Chapter 1: A Night to Remember

Ororo walked toward the lake, the moonlight illuminating the path. She walked slowly, enjoying the feel of the grass under her bare feet. She was happy to be free of the constricting shoes she wore on her date with Forge.

A gentle smile creased her face as she thought about the man who held her heart. She lifted her left hand and gazed at the new piece of jewelry that occupied her ring finger. Her mind replayed the scene that took place just a few hours ago and she was still on cloud nine as they say. She hated that he needed to finish working on a project with Hank in the lab upon their return to the mansion but he promised to make it up to her once he arrived to her loft later that evening.

Excited to share her news, Ororo decided to head to the lake where she knew Logan spent many evenings, communing with nature and meditating to keep the beast at bay.

Deep in thought, Ororo wasn't aware that she was being followed. The figure stalked the beautiful woman, enjoying how the moonlight seemed to make her glow, her white dress a pleasing contrast to her mocha color skin. Needing to be closer to her, the stalker decided to make his presence known.

Climbing up into the nearest tree, he leaped across to one along the path she traveled and jumped down to the ground, bending with his landing, taking in the goddess's shocked expression as he stood.

"Logan," she gasped, making him smirk unconsciously. He loved to hear her say his name like that and made a point of startling her often. Though she scowled him, he continued to do it. "You're going to be the death of me," she told him, willing her heart to slow down.

"Then I'll just have to scare ya back to life," he replied.

"You're hopeless," she replied with a smile, taking his arm after swatting him good naturedly.

"Maybe, but this dress is giving me some hopeful thoughts," he said, taking her hand from his arm and with a slight push, encouraged her to do a slow turn. To complete the impromptu dance, he dipped her, making her laugh out loud. He smiled as her musical laughter filled the air. He held her there for a second longer than appropriate, enjoying the feel of her. Before he became lost in the sea in her eyes, he lifted her and settled her on her feet.

"You're incorrigible," she told him with a smile, getting a smirk in return as he offered her his arm. Shaking her head, she took it, use to his flirting. He was almost as bad as Remy.

"Looking good, darlin'. Have a good date?" he asked after a moment, guiding her along the path as he always did whenever they were near the lake or out on one of their strolls.

"Yes," she replied, coming to stop at the edge of the deck, enjoying the warmth that emitted from the feral mutant. "I even have a small token to commemorate the occasion," she told him while holding out her left hand, watching as the diamond sparkled in the moonlight.

"Holy shit, he popped the question," Logan exclaimed, taking her hand and eyeing the rock closely, "This set him back a small fortune."

"Maybe, but don't you think I'm worth it?" she teased, causing him to chuckle as he released her hand.

"Without a doubt," he replied in mock seriousness. Though he knew she cared very little for material things, he knew how important that night was for her.

Ororo and Forge had been dating for the past two years and Ororo thought that things were great between them and had confided in Logan that she thought that they would end up getting married.

Logan, as much as it pained him, told her he was happy for her and he hoped she was right. And as it turns out she was. Externally, Logan was being the true friend that he was but internally he was torn up about it. Another one bites the dust, he thought as he watched her smile lovingly down at the sparkling diamond. First Jean, then Ororo. I guess it's not in the cards for me, he thought as he gazed out at the dark water. Always the friend, never the lover.

"Logan?" Ororo called out giving his arm a slight shake after he didn't respond to her first question.

"Huh?" he responded, looking over at her and focusing on her concerned face.

"Are you alright, my friend?" she asked.

"Yeah, just thinking," he replied.

"Those must be some heavy thoughts," she replied teasingly, looking back over the water.

"Yeah," he replied honestly but choosing not to elaborate. He knew she wouldn't press him for more information, feeling as he did that when a person was ready to share, they would. "Did ya need to ask me something?"

"Yes," she began but Logan turned to face the dark path. Ororo turned and saw a light slowly making its way toward them.

"Forge," Logan told her, taking a step away from her, wanting to keep the peace for Ororo.

Truth be told, Logan didn't like Forge very much and he learned during the course of Forge's relationship with Ororo that the feeling was mutual. So, Logan stepped away from his friend to stand at a more acceptable distance as her fiancée emerged from the woods.

"Logan," Forge greeted him as he made his way over to Ororo.

"Forge," Logan responded, turning away from the couple, not wanting to see their greeting.

"Did you share the news, beloved?" Forge asked, turning to stand beside Ororo, his free arm going around her waist possessively.

"Yes but I didn't ask him about the ceremony," she told him, gazing up at him lovingly.

"That's okay because there may be a slight change to that," he replied.

"Oh," she replied, looking at him questioningly.

"I think its best we discuss it in the loft, love. Do you mind taking us there? The woods have grown quite dark and I don't want the walk to trigger your claustrophobia."

"Aww, aren't you considerate," she replied, leaning up to kiss his lips gently. Turning to her friend, she asked, "Logan, would you like a lift back to the mansion?"

"Naw, ya'll go ahead. I'm gonna stay," he replied.

"Okay. Good night, my friend. See you in the morning," Ororo told him as the wind picked up around them and she and Forge lifted into the sky and glided out of sight.

Logan watched until he couldn't make her out through the trees on the starry night. Though he hated to admit it to himself, he wished that Forge had kept his proposal to himself. Not that he wanted to deny his friend, not scratch that, his best friend, her happiness, but his friendship with her meant just as much. Sighing, he knew that the choice had been made for him and he didn't like it but what could he do. He was in love with another woman who was in love with someone else.

"At least I'm consistent," he thought, retrieving his cigar from his pocket, lighting it up.