I watch as all the kids start to climb into their sleeping bags and drift off to sleep. I see several already snoring as if the last couple of hours never happened. I do a head count for the 10th time , dimming the lights, backing out the door quietly. I look across the hall to the gaming room to see Logan on the couch rubbing the back of his neck. I sigh and walk towards him. " Here let me. " I pull him back against the cushions and start to massage the muscles there. he tenses for a moment but then become putty in my hands. He groans as I hit a particular stubborn knot. He leans his head back and locks eyes with me. " Where have you been all my life?!" I chuckle and then run my nails along his scalp. I hear him start purring in pleasure. I smirk and hit a particular spot behind his right ear. He goes completely limp. "Azura , what did you just do?" he asks . I cross my arms and smile a devious smile. " that Logan is called the love point. If hit in pleasure it can cause you to become sated and sleepy. But only your fated mate can cause this kind of reaction." Disbelief passes across him face. I roll my eyes and hold out my hand to help him up. "Come on I'll help you to your room before you pass out on me." he reaches for my hand and I slowly help him up. When he's up we slowly make our way up the stairs to his room. when we stop at his door, He runs his fingers across my cheek. " What happened all those years ago? " I look away knowing it was going to come to this. " We went our separate ways Logan. It was back in 1938, you were working as a foreman on a ranch and I was running from my past . I was disguised as a man and came to the ranch asking if you needed help. I showed you what I could do and explained how I got the experience on a ranch and you hired me on the spot. we became best friends. For 2 years , we roped, branded and broke horses. We're in town one day getting supplies when She , showed up. I knew then she was going to change things. And she did. You were so blinded by her that for 2 years you courted her . You were going to ask her to marry you but I stepped in and told you to ask her if she had the choice between life on the range or in the city what would she have chosen. She chose the city. She had found out that you were rich and thinking of buying your own spread. You blamed me for pulling the blinders from your eyes. You wouldn't speak to me unless it had to do with work. You started drinking, and I'm talking like drinking where you couldn't walk straight. this went on for 3 months . Until I told you to either get yourself together or you could do this without me.. In a drunken rage you and I fought. You spared my life and told me that you would give me a weeks head start to run , and that I should pray you wouldn't be able to find me. Because if you did, the law wouldn't be able to piece me back together from where you tore me to shreds. that night after you had fallen asleep, I packed my belongings and ran. I ran and for nearly 10 years never settling down never stopping for more than a few days. I started to dress like a woman again. Changed my name and became a school teacher. I was there at Little Rock for 2 years and had bought a cute little house. I was walking home from school when I caught a scent on the wind . Your scent . I looked around and saw you swinging down from your mount and looking around. You saw me and didn't recognize who I was. But I saw your eyes flash yellow and I knew the hunt was on. You were determined to catch my eye. The more I ignored you the more you wanted me. I finally had had enough . " You have no idea who I am do you? " I asked . I remember you looking at me in confusion and saying " Uh well your Rose. the gal I'm courting." I crossed my arms and said " Wow James you must be getting old if you haven't picked up my smell by now. You seriously don't recognize me after all these years? Well let me refresh your memory. " I popped my claws and your face took on a look of recognition. " Jones" that's all you said my name. you stepped back and took me in and then you had the gall to ask me why I left all those years ago." I look at Logan and see confusion on his face. " So you see Logan , the past should be left alone . " I move away from him . " But that doesn't explain why I know you far more intimately than I should. Like how I know that your favorite flower is Sunflowes , and your favorite color is teal blue. Or how I know my claiming mark is on your right shoulder blade. Explain to me how we went from friends to enemies to lover to mates. " I ignore his questions and move to my door. " Rosebud." I freeze at that nickname . " See that right there proves that you aren't telling me everything. Talk to me . " " Fine , we got married a months later and about 3 months later I had just found out I was pregnant when she showed back up in our lives. She did whatever she could to cause strife in our marriage. One morning when I was about 7 months I had a doctor's visit and I walked there because it wasn't far. You were doing some chores at home and I told you not to worry that I'd be fine walking to Dr Owens office. you kissed me goodbye and rubbed my stomach . I had no idea what would have happened next. Kayla had decided that if she couldn't have you then no one should. She ..." tears were streaming down my face. " She attacked me and stabbed me. I was left for dead, bleeding in an alley way in town. Luckily Doc found me an hour later. Our Son and daughter were born a month early but they were perfectly healthy. But in all that time I wondered where you were at. you should've been there with us. Come to find out after she stabbed me she went and somehow disguised herself as me. She used some form of shapshifting and well... the rest you can figure out. " I look at this man and see that he is broken. " What happened to our kids?" I smile and say William James is now a detective on the LAPD and Willow Rose is a horse trainer and martial artist champion down in Texas. I keep in touch with them as often as I can their good kids. Last I heard their both doing what they can to help the mutant cause. " he rubs a hand down his face and I see that what I just told him is finally catching up. " Did we ever get back together ? " I walk back towards him, cross my arms , and lean against the wall . " We did , but it took a lot for me to trust you again. I understood that you had been manipulated and it wasn't entirely your fault. But I was hurt. I didn't understand how you had been fooled so easily. I told you I needed time and that we would remain together but as for wisely duties that wasn't going to happen anytime soon. " he nods his head and says " OK, Rosebud. I get it. we'll take this slow. " I stand on my tip toes and kiss his cheek. " Goodnight Logan . Sleep well. " I go back to my room. and try to sleep.