A/N: Celina, please don't kill me, ok? Look! I wrote another chapter! SO, no killing me, k? Taana, you are such a great and reliable reviewer, thank you so much, dear! Samm16, your reviews are awesome and have never failed to entertain me! There are a lot of things in your review that made me giggle, but I especially loved how you said, "Scott, Well Scott should wake up, say guess what guys, Jean's dead and I don't care because I love Rogue. Sexy." I might sound like a dork for saying this, but you are hilarious! iVYzOE, you can bet there will be a throw down between Cyclops and Wolverine! Our w-ittle poor Scottie-poo may be sleeping for a while, so your question might not be answered immediately, but it will be in due time. Ashnan, please forgive me for actually having somewhat of a life! ::winces as a whip cracks the ground and then starts vigorously typing:: Mommy! X-MenGenius, I am thrilled you are reading my story and that you like it! Chico De Los Ojos Cafe, Mechelle-VanPatten, Wen1, Fizzgig2k,I'm glad to see you're still sticking with my story and me and I really enjoy your reviews! To the next chapter, hee-ya! ::timidly looks back at the whip-cracking Ashnan:: I'm writing, I'm writing!
Denial
"Didn't expect to see you back here so soon, sweetie!" Sue smiled while taking a pencil from her ponytail and set it down in front of Logan at the bar. He took the pencil and playfully spun it around his fingers, "Thanks for letting me in so early."
"It's okay, sugar! I enjoy your company, but why are you here so early?" She knew people who came in to the bar in the early afternoon, but it was ten thirty.
She was waiting on a friend to arrive and discuss prices for a new sound system.
'Because some ass hole decided to put his grubby hands on Rogue and this is all I could do to keep from cutting him up.' Wolverine shrugged and wiped a hand over his mouth, "For a beer."
Sue grinned, "On the house, dear." She retrieved a beer from the cooler for him and set it down on a napkin.
"Thanks, but I'm still paying. Especially with what happened to your jukebox and all." He took a swig of his beer.
"You're too kind, but I don't want your money." She winked at him flirtatiously. He raised an eyebrow. He knew she was interested, but she was acting a tad cheekier than she had been when they first met. This might be exactly what he needed.
"I'm sorry, but what is it that you want exactly?" He leaned in a little closer with a wily grin on his face.
"Whoa there, cowboy!" She moved back and crossed her arms, "I was hoping you could do me a favor."
Logan leaned back into his seat with a confused expression, "What kind of favor?"
"Well, I want things to pick up in here a little. I'm already getting a new sound system, new big neon sign, gonna hire a deejay and so I'm looking to hire a few pretty girls to come waitress for me as well. You know, girls who might attract a little more customers."
"Oh, yea I noticed that help wanted sign you had out there, but why? This place is fine the way it is, you don't need all that crap in here." He took another long swig of his beer.
"Look, unlike you mister I'm a people person, and I like people. But I can't keep this place open on a few loyal customers. I need money, Logan. And I've won enough at bingo night to make things happen for this bar!"
He shook his head and downed the rest of his drink. Sue rolled her eyes and rested her elbows onto the bar, "Okay, I've placed an ad in the paper, but you work at a school and I figured there are a few pretty girls that might be interested in making some extra cash for their dates or whatever."
"I don't know."
"Oh come on, I bet Mary would be interested!"
He closed his eyes and let out a deep breath. Sue noticed that his whole expression changed after she mentioned Mary's name. "What's wrong, sweetie? Sibling rivalry?"
"Something like that."
"Well, cheer up, I'm sure things will clear up. Just be the better man, that I know you can be and apologize."
"Why do you automatically assume I'm the one who needs to apologize?"
Sue took on a serious expression and lifted an eyebrow.
Logan snorted, "Sweetie, I know you're just trying to help, but it's a bit more complicated than that. Could I have another?" He pointed to the empty bottle.
"So tell me what happened, that's why you're really here, right?" She placed another beer onto the bar.
"I think Francis and Mary are together or something." He took a drink of the cold beverage.
Sue was confused and shrugged, "So? What's wrong with that?"
"Let me think, he's a teacher and she's a student. Fucking pervert is what he is. He had a great woman and he's already trying to shack up with my Mar-" he cleared his throat while Sue smiled with great effort, "I meant-"
"She's not too young to date someone his age, most certainly not too young for you." Sue looked away and sighed, "You meant what you said, Logan. Sounds like Sis means a little more than what you had me believe." She grabbed a towel, concentrated on a smudge she conveniently noticed and let out a pitiful laugh as she wiped the bar, "And to think I was interested."
Logan placed a hand over hers, "Shit, I am too, Sue. It's not like that with me and her. I don't know why I said that." He scratched the back of his head and fumbled around with some thoughts, trying to think of what to say next, "How would you like to go on a date tonight?"
She sighed, "I'm sorry, Logan. But I make it a policy not to date customers."
"But you just said-"
"I know what I said, hon. But even if I did consider breaking that rule for you, it wouldn't work out."
He placed a hand on the side of her face, "How do you know?"
She gently pushed his hand away and placed her hands on the bar, while leaning in, "As much experience as I have had, believe me, I know. Go tell Mary how you feel, before you do something stupid and regret it."
A man entered the door dressed in a business suit and sunglasses, "Hey Sue!"
She smiled and waved, "Be with you in a minute, sweetie!" She turned her attention back to Logan who was eying the man suspiciously. "Look, think about that favor I asked, okay? I have some business to take care of."
'Who the hell is he?' Logan watched her as she walked over to the guy and embraced him. The man took off his sunglasses as they made their way to a corner booth. There, he opened up his brief case and set out some catalogs for them to survey.
Logan finished his beer and contemplated what to do next. He really didn't feel like facing Rogue and he still hated Scott's guts. Despite his past with Jean, despite the shady way him and Jean handled their love, or according to her, their lust, he still hated Scott. If he did allow himself to feel regret, to actually admit what he did behind Scott's back was wrong. It wouldn't change a damn thing. Nothing but the way he felt anyway, and he didn't want to feel anything besides anger. To him, it was all Scott's damn fault.
Logan had thought that Sue and him could date, but didn't know how far it would actually go. Maybe he could talk to her again, convince her otherwise. Now that had turned sour and he wasn't sure what to do next.
He refused to accept the fact that he had romantic feelings for Rogue. She was like a sister to him, right? She was too young and it wouldn't be right. Her powers could never let him as close to her as he would want to be anyways. And for Scott to have done, whatever he did with her, wasn't right. That dumb ass knew exactly what would happen. So why did he wish it was him that made a move on Rogue instead of Scott?
Forty-five minutes passed by and Sue was still chatting it up with that guy. He was getting bored waiting for her, but figured it was better than the school or the street. He had a deck of cards and was passing time by playing solitaire, blocking any unwanted thoughts about Rogue and Scott from his mind. He was a stubborn man.
Logan placed another card down on the bar as he heard the door open and the bell ring. He heard Sue excuse herself and listened as she stepped away. "Can I help you?"
"Yes, I saw the sign outside and was interested."
Logan turned to the familiar voice, "What are you doing here?"