I'd like to thank kenzimone, Wolviesfan, Verena Gruen, ishandahalf, Lady Jayde Une, No Name, mercurian orchid, Lady Hawke, AJ, toto, & Deidre for reviewing! Thanks! ^_^
Author's Note: *embarrassed* oops, I spelled Mystique's name wrong, Thanks for telling me No Name!! ^_^ Finals are over!!! Halleluiah!!! Finals suck royally!!!! By the way, I know absolutely zero about wine. Anyway, on with the "date"!
****
Ororo was puzzled when Jean left the room. She was about to call her back, but was stopped by her thoughts.
Goddess, I still need to shower, wash my hair…Suddenly feeling as if she had no time, all thoughts of Jean flew out the window.
****
Two hours later, Ororo felt wonderfully clean. The bath not only purified her body, but her soul as well. It was mostly drying her hair that made the time pass by. The butterflies in her stomach were still there, but not unbearable.
Dressed only in her bathrobe, Ororo stared at the black dress. It was familiar. She tilted her head sideways, first in one direction, then in the other. She was getting frustrated at this unknown recognition.
Finally she gave the dress one final glare before going on her hands and knees in front of her closet. Boxes of shoes faced her. Other boxes were there too, but those weren't important, even if they rested on top of the shoeboxes. To any person, especially if they were male, the closet bottom would look like an unholy mess. But to Ororo, everything was in perfect order.
Having memorized in which box were which shoes, Ororo narrowed down her choices to three. Figuring that boots or sandals weren't fit the occasion, she decided on high heels.
When she grabbed the box, the one above it, unfortunately, tipped over and it's contents were scattered.
It was her Forge Box. It was the box where she had threw everything that reminded him of her after he broke off the engagement. At the time, Ororo couldn't have brought herself to destroy everything that reminded herself of him. Oh she had had session with the fire and a whole bunch of photos, but some survived.
As she stared at the scattered mess, she felt her sadness return. Ororo had long ago stopped crying over the whole mess that Forge had caused, but the "what ifs" still plagued her mind.
Not wanting to spoil her day, she hastily gathered the mess and threw it back in the box. She placed the box back in its corner and turned her back. The hollowness was consuming her and she felt her eyes prick with tears.
Then she noticed the dress. Suddenly instead of black, it was white and she remembered her third date with Forge. He had brought her flowers, taken her to fancy restaurant, and then romanticized her with witty words and verses.
Ororo closed her eyes against the tears.
Get a hold of yourself Ororo! Logan is not Forge. Logan is…well Logan. He's different.Drawing strength from that statement, Ororo opened her eyes again. She stood up, brushed off the invisible dirt, and went to her vanity.
Ororo felt her heart freeze and she stopped moving as the full impact of the statement was suddenly thrown in her face.
Logan is not Forge. He is not going to show up here with a bouquet of flowers. He is not going to recite poetry or sing songs about love. Logan is going to be Logan. Coarse, unrefined, lacking in etiquette, but loyal, protective, and most importantly my friend. He understands my silence and lack of outward emotion better then Forge ever did. Leaving those positive thoughts in her mind, Ororo took a deep breath. As she exhaled, she brought back her calm, her inner peace, and pushed all thoughts of Forge away. She instead set her mind on more important matters. Brushing her hair. This will take an hour…at least! ****Now that her hair was in a more manageable state (free of tangles), Ororo braided it.
Then she reluctantly looked back at the dress. The dress itself was perfect. It was perfect for the restaurant, perfect for her body, even perfect for her shoes. It was not perfect for her man. The dress demanded its partner to wear something equally elegant and refined. Forge was all that, Logan was not.
Logan was casual. He was laid back, but easily tempered. Mostly it depended on his mood whether or not he responded with violence or silence to an insult. His mood was usually dark and violence was more often the answer.
For a moment, Ororo indulged in imagining Logan at a dinner party for rich and elite.
Most would be dead before the food was served.
Ororo's eyes sparkled with laughter and her good mood returned. She never liked those parties anyway. Nobody cared who you were, just who you showed you were and how much money you had.
Ororo carefully put the dress back on its hanger. Ororo looked over the shirts, dresses, pants, skirts, and T-shirts that hung in her closet before selecting a sunflower dress.
The dress was modest, no sleeves, and ended just under the knee. It bellowed slightly from the waist.
Laying it on the bed, Ororo crouched, put back the black high heels, and took out her tanned sandals.
That's better…****
Having dressed, done her makeup, her nails, donned a simple sunflower necklace and golden bracelets, Ororo was ready.
Unfortunately, she was ten minutes early and Logan was likely to show up late.
Ororo sat on her bed, facing the door, and waited. It wasn't long before negative thoughts invaded her mind.
What if he forgot? But why would he forget, he asked me this morning! Still, he could have forgotten…No I must not think this way. I must have faith in him…but what if this is a pity date? Wait a minute; nobody said this was a date! Just two friends going to a restaurant together. Right? But is it a date? Does Logan think this is date? Goddess help me, I'm so confused………Do I want it to be a date? I don't know. I really don't know…Just then, Ororo's thoughts were interrupted by a knock. Ororo instinctively looked at the clock.
Logan was on time.
Ororo stood up, brushed off the invisible dirt, grabbed her purse, checked herself in the mirror, and opened the door.
Ororo couldn't help but stare. He wore a tight black muscle shirt, jeans, dress shoes, and a black jacket. Surprisingly enough, he wore no leather. He looked good enough to eat.
After silently applauding her own choice in clothes, Ororo noticed Logan's appraising, almost lustful look. Smiling flirtatiously, Ororo took a step forward.
"Shall we go?"
That seemed to shake him back to reality.
"Ready when you are darlin."
And so they left.
****
They didn't speak much as they drove (in Scott's new car) to the restaurant. The conversation circled mostly on how to get there (Logan had absolutely no clue, and when has ever a man asked for directions?). Logan could have brought a map, except he didn't, and it wasn't until Ororo glared at him, did he follow her instruction (she did offer to drive but he just looked at her as if she had grown another head).
Two wrong turns later, they finally got to the restaurant. Logan, of course, hadn't reserved a table, but they lucky enough to get a table (the restaurant was nice, not fancy, and wasn't as expensive as some).
Ororo sat down opposite Logan (he had, of course, forgotten to hold the chair out for her when she sat down, but Ororo didn't mind, much) and opened the menu.
The first thing she noticed was the lack of meat. Stifling a chuckle behind her hand, Ororo proceeded to figure out what she wanted to order.
Due to his enhanced hearing, Logan heard the suppressed chuckle loud and clear.
"What are you laughing at, darlin?" he asked her as a half smile formed on his face.
Ororo was saved from answering by the waiter.
"Are you ready to order?" He asked politely. Ororo noted that he was on the plain side, thin, and had no muscles to speak of. Giving him a polite smile in return, she gave him her order.
"Yes. I think I'll start out with ice burg salad with cucumber and egg, but no onion or dressing, then some Clam Chowder and the house special, including the white wine. As for dessert, I'll have a slice of soufflé. Which wine do you think will be best to end the evening Logan?"
"No clue darlin." Logan replied with some confusion, he still hadn't opened the menu.
"I know nothing of alcoholic beverages and I do not wish to spoil the evening." Ororo replied, hoping her disheartened look and her subtly sorrowful tone would get Logan to succumb to her will. Logan didn't stand a chance.
"Well, I suppose champagne is as good as any wine."
"That sounds lovely Logan." Ororo said with a pleasant tone. Inside, she was laughing at his immediate surrender.
Meanwhile, the waiter had been writing down Ororo's order.
"What would like to order sir?" The polite tone never left.
Logan finally opened the menu. Ororo's eye's sparkled with humor as Logan did a double take.
"What the hell!!" Logan was unhappy, and the half smile left his face. It was replaced by a scowl.
"Something wrong sir?" The polite tone never wavered.
"I should say so. There's no meat!!" A few people turned, when they heard Logan yelling, but most ignored him.
"Paradise Gardens is a vegetarian restaurant." The waiter replied wearily.
Amused, Ororo watched the vein in his neck throb, showing Logan's displeasure. Logan's attention went back to the menu and he growled before ordering.
"Skip the salad, I'll have some French Breadsticks instead. Sushi with shrimp on the side and Lemon Salmon with garnish." Said Logan menacingly. Then he mumbled, "whatever garnish means," before the menacing tone returned and Logan finished his order, "Then I want apple pie." Then Logan glared at the poor waiter.
To his credit, the waiter's voice didn't waver when he replied.
"Will that be all?"
"Yes, thank you." Ororo said politely, before handing over the menu. Logan followed suit, but not before growling again.
Suddenly, she felt badly for dragging him into a vegetarian restaurant when he was obviously didn't want to be here. Feeling the need to apologize, she placed her hand over his hand.
When she got his attention, she said sorrowfully, "I'm sorry Logan. I didn't mean to drag you here against your will."
"Uh, Ro, you didn't drag me here, I asked you to come."
"You are correct." Ororo admitted, "but you are not having a good time and it's my fault."
"How is it your fault?" replied Logan in an amused tone. His good mood was returning.
"I suggested this restaurant."
"No darlin, I suggested we come here."
"I gave you the idea."
Then Logan laughed. Ororo was furious, but she opted to glare instead of verbalizing her displeasure.
Seeing the glare, Logan let his laughter die out naturally, before a mischievous glam found a home in his eyes.
"Oh, come on Ro, even if the food's bad, the company'll more then make up for it."
Finding out that she could no longer be mad at him, Ororo put on her best 'You are a piece of filth now worship me' face. Logan was use to her masks and before he could tease her, the waiter returned with their order.
There was a few minutes of silence as Logan devoured his bread (washing it down with a glass of water from the pitcher on the table) and Ororo ate her salad.
They waited for the next course in silence, before Ororo's curiosity got the better of her.
"Logan?"
His hazel eyes met her blue ones.
"How did you know I came from Africa?"
"Jean told me."
"Anything else?"
"Yeah, you were worshipped as a Goddess." He looked at her questioningly.
"Is that all?"
"Yeah, no wait, Jeannie also mentioned something about you bein claustrophobic or somethin." The confusion was clearly heard.
"I don't suppose you wish to know why?"
"I'm curious, but if you don't want to tell me, I aint gonna cry." He gave her a rueful grin.
Ororo smiled at his attempt to humor the situation. In truth, she didn't want to talk about her past, but she felt this irrational need to tell Logan. She didn't know where the desire had sprang from, but it had taken a permanent place in her heart, and the usually detached and unemotional Ororo Monroe had become this attention demanding Ro. And this Ro wanted attention predominantly from Logan.
Should I tell him? Does he even want to know? No, probably not.But Ororo wanted him to know. More over, she wanted him to accept her despite her past.
Well, I suppose that's the issue isn't it. I want him to accept him. Figuring that she'd loose her nerve if she put it off, Ororo opened her mouth to tell him. But before Ororo could begin, the waiter had yet again returned. This time with the main course, which was shortly followed by dessert. They had no chance to talk as they savored their food and it wasn't until the champagne arrived that Ororo broke the companion silence that had fallen over them.
"My father, David Monroe, was a photographer. He fell in love and married my mother N'Dare, princess of her tribe." Ororo paused to take a breath. Why did I tell him? Well, no backing out now. Goddess, does he even care? Before she could continue, Logan interjected.
"Always knew you were royalty, darlin." Logan gave her a devilish smile, which she returned, but it soon slipped as she continued her story. Gaining her nerve from the fact that Logan seemed genuinely interested, Ororo continued and as she spoke, she found out she could not stop, and the memories came back, as bad as ever.
"I was born in New York, but my family had returned to Cairo when it happened…a plane crashed into the hotel we were staying at. I was buried under the rubble for three days, trapped in my mother's arms as she slowly bled to death. My father had died upon impact. I was five."
Logan watched Ororo relive her past. He was pained by the haunted expression on her face and decided that it was time to leave. Grabbing her hand, he was relieved that it seemed to shake her out of her trance.
"Come on Ro, let's blow this popsicle stand."
Ororo only nodded.
It was Logan's frantic search for his wallet that brought Ororo fully back to the present.
"Logan, is something wrong?"
"Yeah, I can't find my wallet. I think I forgot it." Logan said sheepishly.
Whatever sadness still lingered, dissipated instantaneously, and Ororo laughed.
Logan pouted in response and Ororo laughed harder.
Pleased with himself, Logan leaned back in his chair, but still acted childishly (he refused to look at Ro), and waited until the laughter died down.
Ororo had just gotten her laughter under control, until the waiter showed up asking if they wanted anything else.
This set off Ororo into another bundle of laughter as she paid the bill and Logan sulked.
It wasn't until the reached the car that her laughter died down again.
"Goddess, it feels good to laugh." Said Ororo happily.
Logan frowned.
"Why don't you do it more often?"
"My emotions are tied to the weather." The happiness disappeared form her tone and was replaced by a calm emotionless tone.
"And what does that have to do with anything?" Logan asked, with genuine curiosity.
"If I cry, I might cause a thunderstorm." It was stated as a fact, no emotion what so ever.
"But you're not crying, you're laughing." Logan pointed out.
"You are correct. I suppose it is easier to not feel anything." Ororo reflected.
"You should laugh more often."
"I agree." Ororo's light tone returned.
Suddenly, Logan was hit with an idea.
"Logan, the mansion is that way." Ororo said pointing to the right, as Logan turned left.
"I know."
"Where are we going?" Ororo asked curiously.
"It's a surprise."
"Logan." Ororo said warningly.
"Trust me." Turning to her, he gave her a feral smile before turning his attention back to the road.
Ororo didn't push the topic further as her curiosity get the better of her. Instead she leaned back into her seat and trusted Logan to get them there in one piece. Wherever 'there' was anyway.
****
There turned out to be a park. A small abandoned park, but a clean park nether the less.
Logan watched as Ororo's face brightened into a big smile when she stood outside. He never noticed how Ororo seemed to embrace nature. Sure in their walks together he knew that she loved nature and was more comfortable outside then in, but he was ashamed to admit that he never noticed how nature seemed to free Ororo. She was a child of nature, as much as he was.
Feeling bold and unusually good, Ororo ran to a swing and sat down with her back to Logan. Being outside and around nature, especially when the weather reflected her good mood, had caused Ororo to lower the shields around her heart. Nature always seemed to that. She felt the need to feel the wind in her hair, but flying away would be rude and she didn't want to leave Logan anyway. Instead, she opted for a compromise.
Ororo waited for about 10 seconds, but feeling nothing, she got aggravated and yelled.
"Push me!"
Surprised, Logan did as he was commanded and watched with amusement as the regal Goddess turned into a child before his eyes.
"Whee!! Harder! Faster!"
Unfortunately, that sent Logan's mind straight to the gutter, but he complied anyway.
"Faster Logan, faster!"
Then to his amazement, Ro jumped off the swing and turned to face him. A big grin graced her features and she stepped towards him.
Then a swoosh was heard. Logan watched as the grin slipped off her face and her hand rose to her arm before she collapsed to the ground unconscious.
Logan took a step forward before feeling a pain in his left arm. He turned his head and saw a tranquilization dart sticking out. He pulled it out.
Snikt
Taking a menacing step in the direction of where the dart came from, he was hit with another. He pulled that one out too.
It took five more before Logan finally succumbed to the darkness and fell to the ground.
****
Aren't I evil! ^_^
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