Chapter 10: On With the Fluff!

Well, I want to say thanks to all who sick by me, and hello to all the newbies! I have finally, as explained before, gotten out of the rut where everyone dies. But just cause there's no death doesn't mean there won't be DRAMA! And, for those of you who think this will turn out having Rogue and Logan sleeping together twice a chapter, pick another fic. I think it'll be more interesting if all that waits. Oh, and I don't know if I mentioned it before, but Rogue has learned to control her mutation, and only has to let it out occasionally to keep it from getting too built up.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy the chappy!

Rogue was glad to be back in her own room again, and out of that eerie Recovery Room. It was like a breath air, without the stench of pain, death, and lament hanging on to everything.

She was also internally pleased to find Kitty was in class, not the room when she first walked in. It wasn't that she didn't lover her roomie to death, because she did, but she needed a bit of time to settle back in before having to deal with Kitty's buoyancy.

Sighing, she slid into a faded pair of jeans and a light t-shirt with a pair of worn sneakers. She felt like soaking up the warm, late spring sun, not hanging around the room. Swinging her way down to the shed near the garage, she picked up some sprouts and a trowel, as well as some fertilizer, and headed to a far corner of the courtyard. Hank had recommended her to participate in some quiet, relaxing activities to keep her blood pressure in check. And Rogue remembered how in Mississippi, her mother loved working in the garden, working magic over the beds so they were swollen with color and fragrance. She had sat there on the porch swing, watching her mother garden, and would ask her how she got the plants to grow. Her momma would only smile, and wipe her forehead, drenched in sweat, and would answer, " All you have to do, Marie, is whisper the right words to the flowers, and it makes them want to grow."

"Really Momma?" she'd ask curiously, astonished that it could be that simple.

"Really, Honey."

"Well, what'd ya tell them, Momma?"

"I'll tell you when you're older, Sweetie. First, you watch me, and show me I can trust you with those words."

With that, her mother would swing her into a great hug. But her mother never got around to telling her. By then, she'd figured out that it really wasn't the words that made the flowers grow, but she'd always half-believed that there was some trick in them that made flowers grow like her mother's did.

Arousing herself from the memory, she pulled a wide-brimmed straw hat on her head, and got to work weeding out the barren flowerbed. She soon heard the students crossing the courtyard, chattering loudly on their way to class, but they took no notice of her. She was too far apart from them, and they were not thinking of anything but those in front of them.

Rogue preferred to be left in the quiet. It was nice to be able to hear the world around her, going on as always, but to not have to take part in its chaos, to be able to move at a pace of her own. She felt wizened beyond her years, as an old man, from whom the world held no secrets, should feel as another day drew to a close.

Slowly, the noise drifted away, and Rogue sat with her thoughts and company of the sun. She began to hum a soft song, and she dug her hands into the rich earth. She was so lost within her own world, that she did not notice a shadow fall beside her, until it spoke softly, "Hey kid."

She nodded her assent, and continued to work about the soil. Logan watched her quietly for a time, and then ventured forth another effort for conversation.

"What're you doin' over here, Rogue?"

"Planting."

He chuckled, faintly. "I could tell. But why all alone over here?"

"I like the quiet. It's nice for a change."

She turned to look at him, and saw his warm eyes, which sent a slight shiver down her spine. "And you, Logan? What are you doing over here? What happened to the hospital wing?"

"Too boring. Thought I could do with some sunshine."

"Uh huh." She stood, and brushed the dirt off her jeans. "Well, enjoy the sun, then. I better get inside and shower."

"I-"

"Bye Logan!" She dashed towards the building, leaving him behind. His eyes followed her into the building. She'd seemed a bit anxious to leave him there.

Logan's smile fell a bit, wondering why. A small voice spoke up. Maybe she trying to avoid him.

No, of course she wasn't. Why would she, anyway? Another voice inside his head countered. What had he done?

You probably scare her a bit.

Why the hell would she be scared of me now?

You attempted suicide, Logan.

Logan blinked, shocked. Was that it?

Nah, couldn't be.

Why not?

He was getting a little fed up with this conversation.

Because Rogue's not like that.

Sure. That's what you think. But how do you know that the thought of you hurting so much that you could just kill yourself wouldn't freak the daylights outta her?

It wouldn't. Rogue would sympathize.

'Rogue would sympathize'. You're in denial. You know that she's scared that you could just up and kill yourself off just because of a little pain.

Stop it. Stop it now.

You would up and leave her. She thinks of you as strong, and the thought of throwing in the towel shakes her to the core.

Shut the hell up now.

And what if you were able to DIE, HUH? WHAT IF YOUR MUTATION COULDN'T STOP YOU FROM HITTIN' THE LIMIT? WHAT THEN?HUH?

I. Said. No.

Fine. But you know I'm not lying.

"Logan?"

A voice from behind startled him from his thoughts. He turned to see Storm walking up behind him. "Logan, are you alright?"

"Just dandy." He muttered sarcastically.

Storm ignored him. "You're pale, Logan, and sweating. What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"I know that there's something bothering you."

"I said it's nothing."

"But-"

"Storm," Logan's voice was dangerously quiet now. "Leave it alone."

He turned on his heel, leaving Storm behind him.

She swore under her breath as she watched the door to the mansion slam shut.

"Damn."

Rogue was drying her hair as she heard a soft knock on the door.

"Just a sec," She called, slipping on some clothes, and hurried over to the door.

"Warren…" She trailed off as He held out a single rose, and said quickly, "Will you go to dinner with me tomorrow night?"

She hesitated, as Logan's face drifted into her mind. But, no, who knew how long he'd be around? And with all this suicide business…

She accepted the rose, and smiled at Warren. "Sure. When?"

"Tomorrow night. I'll meet you at 8 in the entrance hall."

"Great. See you."

Warren smiled, filled with relief. "Bye."

As she shut the door, she twiddled the rose between her fingers.

A date…

Aww. My chappy is in its double digits! sniff. I remember when it was only a nine!

Now, not complaining. And I really am not gonna beg. but I must admit, with my birthday comming up, it'd be nice to get some reviews from y'all as a sort of present! Maybe? Well, I know it's been a while, but it makes it all the more worthwhile!

So, I know you really want to review this, so I'll leave you to it! Send me thoughts on the upcomming date!