"My dear, you have grown more beautiful during your time away," Charles beamed in greeting as Ororo rushed to hug him.
"It is good to see you too, Charles," she replied affectionately, kissing his forehead.
"Chuck," Logan rumbled, extending his hand to his baldheaded friend once Ororo stepped back to his side. He then led her to one of the two leather chairs before the antique oak desk, before taking his own seat.
Smiling at the couple, Charles said, "I hope your trip back was not too taxing."
"The trip back was fine, Charles. I am happy to be back home with everyone, but not happy about what has brought us back," Ororo answered.
She felt Logan tensed besides her and reached out to take hold of his hand. "Just so ya know, Chuck, soon as we take care 'o our problem, me and 'Ro are headin' back ta Canada."
Charles nodded. "I have no objections to that, Logan."
"What Logan did not say is that the both of us," she paused to smile warmly at the love of her life, "hope you will give us an extension on the leave of absence from the team."
Charles had long ago sensed that this was what they would eventually want to do. His answering smile was genial. "I have no objections to granting you an extension. As a matter of fact, you both deserve it. If there is anything you need me to assist you with, please do not hesitate to ask."
"Thank you, Charles."
"Good. Now that the niceties are outta the way, any news on our Wakandan problem?" Logan intoned. There was no mistaking the hardness of his tone.
Charles sighed, turning his laptop computer to face the couple, and enabling them to read the latest email he had received from T'Challa. In the email, the King all but threatened to drag Ororo kicking and screaming back to Wakanda by the week's end.
Logan's vicious curse echoed in the quietness of the room, as he shot up from his seat. "He's a dead fuckin' man."
"Logan…"
"Nah, Chuck. The time fer diplomacy is done. He means ta come here and bring trouble, then I'll give the asshole trouble."
"My love," Ororo whispered.
"Darlin', he ain't gettin' his filthy hands on ya, if I can help it," Logan growled, his breathing harsh. "I'll gut the fucker b'fore that happens." The Wolverine was now at the surface, coming out of his slumber to protect what was his.
Ororo slowly stood and went to him, gently touching his shoulder and effectively stopping his pacing. "He is not going to succeed with his plans."
"Ya damn right, he ain't. He'll be a dead man first," Logan grounded out. "Sonofa…"
"I think you should calm down, Logan," Charles interjected tactfully. "I will brief the team and we will be ready for whatever threat he brings to our doorstep."
"I rather he ain't get close ta our doorstep," Logan huffed, his arms going around Ororo in an effort to calm his riotous emotions.
'Ro returned the embrace, relieved that he was at least trying to calm himself. She kissed his cheek lightly, before turning to Charles. "I am not going to be sidelined when he returns here. I am going to be front and center, so there are no misunderstandings to what my position is."
"I understand Ororo. That is your right," Charles replied reluctantly. "I will rather you are not subjected to facing him, but I now see that it is something you have to do and maybe the only solution to this problem."
"Make no mistake, if he so much as touch ya, then I have e'ery right ta maim the bastard," Logan interjected harshly. The finality of his words couldn't have been clearer.
"It will not come to that," Ororo replied confidently. She glanced at the man who she knew without a doubt will kill to keep her safe. "Logan, please, have some faith in me and trust me to take care of this without resorting to violence."
"'Ro, baby…"
"Do you not trust me?" She interrupted, her brows rising in challenge.
Logan gazed back at her, for the first time seeing a newfound confidence and determination in those expressive blue eyes. He reached out and touched her face, enjoying the softness of her skin. "Baby, ya know I trust ya more than I trust myself. It's him I don't trust. I can't sit back and let him destroy ya again."
Ororo scoffed. "He is not going to get another chance to do that. I am surrounded by the people who love me most and who will always have my back." She leaned over and kissed him. "Believe me, dearest, there is nothing T'Challa can say or do to hurt me again."
Charles couldn't help the grin that was plastered on his face at the interaction of the couple. From his position, he couldn't help but feel the intensity of the emotions that flowed through them at that moment. He delicately cleared his throat. "He will no doubt use any means at his disposal to get what he wants."
"Oh, I know he will. For all his arrogance, T'Challa is very predictable." She decided then and there that Charles had a right to know why she had returned from Wakanda and call off the wedding. "My accepting T'Challa's marriage proposal was not the best decision I have made, Charles. Not only was he unfaithful to me, but he had ulterior motives in wanting me to be his Queen." She reached out to grab Logan's hand, needing his strength for what she was about to reveal. She felt him squeeze her hand in support.
"You know that my village and neighboring lands have long been disputed between Wakanda and Kenya and there's a fragile peace in place that barely keeps the threat of war at bay. Wakanda's recent war with the Skrulls caused heavy losses and extensive damage and for all its technology, Wakanda is still in the rebuilding phase. T'Challa is also power hungry and is using the reconstruction of his country to get his hands on the disputed lands."
Charles' eyes widened as understanding dawned on him. "Marrying you will go a long way in securing those lands and making him quite powerful."
"Yes," Ororo said softly. "He is not above using the lands to get me back to Wakanda. But that was not the end of his malice." She felt Logan's tension grew and squeezed his hand she still held in a silent bid for him to remain calm.
Ororo took a deep breath before relaying the hardest part of the tale to her father. "Once we were married and he had secured the lands, he was going to lure me away to the border rebels where he planned on taking my powers somehow, then handing me over to the rebels to do with as they wanted." Logan's growl was harsh, and Charles could only gasp in horror.
"My God!" Charles whispered fiercely. He knew the slave trade in that area was rampant, and that most likely fit into T'Challa's plans for her. He would have never thought that the young King, the son of a man he had once admired, could be capable of such evil. He couldn't stomach the thought of possibly never seeing the beautiful woman before him again, had T'Challa achieved his plans. He rested his head in his hands, attempting to come to terms with the courteous young man he had welcomed together with his father, with the man he had become now.
"T'Challa knows that his threats would be seen as a declaration of war and war is the last thing Wakanda needs, not if he wants to retain the title of King."
"Why would you say that daughter?" Charles asked, lifting his head from his hands. He was suddenly intrigued at her statement.
"While I was in Wakanda, someone I considered an ally relayed to me that the Council had made it known to T'Challa that if another war comes to Wakanda, he will pay a great price. Wakanda is a warring country, with Atlantis foremost. I took that to mean his title will somehow be taken from him."
Charles nodded, absorbing all that she told him. No wonder the King was hell bent on getting her back to Africa. His legacy and title were at stake. He can only look at the woman before him in awe, knowing she would not allow herself to be used that way, despite the pain inflicted on her heart. It was also clear to him why she needed to be at the helm in dealing with this matter.
After a few more minutes of silence, Charles voiced, "So, if we agree to let Ororo be front and center, then all that is left for us to do is to brief the team. I would not mention a word of what you experienced in Wakanda, my dear. It is your story to tell when you deem the time is right." He glanced down at his Rolex, "Let us meet in the war room in an hour?"
"That is fine, Charles," Ororo said, standing and turning towards Logan. "I am going to get something to eat. Would you like me to fix you something?"
"Nah, darlin'. Ya go ahead. I wanna talk ta the Professor."
She bent down and pecked his lips. "No more talk of violence," she ordered.
"Scout's honor, darlin'," Logan replied, holding up the Scouts' sign or what he thought it was.
Ororo rolled her eyes. "You were never a boy scout because one would know that is the peace sign, bub." She kissed him again, tossed Charles a warm smile and left the two men to catch up, with laughter shaking her body.
The countdown to her face-off with T'Challa had begun once Charles briefed the team about the situation and what they can expect. At the end of the meeting, everyone agreed that Ororo would not be leaving with the King. She was touched and humbled by the love and unwavering support from her friends and family. She spent the next few days continuing her rehabilitation with Logan, tending to her myriad of plants and flowers in her beloved greenhouse, wind riding and catching up with the younger team members. She kept busy, doing her best to not let the drama of T'Challa's imminent visit get to her and take her back to that place she was just a few months ago.
Though she was confident in her ability to handle the situation once and for all, doubts still found a way to niggle at her. But she absolutely refused to give them credence and allow them to take root. She didn't come this far for nothing. She was finally at the point in her life where she was happy and finally living life, and she'll be damned before a man who never meant her any good take that away from her. This time around, she held all the cards, and she was going to reiterate to T'Challa the power she held if he should dare to cross her.
Friday was finally upon them and as Ororo awoke as the sun was making its ascent over the horizon, she knew today was the day. Her naked body slid off her queen-sized bed and its thousand thread count Egyptian cotton sheets. Slipping into her silk robe she grabbed from the foot of the bed, she made her way to the balcony, where she drew back the curtains and flung the doors open. She closed her eyes as the sun's beams hit her skin and began chanting her morning ritual to her Goddess. Once that task was completed, she went to the bathroom where she completed her morning toilette and slipped into a pair of leggings and a tank top. She would go for a relaxing dance in the sky then a therapeutic session in the greenhouse, all to keep the anxiety from creeping up on her.
She made her way back to the balcony, hopped up on the railing, took a sip of fresh air, and then launched herself into the air on a strong air current. She began her aerial ballet, welcoming sweet morning air onto her face and the reassurance offered to her by being in her natural element. Ororo sighed, wishing that everything T'Challa would just disappear from her life. As far she was concerned, she had said all that she had too before she left Wakanda. She had no desire to rehash and relive the hurtful words that were uttered between them, but she knew that it was going to be unavoidable. Today was going to be one of the hardest days she had ever had, but she had no doubts that this time around will be different, because this time around, she had the full and unfailing support of her family and friends and most of all, that of Logan. She reveled in the freedom the skies gave her. After about an hour, she felt the apprehension flee her soul and her confidence taking its place. She laughed to herself, a joyous, throaty sound just for the hell of it, knowing that she was loved, appreciated and strong to deal with the challenges life would toss in her way.
The Wolverine was aware of her midair antics from his secluded spot by the lake, where he usually performed his martial arts routine. He didn't need his senses to tell him that she was nervous, knowing today was more than likely the day that the arrogant clown would make another appearance. Her motions in the air weren't as fluid and flawless as they normally were, suggesting to him that she was very distracted and apprehensive. He honestly didn't want her nowhere near T'Challa, but at the same time, he realized his beloved's need to confront the fool and heal from the pain he had inflicted on her. He was furious at the thought of her in the same space as the man, but knew he had no choice but to tamper down those feelings. She had asked for his trust to deal with this in her own way, and since he would do anything for her, he relented, though reluctantly. So yeah, he was going to suck it up and let her run the show. But make no mistake, he was more than ready to wreck the whole of Wakanda to defend what was his should the vibranium supported King make a move to hurt her. Nothing and no one were going to take her away from him as along as he was alive.
His uncanny ability to know what she was going to do next, had him wrapping up his exercise routine and heading over to the greenhouse. Though he was sweating profusely, he went inside the structure and gathered her gardening tools and waited for her at the entrance. When 'Ro's feet touched ground, he calmly held out the tools to her. She was no fool and knew that he sensed that today was going to be the day and his outward calmness completely betrayed the fury she knew he must be feeling inside. She offered him a tentative smile as she went to press a kiss to his grizzled cheek. Her nose wrinkled at his exercise stench.
Once she took the tools from him, he moved aside, allowing her to precede him. Once the door closed behind him, he immediately embraced her. His embrace was encompassing. "Mornin', darlin'."
Ororo shrieked at the feel of his wet skin and stench. "Eww."
Logan laughed. "Sorry. Just wanted ta see ya b'fore I went ta clean up."
"Now that you have seen me, go and take a shower," she replied, fanning the air between them with her hand.
"Yeah, yeah. Ya know ya love it."
She rolled her eyes. "Whatever mountain man. Now leave me to my work."
"I'm goin'. I'm goin'. I'm fixin' breakfast, so what would ya like ta eat?"
"Surprise me," she murmured.
"Got'cha, darlin'." He caught her by surprise when he pulled her towards him and rubbed his body against hers, coating the front of her outfit with his sweat. He was laughing as he released her and ran to the door, trying to avoid the trowel she looked ready to toss at him. "Ya did say ta surprise ya."
Ororo can only shake her head at the playful side of the Wolverine. It wasn't often that he showed it, but she enjoyed it every time he did. "I shall see you in a bit."
"Ya got it, babe. Love ya." The words were tossed over his shoulder as he left.
"I love you more," she whispered, knowing his enhanced hearing will carry her message to him.