She'd thrown down the ultimatum; it was up to him to make his decision...though if he waited too long, it was effectively him giving her an answer. She hated having this hanging between them. She hated knowing that they were at a standstill.

She flew into the institute, landing in the entrance. It was silent. Ororo frowned as she looked around.

"Professor." She called. There was no response. A cat trotted over to her, meowing. "Hello?" She called, looking at the cat. "You're not quite the kitty I was hoping to find. Perhaps you can tell me where everyone's gone?" She shook her head. "Logan?" She called, continuing to walk forward. There was movement behind her; the cat's shadow on the wall began to twist and change. Of course she had something to do with the bizarre atmosphere and emptiness of the institute.

"Well." She said, not looking behind her. "Look what the cat dragged in." Calling her power to her, she struck out, a bolt of lightning racing towards the newly transformed Mystique. If she couldn't find the others, she'd get answers.

Mystique managed to evade her strikes. Ororo glared at her in frustration as the other mutant dodged her. The only reason Mystique could hold her own against her was because of guile.

"I do not know why you have chosen to attack me in my home." Ororo said, "and in truth I do not care." She filled the entire entrance with fog, making it impossible for Mystique to see her coming. Running at her, she punched her straight in the jaw, knocking her out. She looked her defeated enemy shaking out her hand, thinking of how proud Logan would have been if he'd seen it. She'd need to restrain her if she wanted to properly question her.

The ceiling crumbled as a large metal sphere broke through. Ororo jumped back, watching in shock as it opened and large metal cables came out, reaching for her like the tentacles of an octopus. She tried to evade, but they were too fast and they seemed to be able to see her. They wrapped around her wrists and ankles before dragging her towards the open sphere. The darkness closed over her as she was pushed to the bottom, the metal encasing her. The more she fought the harder the cables squeezed. A gas blew in. She couldn't breathe, she couldn't see.

"Let me out." She whispered. "LET ME OUT." Already her body was becoming heavier. Her limbs becoming weak. She fell limp against the side of the sphere. "Logan." She whispered before closing her eyes.


When she woke she was lying on the blackbird, Logan looking over her. He was covered in dirt, battle worn. A look of relief crossing his features. He pressed a hand to the side of her face. "Logan." She whispered, reaching for him.

"Sh." He grabbed her hand. "Don't say anything. Don't even move."

"She's going to be alright, Logan." Professor Xavier was on her other side. Logan snarled as Evan tried to move closer.

"Dude." He said.

Ororo turned her head, looking over at Evan, reaching for him, sitting up. Logan helped her, steadying her. His hand rubbing circles on her back.

"What happened?" She asked.

"Magneto." Logan growled, his eyes flashing. Ororo felt heavy.

"That doesn't answer my question." She mumbled.

"Ro, I was there and I don't understand the plan." Logan said.

"Ro?" Kitty looked at the two of them, her eyes narrowing.

"Since when is Storm, Ro?" Rogue agreed.

"Since I've known her before you were potty trained." Logan snapped. Ororo frowned.

"It hasn't been that long." She mumbled. Logan arched an eyebrow. "I'm not that old." She said. Logan squeezed her hand.

"No, I am." He said, glaring at all the students until they scattered. The blackbird began its descent. Ororo swayed slightly, still disoriented. Logan pulled her close. The doors opened. Her head was clearer and yet Logan still insisted on helping her to her feet. She knew if she hadn't thrown him a glare, he'd have picked her up and carried her.

"You don't have t hover, Logan." She said as she stopped in front of her door. "I am perfectly capable-"

"I want to have that talk." His eyes were burning as he looked at her. "When I found out that Magneto had you...and when I saw you in that damn tube he kept you in...all I could think about was how much time I'd wasted not...not bein 100 percent with you."

Ororo opened the door, thrilling in him watching her. "So what are you saying."

"I'm sayin'." His voice rumbled. "That you're mine." He stepped inside the room, pulling the door shut. "I'm yours and if anyone...anyone tries to hurt you again, I'll tear them pieces." He breathed. "But I am never leaving you. Ever again."

Ororo felt lighter, relieved.

"I love you." He said. "Do...do you love me?"

"Of course." She said, putting a hand to the side of his face. He closed his eyes leaning into her touch. "I never stopped."

He kissed her palm before clearing his throat. "You, uh." He hesitated. "You should probably get some rest."

Ororo crossed her arms. "Are you leaving?" She asked. Logan's eyes widened.

"No, I..." He trailed off as she laughed.

"You're jokin." He groaned. "Of course you are." He shook his head. "I'm going to go grab a shower and then some clothes."

"I have a bathroom right here." She murmured. "And I don't think you need those." She ducked her head. "I...when Magneto put me in that sphere..." She lowered her head. "I don't want to be alone right now."

"When I saw those...metal bubble things." He exhaled. "The first thing I could think about was how much you musta hated being in them."

Ororo smiled. "I'm going to take a shower...stay?"

"Always." Logan promised.


The water ran over her skin, helping her focus, revitalizing her and washing away the memory of the last few hours. Grabbing a towel, she wrapped it around herself. Stepping out, she watched as Logan gave her a hungry look. She tilted her head.

"Come now, Logan." She said, letting the towel slip off her body onto the ground. "After all this time?" She pouted slightly. Another growl rumbled in his throat. "It's not like you haven't seen all of this before."

Logan sat on the bed, smirking. "Right." He grunted, getting into the swing of the game she was playing. "Completely boring."

She crossed the room, swaying her hips slightly. Taking one of his hands, she tilted her head as though deep in thought. "You've already touched all of this." She sighed dramatically. He didn't say anything, his eyes were riveted on her hand as she guided his to her face. "You've touched this cheek." She pulled his fingers to brush against her mouth. "You've kissed these lips. You've pressed yours against them to silence my screaming of your name."

He took a rasping breath, clearly wanting to pounce on her, but trusting her enough to see the rest of the game through. She looked down at the bed.

"You've lain here countless times before." He watched her press a hand to his chest. She stood between his legs feeling powerful. Leading his hand down her throat, she paused at the hollow above her collarbones. Logan licked his lips. She chuckled, anticipating where he hoped she'd lead him next. She drew his hand to the side, over her shoulder to tangle in her hair.

"This hair." She whispered. "You've run your hands through it, gripped it as you've taken me from behind, caressed it as we've clutched each other when we've finished making love."

"Ro." He choked out.

"Want to see what else you're probably tired of touching." She asked. He nodded, hanging on to her every word. She pulled her hand back toward the base of her throat, down her sternum, between her breasts.

"Want to go over what I'm tired of doing with those?" He growled. She held his hand there, pressing it against her skin. She grinned at the slight twitch of his fingers as he ached to move them, even fractionally to the side.

"My heart." She said. His hunger looked dissipated as he looked up at her, wonder in his eyes. "It is yours forevermore."

"I'll..." He whispered. "I'll try to be worthy of it." He pulled her close, trailing the hand that wasn't pressed to her chest up against her thighs. She shifted, her eyes fluttering closed as he caressed the skin where her legs rubbed together.

"Could never be bored with you." His raspy declaration made her shiver. He brought his face to her chest, brushing against her breasts as he kissed the hand that held his against her heart. "You bored with me?"

She hummed. "Excellent question." She feigned thoughtfulness, his eyes lifted to examine her expression. "I believe I need you to remind me what I'm supposed to be bored with."

He smirked. "A reminder, huh?" He pulled her forward, laying her down on the bed. "I can't help noticing'." he said, conversationally as he slowly pulled her legs apart. "That you left some important parts out of your little floor show."

Ororo hummed, raising her arms above her head and and stretching, enjoying the way Logan tracked her movement.

"For example." He drew one finger up her inner thigh, following it with his lips. "How many times have I been here?"

She hissed as he nipped at her thighs.

"How could I ever be bored of you?" He groaned, "when I know how you taste." He was so close, she could feel his breath on her folds. She looked down at him. He grinned. "Or the way you boss me around when you want something from me." He pressed a kiss to her skin. She was heated, itching for him to cover her, to enter her, merge with her. "Wanna boss me around, Ro?" He asked. Though he tried to sound confident, his voice warbled slightly, telling her he wasn't as in control as he pretended. "I think you do."

"Logan."

"Yes..." He breathed, his eyes were hungry, his control clearly hanging on by a thread. She put her hand on his head, pushing him forward.

"I need you."