MAl86 - A bit more of the calm before the Storm below, was going to include more but I thought it worked best a chapter on it's own. More bonding with the X-Men and a little more time for Logan and Rose together. But yeah, Ogun is definitely up to no good, and he and his pals will be crashing the party soon ;) . Hope you enjoy :) and thanks as always for the reviews :) .

(Nothing to much to say, all below is from Rose's perspective so again, Logan is called James, also the taking out of the ninjas while dancing was in Wolverine vol. 1# 87, when Logan was dancing with Tyger Tyger in Madripoor, Gambit was quite impressed. They'd come to try and kill Logan, though to be fair Maverick had shot them first, otherwise on with the story :) ).

Chapter 10

Rose leaned back into James' warm, solid chest as he wrapped his arms around her, his head on her shoulder, standing in one of the balcony-like viewing booths of the Grey-Summers home, looking at beautiful and fragile Earth hanging just above the stark lunar landscape, a perfect blue-white jewel set in the vast expanse of endless space and glittering stars.

Rose's eyes were lit with wonder, she had seen and known many things after she had died, both from existing on that plane and thanks to her connection with Jean and the Phoenix, and all the many extraordinary things she'd witnessed by James' side. But so many of those things were lost to her or foggy and incomprehensible now, returned to this mortal plane and severed from any connection to the near infinite consciousness that was the Phoenix. All forgotten dreams, but she found she didn't mind, her focus had always been James, the other things had been peripheral, but to see something like this in the flesh, a vision that would impossible to her young self, and to see it within James' arms was magical. Rose wondered how she had got so lucky, she had been thankful enough for the chance to just stay at his side, watch over him as the spirit, to hope that one day, far away they would be re-united and journey to the realms and life beyond together. But this, whether the Phoenix entity had intended it or not, whatever else it had and would do, great and terrible, Rose knew she would always been thankful beyond words for both the opportunity to stay with James, and now at last to be with him in the flesh. A true second chance, and she smiled as a tears began to run down her cheeks.

'Hey,' James voice rumbled at her shoulder, concerned, 'you alright, Rose? You're not feelin' tired or ill, it's nothin' I or anyone did today?'

Rose brought her hands to cover and interlace with his as they held her, and sniffing slightly she turned to look back at him, 'no James. I'm just happy, today, everything has just been so perfect, I've wanted this for so long, and to final have it, to have you, I'm just so very happy,' she smiled, and James grinned back a little, relaxing has he brought up his hand to gently wipe her tears from her soft skin with his thumb.

'Well, if your happy, I'm happy Rose,' and gently kissed her salty cheeks, and bringing his hand back down to interlace with hers again, his strong arms drawing her closer to the warm cocoon of his body. Shivers that had nothing to do with cold began running down her body, as their lips met in a slow, sweet and gentle kiss, their minds caressing in a dancing embrace for a moment. Before once more James rested his head on her shoulder continuing, 'I never figured I'd ever be with you to have any moments like this or any other with you Rose. Never figured I'd ever see you again, or you want to see me, to me this is all an impossible dream come true, all the poison draw away and your here with me, it's my deepest desire come true. I ain't much for fancy talking darlin', and not exactly a romantic, but you're are who I always longed for, but never thought I'd have, nor deserve. I want to share all the moments we have together, grand or simple, for as long as the last. Just to have you here is more special than anythin' else to me.'

'James,' was all Rose could say in return, her mind communicating to him the depth of love and emotion when words seem to fail her, and she felt her eyes glisten with unshed tears once more, and leaned back contentedly into his warm, chest once more and continued to enjoy the enchantment of the moment.

They'd come to this astonishing place through one the portal gates after James had finished touring some of the main sights on the island, as evening had approached. She knew at some point she'd have to fully investigate the full range of their abilities, and what implications it might have for the future, particularly given James' life, knowing as she did that she would not wish him to face those dangers alone. And whatever that strange creature was cast a shadow on her heart, and Rose couldn't help forgetting that sense of danger she'd had, nor the sense that they were connected. But those were questions for another day, for the rest of the day, she just wanted to focus on the joy of being together with James again after so long.

The dinner had been wonderful, the rapport between Jean and herself was instant and easy, it was as if they'd know each other for years, decades, because of course they had. Rose had known her before she'd even been born, meeting her had also been a coming home of sorts, finding that family she'd lost, to meet her twin after all this time of sensing her, sharing things and feelings with her, but never having the chance to talk to her before now. Being welcomed into this family, remembering how her own had been lost to or had rejected her, had been a little overwhelming but had helped to heal wounds she hadn't even known she'd had.

James friends had come, and the night had been full of warm and easy companionship, she could sense it taking many of them back to earlier, simpler and happier times, those earlier years of the X-Men she'd observed with James. James and Jean's husband, Scott Summers, so often had odds on and off, as they had built their friendship over those rocky years had even relaxed and joked. It had been a simple night but full of warmth, all the great worries and concerns left aside, all the complexities that so often entangled their lives lifted for a moment, as they allowed themselves to just enjoy them bonds as friends and family again. And she'd been grateful to be included in such a circle, there had never been anything like that in either the village, the Howlett mansion or at the quarry, and throughout James life he'd only had very few tastes of it before. She understood just why they had become the family he'd always looked for.

She could still her the soft voices and laugher of the others within, as James had lead her out here alone, bringing her to see this amazing view and share this peaceful and intimate moment with him. Rose sighed, it was the best day she'd ever had.

'It's all so wonderful James,' Rose whispered in his arms, 'still I long to return and see Canada again, to walk with you in the forests, to live in a cabin again. Only this time as it always should have been,' and she looked mischievously back at him winking, 'and I'm sure you'd appreciate the sight me lake-side bathing again.'

'Ah, Red, you know that was an accident, I just came upon you after huntin', you know I always tried to give you your space,' James replied, 'besides you'll have the wonders of hot water to enjoy, so you won't need to worry.'

With an inviting smile Rose returned, 'and where would the fun be in that, I don't think I'd mind you stumbling upon me at all,' and smirked as his eyebrows shot up. 'All the more reason to get back home soon don't you think,' she added and patted his hands affectionately.

'Yeah,' Logan said softly, a hunger briefly flaring in his eyes as he grinned back at her, 'I think I just might enjoy the slights as much as you Rose,' and his grinned turned a wolfish and he winked at her. Rose laughed gently in return and settled into his embrace.

Then after a moment longer his hands withdrew and James step back, and Rose turned back to him curiously, and he winked at her saying, 'the night isn't quite done Red, just give me a moment to get things set up and we'll be off,' and he headed back in for moment.

Fighting her temptation to look into his mind to see what he had planned, Rose turned to look back out towards the Earth. In her mind Rose hear hey sis as Jean floated in the stand beside her, just came to see how you're doing.

Rose smiled warmly at her, 'wonderful, thank you Jean, this such been such a fantastic day. Everything has, and in a way I have you to thank for it all, that I could stay with James, that I'm able to be here, it's because of you my lovely sister.'

Jean smiled sadly, looking out across the lunar expanse, 'mostly thanks to the Phoenix and ultimately it's obsession with me, but I'm glad some good came from all of it.'

Rose placed her hand over Jean's, 'allot of good came from all you've done Jean, so many you've saved. You've lost allot through the burden of the Phoenix, but gained much as well. With all the things we've shared between us before we've even meet, I'm glad that it gave me a sister like you, and that we can meet at last. But I'm also glad to see that you're finally free of that burden for the all the amazing things it gave you and allowed you to see and do. At last you can be Jean again, and have a life of your own, this place, not living on the Moon, that's incredible yes, but this place for your family, it looks like you final found peace and some happiness and contentment again.'

Jean's smiled turned warm as she looked to her and she grasped Rose's hand with her own. 'Yes,' Jean said, 'being here, with Rachel and Nate, with Scott, and everyone else, after all those crazy and hectic times, all the many times alone, or even dying, I'm finally have my family and a future. I have my children, however strange our relationship, and Scott and I after so many times loosing each other, hurting each other, have been given a second chance to move forward. We haven't been this good in so long, I've finally found a home again,' and Jean looked wistfully back inside.

Then turning a conspiratorial look towards Rose, and I don't think I'm the only one sis. You're practically overflowing with love and joy, not to mention other things sometimes when your around Logan. Rachel and I have had to draw up our psi-barriers a little, Jean smirked a little.

Rose blushed and looked down shyly, sorry, I guess I still have some things to learn with my telepathy.

Jean giggled, don't worry, I'll help you, and besides I don't think anyone but me would have caught it. Besides I know exactly what you felt, I've experienced your love and attraction for Logan directly ever since I meet him.

Sorry you got entangled in that, I never meant for that to flow to you Jean, for you to get caught up in what between James and myself, Rose answered shyly.

Jean just squeezed her hand affectionately, I'm not. I love Scott, I choose him, and now I know that choice was right for me. But sharing in that love, was one of the greatest blessing of my life, so many of my fondest moments involved Logan as I stood within your bond, and some of the most difficult times were only possible for me because of it. It's what helped me face death and let Scott go once to change the future, and it helped me find my way back. And while it's finally passed back to you now, Logan will always be special to me because of it, as will you, I feel I understand you as if I been you, and in way I was. To have experienced that special love, bond and passion is a privilege I'll never forget. If there was gift the Phoenix gave to me, it was that, and it's something that lets me see just how precious my own loves are in ways I could never know otherwise, for all the difficulties and confusions it brought sometimes. And it binds us together forever, sis, whatever happens.

Rose moved and embraced Jean tightly, as Jean returning it just as strong, and for a moment the twins enjoyed their moment together, thoughts flowing between them, expressing what words could not.

And then they both heard a cough, and turned to see James standing there, a crooked grin on his face saying, 'sorry Jeannie, you mind if I steal Rose from you, got one last thing I wanna show her up here.'

Jean laughed, 'it's fine Logan, I think we've said all we need to, I'll head back in,' and turned as she walked away, smiled and winked conspiratorially at Logan, 'enjoy yourselves.'

'Oh we intent to Red,' James said laughing, and reaching for Rose's hand James began to lead her through the complex.

'Where are you taking me James,' Rose said curiously.

'You'll see,' as he lead them out of the main complex and soon they were walking out into what Rose knew from James' mind was the terraforming area of the Krokoan settlement of the Moon, and soon found herself being lead into a large orchard under a large clear domed celling.

'It's beautiful James,' Rose whispered, laughing softly, as she drew closer to him, laying her head on his shoulder, 'to think we could walk through an orchard beneath the stars on the Moon.'

James turned around and moving a little back, grinned as he replied, 'not just walk darlin', you see, all this is part of Krokoa, for good or bad. Right now, that means it's also part an' parcel of Krokoan technology, which means,' James clicked his fingers, and the air around them filled with the sounds of Johann Strauss The Blue Danube, seeming to come from the very trees and grounds around them.

Rose's eyes went wide, her emerald eyes glittering, her hands going to her mouth, 'James… '

Smiling gently, James said, 'you never got to dance at either the mansion and certainly not the quarry, even though I know you practised hard, I watched you often when you thought I wasn't lookin'. I always thought you looked so beautiful and angelic. It's was a cryin' shame you never got at attend balls or dances, we we're just never that lucky, but now that can all change.'

Holding out his hand James bowed briefly and grinned winking at her, 'can I have this dance, Rose darlin'?

'Oh James… thank you,' Rose whispered.

'So is that a yes, or do I have some competition,' James chuckled.

Rose laughed merrily, 'it's a yes James. I'm afraid you're stuck with me for good,' and moved to take his outstretched left hand, as his right hand came under her arm to rest on her upper back, as her left hand rested on his shoulder.

For a moment they just stared, lost in each others gaze, and then they began to waltz gracefully through the Moon orchard, as the soft music serenaded them. As they twirled beneath the vast expanse of starlight, Rose said softly 'I wonder how many of your friends know just how good a dancer you are?'

James chuckled softly, 'not many darlin', not really had any opportunity to see me, not often my usual scene. But you don't live as long as I have without pickin' up a step or two, besides,' he winked at her, 'back in the day, if you wanted to impress a lady, you needed to know how to be light on your feet.'

Rose giggled, 'well it all paid off James, you're impressing me,' as they moved in perfect synchronisation, mirroring each other perfectly as the enchantment of the night and the music took hold. The the link between them opening fully, a warm glow filling them, and their minds began to reflect their bodies, thoughts and feelings flowing and dancing between them, as their minds embraced in union.

'Then all that effort was worth it,' James laughed softly, 'though there was that one time Gambit saw me dance and take out two ninjas, when they tried to gatecrash.'

Rose's eyebrow rose slightly, 'hopefully we won't have that kind of interruption, one giant killer beast was enough thank you.'

Don't worry darlin',' James replied as he twirled her and drew her back to him, 'I think were alone now.'

'Good,' Rose said softly, as looked up into his blue eyes, becoming lost in them and the intensity of the love and devotion she saw there, mirroring what blazed forth from her own heart, as they continued to waltz, the atmosphere changing, becoming subtly charged, and no more words were said.

Before Rose knew it, her glowing wings sprang forth, and the glowing energy extended from herself to James and without even realising it, lost in each others eyes, they rose into the air and began waltz amongst the stars, well into the night.