It was dark when he pulled up. Of course, the school was always quiet at one in the morning. Logan pushed the bike into the dim garage and walked up the stairs into the darkened school. Finding his way to the kitchen he opened the door and walked in at the same time a woman did, but she didn't see him.

            He kept himself in the shadows and watched her. From the scant light coming in from the full moon he could tell it was Ororo. What was she doing up at this hour, coming from outside? She opened up the refrigerator and brought out a pizza. Suddenly his stomach growled. He didn't know he was hungry.

            "Hello Logan." He blinked in surprise as he turned on the light and sat down at the table.

            "How'd you know I was here?"

            "I saw you when I came in. I have very good night vision." Ororo smiled and he found himself smiling back. "Did you find what you wanted in Canada?"

            "I don't even want to talk about it." Logan growled, the foul mood he had returning. He watched her grab two plates and divided the pizza in half, giving him a share. "Thanks." He said gruffly.

            "No problem. I hope you don't mind cold pizza. I love it this way."

            "Nah, its fine. So what's been going on while I've been gone?"

            "You mean, what's been going on with Rogue while you've been gone?" A soft smile played her lips as he started to grin slightly.

            "You get to the point don't you?"

            "Yes. She's doing wonderfully. Her and Bobby have been involved since you've been gone." He nodded like he expected it.

            "Good. She needs someone her own age. I'm not a pervert."

            "I never said you were." He looked up at her again and she looked away, taking a bite of pizza.

            "There's no meat on this thing." Logan complained good naturedly, poking a finger around the vegetables.

            "It's a vegetarian pizza."

            "You're a vegetarian?"

            "Yes. I guess you just never noticed." It was an offhand comment, but for some reason it stung.

            "Guess not. So what else happened?" Ororo put down her pizza and steeped her hands, looking at the ceiling and thinking. He noticed her hands were long and slender, the skin a warm chocolate color.

            "Well… Scott and Jean are now married." Logan snorted and he shrugged. "You're not as mad as I thought you'd be." It was a statement of slight surprise and he shrugged again.

            "Jean isn't mine. She was just something to take my mind off of …crap." He stuffed the rest of the pizza in his mouth and swallowed in record time, enjoying the look of small disgust in the soft brown eyes of the woman across from him. "Well 'Ro. I've told you something deep, it's your turn."        

            "My turn?" She raised a cloud colored brow and laughed slightly. "I have nothing to say to you." Ororo picked up her plate of almost untouched pizza and moved to the door. He was up in a flash, blocking the door and her exit. "What are you doing?" She asked, exasperated.

            "Nothing. I just don't think it's fair to tell you something, but you run out when it's your turn." Ororo flipped her hair over her shoulder and he was distracted. She slipped underneath one of his outstretched arms and was out the door. Logan frowned as he watched the door swing back and forth. He could still smell her perfume, sandalwood and female. He picked up his pack and walked out the way she did, to his old room. All in all, not a bad welcome.

                                                                        *

            A knock on his door woke him up from a deep sleep, the first night in seven months he was able to be in a bed. Another couple of knocks had him growling. "What is it?" He yelled, yawning and stretching. A clock beside him said seven a.m. Who woke up at seven a.m.?

            "Logan. It's Scott. The professor wants to see you."

            "Get away from my door you dick."

            "What?"

            "You heard me." Logan threw off the covers and quelled the urge to answer the door with three claws through it. He took a quick shower and got dressed quickly, opening up the door and seeing kids milling around. It must be between classes. Word spread quickly he was here, because most kids didn't seem surprised to see him back, but respectfully moved away from his path. Except one.

            "Logan!" The shriek could have been heard in Bangkok, but that didn't stop the smile from spreading across his face as the young woman jumped into his arms. "Ah thought they were wrong, but you're really are here." The southern accent he remembered dulled slightly, but it was still there, just not as rough.

            "Hey kid." He said gruffly, putting her down on the floor. She had changed somewhat, prettier than he remembered, probably because she was happier, still covered from head to toe. "How's everything going?"

            "Great! Ah'm doing good in history and American Literature, but I suck in science and Ah get by in math." A small chime breezed through the halls and kids immediately scattered. Marie sighed and rolled her eyes. "Ah gotta go. First period. Will you still be here when Ah have lunch?" A slight fear was evident in her eyes.

            "Yeah, I'm not going anywhere." He reassured her as he watched Bobby walk up the stairs at the end of the floor.

            "Marie, come on. We're going to be late."

            "Ah'm coming." She smiled at him and turned back to Logan. "That's me. See you later." She gave a small wave and ran down the hall. He narrowed his eyes slightly at the way Bobby grasped her gloved hand as they ran to class. Glad to know that leaving her here was a good choice, he made his way to Xavier's office on the first floor.

                                                                        *

            "Have you thought about what we discussed before you left?" Professor Charles Xavier asked as he sat behind his desk, his gaze steady as he looked back at Logan. He nodded.

            "I did. I'll be an X-Man, but there will be a few conditions." Charles expected this and smiled. At least he said yes.

            "If I just don't fit in I'm gone. No questions asked okay?"

            "That's fine."

            "And I can't teach one of those classes. Self defense maybe, if I have the patience, but nothing else."

            "Self defense is something all of the children need to know. You're class will be a valuable addition to the curriculum." Logan fingered the cigar in his hands, half tempted to light it but didn't. "Did you find what you were looking for?"

            "Shit Chuck, already sticking your nose where it don't belong?" Charles blinked at the name Chuck.

            "If you don't want to talk about it, it's fine, but there is no need to get rude." The bald telepath reminded him, sensing the agitation strongly.

            "I didn't find anything. It was exactly like you said, abandoned."

            "I'm sorry." The older man said quietly.

            "Don't okay? What do you want me to do now?"

            "Get reacquainted with the school. We've built some new structures and shuffled things around. I'll give you a guide." Xavier looked up and the door opened. Logan turned and his stomach clinched slightly. It was Jean. She smiled at him as he stood. "Jean will take you and make sure you know your way around." He smiled as he motored from behind his desk. "If you'll excuse me, I'm almost late for a meeting." They both watched him leave before they spoke.

            "Logan, it's good to see you back." She said, her voice still as soft as it was before he left. Her hair was in a French braid, redder than he remembered. The green shirt and matching skirt looked wonderful on her, and he could smell her nervousness.

            "Red. So, married the dick huh?" Jean sighed with slight annoyance.

            "His name is Scott. And how did you know?"  

            " 'Ro told me."

            "Oh. Well let's get started."

                                                                        *

            "We also added a new dining room and expanded the gym." Jean said as they moved past the old one.

            "What's in there now?" Logan asked as glanced back curiously.           

            "You'll see later." They came to the edge of the hall, and stopped to look at each other. "So, how was Canada?" She asked conversationally.

            "Big, white and cold." He stared at her with his arms crossed. "Is he treating you right?"
            "Scott? Yes. As always. We never had a problem until you arrived." It slipped out before she realized.

            "Really now. That's some news. Are we done?" Jean frowned.

            "What's with all of this new hostility towards me?"

            "It's not hostility Jeannie. Its just…things have changed. Let's just drop it." She nodded quickly, bundling up her telepathy. Jean usually let it go, taking quick glances into his mind, but that easy familiarity was gone. It was like they were strangers again, without the benefit of attraction. She was still attracted to him, and even though she was married, she liked the thought of another man after her, to make sure she knew she still had it. Something in Canada had changed him.

            "Well, the grounds have changed as well. Ororo's class has moved outside, and we have a new green house." Jean pushed open the doors into the bright sunshine. Logan winced slightly as his vision adjusted, and inhaled. The air was thick with the smell of vegetation, and a large glass house stood gleaming in the sun. The door was open, and two large bags of soil were sitting beside it. Logan caught Jean glancing at her watch. "I forgot Ororo changed schedules with Scott. She must be in there working." That piqued his curiosity and he found himself walking over.

            "She's in there now?"

            "Should be. The door's open, and although the Professor said that he bought it for the enjoyment of everyone, we all know it was for her." Jean smiled as they reached the entrance. " 'Ro, you in here?"

            "Back here Jean." A cheerful voice filtered out from the back. They walked in and the air immediately changed. It was humid and tropical, reminding Logan of a jungle. Which it was. Thick greenery everywhere, a dirt path straight to the back, veering off from itself repeatedly, going everywhere.

            "She did this?" He asked, slight awe in his voice as he realized all of the work it took to grow the lush surroundings he was in.

            "Yep. She was feeling down, so Charles purchased it." Jean fingered a large violet bloom. They continued down the path until Logan started to wonder how large the glass house was when they reached the end. " 'Ro, looks good." She smiled as Ororo looked back.

            "Thanks Jean. I'm potting new plants. They came this morning and I was too excited to wait until tonight." She stood and brushed her hands off on the large blue shirt she wore over a tank top and shorts.

            "Aren't you hot in here?" Logan asked, already sweating hard.

            "No. My body compensates for the temperature around me, so I don't get hot…or cold." Ororo stopped as she saw Jean's face. It had a faraway look on it, and then she snapped out of it.

            "Guys, I've got to go. Professor needs me. Ororo, I'll be back before your next class." She waved and left quickly, fanning her face.

            "I guess it's just you and me." Logan smiled at Ororo as she placed a fern on a hook hanging from a beam.

            "So it is. So how has your first day been?"

            "Alright. Not much has changed. I still want to kill Scott."

            "And Jean?" He blinked at that question.

            "What about her?" She looked at him with vague amusement in her eyes.

            "Are you still in pursuit of her?"

            "And why is that any of your business." Logan asked her as she bent over to pack dirt down more firmly. His head inclined slightly as the khaki she wore rode up slightly, exposing the tops of her thighs.

            "Because she is like a sister to me, Scott like a brother. I don't want them to have problems so soon into their marriage." She didn't look at him as she walked around him and took a pair of pruning shears and snipped a dying branch from a sprouting sapling.

            "So you want to know if I'm going to leave her alone." Ororo finally looked him in the eye.

            "Yes I do."

            "I thought I already told you I didn't want Jean. I never really did. She was just a distraction." She nodded and walked to the entrance.

"That is true, but things could have changed. You didn't see her last night, you didn't know if the feelings were still there." Logan frowned and walked after her.

"You know, you still haven't told me a secret of yours. Everyone thinks they have me figured out, when I don't even know half the shit that's in my own head. How screwed up is that?"

            "Very, but you're not the only one with problems, or are unhappy with their situation." They stopped right at the large bags of potting soil. Ororo hefted one in her arms and reached for the other until Logan picked it up.

            "Really. What could you possibly have to be unhappy about? You have a place to live, friends, and a life you could remember." He put the bag down on the worktable beside hers and looked at her. She shook her head.

            "There is other things that can keep a person awake Logan besides loss of memory." Ororo sat down on a bench and he sat down beside her.

            "Like what?" He was interested in her. He never knew this human side when he was last here, just the slightly aloof woman who had everyone's respect.

            "Loneliness is one."

            "How can someone as good-looking as you be lonely?" Her long white hair was in a messy ponytail, a small smudge of dirt on her temple, but she still was beautiful. 

            "Is that a pick up line?" Ororo laughed a bit, and Logan joined her.

            "Not really. Why don't you date?"

            "Oh, so now you know so much about me you know what I do and don't do?" It was asked as just a question, but he could detect a tightness in her voice, her posture had become rigid.

            "Look 'Ro. I don't want to go anywhere you don't want to go. I just asked a question." Logan crossed his arms and looked elsewhere. He saw her hesitate out the corner of his eye and he turned back to her.

            "I'm sorry. You are not the person I should take my frustrations out on."

            "Damn straight." He said. Ororo laughed.

            "Logan, you're so uninhibited."

            "Is that the same as sexy?" She laughed again, and he found he enjoyed making her laugh. Leaning back, he sighed easily as a cool breeze came in and ruffled the leaves of the plants, caressing his body and lowering his temperature. "You did that?"

            "Every once in a while I do it. Just to bring the air in to move the hot around. It's good for the plants." Ororo looked at him and stretched, standing in front of him. "Well, I've paid you back."

            "For what?" He asked.

            "You gave me a secret, and I gave you one. I, Ororo Munroe, am lonely. Welcome back Logan." With that she walked out of the green house, leaving him confused.

                                                                        *

            Two weeks had past since he came back, and he slipped into the routine, and he felt as if he had never left. He taught four periods of self defense, two in the morning and two in the afternoon, on the side lawn where the grass was thick and springy. The students learned quickly that Mr. Logan wasn't an easy teacher, but his class quickly became one of the favorites after the first week.

In the beginning everyone was too sore to think anything, but afterwards when they could move again they would try out what they learned on their roommates. Jean was busy with injuries that resulted from a body throw onto a bunk bed or down the stairs. No matter what Logan just laughed at it.

Lunch he would usually have by himself or with Marie, and with her help he didn't want to threaten Bobby whenever he saw him. Bobby made her happy in a way he couldn't, and he did want her happy.

Scott was on edge on first, wary of what Logan would do, but he didn't do anything. Their relationship still left much to be desired, but it no longer included daily threats of bodily harm since he left Jean alone.       

Jean. She was confused when there was no more flirting between them, but she didn't let it show much. He focused on what he did, and when they went on missions he was more controlled, less animalistic, more efficient. He just got through the day.

But he started to enjoy his talks with Ororo in the green house in the early morning and sometimes late night. She would be out there and he'd help her lug something around or lift a large plant for her, and they would talk for hours. He could find himself counting the hours until he could relax in the glass structure around tropical nature and be himself.

That's what time it was, ten o'clock at night. All the children were in their rooms, the Professor in his study and the newlyweds in bed. Logan walked out of the kitchen door like he had for the past week and a half and went to the greenhouse. The air was thick with moisture, and from the rumbling clouds he saw overhead it was going to rain.

" 'Ro, hey. It's going to rain." She laughed as she watered some plants, holding her hands over them, a small rain cloud underneath her hands.

"I know. I could tell when I woke up."

"Oh yeah."

            "So how was your day?" Ororo turned and walked around him as he sat down on the bench, and she closed the door. Immediately the soft patter of water drummed on the roof, giving the place an isolated feel.

            "Nothing much. Marie threw St. John today."

            "I bet you were proud."

            "I had to keep from clapping." She laughed. "So how was yours?"       

            "Strenuous. Bobby made a mistake of freezing his homework. When I picked it up it broke into pieces. He promised it was homework, and I gave him the benefit of the doubt."

            "You're too soft." Ororo sputtered and gave a quick laugh.

            "I am not."

            "Yeah you are."

            "Maybe I am, a little." She consented. He looked at her for a moment, and she looked back at him, tilting her head slightly. Hair fell like a fog waterfall down the side of her face. "What is it?"

            "Why are you lonely?" Ororo blinked.  

            "What?"

            "You told me you were lonely when I first got here. Remember?" She looked away and clasped her hands together.

            "It's complicated."

            "Not really. You're lonely for a reason." Logan said simply.

            "That is true. Why do we have to talk about this?"        

            "Because I want to know."

            "That's not a good enough reason."

            "This coming from the woman who makes me open up when I don't want to. How do you do that anyway?"

            "It's a gift." Ororo shrugged. "I'm a very private person." She began.

            "Yeah…"

            "And it's kind of hard for me to initiate a relationship with someone I'm interested in. So they kind of drift elsewhere without me trying, or telling them how I feel about them." Logan frowned.

            "So you like someone and you don't tell them?" She shrugged her shoulders.

            "I wasn't always like that. Two years after I came back to this country I met this man named Forge. He was amazing, or so he seemed to me. We were in a relationship and he hurt me badly. He wanted me to leave the X-Men and become his wife. I couldn't just abandon the Professor."

            "So the asshole left you?"

            "Yes. It took a while, but I decided to try again. A guy I met in a café. His name was Roger, and we hit it off. But he was emotionally abusive. Scott helped me break it off. He couldn't accept the fact I didn't want to see him ever again." Logan nodded and was glad Scott stepped in. Maybe he wasn't such a dick. Or maybe he still was.

            "You've only dated twice since you've been here?" He asked incredulously.

            "No. I've had a lot of first dates. Most guys just want sex, or leave if they find out I'm a mutant. Like the hair wasn't a dead giveaway." Ororo smiled. "But each time I let the man come to me. If he doesn't, then nothing happens."

            "That's kind of stupid. 'Ro, sometimes the guy needs to know the woman is interested. We can't do everything."

            "I know. It's hard to let my guard down, because the weather will react to my slightest whim. If I don't set myself up to get upset it makes my job easier."

            "You can't go through life like that." She blinked.

            "And you want to run from everything, including your past." Logan got angry.

            "No, I went looking for my past. It's running from me. As for everything else, I cause a problem where I go. I usually leave to not cause anymore pain. At least I'm trying. I'm here, aren't I?" He challenged her. "I'd like to see you do that. Have some courage and just tell whoever it is that you like them. Damn 'Ro. Or you'll end up a beautiful spinster." She glared at him.

            "So you want me to just walk up to the person and tell him I like him."

            "Shit, why not?"
            "What if he doesn't like me back?"

            "That happens. But the world will go on. Or I'll just beat him up for you." She laughed and thought for a moment. Logan looked up as he realized it had stopped raining, the water sheeting off of the glass panels as the moon came out from behind the clouds, casting a silver glow on the leaves around them.

            "Fine. Logan?"

            "Yeah?"

            "I have come to like you a lot, and I was very disappointed when you left without saying goodbye. Would you like to go out with me?" Logan looked at her, actually shocked. He could hear her heartbeat rising every second he was silent, and closed his mouth.

            " 'Ro. I-" Ororo held up her hand.

            "Forget it. I knew I shouldn't have done this. Excuse me." She jumped up and ran out, leaving Logan feeling like shit.

                                                                        *

            Two hours he stayed out there, thinking and wondering about things that just flitted across his mind. Logan was attracted to Ororo, a lot. He liked talking to her, being near her, and helping her with the garden. He liked wondering what she would be wearing while working. He liked staring at her legs and ass when she bent over to plant something in the ground.

            He loved her laugh, the light in her eyes as she thought something was funny and the way she didn't mind getting dirty. He knew he started falling for her, but what good could he be for someone like her? She deserved someone who could give her jewelry, someone who could remember his childhood, someone who doesn't have nightmares every night. Shit. He was scared.

                                                                        *

            'I knew it was a bad idea.' Ororo shook her head as she opened the door of her attic loft. The post rain breeze blew through the balcony's beams and into the room, ruffling the robe on the chair of her desk. Sniffing, she became angry with herself as she prepared for a shower.

            'Why did I get my hopes up?' Because he didn't seem to be after Jean, like he said. Because he gave her hope that maybe they could go out on a date, and he would smile and she would laugh, and perhaps she could feel as pretty as Jean for a while. Guess it wasn't meant to be. Ororo angrily wiped away tears again as she closed her bathroom door.

                                                                        *

            He didn't feel like going in the house, so he climbed it. He remembered Ororo had the room at the top, the renovated attic with large spacious ceilings. Digging his claws into the grooves of the stones he climbed quickly, standing on the eaves of the windows until he reached the third floor roof.

            It was reasonably flat, something he could definitely stand on. The last roof was the fourth floor roof, the roof of the attic, standing above the rest of the roof, a balcony with plants sitting on the ledge. Yep, he was in the right place. He ran up a spire and jumped clear over the potted plants, landing silently on the wooden floor.

            The doors were wide open, sheer curtains fluttered in the breeze as he watched her. She was already sleeping, under the sliver silk sheets that adorned her bed. The moon shone down from her large skylight, it taking up half of the ceiling.

            Stepping in, many smells assaulted his sensitive nose. Ozone, like the smell before lightning struck. Sandalwood, more concentrated. The bottle was probably around somewhere. Vanilla bubble bath came at him from the bathroom, the door cracked slightly. And tears. That's what hit him the hardest, although it wasn't the loudest smell. She cried, and he made that happen.

            Logan sat down softly on the edge of her bed and took her out flung hand in his, caressing her soft skin. Her beautiful eyes fluttered open and she looked at him. "What do you want?" She asked softly.

            "Woman, why did you run out before I could answer the question?" Logan smiled as she sat up.

            "I thought…"

            "You didn't even let me finish. What I was going to say was 'I thought you'd never ask.'" She laughed slightly.

            "I'm sorry Logan. I've just been hurt so much, I tend to expect this."

            "Not all men are the same."

            "No, you are not like other men." Ororo laughed again, a happier sound. "This feels weird."      

            "What does?"

            "Happiness." He looked serious as they stared at each other. The distance closed between them, and Logan finally kissed her. She tasted of mint leaves and cinnamon, her lips soft and lush against his. She was like a drug, he couldn't get enough of her, and finally he had to pull away to breath. Her eyes flickered open and she smiled.

            "I'm glad you asked me Ororo. I didn't know you'd be interested in me. When I got back you were the only one I was totally comfortable around. I didn't feel the need to be the badass every second of the day when I was with you." She smiled. 

            "I'm glad I asked you too. Besides, you're my badass." Logan smiled smugly and Ororo laughed again.

                                                                        *

            Logan laid there, eyes still half closed with sleep, but his mind was wide awake. Ororo was in his arms, sleeping contentedly, her white hair spread out on his chest. They had talked most of the night away, until they had ceased into slight murmuring. She fit him like no one else did, her body conforming to his as they slept.

            He still couldn't believe it. She was so beautiful, and now that she was sleep, he could study her easier. Her serenely gorgeous face had slightly almond shaped eyes, a nose that fit her face perfectly, and lips that begged to be kissed. Sitting atop a slender neck that sloped into feminine shoulders that spread into beautiful arms, all a generous coffee.

            Logan's large hand rested against the flat plane of her stomach, and he could feel the rise and fall of her stomach muscles as she breathed evenly, deeply. His arm felt the weight of the large swell of her breast, and he smiled slightly. Everything together made him feel good. The curve of her soft body against his, the early morning air that smelled of dew, the pinkness of the sky and the closeness of everything made him feel at peace.

            That was the first night he didn't have nightmares. The first night he had a deep sleep without his demons coming out to haunt him. He buried his nose in Ororo's hair and enjoyed the scent, and drifted off to sleep.