Chapter 11: Plot Devices and Emotions Revealed

Long time, no see, eh? I know, I know, I've been doing other stuff, but I agree that I need to spend a little more time with y'all. I work too much, and it's getting real boring. So, I've decided that on this weekend, I'm gonna stay home and write (basically since I'm sick, and can't do anything else).

As you remember when we last left off, Rogue had set a date with Warren. Now, if you mix in a distraction, romance, drama, and a little bit of Logan, you'll find a chappy with a long series of simple set-ups and revelations, sure to pack one hell of a punch! So, I think I've detoured enough, so on with the show!

A date…

Rogue sighed. She wasn't sure if she was really ready to date, especially after breaking up with Bobby so soon. Just thinking of the entire prospect blew her mind, though not in as good a way as she would've hoped. Still, she'd agreed, and it'd be rude to turn him down now, not 2 hours before the set time.

She paused, lost in her thoughts. She wasn't sure if she'd made the right choice by saying yes to Warren. He would've understood if she had said she wasn't ready to get out there again so soon…but she knew if it were with a different guy in different circumstances, she wouldn't have been so hesitant.

Shaking her head, she opened up the door to her closet, and started dragging out various articles of clothing. Nothing seemed right, but anything would have worked. It wasn't all that formal, just dinner at a slightly above casual restaurant, but she needed something that clicked. Something that would not only blow the socks off Warren when he saw her, but something to catch Logan's eye when he noticed her.

"Maybe I should just go in my bathrobe," she said nonchalantly, as she surveyed the mess throughout the room.

Turned out Rogue didn't have to settle for her bathrobe, as she pulled out a deep burgundy V-neck halter dress. A tad overly formal, but it'll do.

Kitty came in just as Rogue was putting the finishing touches on her outfit.

"Damn, girl, where are you going, looking like that!"

Rogue shrugged. "Out to dinner."

"What, did Logan finally work up the back bone to ask you?"

"Logan?"

"Wait, it's not Logan you're having dinner with?"

"No, as matter of fact, it was Warren who asked me."

"Huh."

A small grin that had worked its way onto Rogue's face suddenly fell. "What, Kitty?"

Kitty perched herself on the edge of the bed, and picked casually at a loose thread.

"Oh, nothing. It's just I thought it'd be Logan who asked you. I just always pictured you with him, I guess."

"Why Logan?" Rogue's voice was gaining a slight edge to it, which Kitty sensed.

"Don't get all worked up over it, honey, it's no big deal."

"You said that for a reason, Kitty. Why Logan?"

Kitty sighed, and looked up at Rogue in the eye. "Well, you two just seem to fit together. Something about you when you're with him is…well, just different, I guess. Something's brighter, happier, I don't know…" Kitty paused.

"You two seem like more than friends, there's something deeper when it comes to you guys. And you're not the only one who acts different. Logan is way calmer, and a hell of a lot nicer when he's around you. More gentle. Kinda like he was with Jean, but not really."

"What d'you mean?"

"Well…. he was more aggressive, flirtatious, more wild with Jean. Like she was a chew toy he played with, just to piss Scott off, even though did he like her a lot."

Kitty stood up, and walked around the room, before standing right in front of Rogue.

"But with you, he's not like that. He's more in tune to you, like he doesn't have to rush things with you-"

" ' Rush things-?'"

Kitty held up a hand to quiet her. "He's deeper with you, Rogue. He trusts you to understand him, to accept him, to let him be whoever he is, and to still like him and be there for him. No matter what."

Rogue felt confused. What was Kitty even talking about? Logan was nicer to her than some, this she knew, but those other things were nipping at the edges of her mind. Did he, Logan, hardened, fierce, loving warrior, love her? Could that even be true?

Distracted, she glanced at the clock, and saw it was seven minutes till eight, making her remember she had to go meet Warren.

"Listen, Kit-Kat, I gotta go meet Warren. I'll be late if I don't go now."

Kitty just shrugged, and headed to the bathroom. "Fine. I'll see you later Rogue. Have a good time."

With a nod, she turned to open the door, and saw it already open, with Logan standing in the doorway. "What's up with the dress?"

Rogue hesitated, and mustered up a small bit of courage. "I-I have a …"

He looked at her, urging her to finish her thought.

"A-a date."

Logan's eyebrows shot up, and his mouth opened slightly, completely shocked. This was definantly not what he'd been thinking.

Swallowing hard, he searched for words. "I-okay."

Logan's lack of response ignited a flicker of anger in Rogue. " ' Okay', eh? That's all you can say?"

"I…guess not…"

"Uh huh. What is it you wanted, Logan?"

"Never mind, now, you've got your date to go on, so why should I even bother? Like you'd give a damn, always jumping to conclusions-"

"Oh I do, do I? And try me! What is it that you think that I can't handle?"

Logan looked at her hard, and with a single fluid motion, kissed her hard, but passionately. Then, he suddenly broke away.

"There. Have fun on your date." His voice was dripping wit sarcasm, and he was burning with rage at the fact that she hadn't said anything. Turning on his heel, he stormed out of the room. Rogue just stood there in the doorway, staring at the space where he'd once stood.

He'd kissed her, and she'd just stood there, completely mute. She stood there, completely ready to go, but her feet wouldn't move. There was only one thing she could do, now that Logan had stormed off. She would go tell Warren she wasn't up to it tonight, that it was too soon.

But, no, something told her that she couldn't leave him hanging there. She had to go.

Sighing, she picked up her handbag, and left. A tear slid gently down her face, and she wiped it away be fore Warren could see it.

Logan stood there in the hallway, watching her leave. He felt his heart rip from his chest, shredding itself into little pieces. He'd kissed her, but yet there she was, going off with someone else. It should've been him that Rogue went with.

It's your own fault you know, something inside him retorted. You're the one that broke the kiss, and then stormed off like a prat.

Logan was too numbed over from his last danger room session to even consider attempting something like that again. But as he stood there, he thought of something. He wanted to know what was so special about this guy she was going out with. Why was Rogue still going out with him, despite his kissing her?

I wonder if she'll be happy with him tonight.

Well, started up that damn voice he didn't like, the only way you'll know is if you follow them.

He was mad that he even thought of doing that. He couldn't violate her privacy like that. But the more he thought about it, the more he felt like he needed to know how happy she was with this mystery guy.

Look, he said to his inner voice. I'll follow her for a little while

Fine, it breezed. But you know, they say the first sign of insanity is talking to oneself.

Shut up.

Running down to the garage, he jumped on Scott's motorcycle, and paused as he reached out to turn over the engine. This wasn't right, running after Rogue to tail her on her date. He was getting out of hand. He needed to leave her alone, to let her live her own life.

"Damn my second thoughts," he muttered, as he pulled the key out of the ignition, starting back up towards the mansion.

Warren caught Rogue's hand as they entered the main hallway.

"Do want to do this again sometime?"

Rogue looked at him a moment, then shook her head slightly. "It's not that I don't like you, Warren, but it's just…I don't know if I'm ready. I just broke up with Bobby and all, and it was kinda hard to go on a date tonight. Still, I'm glad I did. But I think I need a break for a bit."

Warren smiled softly, and nodded. "It's no big deal. I'm just glad you went with me tonight."

"I'll see you Warren."

"G'night, Rogue."

" 'Night."

Rogue turned and headed up the stairs, but instead of going to her room, she walked right past the door, on down the hall, where she finally stopped moments later. She knocked softly, knowing he would hear her.

The door opened, and he stood in front of her, looking wrung out. Without a moment's hesitation, Rogue reached up and kissed him deeply. Logan, though surprised, angled his head, and returned the kiss. The stood like that in the hallway for sometime, before they moved inside the room, closing the door.

Well, what d'you think? It's longer than normal, but who cares? And finally, FLUFF! I'm so happy with this, that I'm gonna celebrate with a coke float and pretzels!

R&R please!