Disclaimer: I don't own the X-men. This is my first fan fiction. Reviews are helpful.

Thank you Lady Syndra and StarlitStar for reviewing!

Chapter 6: In the Garden

With Amber's improving health, she'd been moved from the ground floor to a room in the staff wing. It had a window she could open, which was all she really cared about. She was officially "Head Gardener".

She had three rotating assistant gardeners to help weed, water, fertilize, till, plant, and harvest. The kitchen garden had a cluster of fruit trees on the far end: pears, apples, plums, cherries, and apricots. The rest was mostly vegetables. The variety would rotate, but she usually kept zucchini, carrots, salad greens, potatoes, tomatoes, and a patch of strawberries in near constant supply. The students had their own area at the front of the garden, separated by a stone border-path. There they mostly grew green beans, peas, and radishes.

Amber resisted the urge to use her powers to help the student gardeners, but she could put her fingers in the soil and tell if more water or fertilizer was needed, if something had been planted too deep or not deep enough, and then she'd give the students "hints" on what to do.

Her power to grow plants had strengthened, but it had limits. She couldn't make a plant grow out of thin air, she had to have something to start with first, at least a seed or a clipping. She couldn't make something grow out of a brick wall, or even make moss grow on the wrong side of a hill. When she tried, she said the moss just got uncomfortable and ignored her.

Growing a mature tree from seed in just a few minutes seemed to be her power's extent, although it varied. Experimenting with different tree types, she learned that pines, which were slow and stubborn in their growth, gave her headaches and exhausted her easily. Whereas aspens took next to nothing and she had to hold her power back to keep suckers from exploding everywhere.

Smaller plants, like vegetables, weren't as draining. She compared the effort to grow them about equal to harvesting them. Zucchinis could be picked up from the ground, and were easy to grow. Potatoes had to be dug up, and needed a little more effort. Some plants even had a sort of personality. Rhubarb was enthusiastic and would pop up quickly. Corn was cooperative, but preferred to grow at a steady, almost dignified pace. Tomatoes were moody, sometimes they were easy, but if they didn't like the weather they'd give her trouble. Strawberries always made her smile and their energy tickled as they spread out. Even the soil seemed to rejuvenate from Amber's attention.

With so many growing kids at the school, the kitchen garden became busy fast providing fresh food, and it reduced the grocery expenses. Hank made plans for a scaffolding, to be covered in plastic, as a sort of temporary greenhouse for when the winter weather came.

Amber, now with a definite purpose that matched her powers, and surrounded by others like herself, felt more at home in her own skin than she ever had before.

The professor, who had been sensitive about bringing up her ordeal at the complex, suggested she was strong enough now to start therapy sessions with Jean. It was rarely stated aloud, but it was understood that besides experiments, abuse, and torture, there had been sexual violations. The other women and some of the men from the complex had already begun therapy for this, and while almost all of them had moved on from the mansion, they were continuing counseling elsewhere.

Amber was scared to dig back through her history, but she trusted Jean and knew she'd have to face it sometime. Jean was patient and assured her complete confidentiality, even from the professor. She gave Amber a notebook to write her thoughts in. They started sessions twice a week. Amber was restless after the sessions, so Rogue suggested a movie night afterwards.

Rogue had been watching a lot of French films because of Remy. She was trying to improve her French. Some of the old black and white "New Wave" films were sad or bizarre, but Amber liked Breathless. They moved on to more modern films and she kept giggling through Amelie for which Scott, Jean, Kitty, Jubilee, and Bobby joined them.

Logan didn't care for movies much, but he saw the raw opening scene set in a World War One battlefield, and decided to stay and watch A Very Long Engagement. After the movie's gentle happy ending, Rogue told Amber she was starting to look like she could be Audrey Tautou's winged sister. Amber thanked her for the compliment, but said she'd never be that chic with all the good clean dirt she had underneath her fingernails, and she liked that part of herself.

Logan didn't say anything, but he could see what Rogue meant. Amber had put on weight and while she wasn't curvy, she'd filled out nicely, and didn't look dangerously thin anymore. Her dark eyes were big and her dark hair was growing out into a thick crop. She looked good, although he'd still prefer she weigh more.

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It was early one Saturday morning and a fog had come in. Most of the mansion snuggled deeper into their beds. Logan got up and disappeared into the fog. Besides the limited visibility, sounds and smells were different, making it a welcome challenge for him to stalk through the woods. On days like this, there was nothing he liked better than to hunt, not to kill, but to get close enough say, to a deer to touch. It was a special thrill and one of the few things that made him feel at peace with himself and his inner animal.

He had stroked the antlers of a buck and almost touched the nose of a doe who was more curious than alarmed by him, he had been moving so slow and quiet.

He was heading back to the mansion, patting his pockets for a cigar, when he heard something. He wasn't sure if it was an animal, it was soft, but it carried in the quiet. He followed it and realized it was someone singing, then he found himself a few yards away from the kitchen garden.

Amber had made an organic pesticide that wouldn't be affected by the damp and now she flew slowly over the fruits and vegetables, a large bucket in one hand with a spray nozzle in the other. Her shoes dangled just a few feet above the ground. She had started humming to herself as she worked, then singing, there were no words to it, she was just enjoying herself and liked the sound.

Logan stood among the trees and listened as the fog amplified the sweetness of Amber's soft voice, it was a gentle melody, and it seemed to fit as she flew slowly across the ground, spraying the greens below. She looked perfectly natural, as much at home singing and working outside in the fog as the deer he had found bedded down in the woods.

He felt himself relax and start to smile. A sense of kinship came over him, he wanted to call out, but hated to destroy the scene before him. So he stayed quiet as the fog began to thin. He thought to himself that she looked a little like a fairy, if fairies worked hard and wore blue jeans with dirt on the knees. No, he thought. Not a fairy, one of those other things, ancient Greek or something. Hank'd know. He left quietly and went back to the mansion as the sun began to come out.

In the kitchen, Logan pulled out the eggs and bacon and began frying himself some breakfast. Rogue came in with Jubilee and he made some for them too since he was in a good mood. The girls teased him a little, but he just threatened to eat everything himself, so their hunger made them shut up.

He was sitting at the table, enjoying his food when Amber came smiling into the kitchen from outside, the sun shining with her. Logan smiled back as she headed to the sink to wash her hands. He was taking a good look at her, and was about to offer making her breakfast too, when Jubilee giggled. He turned around and the firecracker waggled her eyebrows at him until Rogue slapped her shoulder.

Logan frowned, then he turned back to look at Amber again, and it hit him. She was starting to look desirable, and he'd been looking at her in that way.

Oh shit, he thought. He growled at Rogue and Jubilee, "I cooked, so you clean up." Then he stormed out, his good mood gone.

He went to the gym and began working some of his unexpected stress out. He'd been the one to rescue Amber and he'd dealt with hero worship before. Anything more than friendship and it all went sour. Hell, even Rogue got jealous whenever she saw him flirting with another woman.

Other women he had saved always seemed willing to throw themselves at him. He'd been sensible enough not to take them all up on their offers, but he wasn't a saint dammit! He'd slept with some of them and even tried dating a few, especially after Jean married Scott. Eventually everything would go wrong and implode. They'd get bored with him, start demanding more attention, get real bitchy, or else they'd get insecure and say that he never listened, or that he just didn't care. And if he tried to tell the truth, which is that he did listen, but they talked so much it was hard to remember it all, and that he cared about important stuff, not what kind of clothes they wore, they'd scream at him and throw a fit.

He hated the idea of going through all that again, especially with Amber, so he shoved all thoughts of her being anything more than another staff member away.

He was running on the treadmill when Kitty and Amber came in and headed over to the floor mats. They were dressed in shorts and shirts. A part of him wanted to leave, but he couldn't just avoid Amber forever, and he was curious what they were doing.

With his enhanced senses he could hear them talking as Kitty had Amber make a fist and punch a small pad. They did this for a while. Amber was pretty good for a beginner, she knew to keep her thumb on the outside and hit with the first two knuckles, she also knew to keep her elbow from extending all the way so her arm wouldn't lock. She told Kitty she had a cousin Travis who had shown her how to punch and told her if she ever punched someone, she should try to punch through them or the blow wouldn't be strong enough. Kitty agreed and made a few corrections to Amber's stance, showing her how to rotate her hips and keep her elbows tucked in. Then they moved on to blocks.

Logan was glad she was starting to learn self-defense. It was required for all the staff and students, even if they weren't going to be X-men. It would also be good for her to build some muscle and gain those extra pounds she needed. He taught the more advanced classes. Kitty was about the same size as Amber, had real fighting experience as part of the team, and was good at teaching beginners, which required patience and the right amount of encouragement, so she was a perfect choice to work with Amber.

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Logan felt like things had gone back to normal. Whatever had come over him that morning was just a fluke. He went on a few missions, taught gym and self-defense, helped around the mansion, and when he ran into Amber he'd just return her infectious smile and go about his business.

One night he found her watching Jeremiah Johnson. It was about a man who went to live in the mountains in the 1800's, far from civilization, and got into trouble with the Native Americans. Logan thought it looked interesting so he sat down in one of the arm chairs to watch. Some kids were there too, but a few lost interest and left. One girl said it was a downer and asked if it at least had a happy ending. Amber told her it ended in kind of a draw, with no big revenge, but it was still meaningful. Only a couple kids stayed to the end.

"That was good." Logan said with a grunt. "Not sure about the folk singin', but it was good."

Amber grinned at him. "I doubted the kids would like it, but this was one of my grandpa's favorites. He loved these kinds of movies, and anything with John Wayne in it. He'd always laugh during Dances with Wolves though, something about the Indian men talking like women." She started tidying up in her quiet way, flying up and over the coffee table rather than walking around it.

Nymph, Logan thought suddenly, the word just popping into his head. That's what she was, the word he'd been trying to think of when she was singing in the garden. He was about to tell her so, but he caught himself. Instead he helped pick up some trash, threw it away along with his empty beer bottle, then told her, "Goodnight, kid."

It wasn't until he was back in his room that he realized his mistake.

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Logan felt bad for calling her 'kid'. It was the next day and he didn't know how to apologize, and he wasn't even sure if he should. He hadn't done it on purpose and she probably knew that. He was frustrated and confused.

He liked Amber. She was stubborn in a good way, full of inner strength and determination, she was quiet, hard working, and at home with nature. He had to admit he was also attracted as a man. He'd been with a lot of women and more than legs, or breasts, or hair color (though he was partial to red heads), he liked a woman who was at ease with herself. Amber was comfortable with who she was, never mind if she had dirt under her fingernails, she had been through hell and was happy just to be alive, greeting the whole world with a smile that was damn attractive in its sincerity.

She really was like a nymph, a nature spirit who would turn herself into a tree rather than bend to someone else's will. (Logan really did know more than people gave him credit for.) He also knew the word had sexual connotations, and he couldn't help wondering how her wings might play into that.

He was pissed at himself, getting all worked up, and they hadn't even done anything! She'd brought him beer and hung out with him, he'd helped build her garden and walked through the woods with her a few times. They'd never even flirted! He just liked being around her, he cared about her, and he didn't want to mess it all up.

Any other woman and he'd just go up to her now, get into her personal space a bit, say something sexy, cock his eyebrow and smirk. Maybe she'd blush, back away, or smirk right back and sass him a little. Maybe she'd turn him down like Jean had, or else her hero worship would kick in and she'd be happy to do anything he wanted, just because he'd saved her. Then the old cycle would play out again, things would seem okay for a while, then one day she'd look at him with pure loathing, basically because he wasn't the knight in shining armor she'd thought he was, and that would be it. Maybe she'd leave the mansion after that, or maybe he would. She'd made herself a home here and he hated the thought of making her want to leave. Maybe he should go now, clear his head for a few days, get laid, and get it out of his system. If that didn't work, maybe he should just get it over with and enjoy the good parts while they lasted. Maybe…

"Logan." Xavier's telepathic voice interrupted his thoughts. "Would you please see me in my study?"

He grunted, grateful for the distraction. He was wondering if there was a new mission when he walked into the professor's study, but he scratched that thought when he saw Xavier's amused expression.

"Amber's hero worship is for Hank." Xavier told him matter of factly.

Logan was so surprised he took a step back, then he glared at the man in the wheelchair. "You been readin' my thoughts Chuck?"

"You were projecting so loudly it was difficult not to." Xavier responded with a smile.

Logan was silent for a moment. "Hank? You're sure?"

"Quite sure. She baked him cookies, dozens of them. He took care of her every day when she first arrived, and because he's so obviously a mutant, his presence made her feel safe. He's probably done more to help her than anyone, but he's explained to her he's in a long distance relationship." Logan remembered the grumpy woman with green hair Hank was so strangely committed to.

"So she doesn't bake cookies just for him anymore. She asked if she can still give him hugs, and he doesn't mind, so that's all she does."

Logan thought about that, and was surprised he felt a little bit jealous of his furry blue friend, though he knew that was stupid. But he still had his doubts. He remembered the way Amber had clung to him and shivered in his arms as he tried to warm her up when he'd rescued her, and the easy way she'd always had around him.

"She doesn't remember her rescue." Xavier informed him, picking up on his thoughts. "She was starved and dazed at the time. She vaguely remembers your claws cutting off her chains, but her first memories of you are as 'the guy who smokes' while her mind was recovering and before she started learning names. Just as I was 'the nice man in the chair' and Scott was 'the guy with sunglasses.'"

"However, she is comfortable around you." Xavier acknowledged. "It isn't a sort of 'bad boy' attraction some women have around you, if you'll pardon my saying. I don't know if she's attracted to you, she's been through a lot and I don't think she's attracted to anyone. It's more as if you're familiar to her, like she's known you her whole life."

"Like I'm one of the guys she grew up with?" Logan asked, remembering what Amber had told him before.

"Yes."

"Huh, so I'm just a regular guy to her?"

"Afraid so." Xavier said with amusement.

Logan wasn't sure if he should be relieved or annoyed by this revelation. Xavier advised him to make his decisions carefully and take things slow, but not to worry so much. Amber was a strong woman and could see Logan clearly for who he was, she would make her own decisions without any illusions.

He went to the kitchen for some grub and found Jubilee washing fresh lettuce with Amber.

"Seriously, hoops aren't a problem, at least not with short hair." Jubilee was saying. "How 'bout you Rogue?" She called into the pantry. "You got long hair and you wear hoops."

Rogue came out of the pantry with a pad of paper and a pen. "If she doesn't want to wear hoops, she doesn't have to. They're not for everybody." She said, then she turned to Logan with a smile.

"Hoops?" He asked.

"Hoop earrings." She explained. "We took Amber to the mall last month and she got her ears pierced. She can take the starter earrings out soon, and Jubilee's trying to convince her to start wearing hoops. But Amber says she likes simple studs and hoops aren't practical."

Logan noticed the silver studs in Amber's earlobes for the first time and thought she was right. Hoop earrings could get caught easily in a fight and then torn out. Especially if they were like the huge ones Jubilee wore.

Scott came in as Logan was rummaging in the fridge and reminded him he was supposed to pick up some lumber and supplies for a wall one of the students had accidentally blown a hole through. Rogue asked him if he could go to the store for her since he was going out, she'd been in the pantry and made a list. Logan grunted, and deciding he'd just grab a burger somewhere, he took the list and headed out.

He was in his truck and had just started the engine when he heard his name being called. Amber flew up to his door with an apologetic smile and told him Rogue had forgotten to add brown sugar to the list. "Brown sugar, got it." He said with a smile. Then she stepped back and waved as he shifted gears. "See you kid." He called out.

Dammit, messed up again!

Two days in a row! He fumed to himself. He felt really bad now. He was going to apologize, as soon as he got back. Then maybe start spending more time with her, see how it went. He wouldn't mind working outside in the dirt.

He stopped to get himself a burger and as he was eating, he looked across the street at a store which sold fossils and had an impressive full set of shark's teeth in the window. He noticed they had a sign which read "Natural Gem Jewelry" and thought of Amber's pierced ears. When he was done eating he went into the store and looked around, it didn't take him long to find what he was looking for, and they didn't cost much either.

He picked up the lumber and supplies, everything from Rogue's grocery list, and the brown sugar, and went back to the mansion feeling pretty good with himself. After his truck was unloaded, he went looking for Amber. It had started to drizzle, so she wasn't in the garden, and she wasn't in the kitchen, he checked the library but she wasn't there either. He went to her room and knocked on the door, she opened it and smiled up at him.

"I wanted to give ya something. As an apology y'know. For callin' ya 'kid' so many times." He pulled the little gauze bag out of his pocket and handed it over.

Amber opened it up and looked at the gift. She went still, and for a moment Logan was worried. Then she beamed up at him, and did something few women had ever done, she kissed his cheek.

"Thank you Logan!" She was almost bouncing, her wings fluttering with joy. She held the amber earrings up to the light. They were simple studs, honey colored, and she looked as happy as if they were diamonds.

He grinned at her, "So I take it I'm forgiven?" He asked.

She grinned right back at him. "Oh yes, this makes up for all the 'kids', definitely!" She grabbed his hand and tugged him into her room, there she held the amber up to her ears and looked in the mirror over her dresser. "They really are perfect." She carefully put them back into the little bag and set it on the dresser, smiling at him warmly. "My grandma wore amber. She always said it was warm with life, unlike other stones. Grandma was like that too. She was the warmest, kindest person. So amber reminds me of her and it'll always be special to me."

Then she hugged him. Logan wasn't a very huggable guy, but she didn't hug him the way most women tried to. Instead of throwing her arms around his neck, she reached under his arms and squeezed him close. She couldn't squeeze very hard, but she was warm and soft against him, and it felt good.

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Author's Note: If you're curious what Amber's singing is like, go to youtube and look up "Long, Long, Time Ago" from Pan's Labyrinth.