A/N: Wooo...ok that last chapter was a rough one and looks like it didn't sit too well with some of you. Well, all I will say is there was a reason for Wolverine's actions and I hope it will be explained here...

Chapter 17

In his heavy sleep, he finally rolled to his back, releasing her from his vice-like grip. Marie slowly climbed out of bed, being sure not to wake the sleeping beast then softly padded out of the room and into the bathroom.

She checked in the mirror, doing the best she could to inspect the mark he left behind. She sighed at the clump of hair that was caked with blood.

As she let the shower run over her, gently cleaning the tender area of the wound, she jumped when she felt strong arms snake around her waist from behind, spinning to face him as she pressed herself against the shower wall, her eyes wide and filled with fear.

He lowered his head and quietly spoke. "Marie, honey, I'm so, so very sorry that happened."

"Logan?" She questioned in a whisper, relieved when he looked up at her with his hazel brown eyes.

"Yeah. Baby, I'm sorry. It just happend so fast, I didn't...didn't have time to react, time to stop him." He pulled her to him, burying his face in her neck as he let out a single sob.

She could feel him trembling against her, feel him fighting back his sobs as she wrapped her arms around him in a comforting embrace. "I know baby, I know, it's ok. What did happen anyway?"

He shook his head. "I don't know. I've been feeling it all week. I've been so busy with work and meetings, this promotion...then today, after my promotion was announced, all the people coming to congratulate me...I think Wolverine got jealous of all the attention I was getting. I think...maybe...I think he was feeling neglected and got a little too agressive with you, I think, maybe he was trying to establish his dominance. That's one of the many problems I have with the beast, we both fight for control and when he thinks I'm the one in more control, more dominant, he becomes agressive, tries to prove he's stronger, better, more virile than me."

She pulled back and ran a hand through his hair. "Maybe it was partly my fault too."

He looked at her in shock. "What? No! How could it be your fault? You've been great. I'm the happiest I've been for several decades! Marie, you're the best thing that's come into my life since Mia, I couldn't ask for anyone better."

"But I haven't been very attentive to Wolverine. It's easy to forget that there's another...person inside of you. Wolverine hasn't come out to me for a few months, and I haven't asked for him to come out. I just need to remember to spend time with him like I spend time with you, show him that I love him as much as I love you, show him that that the two of you are equals and that he doesn't have to fight with you to prove himself with me."

Logan thought about this a moment before he slowly nodded. "I guess...I need to remember to allow him out around you now and then, but I get so worried that he might hurt you, like he did today, I just...I get scared to let him out around you."

Logan checked the mark his beast left behind and scowled at how deep it was. While helping her to clean and dress it, he made the mental note to give the beast a good chewing out over it. After, Logan suggested they go out to celebrate his promotion.

XXX

The pair were having a good time, laughing and dancing. Logan had noticed a couple of men at the bar that seemed to be watching him, without looking like they were watching.

He got up, walking towards the bar. His body tensed as he prepared for the confrontation. He relaxed when he noticed one of the men put his hand to a hip and extended his pinky and ring fingers, a secret signal that only Logan and Victor knew.

Logan continue to the bar and got the bartender's attention. "A pitcher of draft and 2 glasses." As soon as the bartender turned to pour his beer, he pulled his phone from his pocket and put it to his ear and muttered to the man next to him. "Tell my brother thanks."

The man lifted his mug of beer to his mouth, keeping his eyes focused forward while quietly speaking. "Major Creed has put the 2 of us and 2 others on you. You and your girl there will have 24/7 protection. The major will contact you soon."

Logan paid for the beer, while pocketing his phone. "Thanks." He said in the direction of the bartender, but meant for the man next to him.

As he went back to the table, he continued to scan around. He was stopped in his tracks at the sight of "Bambi." She gave him a sly smile. "Hey Logan. Haven't seen you at the bar in a while. You trolling this place now, trying to avoid me?"

Logan grunted. "I'm not avoiding anyone, Bambi."

"Tina!" She huffed.

Logan rolled his eyes. "Whatever. You gonna keep stalking me? You that desperate? Look, I got a girl now...deal with it and buzz off slut."

She tossed her head back in a laugh. "Well isn't the mighty king of the cage so full of himself? I just happen to be here with some friends, not giving you a second thought. Sheesh...talk about conceded!" She flipped her hair at him as she walked away.

As he got back to the table with their beer, Marie gave him a look. "Wasn't that the girl from the gas station? Is she the one who's been following us?"

He shrugged a shoulder. "Yeah, that's the girl. I don't know if she's the one following us or not, but it's gonna be over soon. Stay cool...see those guys at the bar?" Marie gave a quick glance and nodded as Logan continued. "They're working for Victor, he's got people on both of us to try and catch whoever has been stalking us."

"And what if it's all in your head?" Marie questioned, trying to not sound like she was accusing Logan of imagining things.

He shrugged. "Then Victor will have a good laugh at me for being paranoid, but at least I will feel better knowing that you're safe."

She gave his hand a squeeze. "I'll feel better knowing that you're safe too...Logie Bear."

"Don't call me that." He grumbled.

As they continued with their date, Marie took a moment to talk shop. "So, when do you go over to the new facility?"

"End of the month. They'll start setting up the equipment and getting inventory in right away. Anyone transferring in will start next month for the shake down. I know corporate projects full operation first of Apirl, but I'm hoping to be fully staffed and ready to go by mid March."

"I'd like to transfer over with you." Marie smiled.

Logan shook his head. "I'd like that too darlin', but you can't. Part of the deal for the promotion is that we work in seperate facilities, but at least now we can be more open about our relationship."

XXX

By the end of the month, Logan had moved to his new office, smiling as he set the framed picture of Marie on his desk. He looked perplexed for a moment when he heard the unfamiliar ring tone.

He quickly reached in his pocket and pulled out the phone. He hadn't been through anything like this before, but Victor had put an emergency plan in place years ago, and as soon as Logan discovered the men that Victor had keeping an eye on him and Marie, he went out and bought an untraceable burner phone.

"Yeah." He smiled when he heard his brother's voice on the other end.

"Hey bro. Got news, not sure if you're gonna like it."

"I don't like any of this. What you got?" Logan asked as he sank into his chair and started to lean back when the chair suddenly went back further than he expected. "Fuck!"

"Jimmy? What's wrong? What happened? You ok?" Victor barked out very concerned about his little brother.

Logan gave a chuckle. "Yeah...new chair and I haven't adjusted it yet. You were saying?"

Victor let out an audible sigh of relief. "Ok, anyway, Bret and his crew spotted the guy that's been watching you and Marie. He ran a check and the guy is a private detective."

"Private Dick? Why? What for?"

Well...he's been hired by Summers. That's all we got so far, but-"

"Hold on. Got another call."

Logan reached in his other pocket and pulled out the other phone. He scowled when he saw the caller ID was Marie. "Honey? It's not your break time. Everything ok?"

"No!" She choked out. "Logan, a guy came to work, he served me with papers! Scott is suing ME for divorce! He-he is saying that I cheated on him. There's also something about spousal abandonment and mental anguish! He's suing for five thousand a month for emotional distress and spousal support! Can he do that? Logan...I don't even make five grand a month!"

Logan groaned. "Ok honey, I think I know what's going on. You have sick time don't you? Tell Rick you're not feeling well and need to go home. Go to my place and I'll be there soon."

"Yeah, I got some sick days. Logan? What's happening?"

"I'll explain when I get there. Just go to my house, don't stop anywhere and don't answer the phone for anyone but me."

"Ok. Logan...I love you."

"Love you too darlin'." Logan had a quick thought. "Hey Marie!"

"Yeah?"

"Hold on a sec. Don't hang up, just hold on."

He switched over to the other phone. "Vic, you hear that?"

"With our hearing? Of course, both sides of the conversation. What a fucking prick!"

"Tell me about it. You got eyes on her right now?"

"Sending the text now." There was a pause before Victor spoke again. "Yeah, got eyes on her. Already know what you're thinking. You're a go."

"What's the shadow rolling in?"

"Black Expedition, no markings."

Logan went back to the other phone. "Ok honey, you'll have one of Vic's men following you at a distance and they'll be outside the house. It's a black Expedition, so don't get too worried about it. Just drive normal and don't call any attention to yourself or the guy following you. I'll be home shortly."

"Ok. Logan? Are you sure all of this is necessary?"

"No, not really, but I just want to make sure you're safe. It's gonna be alright, I promise."

After he hung up with Marie, he turned his attention back to the other phone. "Vic? Does your guys know what this detective has on us?"

"Not at the moment. What do you want to do?"

Logan cocked a brow. "How do you feel about a kidnapping?"