Title: Time of the Month
Author: Leah
Pairing: Logan/Marie
Category: Romance
Summary: It's Marie's time of the month and Logan gets to deal with it.
Rating: M for language and sexual situations
Disclaimer: I don't own them so please don't sue.
Archive: If you want it then I would be honored. Just let me know. :)
Feedback: Yes, please.
Note: This is an old fic that I've rehashed a bit. Enjoy. Thank you so much to those who have left feedback!
those in italics depict thoughts
Time of the Month Chapter 2
Logan knocked gently on Marie's door. On one hand he was balancing a tray containing a plate of grilled cheese sandwich (he used wheat bread as Ororo had instructed) and a glass of milk. When nobody answered, he opened the door carefully and peered inside.
The room was cloaked in darkness except for the portion near Marie's bed where moonlight streamed through the window. Logan shut the door with his foot.
"Marie?" he called out softly.
Marie stirred from her light sleep at the sound of Logan's voice. If she thought sleep would make the cramps go away, well, she was wrong. Her lower belly still hurt, but thankfully, her head had ceased throbbing. She curled even tighter on her side.
"Go away, Logan," she muttered, her voice muffled by her pillow. "I'm not fit for company. Just leave me in my misery."
Logan placed the tray on the bedside table and turned on the lamp. "No need to be dramatic, Marie. Get up. You need to eat."
"I don't want to eat. I just want to die," she groaned pitifully.
Logan sat on one side of the bed, startling Marie into sitting up. "Be careful! I'm not wearing protective clothing."
"Well, I am." Indeed he was. He was gloved, and his arms were covered by his long-sleeved flannel shirt.
Sitting up had caused the sheet covering her body to slip down, making Logan aware of what Marie was wearing to bed. Her arms and legs were bare. She also wore no gloves. This time she was wearing a white tank top and a pair of black panties.
"Jesus, Marie! Is that what you wear to bed?" His tone was almost angry but he couldn't help it. It was criminal, the way she looked. Her long, thick hair fell in sultry disarray about her shoulders. Her beautiful breasts beckoned to him again. And damn if her nipples weren't hard.
Logan swallowed hard as he gazed at her long and smooth legs. Visions of those legs wrapped around his waist or astraddle his thighs flooded his mind. Dangerous territory, Logan. Behave yourself. She doesn't need to know how badly you want to jump her right now. He shook his head, trying to clear the images away and control his body's reaction.
Marie, now conscious of her state of undress, gathered the light sheet to her chest. "It's hot," she snapped back. "I can't bear wearing pajamas in the summer. Besides, how was I supposed to know you were going to come traipsing in here in the middle of the night?"
"I did not traipse in here. And it's only eight, for God's sake! It's not like I'm interrupting your beauty sleep." Logan retaliated.
"Grrr, whatever!"
Logan froze at the way the growl slipped so naturally from Marie. And then he laughed. A full, booming laugh that had his eyes watering in mirth.
Marie scowled at him, taking offense. "What the hell's so funny?"
"You, darlin', you," he said, his laughter fading. "You growl so perfectly. So you still have me rattling around in your head, huh?"
Embarrassed at having caught exhibiting one of his mannerisms, Marie looked down at her hands on her lap and shrugged. "Sometimes."
Logan smiled in approval. He loved knowing that he was still in her head. He hoped that someday he would be in her heart--and stay there forever. Whoa, where did that thought come from? Get a grip, Logan.
He reached back and rearranged the pillows against the headboard. "Get comfy and eat."
"But I don't-"
"Eat. Now!"
Marie snatched up the plate from the tray and leaned back against the pillows. "All right, all right. Geez, Logan, you're such a bully," she said as she bit into her sandwich.
"And you're a stubborn kid."
"I'm not-" Chew, chew. "-a-" Swallow. "-kid!"
Logan looked pointedly at the exposed skin of her chest and hard nipples. "Hmm, you're right. I stand corrected."
She blushed charmingly when she realized where he was looking at. Logan just grinned maddeningly at her and her heart jumped. Why did he have to be so endearingly sexy? She stuck her tongue at him to cover up the sudden arousal she felt before stuffing more sandwich into her mouth.
Logan surveyed her room for a moment, giving her time to finish her food. He noted the very feminine pieces of furniture and the frilly curtains on the windows. His gaze settled on her dressing table where six colored bottles serving as candleholders were displayed. Then he remembered another kind of bottle.
"Cramps still paining you, kid?" he asked, not bothering to conceal the concern in his voice.
Marie finished her milk before grimacing. "Yeah. I've always suffered from cramps ever since I got my first period. I always try to avoid socializing with people before and during the first two days because that's when the cramps are really bad. I get all irrational and cranky."
Logan smirked. "So I noticed."
"Shut up."
"See?"
"Grrr!"
He gave her another infuriating smile.
She hung her head and chuckled. "God, I can't believe I'm discussing my period with you."
Logan reached out to touch her arm with a gloved hand. "Hey. You know you can talk to me about anything, kid."
"I know. It's nice having someone you can talk to with just about anything."
"Is that all I am to you? Someone to talk to?"
"Of course not! You're..."
"I'm what?"
Marie glared at him. "You're not going to let me off this one, are you?"
Logan crossed his arms over his chest and grinned. "No."
She took a deep breath and looked directly into his mischievous hazel eyes. In a low, meaningful tone, she said, "You're my savior. You're my protector. You're my family. You're my best friend, Logan."
Logan struggled to keep the disappointment down. That wasn't what he wanted to hear. "Anything more?"
In my dreams, you're my lover, Logan. You're my destiny. You're my soul. "Yes. You're my pet--you're my Wolverine!" she laughed.
Logan chuckled despite himself. "Hmmm, cute."
"Wait! I've got another one. You're my--" Marie gasped audibly as a sharp wave of pain rolled in her belly. She dropped the half-eaten sandwich back on the plate and drew her knees up to her chest. She rested her forehead on her knees, trying to control the pain.
Logan jumped to his feet, his face taut with worry. "Don't try to move, Marie. I'll be right back." And then Logan left the room.
When he returned, Marie wasn't on the bed. He heard the click of a light switch just as Marie opened the bathroom door.
"I just brushed my teeth and changed--uh--changed--," She gave up trying to explain a delicate matter. "What do you need a hot water bottle for?" she asked, gesturing to the item clutched in his hand.
"It's for your cramps. Come on and lie down on your side."
"What are you going to do?"
"I'm going to lie down with you and hold this bottle against your belly."
"I can do that by myself, Logan."
"Just do as I say."
"But it's dangerous! You shouldn't be touching me."
"Like hell I shouldn't be touching you. Now lie down!"
Marie threw him a look of death. She sluggishly went back to bed and lied down on her left side. Meanwhile, Logan took off his boots and climbed onto the bed. He switched the lamp off before settling in behind her.
Logan's last comment sent a shiver down Marie's spine. Did he mean that he really wants to touch me? "Logan--"
"I'm all covered, Marie. Now relax."
He curled himself against her until they were lying side by side like spoons. He slipped his left arm under Marie's head while the other went over her waist to hold the hot water bottle against her soft belly. His right thigh slipped between her knees, making Marie tense up.
"It's all right, baby. It's all right," he whispered in her ear.
After a while he asked, "You feelin' better, kid?"
Marie, lying still and tense, whispered, "Yeah. It's eased somewhat."
"Maybe you'll feel a lot better if you try to relax. You're as stiff as a board."
"What if I hurt you again?" She tried to face him but Logan held her down with his arm. "You don't have to do this you know."
"For the last time, you won't hurt me. Now, just...just let me take care of you." Let me hold you, baby.
Unable to resist his demand, Marie burrowed closer, relishing the warmth of the hot water bottle and of being held by Logan. She closed her eyes and pretended that Logan loved her like she loved him. Unbidden tears seeped from the corners of her eyes. She couldn't let it slip that she felt more than platonic love for him. Knowing Logan, he'd surely withdraw from her feelings, and she didn't want that to happen. She'd rather have his friendship and his protection than his wariness and disdain.
While Marie was coming to terms with her own feelings, Logan was fighting his own battle as well. Having her in his arms was driving him crazy. Nobody had ever felt so right in his arms. She fit him so perfectly and so sweetly. He gathered her body closer to his, burying his nose in her hair and inhaling deeply. He never wanted to stop touching her. He wanted to protect her always. He had ceased to analyze why he felt such intense protectiveness for her. He just did. He cared for her, and that was more than he ever felt about any woman or anyone for that matter.
"So what am I to you, Logan?" Marie whispered in the darkness. She cringed at how forlorn and pitiful she sounded. She hoped Logan wouldn't notice.
He chuckled against her hair. "You're like the pesky little sister I never had. You're the friend who knows me pretty much inside out. You're the family I've never known. More importantly, you're the only one who can tame the Wolverine with her sweet, beautiful smile." You're the woman who stirs my finer emotions like nobody else can. You're the one I want to sleep with every night of my life. You're the only woman who can make me hard with just one look. You're the only one who can make me feel love.
Marie smiled a bittersweet smile. "That's sweet, Logan. Thank you."
Logan stroked the bottle against her belly. "Now try to get some sleep. I'll stay with you."
"You don't have to--ouch! That hurt!"
Logan had pinched Marie on her fleshy bottom and was soothing it immediately with his hand. "Now sleep."
"Bully," Marie muttered.
"Good night, Marie."
