MAB86 - Rose certainly has a lot to experience, and Logan is definitely feeling happier and a bit more a peace. That's why I have him a bit more open below :) and I hope that comes of okay and not to OOC. Seeing Rose more was something I wanted from the comics for ages, but I don't think it going to happen any time soon, so I decided to take a stab at it :) . I quite like Logan/Jean if can be done without to much drama from the triangle, and I have a Logan/Jean story going on right now as well (techically it's rated M, but it's more T, I put it at the M rating just because I thought a few things might push slightly at the T rating so I thought better safe then sorry). I also don't mind Wolvie/Storm though for the sake of this story I'm going it ignore they were a thing for a while (the comics currently seem to as well, so I'll just follow suit), though I think Mariko might just tip the scale slightly for me as my favourite Logan romance. Might get around to doing something there (have an idea for a different return from the dead of Logan linked to Mariko's raisng by the Hand).

I'm also thinking of maybe doing something eventually centring around the idea of what if Madyline Pryor was how she was originally planned, that is not a clone of Jean, just a woman who looked like her, and Scott did marry Maddie for herself, and stayed with her, when Jean returned. He would still join X-Factor but with Maddie and little Nathan, and with that as background fast-forward to when original X-Factor rejoins the X-Men (and probably have the deaths of Mariko and Silver Fox happen earlier, just prior to this), would clear the way for a Logan and Jean romance without the triangle. But right now that's just a concept, not sure how I'll develop it :) .

But anyway, thanks for reviewing as always, and I'm really happy your still enjoying this, hopefully you'll like this chapter, has a few surprises in it ;) .

Chapter 7

They broke their embrace and Rose moved a little to the side, looking down shyly as she blushed furiously, red all the way to her hairline, through still embraced Logan's arm. 'Please excuse me,' she mumbled, 'I didn't mean to act so forward and unladylike a manner in public, I assumed we were alone… ' her words drifting off as Rose looked down at her feet.

'Ah, it's okay,' Kitty said apologetically, 'we didn't mean for you to feel embarrassed. Trust me, you've done nothing to be ashamed off.'

'Yes fraulein,' Kurt interjected, 'please don't feel troubled on our account,' and bowing he took her hand and kissed the back of it, 'you are a beautiful and enchanting lady, it makes me wonder how Logan got so lucky,' and smiled at Rose as stood back up, at which Rose blushed again.

'Oh my, why thank you Mr Wagner,' Rose giggled in replied, 'you are most charming,' Kurt seemed a bit surprised that she knew his name, but otherwise said nothing.

Logan's chuckled, 'she's only just here an' I already have competition for Rose's heart,' he joked.

Rose looked up at Logan and winked, 'well it's true he's very handsome and charming,' at which Logan's eyebrow shot up and Rose laughed, 'but don't worry, you may be a rough mountain man, but your my rough mountain man, and I'll always be your lady,' and she hugged his arm tightly, and Logan grinned at her, while Kurt smiled seeing his friend so unguardedly happy.

Ororo laughed, 'it's was certainly interesting when we arrived at the Healing Gardens to hear you were talking Ms O'Hara here for a walk, it's seems she's good influence on you.'

Logan rubbed the back of his neck a little awkwardly, 'you're right there darlin', I guess when the right woman's there, all that stuff just seems to make sense somehow,' while Rose just smiled shyly up at him, and his three friends just grinned openly at him.

'Anyway,' Logan continued coughing a little, 'let me introduce you all, I know you already know quite about her, but you haven't really meet yet. I'd like you to meet Rose O'Hara, an' Rose these are some my best friends, 'Roro Munroe, Kurt Wagner and Kitty Pryde.'

Rose smiled warmly and went to meet them, surprising them as she hugged them each, 'I'm so happy finally meet you all, I feel like I've known you for ages. Thank you for putting up with James, or Logan as you know him, through all these years, I know he can be a bit otherwise and moody, but it was such a relief for me to finally see him have good friends, loved ones and family.'

'No problems,' Kitty returned, though gave Logan a quizzical look, 'Wolvie was a bit intimidating and scary at first when I was young, but you get past that the old man's a cuddly pushover.'

'Hey,' Logan replied chuckling, 'I'm not a cuddly pushover kid. Any more talk like that an' my reputation will be shot.'

'Don't worry,' Kurt joked, 'your reputation is safe with us.'

'But how is it you know us?' Ororo asked.

'Oh sorry,' Rose replied. 'I've been watching over James for a long time, all of his life really, even after I died, I could never leave him alone.' A sad look passed over her face as she continued, 'I've seen him hurt so much, but then he became part of the X-Men, and he found friends and family that lasted, and cause to commit himself to. You all changed his life so much, and I'll always so grateful to you all for friendship towards him, thank you so much,' Rose finished grasping Ororo's hands.

Smiling broadly, her own eyes growing a little wet, Ororo said, 'it was always our pleasure Ms O'Hara, Logan is very dear to us all, and anything we've done for him, he's done for us as well. I wouldn't have survived and be who I was today without him, it's not to far to say that sometimes he was the one who saved me. The family we've built up with the X-Men would never be what it is without him with us a well.'

'Yes,' Kitty added softly, 'I wouldn't be here, and certainly wouldn't be who I am without Logan, he's been and is my closest friend, mentor, he's like a father to me.'

'And we hit it off right away,' Kurt added, 'we seem so different, but maybe that's our friendship works. Logan was the first to encourage me to not be afraid of how I look and to stop hiding away.'

'Ah, enough of all this mushy stuff,' Logan said. 'We're family an' lets leave it at that.'

Rolling her eyes slightly at Logan, Ororo asked, 'so how are you doing Ms O'Hara? Coming back from the dead isn't an easy experience and last I saw you were still unconscious.'

'Please call me Rose,' Rose replied, 'and I'm fine really, I was just little tired and thirsty, which isn't so bad really after being a hundred years dead.'

Ororo laughed gently, 'I suppose it isn't.' Looking briefly at Logan she added, 'and how is everything else, about how you were brought back, do you know anything.'

'You mean the Phoenix, 'Ro?' Logan asked.

'Yes,' Ororo replied, 'I'm sorry, I don't want to pressure you at all, just concerned.'

'Don't worry 'Ro,' Logan said, 'we know. From what Rose told me, the Phoenix raising her was a by-product of when it was brought Jeannie back the last time, back when I was dead. Rose was left trapped in a regenerative cocoon of sorts around her body, until I came, and that seemed to trigger what Phoenix had done to release and restore her. And it seems Jeannie was right, as far as Rose knows the Phoenix Entity isn't present in her, it's just a result of it's last visit, so I think we can relax on that score, as much as we ever can when it comes to Phoenix. Phoenix raising her has changed Rose some though.'

Looking to her, Rose picked up where Logan left off, 'ah yes. As I told James, back before I died, I was always empathic but otherwise a normal human. No one knew anything about mutants then, wouldn't really know until long after I died, but unlike James I was a normal human. When I died I knew I had to stay at James' side, I couldn't leave him, and something came to my aid, the Phoenix, it heard my cry and it was intrigued, and somehow through that it found Jean Grey and we became connected, it's why we look so alike I think. I've stayed alongside James as spirit ever since, linked to him, until the Phoenix drew me back when it tried to unite with Jean this last time, as James said. Since then I seem to be able to hear people's thoughts and read minds, I don't know if that from the Phoenix, or it's from my link with Jean and being brought back to life alongside her.'

'Wow,' Kitty replied, 'sounds like good news all around, but I guess it's allot to deal with.'

'It's not bad,' Rose said, 'I seem to know how to use it, I didn't even notice at first, as I always able to perceive James' thoughts when I was a spirit, but I realized it was different when I knew I could hear thoughts from other people.'

'Do you remember much of when you were dead?' Kitty asked curious.

'Not really,' Rose added, 'only bits and pieces, mostly times I was with James, anything else seems foggy and unclear, like a half-fogotten dream, sometimes close but ultimately out of reach. I get the sense we're not supposed to know on this side much about such things though.'

'It's true,' Kurt added, 'I don't really remember much from when I was dead either, I remember coming back to fight Azazel from attacking heaven, but not about the experience. Though I have some strange recollection of fighting demons alongside you Logan.'

'So that was you elf,' Logan replied. 'Was never sure if it was you, or just a figment of my own mind given life. Glad you beside me with that, don't think I would have made it out of that without you. And you still have to get me some of that heavenly beer you were talkin' about.'

Laughing Kurt replied, 'I think we might both have to wait for that, hopefully for a very long time.'

'Your not wrong there elf,' Logan returned, 'while the beer is temptin' I don't think I'm ready to leave just yet,' as he put an arm around Rose, and she leaned happily into him.

Ororo turned to Logan, a concerned and guilty look on her face, 'Logan, are you okay with everything? I never knew anything about your early life, even after you regained your memories, I'm sorry if I wasn't there for you like you have been for me. And I'm sorry if I've been to distant with you recently, you're entitled to your view on things.'

'That's rubbish 'Ro,' Logan chided her gently,'you've always been there for me, you, Kitty, Kurt, Jubilee, Jeannie, Anna, Petey and everyone else. I never mentioned it 'cause that's how I am, but I always knew you all had my back. I always felt your friendship, it was always a support and groundin' for me. Don't ever think you, or any of you have failed me. Your one of the strongest people I know 'Ro, and your my friend, your family, nothin' ever gettin' in the way of that. An' as for how I'm doin', well you saw, I'm doin' pretty great actually,' he finished smiling at the African goddess.

'Thank you Logan,' Ororo smiled, 'I'm glad your happy.'

'Yes, well enough of that,' Kitty said turning to Rose, smiling wickedly, 'what I want to know Rose is do you have any embarrassing stories from when Logan was young. He knows most of mine, saw of a few of them, so I'll finally have some material on the old man as well.'

'Well,' Rose said smiling conspiratorially, 'maybe just a few… '

'Ah, I think we better get goin' don't you, Rose… ,' Logan began to plead, causing everyone else to chuckle.

Rose was about to reply when a blood curdling inhuman roar ripped through the air, and Logan saw a hulking, twisted creature with dirty and rotting fur, it's fur broken by numerous wounds and tears from which leaked strange black blood, it was massive, the size of a truck, full of corded, rippling muscle beneath it's rotting and matted fur, large, curved claws springing from it's feet and a mouth full of ten inch fangs charging at them at massive speed.

Throwing Rose to Kurt Logan yelled, 'elf, 'port Rose and 'Ro clear, Kitty phase!'. Crouching into a battle stance, Logan clenched his hands into fists and with it's familiar staccato click his claws burst forth, as the he smelt the distinctive brimstone smell of Kurt teleporting Rose and 'Ro further away. The monstrosity burst through Kitty's phased form as she pulled forth her swords, and caught Logan in it's month, it's fangs biting down hard on his waist, held from ripping him in half only by his adamantium-laced ribs and bones, and with a roar of pain Logan punched his own claws into creature's snout with a silvery flash.

'James!' Rose cried, as the next moment the creatures momentum carried them both off the cliff, plunging the ground below.

The creature's massive paws slammed into the ground with a thunderous crack, somehow absorbing the impact. Logan felt the impact shake him, the teeth tearing against his adamantium ribs, and he rips his claws free and slashed at the mouth, ripping the top the snout clear. With an irritate roar, the creature flung him free, throwing him towards the cliff. In that moment, there was a burst of brimstone and Kurt was beside him, and a split-second and a second burst of brimstone later, they were on the ground, a little distance from the creature.

'All you all right, Logan,' Kurt asked.

'Just dandy, elf,' Logan replied, feeling his wounds closing up, the monstrous creature springing to face them both, it's black eyes boring in them with malevolence. 'Nothin' bit a bit of an itch, but that thing ain't given up.'

Letting loose another thunderous inhuman roar, black blood pouring out of it's mouth from the wounds Logan had struck, it started to charge when thunder sounded and the clouds grew dark and the winds around the creature whipped up furiously, and as it struggled forward it was soon encased in hurricane force winds that tore the ground around it. Debris from rocks, plants, and even small trees began to fly around it, and Logan held onto Kurt, slamming his one clawed hand into the rock of the cliffs beside them as the creature dug it's massive taloned paws into the ground and still came forward. Flying into view was Ororo, Storm of the X-Men, her eyes flashing white, and she reached forth her hands, the wind becoming focused around the creature, the winds dying around Logan and Kurt allowing them to stand up.

Focusing the hurricane wind to try and force back, whist it still struggled against howling wind blowing against it. 'You'll not go any further creature,' Ororo cried as she reached out her right hand, her eyes cracking, and a blinding lighting bolt was let loose, arcing towards the creature, the thunder of it's passing cracking the air around them. However the creature lashed out with one of it's giant taloned claws, the lightning reflected and shot at Ororo, her eyes shooting wide and with a cry caught the reflected lighting with her other hand, sending it's flashing towards the sky. The blinding flash of the impact flung the weather witch with a cry further backwards through the air, the wind dying down around the monster.

'Best get ready, elf.' Logan said, getting into position, 'you 'port, an' I'll slice an' dice.'

Getting up and shaking itself, the creature roared once more and moved towards Logan, and they saw Kitty phasing down towards it, her swords out, 'lets see if this can slow it down', she said phased through it. The creature howled as the sound of tearing came from within it and the next second she appeared beneath the behemoth, he swords thick with the creatures black blood and hit the ground.

But then Kitty stumbled, her swords cluttering to the ground, coughing and dropped to the ground, as the creature turned to look at her, hacking as more blood poured out of it's mouth from the internal damage Kitty had caused. Snarling at the being that had caused it pain, it turned towards her.

'Kitty!' Logan yelled and rushed towards her, his arms feeling strange, as if they were burning, yet there was no pain, rather a sense of renewed strength. 'Kurt, 'port her out of there,' he cried as he leapt in from of her. He distantly heard Rose cry his name, and out of the corner of his eye saw a golden-white flash from the edge of the cliff he'd fallen from, but Logan had no time to spare to look as Kitty's life depended on him.

Logan landed in from Kitty just as the monster raised it's taloned paw and swiped down with a roar, and he heard and smelt the 'bamf' as Kurt teleported Kitty out behind him. Logan thrust his claws up towards the striking paw with an answering howl, the burning shooting through his hands, as if his own fury give form, and he saw a fiery glow blaze from his shining claws a split second before the massive paw slammed down on him, and felt shattering impact shake through his unbreakable form, forcing him to his knees, his own claws driven deep inside the monster's foot, Logan's arms embedded right up to his elbows, the black blood spraying over him.

In that instant there was a white-golden flash, and the creature let forth howl of pain that tore across the clearing, and ripped it's paw away from him, it's wound burning with fire. Logan looked astonished for a second as he saw his claws again, blazing white-gold, just before the creature roared in rage and slashed at him with it's other paw.

Logan prepared himself to absorb the strike and counter-attack, when shining golden-white wings encased him, as heard Rose cry 'James!' behind him, and Logan heard the powerful talons of the monster clash with the wings, whatever they were, and expected it tear right through. But with a flash of power, the wings folded slightly with the force of the bestial strike, before they thrust outwards with thunderous burst of flashing white energy, and Logan saw the creature howling in pain again, as it stumbled back a step, it's foot burnt slightly.

As the creature growled at them, fear starting to come of it's unnatural scent, the wings swept over him, and Logan was stunned for a moment as floating beside him was an angelic like figure, golden-white wings of flaming energy outstretched behind her, golden flaming armoured dress encasing her, twin blades of energy blazing from her hands, and her red hair flowed behind her, her emerald green eyes shining.

'Rose?' Logan said.