Dear Readers,

This is my first X-Men fan fiction. I'm not really a die hard fan, but the movies have caught my eye. So here I am writing an X-Men fan fiction, not really knowing all that much. If I make a mistake on the characters' details, please feel free to correct me.

Sincerely,

Serafimo's Pretense

P.S. What did you think of X3? Also, I do not own any part of X-Men and I am not associated with Marvel Comics.

4 Months After the Death of the Phoenix

I sighed, tired, as I watered my plants. It had been it very long day. The new students were having some difficulties settling in. The Cure had worn off not two months after it had been introduced and Rogue took it hard. She locked herself in her room and cried all day today, again. Plus, today was Jean's birthday. Tears worked their way out of my eyes and down my cheeks. Jean. Charles. Scott. Rogue. So much pain in so little time. I was overcome with grief and abandoned watering my plants. I slipped to the ground, shaking with sorrow. I hadn't cried since Jean and Scott's funeral. I held in all of the pain. I was a pillar of strength and hope to everyone at the mansion. I had to be strong, no matter what. Charles had counted on me to take care of the academy and I was not going to let him down. Why! Why did this happen? I would give anything to have everything back to normal. I buried my head in my hands and sobbed.

"Ororo, what's a matter?" I heard a gruff voice say.

I quickly stood up and wiped away the last tears. Logan was standing in front of me with a worried look. He and I had grown closer since the Professor, Jean, and Scott died. Logan didn't run away this time. I know a part of him wanted to, but a bigger part of him told him to stay, that I needed him. I had gained a lot of respect for him lately. We both found ourselves unable to sleep, so we talked. We talked about everything and anything. Usually I could sense when he was near, but I was too lost in my grief to notice.

"Nothing. Just PMS," I lied, putting on an emotionless face.

Logan frowned and said, "You're lying; I know you too well."

"I'm fine, Logan," I said keeping my voice level.

"Don't," he said moving towards me.

"Don't what?" I said and crossed my arms.

"Don't do that. Hide behind your mask of calm and control," Logan said in an irritated voice.

I set my jaw and stared at the ground, knowing Logan was right, but not wanting to seem weak.

Logan came close and grasped my hands.

"Don't push me away. I love you too much, 'Ro," Logan whispered in my ear.

I had noticed a change in Logan's attitude towards me, but thought it was because of friendship. He loves me? No, he loves Jean.

I pushed him away gently and looked into his confused eyes. He looked so lost. I smiled weakly and placed a hand on his cheek.

"Logan, you don't love me," I said truthfully.

""Ro, I do. I love you. I need you," he said desperately.

"Logan, you are just confused and lonely. I am too. We both lost loved ones. I know you love Jean. You always will," I said, trying to convince him.

"I do love Red. But, Ororo, the love I feel for you is completely different."

"Logan--"

He cut me off with a kiss. The kiss was passionate but soft. I lost myself and let him pull me to him. My hands moved instinctively and combed through his hair. He broke away, leaving me breathless.

"Still believe I don't love you?"

Lust. I gave him a look and he said, "It's not lust."

I wasn't ready for a relationship beyond friendship.

I knew neither of us was willing to give this up, so I said, "Logan, just give it some time, please."

"As you wish."