A.N. I hope to continue this series throughout December and am trying to write ahead a few days to stay on top of it. Hopefully it will work out and we will all have fun with it. I absolutely love reading reviews and hope you will share your impressions of the chapters with me. No flames, please. Also, I realize this is focused on Christmas rather than other holidays of the season, but that's simply how I chose to write it and if it offends perhaps you'd be happier reading something else.

Disclaimer: I know this is legally necessary, but really... do any of us think I own these characters?

The Advent Season – December 1st

Rogue gave her hair a final brushing before gathering the supplies for her day and ensuring everything necessary was in her bag. As she lowered the bag to rest beside her cracked door, a not so subtle rap on the frame preceded Logan's entrance to the room. "Morning Marie, are you ready to go?"

Cocking her hips to one side and propping her hands on the lush curves, she chastised him firmly. "Not so fast, mister. I've been waiting all morning to open door number one until you got here and we are gonna do this thing right now." She waited for him to acknowledge her point, unmoving and unrelenting in her determination.

"Oh, yeah. That's right, the, uh, calendar thing, right?"

Her nod was Marie's only answer. "Okay, then. Let's do it in a hurry. I need my coffee."

Smiling brightly she took him by the hand and dragged him across the room to where she'd hung the snowy scene. "Now, help me find door number one and we can open her up."

He tried to stand back and pretend complete disinterest, but her eager curiosity was infectious. Soon he was discreetly studying it along with her and he found the correct door first. "Isn't that it there?" he asked pointing at the appropriate space. Following his indicative finger she gave a single clap of joy.

"You found it first! Good job, Logan." She turned to face him. "Since you found it first, it's only fair that you get to open it." When he hesitated, she encouraged him, "Go on… open the little door." Deciding humoring her would get him to his coffee faster he turned to her bulletin board and worked on tugging the perforated edge. The stupid thing was so little he couldn't make it open. So frustrated he was ready to claw the dumb thing to shreds, he rumbled low in his throat.

Marie took pity on him. "Here, let me help get it started. They can be difficult at times." She wedged the edge of a fingernail under the flap and lifted it just enough for him to coax it all the way open.

When he did, her gasp of bliss had him looking at her with shock. "Okay… I love Kurt. I can't believe he sent me a calendar filled with, of all the magnificent options, chocolate!"

She just stared in wonder at the dark brown morsel nestled in its nook. Practically drooling at the aroma that barely reached her flared nostrils she nudged him closer to the board. "Go on, it's yours. You found the door first, you get the prize."

Logan plucked the chuck of Belgian chocolate from its resting place and then held it towards her. "Nah, Marie, it's your gift. You eat it. I think it means more to you than it would to me. I'll have more fun if you get to enjoy it."

Her eyes twinkled up at him. "Well, I know I ought to insist, but the truth is I really want that chocolate. Thanks, Logan," she gushed before closing her eyes, tilting her head back, and opening her full, moist lips.

Logan gulped hard and gently placed the chocolate shaped like a wrapped package on her tempting tongue before watching her lips close over it and hearing a moan he'd only imagined until now issue from deep in her throat. She sucked the chocolate, savoring each bit of its cacao essence before rolling her previously shut eyes in ecstasy. "That is so good," she groaned.

Logan felt like he was drowning, choking, and floating all at once. He couldn't have said anything if his life depended on it right then. Little Marie's face wore an expression he'd seen in his dreams so many times he couldn't count them any more, but never before had he actually witnessed it in reality. The experience was more potent than anything he'd ever felt and was far more than any mere man could be expected to endure gracefully.

Knowing that if he didn't get out of there and fast there was going to be a seriously inappropriate and embarrassing situation arising, he rushed over to her bag, hefting it and barked over his shoulder, "So if that's done, let's go before there's nothing left to eat."

Smacking her lips one more time in appreciation, Marie followed after him. "Sure thing, Logan. You have to try some of that chocolate, though. Tomorrow you eat it. Trust me; this is an experience you don't want to miss." With only a grunt in reply, Logan led the way downstairs.

That stupid chocolate calendar was ruining his life, he'd decided a short time later. Throughout breakfast he'd been distracted watching the way her lips wrapped around her fork or pursed as she blew across the top of her hot coffee to cool it. Her throat working each swallow and her soft tongue caressing the lingering flavors from her ripe lips were enough to drive any man mad.

Scott watched him closely and when Logan sent him a warning glare, the other man only grinned into his own mug and averted his face. Jean was even giving him knowing glances. It was clear he was projecting enough that she couldn't avoid knowing at least some of what was saturating his thoughts this morning. It was bad when the Storm laid a conciliatory hand on his shoulder as she passed by, but now he was reduced to standing outside the classroom where Marie was assisting with the teaching and watching the way her animated face lit with enthusiasm as she shared her ideas with the students and the movements of her glistening mouth as it formed each syllable. Obviously he was a depraved and sick man and he should be taken out back and shot… not that it would do any lasting damage.

By dinner time Marie noticed Logan's odd attitude towards her and she was left trying to decide whether or not she should confront him to find out what was wrong. When dealing with Logan one either confronted him and pushed until they got the information wanted or one decided one didn't really need to know in the first place. Waiting for him to open up wasn't really a viable option.

She'd decided he was just having an off day and that he probably needed some space so she occupied herself with a movie that evening. Now that she had her own room in the adult quarters, she had a TV in her room. Not wanting to watch the special a bunch of younger kids were watching downstairs, she pulled on her favorite silk short gown and began painting her toenails while watching a seasonal chick flick on a cable channel. Kitty would have joined her, but she had a date in town that night and Jean was going gift shopping with Scott. Storm was in a meeting with the professor and Dr. McCoy so she was on her own and thought she'd indulge in some of those things she wasn't comfortable doing around others. Since the cure had faded, even though she'd gained some control, she had gone back to covering herself thoroughly. Only when she knew she'd be on her own did she allow herself the freedom of wearing such revealing nightwear.

It wasn't even that revealing, but it could endanger others so she chose to be cautious. To do otherwise would be pretty selfish. It had taken a long time after the attack on the mansion for her to feel like it was okay to indulge herself. That night, when she'd had to take off with Logan, John, and Bobby, she'd been very aware that she was putting all three men at risk with the amount of skin exposed by her nightgown. Here she was, more than a year later, still feeling quite daring by deciding to dress as she wished at night alone in her room.

With cotton balls stuffed between her toes to keep from smudging the polish while it dried she hobbled to the bathroom to put the polish away during a commercial break. The noise of the television was just loud enough to keep her from hearing the knock at her door. When she emerged to see Logan towering over her bed, she let out a small squeak of surprise. 'Oh! Hey, sugar, I didn't know you were here." He just stood mutely so she filled the uncomfortable silence while crossing to her bed to sit leaning against some pillows. "Did you need something?"

He shook his head as though to clear it before answering. "No, I just thought I'd see what you were up to tonight."

She scooted over to one side of the bed patting the space beside her. "Not much, really. Just watching some mushy girl movie and hanging out. Have a seat if you want to," she invited. Now this wasn't the kind of thing Logan would normally spend the night doing, but he had nowhere better to be and Marie had spent enough hours watching hockey games and action movies with him that he figured one chick flick wouldn't kill him.

By the end of the movie, her head was resting comfortably on his chest and he had his arm wrapped around her with his wide hand cupping her silk-clad hip unconsciously. She used the remote to turn off the set.

One delicate hand rose to smother the yawn she couldn't hold back any longer. "G'night, darlin'. I'll be by in the morning." Lifting the edge of her comforter he waited for her to slide under before letting the cover drift over her and turning for the light switch beside the door.

"Sleep sweet, sugar. I'm glad you came by tonight. I thought you were upset with me or something."

He crossed to her to brush her hair back, letting his fingers linger in the shiny strands. "Nah, I'd have an awfully hard time bein' mad at you."

She let a brief smile grace her sleep-softened face. "I'm so glad, Logan."

He turned out the lights on his way out and stared at her as he eased the door shut.