MAL86 - Yep, and they all have a final loving moment, because the storm has arrived :) . Again, thank your the reviews and reading my little story :) .

(Nothing much to say here, just hope you all enjoy the chapter :) )

Chapter 13

Logan had been happier in the last two weeks then he could ever remember, Rose and he had travelled once or twice to the nearby town, in part so Rose could re-visit a few places in what had been the old village. However there wasn't much left from those days, but still she'd enjoyed walking around a more 'normal' place, where no one really paid them to much mind when they walked together, here they were just another couple. Though a few in the town were curious about Logan, they didn't know who he really was, just thought he was some crazy recluse who'd lucked out being a descendent of the old Howlett family, getting the land and fortune, and was living there in a cabin. From what they knew of him they were surprised to see him with someone, and to Logan's surprise a few approached them and talked to them both in the stores and the streets. Pretty much most folk had tended to give him a wide berth most of the time outside the local dive bar, and he reckoned Rose's warm and welcoming personality probably helped off-set his more threatening aura. That and the fact he had a stupid grin plastered on his most of the time with he was with her, not that he minded, just glad Creed was in the bowels of Krokoa otherwise he'd probably laugh himself to death seeing it. Though that thought kind of made it tempting Logan smirked to himself, besides he kind of like who he was with Rose, interacting with the townspeople like he wasn't some feral animal, how Rose made him feel like was a man, and not a beast.

But most of their time had been spent together alone at the cabin and the Howlett estate, sometimes out on the grounds walking, sometimes flying, and dancing, in the air as Rose got used to new abilities. No one else was around, and they'd both know with her telepathy and his senses if anyone was approaching, and she was getting quite used to new abilities, flying high into the clouds, often with Logan along. Somehow the psionic energy that ran through his claws, and perhaps his skeleton, linked naturally with Rose's, as if they they were one and the same, becoming weightless when linked to her, and she found she didn't even need to hold him, so long they wished to be linked together. Perhaps that's how it had been when they'd been spirits, and when he'd come back changed and tried to use that ability, his claws had just gotten hot, until the Phoenix had raised Rose with psionic versions of the old abilities. And those he'd been getting used to, to sense the warmth deep within, that would flare out through his arms, the energy igniting through his claws, and was now able to do so at will. Against some enemies it would probably mean little difference, except perhaps a shock to their psyche if he focused the psionic energy during a strike. It might make more non-lethal take-downs that didn't need to badly maim future opponents possible, Logan mused, might end with him leaving less of a body count than before. If nothing else, it would be a spit in the face Weapon X, Weapon Plus, Romulus, Apocalypse and anyone else that had attempted to shape him to be a living weapon. Logan knew he would have to kill sometimes, but he found himself a little relieved that he might not have do so as often in a fight as he'd had to in the past.

Another advantage of his new ability was it allowed Logan to defend against mental attack directly, the psionic ability, though not as defensive as Rose's, allowed him, when it active to quieten his mind completely from normal telepathic scan, and he could link his claws together as a shield against direct psychic assault, and that was particularly handy Logan thought. It's also possible his claws could hurt less tangible foes, perhaps for real, in that they might be somewhat similar to Illyana's soul-sword, or at least psychically but there wasn't really anyway to test that out, Logan certainly wasn't going to ask Kitty to test that instinct out.

But most of Rose and his time had been been spent together, in the bedroom in the cabin, or sometimes out in the grounds after a picnic, yes, she'd talked him into a few of those, and during a particularly passionate moment that had began after one of those picnics at an old spot, Rose's wings came out and they'd ended up in the air. Logan smirk grew wider, that certainly been an experience he'd like to revisit, though Rose had been a bit shocked with herself, so he knew might it might be while before she'd consider that again.

It didn't really matter though, just being with her had been amazing, they hadn't been able to get enough of each other during this two week break they had together, no missions had come through and Logan suspected thankfully that Rose and he were been given this time together alone without interruptions. It had essentially been a honeymoon for them, after so long, and Logan knew that as far as he was concerned they were as good as married, and would definitely do something soon to make what was already true in their hearts, souls and bodies, officially true for everyone else. But Logan liked that it had been them, and just them, that it was true for first, before bringing everyone else in, besides his luck in marriages hadn't been great. Mariko's got interrupted by Mastermind's schemes, and then the Yashida criminal holdings had got in the way, followed by her terrible death, He'd also once made a deal to Seraph that had meant agreeing to whatever request Viper would one day make of him, which turned out to be marriage to cement her hold on Madripoor. And she'd demanded it consummated, which given how that marriage had ended up damaging some relationships with some of his best friends had made matters worse. Thankfully saving her life had got him out of that one, and what little he remember of Itsu ended in tragedy, as had Silver Fox, they weren't formally married but essentially had been.

But this was different, and now they were together and married as far he was concerned, was he was ready to try again, when they'd make it official, as long as Rose agreed and this time, he wasn't afraid, because this time, it was woman he'd always loved first, and always, before all others. They were linked in way he had never been with anyone else, always had been, only know they could finally enjoy that bond to it's fullest.

And they had, Logan thought again with a grin.

James, Rose said in his mind, laughing embarrassedly, not while we the others are around, even as she came wrapped her arms around him, looking deeply into his eyes with her own deep emerald, and even without the psi-link Logan could see the intense love and desire reflecting his own.

Grinning a little wolfishly down at her, Logan responded, as long as it's all between us in our thoughts, how will they know?

James, Rose said, trying to be reprovingly but failing as a shy smile broke across her face, Jean and maybe even Rachel can probably catch it, you're kind of projecting a little my love.

Logan looked up towards where Jean, Kitty, Rachel and Ororo were sat at the table, looking over the lake and Howlett lands, and saw Jean was a looking a little red, as a blush was creeping across her face.

Logan chuckled but thought to her, sorry Jeannie, didn't mean to make anythin' awkward for you.

Jean turned a smiled at him responding, it's okay Logan, and I managed to shield Rachel from your more… intense thoughts. I'm just glad you and Rose are enjoying being together. But let's just say I'm suddenly looking quite forward to seeing Scott tonight, her smile turning into a smirk.

They both laughed, while Rose ducking her head shyly into Logan's chest, as Kitty, Rachel and Ororo looked at them strangely.

The three X-Women had just arrived to take Rose on women's only excursion, feeling she been cooped up with Logan for to long. Rose was both looking forward to getting to make some female friends and spend time with her sister Jean and niece Rachel, though she just hopped she could cope, remembering the shopping trip. Logan though after seeing some of the lingerie and outfits they'd gotten for Rose had to admit he was a fan, and laughed a little, even Rose had smacked him in mock outrage. But he knew it would do her good to get out a bit, and get to new experiences and relationships besides just being holed up with him, no matter how appealing that was to him. Though she'd been with him in a way, there was so much to this new time she still had to adjust to and get comfortable with, and for to long she hadn't had family and wider friends. She had never had to much of chance to make to many female friends at the quarry or earlier at the mansion here, and now she could have that chance. And Logan wanted Rose to have all the experiences and chances she'd never had before, and was glad that his friends had taken her to their heart and would give her those things he couldn't.

Sensing his thoughts Rose looked up to him smiling softly, her eyes warm, and said, 'despite being a little worried about being plunged into yet more new experiences with this new world, I'm looking forward to it, but I'm going to miss you James. These last two weeks have been so magical, a big part of me just wants to stay with you and hide out forever in this cabin.'

Logan smiled warmly down at her, 'I'm gonna miss you too Rose, but it's good for you to get out and be with Jean, 'Ro, Kitty and Rachel, though I'm pretty sure I don't wanna know where they might take you,' and laughed as Rose's eyes went wide, 'I'm kiddin', darlin' well at least I hope so. But spendin' time with your new family and friends, and time with fellow women will be good for you. Go and enjoy yourself, my love,' Logan said beginning to get used to returning the endearment, causing Rose to break out into a huge and brilliant smile, her eyes glistening, and she embraced him tightly, burning her head in his chest, as Logan finished softly, 'I'll be here when you get back, nothin' ever gonna separate us ever again.'

Rose looked back up at him, her love for him surging like a burning flame, flooding through him and embracing him in it's warm glow, Logan's own responding and they stood silent in telepathic rapport that went beyond and deeper than any words, before finally Rose nodded silently and moved off to the waiting women. Logan turned and saw them the X-Women all smiling at him, particularly Jean and Rose who'd felt the psychic glow from them both.

Logan just ran his hand a little embarrassedly through his hair, looking away as the women giggled a little at his reaction, a bashful Wolverine was a rare sight indeed.

As Rose moved off towards the woman and prepared to leave Kitty approached him as he leaned against the wooden railing and joining him said, 'so how are doing, old man?'

Logan grinned, 'pretty well, Kitty, I actually think I'm happy, who wouda thought huh?'

Kitty smiled at him, 'I'm glad Logan. There were times in my life you were the only one that could help me, and it hurt sometimes to always see you so alone and in pain at times, and the thought that it would always be the case.'

Looking out across the Howlett grounds, Kitty continued, 'so this is where it all began for you, huh. Where it all started, it's hard sometimes to think of you having an origin somewhere, you always felt like something timeless and elemental to me.'

Logan snorted, 'yeah, like when you'd come to me about history questions and say, 'well your around a million years old Wolvie, so what happened when… ',' and winked down at the girl who had become like a daughter to him.

The both laughed for a while, and stood together for a while in comfortable silence, and then Kitty looked at him slyly, 'so you're really a blue-blood multi-millionaire, does that mean you were just one these strange rich eccentrics all this time, living the red-neck life as a strange obsession like some kind of Howard Hughes?'

Logan snorted and grinned good-naturedly at her as he replied, 'get out of here, Pryde.'

With a laugh, followed by a quick hug, Kitty ran to join the rest of the ladies, briefly looking back to wink at Logan.

Logan watched as they headed for the Krokoan gate, and Rose looked back at him, and Logan felt her mental embrace, as her green eyes looked lovingly into his own and she said, I love you James, to which he smiled lovingly at her, replying I love you too Rose.

And then there were gone, and Logan spent a few minutes enjoying a cigar and looked across the grounds, lost in thought.

Finally he began to go back in when the hackles came up on the back of his neck, and with a growl Logan instinctively spun around, the staccato sound ringing out as his claws shooting through his knuckles, with the old familiar sharp pain, fading almost as quickly, the adamantium blades flashing in the light of the Sun. He saw horribly twisted and mutated wolves seemingly appearing from nowhere, as though shadows had been cloaking them, even from his senses. The same black eyes and matted fur, with twisted bodies, the fur and flesh ripped in places, leaking black blood, just like the monster back at Krakoa.

Besides them were a collection of an eclectic mix of figures wearing all types of dress, pale with sharp fangs evident in their mouths as they all grinned demoniacally at him in union, their eyes glowing flame. 'Nice to see you Wolverine, we have missed you,' they seemed to say in unison, like a chorus of discordant voices speaking as one.

'You vampires are behind what's been goin' on,' Logan snarled, and feeling the burning through his arms and welcomed it, the psionic fire burning through him, pouring into his claws as he brought them before him defensively, and blazed forth with blinding golden light, 'you Dracula freaks didn't do well against me before, an' now I'm packin' some new tricks.'

'Oh, but they ain't vampires boy,' another voice joined in and Logan turned to see a large hunched figure, covered in twisted, rotten grey fur, a long ripped face full of sharp, elongated teeth, grinning horrifically at Logan, long, misshapen and elongated arms that ended in long claws that burned with fire, while the whole thing was held up by twisted bestial legs. Six parallel stab marks glowed with a dull fire on it's chest, while three parallel scars in it's face, looking strangely like one his own claws would make similarly glowed dully on it's face. The same disturbing red fire burned from it's eyes, and it seemed to have side-burns and a moustache that looked strange on the otherwise demonic werewolf figure. 'Their, like us, are somethin' much more diabolically, as are these wolves. Their not as powerful as that gift we sent you on that island you run and hide in, not puttin' our power into these ones like we did that beauty, an' they don't have Krokoa to feed on. But don't worry, they do their purpose as fodder. But you ain't gonna be runnin' or getting' out of this one Jamey-boy.'

Logan growled lowly, his eyes narrowing, something was so familiar about this twisted creature, and a moment later he whispered lowly, 'Dog?'

A dark laugh arose from the figure, 'right an' wrong boy. Not just your useless brother, but your dear ol' Pa is here to see you again, and bring you into my lovin' embrace.'

'You, you cowardly weasel,' Logan snarled, 'guess even hell can't stand your stink huh, well I cut you down when I was just nothin' but a snotty little rich kid, this time I'll make sure to do the job right.'

'We'll see, runt' the Logans roared in return.

A black portal appeared behind the undead werewolf figure of Thomas and Dog Logan, and two figures disgorged from it, one a figure in old samurai armour, wielding a dark sword Logan recognised with a start was the Black Sword of Muramasa, remembering when it had possessed him and had lead him to nearly kill Jessica Drew back in his Patch days in Madripoor, only now burning with a dark fire. Within the dark shadowed recesses of the helm glowed two red eyes brightly. The other figure was taller, his form twisted and elongated almost impossibly, it was covered in oriental robes that seemed too short, it's elongated arms emerging from beneath the sleeves to end in long, elongated claws that burned with the same hell-fire as the werewolf, as did the taloned feet emerging from beneath the robe. It's face a red, demonic face, eyes burning, with a fanged maw that leered at him.

A cold shiver ran down Logan's back as he recognised that face, one that had shown up to often in the last few years. Even without anything being said, Logan reconsigned his once father-figure and then mortal enemy, the demonic ninja-socereor Ogun, who had once intended to possess him, take his body for his own. Had tried it again with Kitty Pryde, where Logan had been forced to kill him, and had broken his mask, only for him to return again and again trying to both possess Logan again and take his revenge. He thought he might finally be done but here he was again, and different now, more powerful than ever.

Ogun's leering demonic face bored into his as he said, 'good Logan-san. Despite all this romantic bliss you've lost yourself in, your instincts are still keen, you know who I am. My training hasn't been lost on you, all the better as soon you'll be mine again, ours in fact. I'm afraid you've upset the lords of the Pit too much, and they want your soul, while I and they wish your body, you are the key to permanent stay here in this place. Why should the demonic not have a nation and rule this world just as you mutants are trying to do.'

'We ain't doin' that Ogun,' Logan responded tightly.

'Really Logan,' Ogun's cold voice responded mockingly, 'since when were you this naive my pupil. Perhaps that's what some of your 'friends' convince themselves their not doing, but you and I know it's not true. You've seen all this before from every government that has used you over the decades.'

'But it matters not,' Ogun said, 'soon such mundane worries will be far from you, tonight you will be ours, as both our revenge sees your soul sent to eternal torments for all you have done to each of us, and your body will serve us all. This is your last battle, my old pupil, make it a good one.'

'Yes, gaijin,' the familiar voice in the samurai amour grated, Shingen Logan recognised, his eyes going wide, 'let us see if you are still worthy,' drawing his sword into a battle ready position.

For a moment Logan looked at them all in silence, no sound heard for a moment but the breeze stirring the trees and the gentle murmuring of the river, Logan's claws flaming brightly before them, their glow seeming to intensify against his demonic opposition.

'Yeah, I guess we will,' Logan finally replied with chilling menace, 'time to open a can of butt-kick an' take us all on a one way express to a world of hurt. Let's see what you demonic losers got,' and ran and leapt straight into their midst with an almost inhuman howl that tore across the Howlett lands, as with a clash of glowing golden energy as his claws tore through the first wave of demonic warped wolves and vampires, Logan, the Wolverine, plunged into battle.