Locking them in behind us, we headed up to the watch room. Looking out the observation window down below. Neither Logan or Scott were doing anything. Just kinda weaving around one another.

Thanks to the multimillion dollar sound system Xavier installed I could hear everything the two were saying as if I was down in the room with them..

"I really don't like you." Scott was saying, his voice hard and bitterly cold.

"As if your on my favorites list." Logan responded snidely, giving him an even look.

"You owe me an apology."

"You've got a better chance of seeing a herd of pink elephants passing us by and saluting us."

"I don't want to fight you." Scott said, stopping and standing still.

"Yes. You do." Logan replied evenly, matching Scott's sudden stillness.

Several minutes later, the two still arguing, Jubilee came back. I hadn't even realized she left, nor returned until I smelled something. I turned slightly around.

"Jubilee! What! Is that?"

"Popcorn what does it look like?.. This is bound to be more entertaining that anything I have seen lately.. don't worry," She held out another bowel of the snack out toward me, "I brought you some too."

We laughed over her antics and she sat down beside me.

"Anything happen while I was gone?"

"Nope."

"Darn."

While we watched, Scott went and checked the doors to see if they were really locked. But they definitely were, and from the outside too. He even took the door control panel off and started to fiddle with it, but didn't get very far with it, especially when Jubilee started yelling at him through the speaker system.

So the two took to wandering the room. Saying nothing to one another. This went on for quite some time. The popcorn was long gone and our patience was running thin.

Heck if one of them apologized to the other that would have been entertaining.

But then it happened.

Logan seemed to be getting more and more restless as the minutes started passing, a little twitchy too. Liked a caged animal. He starred cursing loudly, at me, at Jubilee and at Scott.

And then he just let loose.

"Enough of this!" Scott barely had enough time to turn around and face the now barreling toward him Logan, as he was kicked brutally to the ground and attacked.

The fight was on.

Scott got his wits about him relatively quickly, easily pushing Logan off of him and rolling to the side. Jumping up he brought his clenched hands in front of his body. Logan rushed toward him again, but this time it did him no good. Every punch Logan threw at Scott was blocked, every kick skillfully evaded. I have never seen Summer's so deft in his movements before. So able to handle himself. I think Logan wasn't prepared for the sudden skill that was being literally shoved in his face. And he may have been quick but Scott seemed more than able to keep up with him.

Logan finally got a hard kick in that landed on Scott's chest, who nearly fell over from the impact. But regaining his balance, he dropped to the ground, swiping Logan's feet out from under him, causing the Canadian to drop hard to the ground. He didn't give him a chance to get off the floor. Taking a step forward, Scott span slightly, bringing his foot with him as he aimed it at Logan's head. Who managed to lean back and move out of the way.

But Scott was seemingly prepared for that as he jumped forward, bringing his other foot up, this time making contact with the right side of Logan's face,who went crashing back down on the mat.

Getting up part way, almost in a praying position, Logan leaned on one leg, watching his quarry guardedly as he spat out of his mouth. Scott had finally drawn his blood.

I half expected Wolverine to release his claws, especially after that, but I guess nonverbally the two decided not to use their powers.

Suddenly roaring loudly he pounced at the approaching Scott, who had seen his move well enough in advance to get out of the way. Which just made Wolvy even more angry.

They continued. Both still full of vitality and obvious rancor. There were more punches, kicks, flips, jabs, and everything else under the sun. Man against man. Fist against fist.

Anger against rage.

It was breathtaking, yet more violent than I expected. But I was still unable to turn away.

Neither would quit, give in, or stay on the floor. It got to the point where neither could seem to stand. Even Logan was wobbly and not so sure footed as Scott continued his fierce barrage of attack upon him. Not given in, or letting up. Meeting Logan's fierceness with a sharp determination all his own.

But both were taking a beating. And Scott would be the one left with the scars, marks and abrasions.

I was just about to go down and stop the thing, out the door and on my way down the stairs to the elevator, when I heard it.

Silence.

I nearly tripped and fell, from my sudden frozen state. Turing around when I regained my balance I went back up to the room.

"What's goin' on?" I asked Jubilee.

Her eyes were large with astonishment when she turned to face me.

"They've... they've stopped!"

"Stopped?"

I saw she spoke the truth as I peered down below. I couldn't believe it. Logan was helping Scott off the ground, who was actually allowing him too.

It was over.

"Not bad," Logan was saying, his words tinted with actual respect and a good amount of surprise. "You hit pretty good for a boy scout."

"Apology accepted." Scott said, disregarding Logan's sarcasm, while not giving him any room to argue about what he had just said, just by the way he held his stance. Like he was ready to go at it again if he had to. Especially if Logan said anything to the contrary to his just spoken words.

But Logan didn't, he just settled for a partial snarl and two raised eyebrows. Maybe he was slightly apologetic, although since I pretty much ruled that out .. I figured at the very least his anger must have been subdued adequately. At least for the time being.

I rushed down after that. Jubilee following behind me. Opening the danger room doors, we anxiously made our way inside...

So I helped fix Scott up after Jubilee retrieved the first aid kit for me. He sat down on the mat and allowed me to tend to him. A strangely pleasing experience. He didn't look as bad as I originally thought, although he had a bloody nose, and a huge gash over his right eye above his sunglasses, glasses that he somehow managed to keep on throughout the whole exchange... Must be years of practice.

Me trying to clean him up wasn't the easiest process in the world, I managed the antiseptic ok, but the dang bandages kept getting stuck to my gloves, which besides the amusement it brought to the others, it did nothing for me. I finally ripped them off and I was able to finish up. Although it probably took me longer than it would have most people, me having to be careful and all, but Scott was very patient...

I bet his body was covered in welts and bruises as well. He would probably be sore for a while. But he wouldn't complain.

Logan tidied up his own self while I was working on Scott, which pretty much just involved grabbing a towel off a bench and wiping the sweat and blood off his body. Looking perfectly healthy like he always does.

Jubilee just sat on the mat handing me things like a nurse as I asked for them...

"Cotton balls."

"Check."

"Gauze."

"Check." She kept saying every time she put something in my hand.

I was even more impressed with Scott, when he got off the floor by himself, and was able to walk out of the room without much of a limp or anything else. Especially since It's not easy taking someone on who has regenerative powers. But I've always known Scott was strong enough to take Logan on, even if the fight ended a little prematurely, he had held his own. And in the end he was still able to stand.

Not many people could say they held out against the Wolverine...

So the day ambled on, becoming night.

We ended up having a barbeque, everyone pitching in and helping. Even Logan marinated and cooked the steaks. Eating together once again, this time we were talkative, Logan even joined into the conversation as Scott and him suddenly were more friendly with one another. Men! Nothing like beating the crap out of one another to form a sudden sense of camaraderie.

I decided to enjoy it while it lasted. These sporadic truces of theirs never last very long.

After dinner Jubilee and I were heading up to her room to find a game that the four of us could play. Well hopefully four if Logan could be convinced.

So we were in her closet, going through what she had available.

It ended up we just grabbed a deck of cards. Figured we could play poker or something. Heck, then Logan couldn't argue by saying it was a sissy game or something else derogatory.

Anyway we were on our way back down, when Jubilee decided to unleash on me some of her abruptness and supposed knowledge.

"You know those two weren't fighting over oranges or flying basketballs don't you?"

I stopped on the second to last step at the bottom and looked at her puzzled.

"What do y'mean Jubilee?"

She gave me one of her knowing smiles. Looking proud as a peacock for whatever she apprehended.

"Well?" I said finally. Jubilee looked as if she wanted to stretch out whatever it was she knew as long as possible. Savor it.

"They were fighting over you." She told me, pointing at me and watching me closely for my response.

I laughed. Her words tickling me. As the absurdity of them were absorbed in my system.

"They fought over Jean, they would never fight over me."

Jubilee let out a long breath. And shook her head at me.

"Why don't you see what I see?"

"Because y'aren't seein' what you're seein'?"

I started to walk away from her quickly, she ran to catch up with me.

"Why such denial Rogue?"

I gave her a smile that was more of a frown.

"Because things like that don't happen to me."

She placed her hand on my upper arm.

"They are now!"

"Please! Logan doesn't care for me that way! He's just a little protective that's all."

"A Little? He wanted to kill Scott down there... "

"They were just letting off some steam."

"Some steam, it nearly melted the mansion down to it's natural components."

"Logan doesn't think about me that way!" I repeated myself again, more sternly, trying to drive it into her thick brain and end the conversation before someone overheard us.

"He could!"

"So are y'sayin' all knowin' Jubilee doesn't know how he feels?" I asked her, my interest somewhat peaked.

"Well he is a hard one to read sometimes.. so who knows.. maybe it's more that just plain old protection." She shrugged. Getting a faraway look as she started to play with one of her large hoop earrings.

Both of us were silent after that as we located Scott and Logan. Scott watching the news in the front room, Logan on the back porch smoking a cigar.

Jubilee and I did manage to get us all together once again to play poker. A game I used to suck at. But now with so many people's knowledge running around in my head of how to play it (and how to cheat if I wanted) I did rather well. I'll have to thank Logan later for saying:

"I'm not playing with those kiddy chips," He barked, pointing at the red, yellow and blue sized coins."You wanna play, we'll play for real money."

Jubilee had been the one who had thought of using those, and I could see she had to restrain herself from throwing them all at Logan. Although later, when she had lost a good amount of money, some which she had to borrow from Scott, she did lose her control and throw them at Logan and me, who had been hogging all the winnings.

Poor girl. But I'll probably give her some of her money back. She has been saving up for another jacket, to replace her ruined one, and I kinda want to see her get it.

So my day wasn't quite like I expected it to be. Instead of just Scott I spent time with Logan and Jubilee too.

But it was great. I mean how often have the four of us ever spent time together that didn't involve fighting or defending one another from someone or something?

And even if the outer limits theme went through my head a couple times, due to Scott and Logan being a little more cordial than usual, I was still able to appreciate it all...

Logan eventually took off, mumbling about how he had things to do, a stern expression on his features that was supposed to hide the fact that he had a good time. But I knew better.

Jubilee had been looking more and more tired as the night progressed and took Logan's leaving as a cue for her to go to bed.

So it was just me and Scott. I helped him clean up the mess that was left for us, stuffing the money in my jean pockets, satisfied. Thinking about what I was going to do with it all.

"Are you tired Rogue?"

I picked up an empty bag of potato chips and some cans of pop and beer, throwing them away in the trash can that was located behind the pool table in the game room, where we had been playing.

"Why? Y'trying' t'get rid of me?"

"No actually the complete opposite." He gave me one of his soft endearing smiles. Making his way over to me.

"What did y'have in mind?" I asked, looking up into his slightly bruised face. I brought my hand up and lightly touched him above his eye where I had bandaged him earlier. "Still can't believe y'did that! What would the Professor think?"

"Well in case you haven't noticed Xavier isn't here.." He suddenly grabbed me from behind my arms bringing me closer to him. "In fact nobody is here but us." His voice became softer by a couple degrees, changing the atmosphere in the room from warmly playful to searingly sensual.

"I've... I've noticed." I managed to get out, his sudden nearness to me making me flustered .. in a good way.

"Do you trust me Rogue?" He looked at me very serious.

I thought the question over for a couple long seconds before answering. It all depending on what he was asking I trusted him with. Or in what circumstance. And does one person ever completely trust another? I believed I had that with Logan, maybe I still do.. to a certain extent. But well. And then Bobby. And then the others, Xavier, McCoy, Ororo, Jubilee. Probably more Jubilee and Scott than anyone else at the moment but.. I just don't know anymore. Trust. Can I? Do I. Will I?

"Sometimes." I finally said.

Scott actually chuckled at that. Brushing some of my hair out of my face that had fallen when he had taken a hold of me.

"I guess that is good enough... for now.. Close your eyes."

"What?"

"Close your Eyes."

I finally did. Fighting the urge to open one of them and see what he was doing.

But then I felt it, contact on the side of my face, that was slowly making it was up and around my lips, over my closed eyes. Then down the side of my neck and just over the edge of my shirt, touching my skin as it dipped slightly underneath, caressing the bare area above my tank top that I was wearing underneath.

"Open your mouth Rogue." Scott suddenly told me, his voice low and husky.

"Why?" I kept my eyes shut, knowing he was staring down at me as I spoke.

"Because you'll want to."

Who could argue with that logic. So I did as I was told.

He put something in my mouth. I knew what it was immediately. A peanut M&M, we had them along with the chips and other snack foods.

I opened my eyes, Scott was watching me, or my mouth more exactly. Biting down into the chocolate candy I swallowed it down.

"Is that how y'touched me?" I already had a partial idea what it had been, but I was still slightly in awe. If a piece of candy could do that to me, what would it be like if it had been his bare hand. His finger? The thought sent shivers down through me.

"Not bad huh?"

We were still pretty close, I lightly trailed my hand up his well muscled arm.

"Not bad at all." I said, returning his touch with my gloved hand as it made its way to his face. I touched his mouth first, slightly fascinated with it, then dragged a finger underneath his glasses, reveling in the contact.

"Take them off." He whispered. Causing my stomach to tighten in a pleasing manner.

"I.."

"It's Ok Rogue my eyes are closed."

So I took his glasses off. Carefully, staring at the man who stood before me. Could anyone be more perfect? More Beautiful? Man if all the girls around here were gaga over Scott now, they should get a look at his full features! His soft eyelashes, smooth skin, a little hair growth over his chin.. I lightly passed my right hand over his closed eyes, wondering if it pains him not to be able to see people without his mutation tinting his perception.

But I knew he didn't feel that as much as he had in the past. Now used to his world of red that he lives in. Only every once and a while did he feel caged, bottled up somehow. Separated. Confined. But I knew he was also very grateful that he could see anything at all.

I stood up a little on my tiptoes and lightly brushed my lips over his right eye. Shocking myself as I did so.

Scott took a deep intake of breath when I did that. I guess it was kinda dangerous what I did, what if he opened his eyes out of surprise?

Well, guess I wouldn't have to worry about my skin anymore. Or anything else for that matter.

But I knew he could control himself, years of experience preparing him.

Scott didn't say anything as I put his glasses back on him, the back of my right hand touching the side of his face afterwards, as I found I didn't want to stop feeling him. Even such as it was.

I barely dropped my hand down after that contact, when he started kissing me, short caresses over my mouth, face and neck, that didn't give my mutation time to respond, even if I was.

But it had to stop. Before things went from barely curbed, to frightfully, if not gloriously frantic. My mind becoming crisp and clear as I was able to think of the consequences if we didn't. Even with that knowledge it still took me a while to say something.

"Scott.." I said, my voice not sounding like my own. "Scott."

He finally let me go. I was sitting on the card table, him right in front of me. I didn't even know that Scott had picked me up and put me there, until I had opened my eyes. He placed one more lingering kiss on the top of my head and gave me an understanding look.

"I know." He brought me to my feet, placed his hands around me, and hugged me gently. "I know."

We went for a walk after that, neither of us saying much of anything. Parting for the night when a couple minutes after we returned to the house, Scott got a call from McCoy. After making sure it wasn't anything that would require me donning my uniform, I left him and went up to my room. Slowly. As if sleepwalking.

Darkness, Brightness.

Love and Desire.

Fill me, want me.

Wake me from this dream.

Chase me.

Or just let me sleep.

Catch me.

Don't leave me be.

Caress me.

Just with your words.

Look at me.

I see you too.

Tinted in red.

Washed in white.

Swirling together.

Changing colors.

Becoming something new.

Alive.

Rogue - Friday July 1st 2010 11:32 PM