Disclaimer: I don't own.
Summary: AU Rogan- no powers. Anna Marie is an A-list Hollywood star who hires Logan as her bodyguard. Can these two overcome initial presumptions and misconceptions so that they can have their happy ending?
AN: Inspired by Notting Hill and The Bodyguard!
"Marie...it's time to go. Are you ready?"
Anna Marie D'Ancanto nodded and slipped her sunglasses on as her attorney led her out through the double doors and through the swarms of paparazzi that had gathered outside of the court house.
She'd just watched the man who had stalked her for six months get sentenced to a state run mental facility since he was deemed mentally incompetent.
The entire ordeal had been a nightmare from start to finish.
It started with her seeing him at virtually every premiere and public appearance she made. Her concern grew, however, when she spotted him among the group of paparazzo that would often form outside of clubs or restaurants she'd be patronizing.
He would just stand there amongst the shutterbugs without a camera, staring at her with wild eyes.
Everything came crashing down the night she was home alone in her Hollywood Hills Estate. She happened to look out her window and saw him on her lawn, staring directly back at her.
Prior to that, she'd never entertained the thought of employing full time, live-in security. In fact, up until that point, she felt her handy dandy, state of the art ADT system was enough...but that incident shook her to the core.
As she slid into the back of the limo, she let out a breath and removed her sunglasses. Her publicist, who was already comfortably seated opposite her was busily scrolling through her iPhone, "You've got an interview with Vogue at the Beverly Hills Hotel in an hour. You feeling up to it?"
Marie nodded and pursed her lips together before looking out the window as the lawyer and publicist exchanged brief, worried looks.
They knew she had to be wondering about the possibility of more stalkers...or worse, this guy getting out of the psychiatric facility and coming after her.
Fame had its price, and Marie D'Ancanto had always been known to handle it well. She was a child star who possessed a natural talent and rare beauty that evolved as she grew into a young woman.
After doing a handful of tween flicks, she "stepped away" from acting to pursue a degree in Sociology at UCLA. Five years later, she was offered the role of a lifetime. She almost refused, but her best friends since childhood, Jubilation Lee and Katherine Pryde, both convinced her to take on the project.
The part earned her Screen Actors Guild, Golden Globe and Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actress.
After that awards season, she was suddenly an adult Hollywood "It" Girl. Her face was on the cover of every magazine and movie offers poured in from every angle. Suddenly, she was a box office darling. Every movie she appeared in turned to gold and big name studios were tripping over themselves to secure her for high profile projects.
She guarded her private life fiercely and was often vague in interviews, but it was understood that, on set, Marie D'Ancanto was always professional, patient, and an all around joy to work with. It was reported that she regularly brought cookies and other baked goodies she'd made herself on set to share with the cast and crew.
After her interview, she returned home to find Jubilee and Kitty in her kitchen, cooking dinner. Marie smiled upon seeing them. Since the death of her parents ten years ago, they were the only family she had.
The two young women practically lived with her despite their own, "normal" successes. Jubilation was an in-demand clothing designer and Katherine owned and operated her own website design firm.
"What are you guys doin' here? I thought we were going out tonight?" she asked as she tossed her bag on the couch.
Jubilee shrugged as she peeled some shrimp, "We figured that, after a hellish day of courtrooms and paparazzi, you might wanna stay home and chill out with a couple of old school chick flicks."
Marie smiled, "God bless women's intuition, cause I am beat! What's for dinner?"
Katherine, aka Kitty, cheerily held up a cook book, "Ina Garten's seafood pot pie and a delicious arugula salad with balsamic dressing."
Jubilee and Marie exchanged humored looks as Kitty turned back around to chop some onions. Kitty was a self-proclaimed culinary goddess and constantly looking to try out new recipes on her friends.
As the three commiserated over the cooking and a bottle of wine, Jubilee stopped the conversation to fish a business card out of her purse, "I know we promised not the mention the big fat pink elephant in the room, but I love you...and now that this guy was put away, it's time to protect yourself from other potential creeps. A client of mine gave me this card."
Marie took the business card, "What's this?"
"It's a business card for Xavier's Security Company. It's very reputable and highly recommended. They've guarded all the biggest stars."
She shook her head and started to hand the card back, "I'm fine with using security at the big events, but I'm not sure about letting someone follow me around everywhere I go or live here. This is my home..."
"Your home which was already violated by someone who was looking to cause you harm...come on Marie. This is your life we're talking about", said Kitty with pleading eyes.
Marie looked at her friends and nodded, "Fine...I'll give them a call...but I'm not promising anything." She gave them a reassuring smile and sighed, "I'm gonna go throw on some sweats and take off this make up. Don't start the movie without me."
When she was finally out of earshot, her friends let out sighs of relief and patted each other on the back. Despite the casual way the conversation went, they had carefully orchestrated the presentation of the card.
Marie had been resisting the idea of a live-in bodyguard for years, and every time it was brought up, she got upset and sensitive, swearing that if she allowed someone to live with her, the intimate most facts about her life would one day be sold to the highest bidder to some sleazy celebrity rag.
Since the recent incident, her friends decided that her safety needed to come first, and it was time for her to put her paranoia about her privacy in the past.
Marie did call the security company a few days later, when she ended up nearly having an anxiety attack after mistaking the shadow of a rose bush for the outline of a man in her backyard.
She set up an appointment for as soon as her schedule allowed, two weeks later.
"I'll have another..."
Logan Howlett sat in a seedy, dark bar, downing shot after shot of whiskey. He didn't budge an inch when a man walked over and tossed a hundred dollar bill on the bar beside Logan, "He's done."
Logan smirked and set his empty glass down, "Ah...Charles Xavier. To what or who do I owe the pleasure of your company?"
"Let me take you to dinner Logan. All of that alcohol on an empty stomach isn't a very good idea."
"You know...I think I'll take a rain check on that date, but thanks for the drinks, Chuck."
Logan got up and made his way out of the bar to his awaiting bike. He climbed on, but of course, Charles followed, "I was hoping we could talk. I have a potential client-"
Logan held up a hand, "Lemme stop ya there. You know I'm done with this business...especially yours."
"Logan, I am sincerely sorry for what you went through...but do you honestly hold ME responsible for what happened?"
Logan sighed and paused for a moment as he put the key in his bike's ignition. He looked back at Xavier and shook his head, "No. I don't blame you. I blame myself for bein' such a fuckin' idiot."
"Please...just let me buy you dinner, hear me out about this client, and I promise that I will leave you alone if you still aren't interested after hearing the details of her circumstances."
After a long moment of silence, he nodded in agreement.
An hour later, they were in a restaurant. Logan was looking over a file of information Xavier had compiled on his new potential client. Her name was familiar, but her case was unique. She'd never voluntarily employed full time security before, and based on the lack of information contained in Charles' file, she must have been a pretty private person. Despite all of the measures she took to protect herself, she still ended up with a nutcase on her property, just a few feet and a broken window away from being axe murdered in her own home.
Logan glanced up from the folder, "This guy had an actual axe on him when he was arrested?"
Charles nodded, "An axe, two knives, rope and duct tape. He said they were 'for Marie'."
"No wonder he got shipped off to the looney bin." He tossed the folder back across the table and took a bite of his steak, "So, why me?"
"Because your reputation speaks for itself. This client doesn't just need a big guy to follow her around. She needs peace of mind. Having someone with your experience, strength, intelligence and credentials would definitely put her at ease."
"And, you know that, no matter what goes down, I keep my mouth shut."
Charles shook his head, "Logan...I never meant that-"
He cut him off by holding up a hand, "Let's talk pay. I haven't been to the movies in a while, so I have no idea if this chick is an A or Z lister."
The older man smirked, "She happens to be very in demand...she's a definite A-list, top bracket client."
"Top bracket...meaning-"
"Live-in. All travel expenses covered, plus $6500 to $7000 per month. That kind of money might be able to help-"
Again, Logan gave Charles a "shut the hell up" look. He sat back and crossed his arms, "Fine. I'll meet with the Hollywood princess."
Two weeks later, Logan sat in the passenger seat of Xavier's classic Mercedes Benz as it pulled through the gates of Anna Marie D'Ancanto's Spanish Villa style estate. The landscaping outside was tasteful and surprisingly impressive. A pool separated the small guest house from the main estate, and both sides of the house were flanked by gardens and outdoor living areas.
"Nice."
Charles smirked as they got out of the car and made their way to the front door. As they walked, Logan surveyed the fence surrounding the perimeter of the property. He immediately noticed a few vulnerable spots that would be make it easy for intruders to breech the estate.
After ringing the doorbell, a young Asian woman opened the door, "Hey, you guys must be from the security company."
Charles nodded, "Yes, I am Charles Xavier, owner and operator...and this is my employee, Logan Howlett."
The woman shook their hands, "Hi Charles...Logan, my name's Jubilation Lee. I'm a close friend of Marie's."
Logan screwed up an eyebrow, "Jubilation Lee...as in Jubilee Designs?"
The woman crossed her arms, clearly impressed, "Yes. Do you know my work? You do look a little familiar...maybe I've seen you peeping out my men's section at my boutique."
He cleared his throat, "Uh...no-I mean-well...I have a friend who I knew who wears your stuff all the time."
Jubilee nodded and smiled, "Come on in. Marie's in the kitchen..."
Logan had to keep from looking surprised at that revelation. The kitchen? From his experience, Hollywood actresses rarely cooked...or ate.
They followed Jubilee through the large foyer into a hallway that was flanked by a library on the right and a dining room on the left. At the end of the hall, past the stairwell, they entered a large, yet comfortable looking living room connected to a state of the art kitchen.
He spotted his potential future boss at the counter, wearing an apron over a tank top and sweat pants. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, but some strands had gotten lose and hung lazily around her face.
Despite the fact that she was without an ounce of make up, she looked like a knock out. She was working on some kind of cake pan, vigorously tapping the edges with the butt end of a knife.
Marie glanced up at them with a warm, apologetic smile, "I'm so sorry...I usually bake when I have company over, but I put the stupid cheesecake in too late and now I can't get it out."
Just as she said that, the ring from around the cheesecake pan popped open. Marie breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "There. Would you guys like any coffee or tea?"
Logan nodded, "Coffee for me."
"Tea sounds lovely", said Xavier as they sat on the couch that Jubilee motioned to.
They watched as Marie cut and plated pieces of cheesecake and neatly placed them on a tray as Jubilee took care of the drink orders. Moments later, Logan was tasting the best cheesecake he'd ever had. Charles must've shared that sentiment, because he heard the older man emit a pleasant, audible moan as he indulged in his first bite.
Marie, meanwhile, removed her apron and sat down across from them with her own cup of tea and slice of cheesecake. Jubilee puttered around in the kitchen, cleaning.
"Ms. D'Ancanto, I must admit that this cheesecake is some of the best I've ever had."
She blushed and lowered her head briefly, "Hope you're not just saying that so I'll hire you."
Logan took another bite, "I have to agree with Chuck. This is un-fuckin'-believable."
Charles cleared his throat in embarrassment as Marie let out a gentle laugh, "I think that's the best compliment my cheesecake's ever gotten...so Mr. Xavier. What do you have to show me?"
Logan sat back and allowed Chuck to go through his PR dance and his elaborate explanation of prices. Jubilee soon joined them and began looking through some of the literature they'd been given.
Marie bit her bottom lip and glanced at Logan before carefully moving her eyes back to the older man, "Um...I'm still not completely sold over having someone live with me."
Charles looked at Logan, silently giving him the cue to step in.
He sat forward and placed his empty dessert plate on the coffee table in front of him, "Just taking one look at your estate, it's fairly easy to see how someone was able to get onto the property. That fence out there, while pretty, is completely useless and impractical. You live here alone, and even though I'm sure your friends make it a point to spend plenty of time here, it's obvious you don't regularly share your space...or your life, with anyone else. That makes you easy prey. Since the incident, can you honestly tell me that having someone here 24-7 whose sole mission is to protect you, would make you MORE uneasy than you already are? Or, do you think it'll give you the best night of sleep you've gotten since that man hopped your fence and stole your sense of security?"
Jubilee placed a gentle hand on Marie's back as her friend looked down and let out a deep breath. She looked back up at Logan and nodded, "Fine. You're hired. When can you start?"
Guess who's baaack! Please review this chapter and tell me how you like it!
Coming up:
So we know Logan doesn't seem to personally like actresses...maybe we'll find out a little more about WHY!