee picked at the purple fur under her. For an endless moment she could only chew and think about Rogue's eyes when she stared at Logan. She would do so when she was sure no one would notice. Only it was hard not to. The girl was all eyes. You could read every expression in them. Unlike Logan. His eyes revealed nothing. He was always so damn calm and confident with his 'fuck it all' attitude and his smelly cigars, and .
Suddenly energized, Jubilee snapped her gum ferociously. "Kitty, did you notice what happened in the gym earlier?"
"What do you mean?" Kitty could practically see the wheels turning inside Jubilee's head. She closed her book and slid down to the bear rug in anticipation. Jubilee had a plan.
"Well, didn't you see Logan talking to Rogue after she finished."
"Yeah so what?" Kitty was chewing her nails in confusion.
"He gave Rogue a bottle of water."
"So?"
Raising her eyebrows at her oblivious friend, Jubilee cried out in exasperation. "Aahh! Has he ever given you a water?"
"No, but that doesn't mean anything, he's always had a soft spot for her, that's no secret, Jubes."
"Sure, but then he gave her this look. Rogue took a long drink from it, and he was tripping all over himself. It was pathetic Kitty. He almost popped an artery, I swear."
Finally realizing where Jubilee was going, Kitty felt disappointed. "Jubes, so he's horny. So what? He's always staring at Ms. Grey or Ms. Munroe, big deal."
Losing none of her resolve, Jubilee continued, "No Kitty, it was more than that, you know how he always has his patented 'I don't give a shit' look?"
"Yeah." Kitty raised her eyebrows again in interest. The bright green nail polish on her short fingernails was disappearing quick.
"Well, it was nowhere in sight, girl, he was just dumbstruck."
"Like when Rogue looks at him?" Surprised that Kitty knew the look, Jubilee nodded quietly. They both settled down and thought about that look. Full of love and adoration. Looking at her roommate carefully, Jubilee said what they were both thinking, "They love each other."
"So what's stopping them Jubes? They need to get it on in the worst way."
Jubilee shook her head sadly. "Too much bullshit, that's what, and it's time we got involved. once and for all."
Feeling better by the second, Kitty jumped up excitedly and went to get her Hello Kitty writing pad and a pen, while Jubilee popped another gum into her mouth and began to strategize. They needed a plan.
Early the next morning, Jubilee and Kitty waited for Rogue in the laundry room. Like always, they left the machines on and left to get breakfast. Halfway to the elevator, Jubilee announced that she left her book behind. Rushing back, she mumbled a "Sorry Rogue" into the empty room and threw a leaky pen into her load. Needless to say, within minutes the entire load was stained with blotches of blue ink. When the three girls returned half an hour later, a good majority of Rogue's wardrobe was ruined.
"But ahll mah jeans were in theah, Kitty!!" Rogue was close to tears.
Seeing that Kitty was close to breaking too (she cried easily) and it was only Act One of 'The Plan,' Jubilee quickly stepped in, "You can wear my clothes Rogue, no big deal."
"Ah're yah sure, Jubilee, Ah have some sweats and "
Visualizing the ruination of her well thought out plan, Jubilee yelled out, "No!!"
Realizing she overreacted, Jubilee quickly smiled and ushered Rogue out of the laundry room, "That's not necessary, Roguey, I got plenty of things for you, let's go get you dressed." Smiling and clapping, the two girls hustled a confused Rogue upstairs and into a new wardrobe. Of course they reasoned, a new look needed a new hairstyle and some make-up too. By the time they were done, Rogue was virtually unrecognizable.
"Ah'm not too sure about this guys, Ah feel kinda" Not knowing how to say slutty without hurting Jubilee's feelings, Rogue opted for, "uncomfortable."
Jubilee exchanged glances with Kitty. "Rouge you look hot, come on we're going to be late, and Mr. Summers will have a cow."
Still unsure, Rogue nodded and wobbled downstairs to class in her high-heeled leather boots. Of course all the boys stared, including Mr. Summers which positively mortified her. But it was after class that the real test began. Since it was Friday, the gang decided to ask permission to go out to a movie. Sitting quietly in the foyer, Rogue was shocked to see Logan emerge from Storm's office as the designated chaperone. Not wanting to be seen by him in that getup, Rogue snuck into the living room, but Kitty took her by the hand and dragged her back.
Unbeknownst to everyone present, Jubilee had waited so late to ask, that every teacher was out doing something else. That left Storm, to which she mentioned it was a slasher film. That eliminated her quickly, leaving only the reluctant Logan as chaperone. Grinning like a maniac, Jubilee trailed him happily out of Storm's office, and almost ran into him when he stopped short in the hallway. He had finally seen Rogue and she was wearing the clothes that they had put her in. Being that Rogue was one size bigger than Jubilee and bustier, her outfit was practically indecent, which made Act 1 all the better. Unaccustomed to seeing so much of Rogue unswathed, Logan mumbled under his breath and stomped towards the garage house. Jubilee looked over at Kitty and they mouthed the words 'the look' at each other.
Glowering menacingly at every man that looked Marie's way, Logan spent the whole night sulking more than usual. He watched Rogue from afar, but not once did he approach or speak one word to her. Rogue for her part, also avoided Logan like the plague. To Kitty and Jubilee's dismay, she refused to even sit by him. After the movie finished, the students assembled in the lobby. Trying her hardest to salvage what was left of the night, Jubilee suggested that they go out for ice cream.
"So what do you say Mr. Logan, pleeeease?" Kitty was offering her best pout, but the man would not budge.
Leaning against a 'Do Not Smoke' sign, Logan carefully lit a cigarette and tried to ignore Kitty's begging. They were still waiting for some kids to come out of the restrooms. Across the lobby, Rogue was slumped alone on a bench, digging into the carpet with the toe of her boots. Looking up for a second, she noticed Logan staring, and quickly looked away. Taking a long puff from his cigarette, Logan ground the butt into the wall and then walked off in the direction of the mall food court in silence. Behind him, Kitty and Jubilee shared a high five and went to get Rogue. Pulling her along, the three girls settled into a booth at the 60's style ice cream parlor, while Logan alienated people by smoking at the counter.
Uncomfortable in her miniskirt, Rogue occasionally smiled at her chatting friends and stared intently at her banana split, while Logan stared intently at her from his stool at the counter. She was very much aware of his actions, but was trying to ignore him anyway. When one of the boys put on some music and Kitty and Jubilee left to dance with them, Rogue hoped and prayed that Logan wouldn't come and sit with her. But of course, he did.
Swaggering over, like only he could, Logan slid into the booth seat opposite her. "Are you avoiding me?"
Without any hesitation, Rogue answered, "No." She continued to pick at her desert with feigned indifference.
Smiling at her blatant lie, Logan took a drink of his malted soda. She was not afraid of him like everybody else was. Looking at her low cut neckline, his smile faded. "You look nice."
Catching her off guard, Logan saw Rogue shift uncomfortably and look straight at him like a deer caught in headlights. Angry at his disapproval, Rogue got up and walked out of the parlor. It was obvious to her that Logan saw her only as a kid playing dress up. Hurt that he would even mention it when all the other girls looked just like she did, Rogue stormed off and flew home, leaving Logan more confused than ever. He meant it as a compliment, but it was obviously not the right thing to say. Flicking his cigarette into the malted soda, he got up and growled at the remaining kids to get their asses in the van. Shaking her head, Jubilee shot Kitty a look and mouthed the words 'Act 2' to her.
On Monday morning, there was a special delivery for Rogue. Usually not one to receive any mail at all, Rogue was shocked to hear Jean call her name to the door. The deliveryman handed her a card and placed an enormous bouquet arrangement of three dozen white roses on the hallway table. Turning slightly red, Rogue thanked him and turned to face the gathering female population of the school bursting with excitement in the doorway. At their unrelenting insistence, she opened the card and read it in a low voice,
"To my dearest beauty, from your secret admirer, MS"
Between the chorus of ohs, ahs and giggles, Rogue blushed ferociously. Jubilee started a 'Rogue has a boyfriend' chant until eventually even the boys showed up to see what the fuss was about. Knowing she would never hear the end of it, Rogue grinned and walked out of the room. On the way out, Remy grabbed her by the waist and did a quick two-step to the growing chanting with a wicked smile. Thankfully, he let go quickly and moved on to Jean. Leaving the impromptu dance party in the main corridor, Rogue went out to get air. No one noticed Logan leaning on the banister at the top of the stairs, smoking.
The roses were the first of several more gifts that came for Rogue that week. On Wednesday she got a box of expensive chocolates and on Friday she got a pair of doves in a wrapped cage. Avoiding the questions and giggles from the other students, Rogue accepted the doves quietly and carried the cage to the greenhouse aviary. Letting the doves loose, Rogue wondered for the thousandth time who would go through so much trouble for her. Speculation among the student body ran rampant, but she was more concerned about Logan. She had two classes with him daily, but he barely looked at her anymore. Unwilling to think about the situation again, Rogue rushed out of the aviary taking long hurried strides. Turning the corner quickly, she ran right into Logan. He bounded off of her and fell flat on his back.
Slapping her gloved hand to her mouth, Rogue stammered out an apology. " Ah'm, Ah'm sorry Logan."
He didn't respond, just slowly got up to his feet. Unable to stop his eyes from looking her up and down, he grumbled an okay and walked away. Turning to her room in frustration, Rogue wondered how much more of Logan's indifference she could take.
Knocking softly on Rogue's door, Kitty and Jubilee let themselves in.
"Hey Roguey babe, are you okay, why are you moping around in sweats?"
Sitting up in her bed, Rogue looked up from her journal. "Yeah, sorry but Logan was creepin meh out earlier, if looks could kill, Remy would beh dead, and so would my doves."
Jubilee smacked her gum viciously and jumped on her bed, "Yeah, we noticed. Poor doves. And poor Remy."
"He's just being protective an all. Your doves will live long healthy lives I assure you." Kitty picked up a brush and started absently fussing with Jubilee's short hair then giggled, "I'm not so sure about Remy."
Rogue smiled in spite of herself, "Ah know, it's just that everyone dresses all girly, but when Ah do it, it's ah big deal." Crossing her arms Rogue thought about what that meant, then shook her head. Like Kitty said, Logan was only being protective.
Not wanting to miss a beat, Jubilee jumped in with her story. "So, I came to tell you I'm going out on a hot date tomorrow."
"What? With who, and how come Ah didn't know until now?" Rogue looked more than a little hurt at the revelation.
Kitty jumped in on cue with the explanation, "Because he's a geek."
Intrigued, Rogue watched in amusement as Jubilee jumped into a defensive argument. "He is NOT a Bobby!!!"
An unswayed Kitty just grinned like a Cheshire, "He is SO a geek! Tell Rogue what he looks like then."
Jubilee shot a giggling Kitty a murderous look then continued, "Well, I don't know what he looks like, we met on the Internet two weeks ago, but I know more about him than any other guy I've dated. Anyway, I'm going to meet him in Atlantic City, he's going there for some convention this weekend."
"Jubilation Lee!" Rogue could believe what she was hearing.
"What?? He's not that old, only twenty-nine. He's a real nice guy, Rogue."
While Kitty giggled in the background, Rogue jumped all over Jubilee, "He could beh some psycho-killer, he could've lied about everything, and Atlantic City? That's ah long trip, and hotel rooms yah are not going Ah'm telling Scott!!"
Visibly subdued at the implication, Jubilee pleaded with her friend, "Rogue, chill out girl, I'm telling you because I want you to go with me. It's just for the weekend. We'll take a car, be back Sunday night."
Confused, Rogue wrinkled her face, "Yah want meh ta come?"
"Yeah, you could meet Chad and.."
"His name is Chad!!! sounds like a Backstreet Boy." Kitty sputtered in between giggles.
Kitty was working herself into a full fledge conniption fit and it was definitely contagious. Noticing Jubilee's antagonism, Rogue smiled, "But why can't yah take Kitty?"
Rolling her eyes, Jubilee gave Kitty a disdainful glare. "Like you need a reason, look at her, besides she's going to see her family this weekend. Rogue pleeease say yes." Not able to deny her dear friend, Rogue agreed. "Fine, but you're asking Storm for permission. Last time we snuck out, Ah had ta do yard duty for ah month."
Planting a quick kiss on her friend's head, Jubilee clapped her hands in excitement, "Thanks Roguey!! We're gonna have fun watch. We gotta pack. Let me go get the lingerie!!"
"Jubilation!" Rogue looked shocked.
"Just kidding! Damn, gimme some credit, girl."
"Yeah, that's for your second date, Jubes." Kitty ducted to avoid the pillow thrown at her head, and phased through the bed to fiddle with the stereo. Blasting the Pearl Jam a little higher on the stereo, the three girls packed for their weekend.
Rogue and Jubilee left for the four hour trip to Atlantic City at 10AM on Saturday. They met the very charming Chad that afternoon. He had reserved a room for just the girls adjacent to his, and Rogue was instantly at ease with him. He was extremely well mannered and more importantly to Rogue, kept his hands to himself. The three first toured the boardwalk, and then Rogue and Jubilee visited the hotel spa while Chad attended a seminar. Luckily it was a hotel that catered to mutants, so Rogue was at ease to have her hair and nails done. Two hours later, the girls emerged totally made up and went to get dressed for their dinner reservations.
Logan's 3PM Fight Strategies class was missing three very prominent members. The two twittering girls and his Marie had never cut class before, so Logan was more than curious to find out why they weren't around. When class finished at 4PM, he went straight to their rooms, but they weren't there. Next he went to see Scott. He told Logan that the girls had taken the BMW, but that Storm knew why. Slightly annoyed, Logan tracked down the weather goddess by her scent.
Storm told Logan all she knew: "They went with Kitty to see her family in Connecticut."
Finding it odd that they went without telling anybody else, Logan pushed, "And do they always take the BMW?"
Not looking up from the plants she was working on, the ethereal goddess only shrugged her shoulders, "I suppose not, she usually gets picked up by her brother. Call them if you are worried Logan. The number is on your roster."
Leaving more agitated than ever, Logan went back to his office and found the number among the piles of paper on his desk. Wasting no time, he picked up the phone.
"Hello, Pryde residence, Kitty speaking." The familiar squeaky voice was welcoming to Logan.
"It's Logan, is Rogue with you?"
"Ahh, Logan, it's good to hear you, uhmm Rogue is, well she is in the bathroom."
Suddenly furious, Logan tightened his grip on the phone. "Cut the shit, where did she go?"
"Well, Logan, I uhhh,"
"Tell me!!" Logan was beside himself and he could practically feel the claws on the underside of his skin wanting to inch out.
Whimpering slightly, Kitty proceeded as planned, "She went to Atlantic City with Jubilee, they went to see this guy, Michael Strong, but you can't I can't"
"Who the fuck is that?" Logan regretted his tone immediately when he heard the girl sob. He hated to see a girl cry. Deciding to take the softer approach, he took a deep breath and spoke slowly, "Look, I just want to know where she is, can you tell me that?"
"I dunno, (sniff) she'll be mad at me."
Pacing the room frantically, Logan tried to calm down, "I won't tell her that you told me darling, just, please tell me where she went."
In a considerably lighter tone, Kitty proceeded, "Okay (sniff) I don't know exactly, but there's a (sniff) card she showed me. It's in her top (sniff) dresser drawer.
Exhaling in gratitude, Logan ruffled his already wild hair. "Thanks uhmm."
"Kitty"
"Yeah whatever, and I promise I won't tell them you told me."
"Okay, just please don't be too upset. Bye."
Slamming the phone back into it's cradle, Logan stomped to Marie's room. Please don't be upset. Atlantic City. That girl was definitely in for it. Opening the door, Logan walked straight to the dresser and sifted through the frilly things in disgust. Seizing the small business card at the bottom, his blood actually reached a boil. Unsheathing his claws with a grimace, Logan stuffed the card into his back jean pocket and stormed out in a fury. Getting on his borrowed bike, he glanced at his watch. It was 5PM, he could make it to South Jersey in two hours. Meanwhile in Connecticut, Kitty thought the same thing and called her cousin Chad on his cell phone. Act 3 was on and Logan was on his way.
At around 6PM, Jubilee and Rogue were both ready for dinner. Feeling a little like a fifth wheel, Rogue had decided to go along if just to show off her new up hairdo. Chad picked them up at six promptly and escorted the girls to the terrace level restaurant. Jubilee wore an insanely short, killer black dress and Rogue had on a beautiful pale pink sheath with matching gloves. To protect others from her deadly skin, she wore a skin colored mesh bodystocking under it. Over light conversation, Chad ordered champagne. When the waiter finished serving the bubbly, Chad proposed a toast.
"To new friends." Cuddling closer to Jubilee on the booth seat, Chad winked at his date and pressed his glass to hers. Jubilee let out a hundred-watt smile and did the same, but clinking her glass too hard on Rogue's glass, it slipped from her fingers and clunked on the table, splashing down the front of Rogue's dress. Gasping, Rogue stood up while the waiter went to fetch more napkins.
"I'm so sorry Rogue." Dabbing at the dress with her napkin, Jubilee turned to Chad.
"That's really unfortunate Rogue, why don't you take my key card and go up to change. I have a full shower in my room."
The waiter looked up from cleaning the table, "Yes madam, you can call housekeeping. They'll have it dry cleaned in a half hour."
"That's a good idea Rogue." Jubilee was giving her the best 'I'm so sorry' look she could possibly muster.
"Ah guess Ah can." Looking at Jubilee ruefully, Rogue added, " Go on an have fun yah too, Ah'll beh back as soon as Ah could."
Taking the key card that Chad handed her, Rogue offered a smile at the cute couple, before making her way to the elevator. Smiling at the elevator attendant, she showed him her card, "35B please."
Rogue meandered to the room, slipped out of her dress and called housekeeping. Within minutes a nice old lady showed up to pick up the dress. Assuring Rogue that it would be ready in twenty minutes, Rogue closed the door behind her and sat in the window seat wearing a giant white towel. Looking at the sun settling over the beach, Rogue watched the glittering lights of Atlantic City come to life in the twilight. Blinking hazily, she started to drift off to sleep.
Skidding to a stop at the hotel entrance, Logan swung his legs off his bike and slipped a twenty dollar bill to the parking attendant in silence. Stalking past the front desk like he owned the place, Logan walked through the glitzy hotel entrance and past the security guards to the elevator. Thinking he was one of the wrestlers scheduled to perform that night, no one asked to see a key card.
Trying his hardest to keep his claws in his arms, Logan muttered "35B" at the elevator attendant. Trained to never question anyone staying above the 30th floor, the attendant pressed the button in silence. In the highly reflective metal doors he could see behind him. The huge, buff guy with the wild hair looked close to tears, squeezing his eyes shut, he leaned his head back, against the padded walls. He could swear that the guy was testing the air with his nose, he uttered something that sounded like, "Dammit Marie." When the elevator finally opened, he swaggered out with heavy footsteps. Feeling an odd mix of fear and pity for the guy, the attendant wished him a good night and quickly descended.
Walking up to the door labeled B, Logan withdrew a single claw and silently slid it in between the door and it's frame. Extracting the remaining five claws he pushed the door open with his heavy boots and burst into the elegant penthouse with a growl and murder on his mind. What he found was Rogue instead, curled up sleeping on a window seat. Hearing the growl, she jumped up and let out a shriek.
"Logan!!"
Taking only a second to survey the room, Logan spit out the only thing on his mind, "Are you alone!!"
"Yes, what, what are yah doing heah?" More confused than scared, Rogue stood up and walked towards Logan, "Is someone hurt?"
Still not convinced, a seething Logan eyed Rogue suspiciously in her towel and curly hair. "Are you alone?"
"Yes, Jubilee is having dinner on the terrace," looking at his expression deepen again, Rogue balled up her fists, "Logan you look psycho, but them things away."
Still not sure of what to think, Logan looked down at the shiny claws, Retracting them slowly, he let his gaze fall over Rogue's made up face again. Taking the card out of his back pocket, he waved it in front of her face. "So then what the fuck is this?"
Taking the small white card from his iron grip, Rogue let her gaze fall on the handwritten back. It was the hotel name and room number. Confused she turned it over and glanced at the lettering. "Michael Strong, associate producer, Mutie Girl XXX Films?"
Realization hitting her like a wave, Rogue clapped her hand over her mouth. She started laughing so hard that she had to sit down again. Logan just stared at her with incredulous eyes, not knowing what to do, he lashed out, "What the hell is so funny, Marie?"
Between gasps she breathed out, "Yah think Ah'm heah ta do pornos?" Cracking up at the last word. Rogue shook her head and took a tissue from the night table and dabbed it at her eyes. Not sure whether to be relieved or upset, Logan plunked down on the edge of the bed.
"I just thought that you well, I found thisand I thought it was MS." Not sure if he should mention how he ran across the card in the first place, Logan clamped his mouth shut and scowled.
Her laughter dying to a soft giggle, Rogue looked at the tortured man.
"Logan, sugah, it's very sweat that yah came in heah ready ta defend my honor and ahll but what gave yah the idea that ah would beh heah ta begin with?"
Embarrassed and more than a little tired from his long trip, Logan fell back into the bed. Closing his eyes, to keep from looking at Rogue in a towel, Logan growled deeply.
Across the room, the phone rang, cutting the silence in two. Rogue ran to it, but someone had set the machine to automatic. Jubilee's voice echoed in the dim room, "Hey Roguie, Chad and I are going to this show. Someone gave us tickets to at the Taj Mahal. We had to leave now because it starts in fifteen minutes. Please don't be mad, order room service, it's on a tab. Bye!!"
"Dammit!" Frustrated that her friend ditched her, obviously on purpose, Rogue crossed her arms and leaned against the desk. Noticing just how dark it had gotten, Rogue walked over to a sconce and turned it on. It bathed the room in soft romantic light. Suddenly very aware that she was only wearing a towel, Rogue crossed her arms again and regarded the object of her affection, sprawled out on the bed. Logan had opened his eyes and had been following her every movement.
"Logan, how exactly did yah get heah. No one knew where we were."
"First tell me why you're here naked in a hotel roomwith poufy hair."
Shocked that he noticed her poufy hair, Rogue collected her thoughts, "I asked first."
Sitting up, he started to look uncomfortable again. "Well, you didn't show up to Fight Strategies this afternoon, so I asked around." Glancing up to see if she was upset, Logan continued, "and there was a card in your dresser." Looking with disdain at the white card with the red X's on it on the other side of the bed Logan continued, "I guess I jumped to conclusions with the flowers and all and.. I'm sorry."
Looking altogether miserable, Logan sunk deeper into the headboard. He was picking at a spot on his jeans, and Rogue couldn't help but love him.
Breathing deeply, Rogue started to explain in a low, deliberate voice, "Logan this is a set-up."
Immediately Logan's eyes attached themselves to her face. Expecting him to be furious, Rogue walked to the other side of the enormous bed, and picked up the little white card and flipped it over. "This is Kitty's handwritin. Jubilee is heah ta see some guy she met online."
Pausing for a minute, she blinked at Logan and rubbed her temples. "Actually that's ah lie too. Chad is Kitty's cousin, Ah think Ah seen him in some pictures. And he works heah in Atlantic City."
Giggling at her stupidity, Rogue plopped down on the bed and shook her head in disbelief. "Jubilee spilled some champagne on my dress, so ah've been waiting heah like an idiot for room service ta bring it back. That is probably ah lie too. Ah've been waitin for ovah an hour."
Suddenly unable to stand the implications of the entire situations, Rogue picked absently at her pink pale gloves, while tears gathering in her eyes. Her two best friends had done the one thing she had begged them not to. Logan would know she had feelings for him, and they could never go back to being just friends. He would back off like he's been doing all week long and it would kill her for sure.
Sitting silently for an eternity, Logan wanted desperately to find the words he needed. He never knew quite what to say. He loved Rogue, that much was clear, but he had no way to tell her.
"They went through a lot of trouble," catching her attention Logan continued, "your friends. "
"Kitty and Jubilee."
"Yeah them."
Unwilling to hear you're a Kid, I love you like a brother reasoning, Rogue blinked back her tears and stood up. "You should leave Logan. Ah'm sorry yah came ahll the way out heah for nothin."
"I came here for you, that's a big something."
Looking at Logan with uncertainty, Rogue started to leave, but Logan got up and walked around to the other side of the bed in time to stop her. He spun her around and hugged her. Closing her eyes at his touch, Rogue wrapped her arms around Logan and buried her face in his T-shirt. Taking a deep breath, Logan let her warmth invade his senses. "I'd go anywhere for you."
At hearing his words, the familiar wave of awkwardness hit Rogue again. Fumbling out of his arms, she blushed at his gaze, "Ah'll go an change."
Pleased at her reaction, Logan held onto her hand for a little longer. "How about that room service, I kinda skipped dinner."
Stepping out of reach, Rogue averted his gaze, but she was hungry too, "Go ahead. Lemon shrimp and cheesecake for me." Grinning widely Logan shrugged off his leather jacket, tossed it on the bed and picked up the phone.
Letting her eyes smooth over his sculpted body, Rogue swallowed hard and quickly walked into the adjoining room. Opening her overnight bag, she pulled out a pair of jeans and a short baby tee. Slipping the jeans on under her towel, Rogue let the towel drop and took off the clip that was holding her hair up. She was so pleased that Logan wanted to stay. But running her satiny fingers through her streaked hair, Rogue frowned. Suddenly thinking about the lengths her friends had gone through, Rogue stopped and sighed deeply. He was tricked into coming. Feeling nervous again, Rogue grabbed the tee shirt from the bed and turned around. Logan was watching her from the connecting doorway.
Quickly pressing the tee shirt she was holding to her chest, Rogue regarding Logan with shock in her wide green eyes. She wanted to tell him to leave, but her mouth wouldn't work. He had a similar expression on his face, and they stared at each other for a few moments unblinking. Finally summoning the courage to walk over to her, Logan pressed Rogue to him in an embrace, lifted her up gently and placed her on the bed. Pushing her bag out of the way, he leaned over her and buried his hand in her hair. Closing her eyes at the unfamiliar feel of his touch, Rogue let Logan settle over her. Feeling his hot breath on her face, she opened her eyes to face his. Her speeding heartbeat and her gasping breath was all she could hear.
With a rushed gasp of his own, Logan whispered to her, "You can stop me if you want."
Knowing full well that she could smash him through the wall without breaking a sweat, Rogue answered softly, "Ah don't want yah ta stop."
Licking his lips, Logan grinned and descended on Rogue's neck, which was protected by the silky band of her bodystocking. He kissed her longingly, letting his tongue work wet circles into her heated skin. Rogue gasped in response, circling her legs around his and turning her gloved hands caught in between their bodies, to feel his chest. Reaching his neck, she held the sides of his face, feeling the stubble of his beard grate her. Taking the tee shirt that covered her and flinging it to the side, Logan let out a low growl and pressed into her further. Rogue's breasts flattened against his hard chest and she moaned as he bit her softly. They were completely lost in the feel of each other, until a knock at the door and interrupted their reverie.
Startled, Rogue sat up, pushing Logan to the side like rag doll, "It's room service." Looking over to see him smiling and rubbing his chest, Rogue blushed in embarrassment, "Sorry."
The waiter knocked at the door again.
Not resisting the temptation to stare at Rogue's heaving chest, Logan grinned, "It's okay, I'll get it."
Suddenly awkward again, Rogue pressed her arm across her chest and bit her lip. Giving her a quick kiss on the cheek, Logan got up and went to the neighboring room, whose lock didn't work anymore. Adjusting his jeans, he opened the door and let the waiter set up in the main room table. Trying desperately to not look flushed, Rogue found her shirt and ran a brush through her wavy hair before joining them.
"Wow, everything looks so wonderful." Unable to look directly at Logan, Rogue sat down at the table and took a sip of water. The waiter opened a napkin on her lap, and she thanked him politely. Logan observed her every move from where he stood in silence. Handing the waiter a bill, he thanked him and sat opposite Rogue. Picking up the wine bottle, Logan extended a single claw and sliced the neck off the bottle in one clean sweep. Pouring some into each of their glasses, he looked up to find Rogue smiling at him.
"What? It's easier."
"Sure, Logan."
Still smiling, Rogue started on her meal. They ate in silence for a little while, each mentally dissecting what had happened moments earlier in the adjoining room. Occasionally Rogue would look up, and Logan would be staring at her.
"Logan, why are yah staring at meh?"
"Does it bother you?"
Bringing her fork down with a loud clink, Rogue looked incredulous, "Yeah, yah make meh nervous."
Pouring himself another portion of wine, Logan snorted, "You're beautiful Rogue, hard not to."
Rogue's mind was racing, "So why did yah stop talking to me this whole week?"
Logan frowned and took another drink. "I thought it was better that way."
Tightening her grip on the fork, Rogue snorted, "I am glad it's so cut an dry for yah Logan." Swallowing hard, Rogue looked down at her plate and finished her thought. "Yah hurt me feelings."
Noticing the pain evident in her face, Logan had no choice but to say the truth. "There's a lot of reasons why I should stay far away from you Rogue."
Tossing her bent fork to the side Rogue couldn't help but feel angry. "Then why are yah heah? What happened ta all those reasons?" Not wanting to fuck up again, Logan disregarded what she just did to her fork and placed his hand over hers. Against her will, Rogue closed her eyes at his touch. Opening them slowly again, she found his eyes incredibly solemn.
"Because the reasons don't matter to me like you do. That's why I'm here."
Feeling an ache in her chest, Rogue looked down at Logan's big hairy hand on her pale pink gloves and smiled sadly again, "Yah also came ta kill MS."
Grinning in embarrassment Logan nodded. "Some of that too."
Relieved that she understood what he was saying, Logan took her hand and kissed it. Rogue meant everything to him, and he was tired of running from the fact that she did. One day he would grow the balls and actually tell her.
"But you know, I'm still going to have to kill your two friendsumm"
"Kitty and Jubilee."
"Whatever."
Stuffing a piece of steak into his mouth, Logan leaned back and arched an eyebrow in his patented 'I don't give a shit look'. Picking up the spoon lying next to her now indistinguishable fork, Rogue added with a smile, "We have this suite until Sunday night. Yah might want ta thank them instead."
Stopping in mid chew, Logan arched his other eyebrow at Rogue in careful consideration. His look was smoldering. Taking a long drink from his wine, he pushed his chair back, got up and pulled Rogue to her feet. Bending over, he threw a laughing Rogue over his shoulder and stomped into the adjoining room.
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