A/N: Wow, sorry it took so long for an actual Rogan/Logan scene...I don't normally write that many scenes in build-up. Thank you so much for the reviews, Oblliterator1519, desy, and Laani26, it's much appreciated. Anyways, enjoy!

"Mixed Emotions"

Rogue swept her hair off of where it had fallen on her slightly sweaty forehead, feeling pleased as she gazed at her room. She'd completely stripped it of any accoutrements it had had when she had arrived back, and was envisioning what she wanted it to look like when she was done redecorating. Several paint swatches were taped to the wall opposite the large picture window, which she had flung open with the drapes removed.

Tapping her lower lip contemplatively, she squinted. Sighing, she gathered up the folded linens in her arms and headed for the laundry room. She would wash the sheets and then return them to where the spare sets were kept in the basement.

A thorough exploring the day before had revealed to her many parts of the mansion that she hadn't previously realized existed, such as the ever-so-convenient servant's staircases and back hallways scattered about with well-hidden accesses. She'd taken to using them to get around, rather than the higher trafficked elevators and main hallways.

It was easier that way.

Today, though, she was impatient, so she took the elevator down to the basement level. As it dinged and the doors slid open, she froze in shock.

"Logan!" she exclaimed when she was actually able to speak.

His head came up from the file he was reading, eyes widening. He grinned. "Hey, kid. How are ya?"

Rogue was sure she looked like a fish, with her mouth gaping open, but then she laughed and stepped out of the elevator. "I'm just fine. What are you doing here?"

He shrugged. "I dunno. Just came to visit, I suppose. Storm said I could stay…" his brow furrowed slightly. "But I thought you left. Why'd you come back if you got the…"

Her facial expression must have halted his words, but to her, her features felt frozen. She had to clear her throat before she could get any words out. "It's a long story, but I suppose you could say I'm cured." God, she didn't sound that bitter, did she? She hoped not.

His eyes swept her face. "You're kidding. You mean you can touch people now?"

She just shrugged, feeling the oddest sense of hurt at his words. She'd thought that maybe he saw her past her mutation, but maybe she was wrong.

She was surprised, therefore, when he stepped closer to her.

Logan reached up and grasped her face with both of his hands, his large palms and fingers dwarfing her delicate bone structure. He just couldn't help himself; he had to know if it was true.

His eyes widened in wonder when he failed to feel that all-too-familiar drain, the dreadful siphoning of his energy that normally occurred whenever he came into contact with Marie's skin for too long.

Now, all he could feel was the amazingly soft texture of her skin, like rose petals, as well as the soft pounding of her heart. He swept his thumbs over her cheeks, his callused skin contrasting sharply against hers. As his eyes continued to roam her face, her cheeks warmed as she blushed prettily.

Her eyes shifted downwards, and she made a slight motion as if to pull herself out of Logan's grasp.

"Oh, sorry," he said gruffly, dropping his hands from her face to hang at his sides. Clenching his fists for a moment, he resisted the urge to latch right back onto that beautiful skin, wherever she would allow him to touch her.

Only, he had to remember that it wasn't all that socially acceptable for a grown man to go around stroking a girl's skin all the time, especially a pretty one like Marie. If he did that, some passerby might get weirded out and call the cops on him, and wouldn't that just be the fantastic cherry on top of the shit cake his year had been.

"That's alright," she said quietly, still not looking at him. "Excuse me, I have to get these to the laundry" she smiled gently, turning and walking swiftly away from him, but before she rounded the corner out of his sight, he called after.

"It's good to see you again, Marie."

She stopped and looked back at him, her expression one of recoil. "It's Rogue. Please don't call me Marie."

He frowned. He would have insisted, except for the pain he saw in her eyes at his mention of her old name. "Why?" he couldn't help but ask.

"Because nothing has changed," she stated simply. With that, she left him, disappearing quickly.

He could still smell her though, in a trail left behind her as she walked. She even smelled like roses, the soft perfume mingling with the sharp tang of her misery, lingering in the air and teasing his nostrils.

What had happened that made her so sad?

Logan resisted the urge to growl. He'd bet a pretty penny it had something to do with that obnoxious icicle kid. The Wolverine nudged at him, making him clench his fists and shake away an uncomfortably enticing vision of him with his fingers wrapped around Bobby's windpipe. He'd find out from someone, and also find away to sweep away the shadows lingering behind.

He remembered making her a promise, years ago on a train. He'd promised to take care of her, whether she thought she needed to be protected or not. It was a promise he intended to keep.

I'm not too ashamed to start begging for more reviews...so, please?