The Second Christmas
Time line - 1 year and 7 months past movie, 1 year and 1 month after Logan's return, 1 year and 5 months before the weird surgical glove wearing sex debacle.
What does this timing mean? Logan is way past being over any residual feelings for Jean and actually hasn't been interested in other women in a while. He loves Marie more than anyone else in the world, but it is still about five months before he sits down and does the math. Translation: Hey, when your head has been stuck in your ass for this long, it can be really hard to dig it out again.
This year Logan set his alarm. Well, he had to in order to carefully wrap Marie's present and slowly carry it downstairs ... and then it hide far, far from the tree where all the mayhem would be taking place. However, he noted that the alarm also spared him from the possibility of Marie waking him by jumping on his head. After last year's antics he wouldn't put anything past her. Nevertheless, he managed to return to his room and wait, sitting on his bed for ten minutes, without any sign of the manic teen. Just what the hell was taking her so long anyway?
Starting to get a little antsy and starting to wonder just how easy it was to breathe through three layers of tissue paper, he gave up and went to her room. And who the hell knew tissue paper was so freaking delicate anyway, let alone a food alternative for small woodland creatures? He ended up having to make an emergency trip to the kitchen to get something to distract the damn thing. When there was no response to his knock, he poked his head in the door. Marie was still burrowed under the covers, fast asleep.
"Hey."
Nothing.
"I said 'hey'," and he pushed the door closed, somewhat loudly.
She didn't even look up. "Mmph. I really want to go swimming, I promise, but can't we wait five more minutes?"
"Kid, the lake is frozen."
"Oh." A brief pause before she propped herself up on an elbow and looked at him groggily, hair everywhere. "Then why are you bothering me?"
Logan stood there aghast. Where was the excitement? The crazy behavior? The throwing herself at him bodily to knock him down the stairs to get there faster? "Marie, it's Christmas morning."
A look of confusion, "What?" Then a look of horror, "Oh my God! I slept in?" And then she was up and running around like a lunatic, at one point hopping on one foot in an attempt to put on socks while brushing her teeth. It wasn't till she was sticking her feet into slippers while running a comb through her hair that she spared a look for the clock. All movement ceased. "Wait a second. My clock says it's only six fifty."
Still standing by the door in an attempt not to get in the way of the chaos, "Yeah?"
She turned to face him, "I set my alarm for seven."
Not quite following, "So?"
Rogue crossed her arms. "So, you woke me up before seven a.m. because you couldn't wait to get downstairs on Christmas morning."
Logan felt the need to defend himself, but decided remaining calm was the better tactic so as not to create suspicion. "Is there something you're getting at kid?" He could actually see the little synapses firing in Marie's head ... and then she got it.
A huge smile. "Oh my God, it must be really good isn't it?"
Damn it! Blasé feigned confusion, "What?"
And Rogue realized the power balance was suddenly tilting in her favour. "My present."
Logan put his hands in his pockets. See no big deal at all. "Well now, I wouldn't go saying that."
"Right." Rogue walked past him into the hall. After taking a few steps she turned back to the room. "Come on Logan, you're the one that's in the big hurry this year, remember?"
Logan followed, reminding himself that it didn't matter that he had lost this particular round because the present was good. The present was exceedingly good. Okay, so perhaps the present had only reached divine inspiration due to the intervention of the one-eyed monster, but it wasn't like the boy had actually said the words, "buy the girl a ...". No, Cyke had merely taken a great big gritty shit on the excitement of the original gift, thus forcing Logan to dig even deeper.
A couple of weeks back, Logan had taken an entire day to acquire the gift, hopping on the old bike at dawn and not getting back till night. He had driven back up across the border to a little store he had found years ago on a reservation. It was one of those "trading posts" that probably made at least as much of its profits off the tourists looking for authentic native wares as it did from the actual residents. Logan liked the man who ran the store, had even taken some time to get to know him on previous visits. The gift was a pair of finely made moccasins. They had an intricate beaded design and soft fur that wrapped around the cuff. Logan figured they would provide the opportunity to tell her stories of that particular portion of his travels. A blend of something uniquely beautiful that Marie could savour touching as much as wearing and was meaningful to him. Perfect.
Enter Mr. Stoic.
Logan had literally just walked into his room, dumped his things out of his bag onto his bed and was in the process of taking off his jacket when Scott appeared at his still open door. It was all very business like, the leader informing him of some minor mission the next day for which the team was to meet at seven hundred sharp.
Scott was about to turn to go when his gaze fell to the curious articles. "Huh."
Reaching into his closet to retrieve a hanger, "What?"
Standing straight with a slight smile, "It occurs to me I've only ever seen you in dilapidated boots or bare feet. Somehow you just never struck me as the furry slippers kind of guy."
Logan paused just long enough in what he was doing to send an unimpressed glare. "They're for Marie, you dumbass."
Struck with genuine curiosity Scott bent to retrieve the moccasins. "I'm impressed Logan, they're very nice." He frowned in thought a little, "So you know Rogue is okay with fur then?"
"What the hell is that supposed to mean."
Scott paused in his inspection to look up at the other man. "Nothing, it's just some people take issue with the use of fur."
Hands on his hips, "They're hand crafted."
"I realize that, I said I was impressed."
Logan started to point. "Look, whoever made them probably ate the damn rabbit, or at least sold the meat. It's part of the whole respect the animal culture."
"Okay, okay." Scott returned the items in question to the bed, raised his hands in surrender and retreated to the door; he really hadn't been looking for a fight. "You're probably right. You know Rogue better than I do." He turned back just before closing the door behind him, "Logan, I'm sure Rogue will think they're perfect."
Logan stood over the bed looking down, scratching his head. There was just enough doubt nagging at him to drive him crazy. Oh crap, now what was he supposed to do?
When they reached the main room, Marie waltzing in front of him, Logan suddenly reached out and stopped her with a hand at her hip. She turned, confusion denting her brow. "Maybe we should open ours first."
Marie tilted her head and gave him a serene smile. "I want to save the best for last, just like last year Logan."
He nodded, "Right." Three feet long by two feet wide by about another two feet high equals how many cubic feet of air? She ducked in for a quick hug, told him to have fun and then danced off to the centre of the crowded floor. Logan picked a spot on the couch and settled in to open the boxes handed to him and watch the girl a few feet away. Marie was such a bizarre mix of giddy happiness yet tranquil calm that it fascinated him endlessly. He didn't understand how such a combination worked exactly, but it did. Every once in a while she glanced up at him and gave a little smile, and he felt it again. An object in motion tends to stay in motion. He had broken a basic scientific principal simply by realizing that there were in fact times when he could actually be comfortable being still.
He looked up, when he felt the cushion beside him dip, to see Jean Grey smiling at him. "I like my book."
Logan nodded slowly. "Good. You don't have it already do you?"
Jean looked about the room. "Oddly enough I don't. I studied the lives of Watson and Crick during my undergrad obviously, but ..." A little sigh. "DNA, it's all so complicated now. I think it will be good to go back to my roots. Remember the people with whom it all started."
There was a slight pause. "The motorcycle helmet was a laugh riot."
Jean gave a wry grin. "It was Scott's idea."
"I assumed as much." Logan was certain there was some hidden message about him hitting his head one too many times behind the gift.
"I insisted that I pick the colour."
The helmet was black. "As opposed to what exactly?"
Jean smiled more broadly but deflected the question. "I was walking around and noticed a rather large gift off in the corner."
"Really."
She nodded. "I thought, in case someone was worried, I should let the owner know the contents are still viable."
"That's good information to have."
Jean stood and squeezed his shoulder. "She is going to adore it."
As Jean walked away Logan muttered. "I hope so." Man he hoped she liked it. Man he was glad to know it was still alive.
Rogue tried not to watch the scene too carefully. Her rational mind knew she didn't need to, but old habits die hard and all that. If the last year had taught her nothing else she could at least be confident that certainly, definitely, probably, most likely, there was very little chance that anything would ever actually happen between the two. If it was going to happen, it would have already, right?
Really, Rogue tried to theorize, if she should worry about anything, it was the possibility that one day Logan would actually get over Jean and find someone new. If something unimaginable occurred, bringing about the end of the Scott and Jean institution, and if Jean and Logan did find their way to one another, Rogue knew that her position in his life would not change. Having been there from the beginning, Jean understood their bond and the nature of their relationship. She would not be threatened by their connection and would feel no need to try to situate herself between them. Best of all, since the school was her home, Jean would never have reason to ask Logan to leave. Someone new would be an entirely different matter. Rogue could imagine what it might be like, trying to build a relationship with a man when he spends so much of his time with another girl. Becoming jealous would only be natural. A new woman might make him choose and that thought was terrifying. Really, it was silly to get all worked up over his unrequited love for the beautiful doctor.
Still though, watching them, she couldn't help but feel a little wistful. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but when Jean squeezed his shoulder and walked away, he looked, God, he looked almost nervous. All this time and an innocent, simple touch from Jean could still create such a reaction in him. It was sad. Uh, she was being such a childish, selfish bitch. She should want him to get over it. She should want him to find someone new and wonderful and be happy. He had given her so much and what had she given him. Nothing. Well, nothing and a book, she thought as she cast her eyes down to his gift she had once again intercepted.
Hey, what the hell?
Rogue looked about her. Coloured paper littered the floor. People seemed to have officially switched from the opening mode to the checking my new stuff out inspection. She craned her neck to get a glimpse under the tree. Nothing left. Hmmmm. She looked to Logan. He wore a smug grin. Bastard. She picked up the one gift left on the floor and crawled over too him. Hands on his knees, "Alright Mr. Funny, cough it up."
Innocently, "What?"
"You know, playfully hiding presents from your friends really doesn't match the growly tough guy reputation."
He scowled at her, took her hand, pulled her up to her feet as he stood and marched her over to the far corner. Two boys were sitting on the chairs which had been strategically placed to obstruct the view of the of what was hidden behind. Logan jerked his thumb over his shoulder and grunted, "Out." The twelve-year-olds spared a glance at each other before quickly skedaddling.
Rogue crossed her arms and watched in amusement as Logan moved the chairs, revealing a brightly wrapped, large rectangular box with a giant bow on top. He sat in front of it and motioned for her to do the same. "Can we move it out from the corner a bit?"
Logan rubbed his hands on his thighs. "No, I think it's better if you open it first."
"Okay." She sat on her knees beside him and contemplated the gift before her.
"Well, go on." Logan's fingers tapped against his legs impatiently.
Rogue took a breath and removed the bow, studying it for a moment before putting it aside. Finding a seem in the tissue, she took an edge between her fingers and pulled. The strip removed revealed that not a box lay underneath, but a cage. She looked to Logan. He appeared to be very pleased with himself. She raised herself up and began ripping paper with more fervor. Finally, outside layers torn away, she could look inside to see a brown and white ball of fuzz, lazily eating a carrot. "It's ... it's a bunny."
It was in fact alive. Thank God. A hundred years from now he would have been sitting on a leather couch while some geek looked down over his glasses and asked him, "So your relationship with this," checking his notes, "Marie started to disintegrate when exactly?"
"It was that second Christmas bub, dead bunny, she lifted off the freaking tissue paper and, well, she really just got the wrong idea."
Marie was already lifting the wire cage off its base to get to the creature inside. She lifted the small bundle under its front legs and held it up to her face. Marie stared at the rabbit. The rabbit stared at Marie. "I figured, since I can touch your hair, it should be safe for you to touch him." She moved to cradle the animal in the crook of her arm, pulled one glove off with her teeth and carefully began to stroke the soft fur. "Just, you know, don't let him snack on your finger or anything."
And then she smiled, or rather beamed. "I love him."
Deeply satisfied, "Good."
He was just watching her, everything else apparently forgotten. Rogue continued to run her hands over the glorious coat, reveling in the warmth and the fact that she could feel her new friend's body move with each quick breath. She stole a glance at Logan. Yep, still staring. Shyly, "It's your turn."
"Right." Logan shook himself from his daze and turned his attention to the gift sitting in front of him. It was a simple square. Logan was somewhat relieved that there wasn't another t-shirt acting as camouflage. He had been half expecting something in pink. This time around, it was simply a book; "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance".
"Okay, I admit, I picked it up because of the title, but when I looked at the first page, turns out it's kinda a hard read."
"Yeah it is."
Disappointed, "Oh, you've already read it."
Logan looked up and smirked. "I used to own a copy. I think it blew up with my trailer."
"Oh!" Rogue perked up. "So it's a good thing then, I'm finally replacing something." She returned her gaze back to the bunny in her lap. Thoughtfully, "Do you ever wonder, what your life would be like, if I hadn't followed you?"
"No point, I know exactly what it would be like, the same as it always had been."
"I have no idea." Rogue tilted her head up at him. "Even if I had ended up here, it wouldn't be the same. I'm not sure I'd be the same. I'm glad." Eyes back down. "But sometimes I worry, about what I cost you."
Logan took a breath, he didn't like where this was heading. "What did you cost me Marie?"
"I don't know. Freedom."
"Freedom is what you make of it." He reached for her hand that was still gloved. "Hey, I wasn't exactly thrilled with the life I had. Look at me." She met his eyes. "I moved around cause I didn't have anything worth stopping for. You're worth stopping for." He paused. "And hey, the whole package came with a hell of a lot of perks; decent home base..."
"Near death experiences."
"Good food..."
"Super-hero obligations."
"Fun gig," a wry grin, "the respect of my peers..."
"Pretty women to look at?"
He snorted, "That too." Honestly, he didn't know what would have happened if Charlie had found him sans Marie. The way it did go down, the only reason he joined the team on that first mission was because it was the best way to make sure the kid was going to be okay, because she had been stuffed into a bag while he lay unconscious moments after he had promised to take care of her. And he came back because the school was the best place for her and he still had that promise to keep. But now, if he was really truthful with himself, he had to admit, he liked it. He liked that his sorry ass life had some purpose. He had never believed in any cause, aside from his own. Still, the grand scheme, the greater good wasn't what moved him. It was watching the individual person hurting like he did and realizing he could make it stop. No one should hurt like him, certainly not someone innocent. Marie had been his in. Maybe if she hadn't been here, he never would have stayed, but now, things were different. Marie was the first person he wanted to help, but she wasn't the last. If something happened to her, or if she left him, he would stay. He would be a miserable, howling, piece of shit, but he would stay.
Marie's concentration was back to petting the rabbit. She seemed happy with his response. She was definitely happy with his gift. "So, what's on the rest of the agenda for today?"
Uh oh, she looked a little mischievous. "Well actually, I heard since this is the first Christmas in so long that the lake has been frozen in time, everyone's going to go skating, like a big group."
"Kid..."
"Oh come on Logan, don't be such a baby." He glared at her. "I'm sure you know how. It'll be fun."
Logan considered pointing out that since it was Christmas he shouldn't have to go. However, he realized it being Christmas was precisely the reason he would end up giving in. He had this humiliating vision of landing on his ass so many times that he would be moved to suggest, "Why don't I just stay down here and you drag me around a while? It will have about the same effect." He could always try an avoidance tactic, which may lead to a pretty decent bribe. "So kid, what are your thoughts on the issue of fur?"
Several hours later Rogue padded into the den in her new moccasins. Last year she had been thrilled when Logan agreed to the new tradition. They had chosen the smaller den, as opposed to the main room, so they could have a private screening. Logan had put a note up on the door which simply read, "Stay out. - L." He provided a six pack and "insisted" she have one to complete the atmosphere. It had been very good night.
When she entered the room he was lounged on the couch in his usual uniform of jeans and two shirts. The VCR appeared to be already set up. "Mr. Butler is all settled into his new home."
Logan looked up and took in her appearance; flannels, covered in the little snowmen, the infamous moccasins, her checkered quilt under one arm and a box in the other hand. "Mr. Butler?"
"My rabbit." She dumped her blanket. He was frowning at her. "The one you gave me." No change in his expression. "Logan?"
"Mr. Butler?"
"Hi," she waved, "girl from the south. Besides, I can tell that rabbit is a little rough around the edges. Honourable maybe, but definitely doesn't play by the same rules as normal rabbit society." Finally he nodded and turned to look back at the blank tv. "Anyway, what are you sulking about?"
"I'm not sulking, I am plotting my revenge."
Oh, she really should have been more cautious. They had tried skating after all. It had gone badly. She gave her biggest, hopefullest , most innocent smile, "I love you."
"Uhuh. You know, I have always suspected revenge might be even more fun between loved ones." He stared straight ahead with an evil glint. "They'll never see it coming."
She plopped on the couch beside him. "Here, eat one of these."
A red foil wrapped ball landed in his lap. He picked it up suspiciously. "What is it?"
"A Lindor chocolate," she answered pertly. "They are supposed to make you feel all warm and loved inside."
Logan scowled at the offending object, but he started unwrapping it. "Sounds suspiciously like a crock of shit."
Rogue shrugged, "You never know till you try." She began her ritual of cocooning herself in her comforter. As she leaned forward to secure the blanket around her legs she noticed Logan pop the chocolate into his mouth and start to chew. She leaned back and simply waited for what she knew was coming.
"Oh my God."
Rogue feigned confusion, "What?"
Logan swallowed that last of the creamy sweetness. "That," he paused for emphasis, "was really good." Rogue snorted. He casually swiped another from the box on her lap. "Where did you get them anyway?"
Rogue returned to pulling her blanket around her shoulders and tucking it in at her sides. "Some boy gave them to me."
Logan paused before tossing the next treat into his waiting mouth and looked at it a little guiltily. "If a boy gave them to you, don't you think he might be kinda mad that you're sharing them with me?"
Rogue snorted again. "Like I care." Logan just stared at her. "Chocolates are not an appropriate Christmas gift if you are trying to impress a girl."
In an attempt to be as annoying as possible. "Didn't you just say they were the chocolates of love?"
She glared at him. "That's the ad campaign." Finally, securely swaddled she settled down into the cushions. He was still just looking at her unimpressed, clearly waiting for an explanation. "Chocolates are something you give to the hostess at a party, or maybe the nice old lady next door, a teacher, the guy at the bank who helped you with a loan, maybe even your dentist. Valentine's day is a totally different thing. Valentine's day is almost about chocolate, but at Christmas, they are the save-all gift you give to people you don't really know."
Logan crossed his arms. "Hey, at least the squirt tried."
She mumbled, "Yeah, he tried so hard he actually put a whole thirty seconds of thought into it." Rogue heaved a sigh and explained quietly, "I want a guy to be creative. I want him to find something that is special, something that is perfect just for me. Then I will know he actually understands who I am and that he cares."
Logan regarded her thoughtfully. "Like a snow globe?"
Rogue gave a humourless smile as she felt her heart ache; that was exactly what she meant. In a tiny voice, "Yeah." They sat in silence for a moment. "Can we start the movie now?" He nodded. She looked about her. "Oh God damn it!"
Completely taken off guard, "What?"
She looked miserable. "I can't find the remote."
He chuckled a little. "Well I'm sure it's around here somewhere. Maybe your sitting on it."
Almost a wail, "But now I can't get up!"
Grinning like an idiot and shaking his head, Logan got up off the couch and loped over to the VCR to press play. When he turned to face her again Marie was giving him the cutest smile. She just loved being waited on. "Beer please."
He raised an eyebrow at her, but reached down to retrieve the beer from the sixer on the floor and handed it to her. He sat down and stretched his arm around her. "Come here kid," he murmured as he pulled her against him. He felt her snuggle down into his side. He watched as she unwrapped another chocolate and reached up, holding it in front of his lips. On cue he opened his mouth and took it from her fingers, his tongue catching a bit of her glove. Savouring the delicious cream he nudged her. "They certainly are good though. Maybe I'll date him." And Marie laughed and laughed.
Time line - 1 year and 7 months past movie, 1 year and 1 month after Logan's return, 1 year and 5 months before the weird surgical glove wearing sex debacle.
What does this timing mean? Logan is way past being over any residual feelings for Jean and actually hasn't been interested in other women in a while. He loves Marie more than anyone else in the world, but it is still about five months before he sits down and does the math. Translation: Hey, when your head has been stuck in your ass for this long, it can be really hard to dig it out again.
This year Logan set his alarm. Well, he had to in order to carefully wrap Marie's present and slowly carry it downstairs ... and then it hide far, far from the tree where all the mayhem would be taking place. However, he noted that the alarm also spared him from the possibility of Marie waking him by jumping on his head. After last year's antics he wouldn't put anything past her. Nevertheless, he managed to return to his room and wait, sitting on his bed for ten minutes, without any sign of the manic teen. Just what the hell was taking her so long anyway?
Starting to get a little antsy and starting to wonder just how easy it was to breathe through three layers of tissue paper, he gave up and went to her room. And who the hell knew tissue paper was so freaking delicate anyway, let alone a food alternative for small woodland creatures? He ended up having to make an emergency trip to the kitchen to get something to distract the damn thing. When there was no response to his knock, he poked his head in the door. Marie was still burrowed under the covers, fast asleep.
"Hey."
Nothing.
"I said 'hey'," and he pushed the door closed, somewhat loudly.
She didn't even look up. "Mmph. I really want to go swimming, I promise, but can't we wait five more minutes?"
"Kid, the lake is frozen."
"Oh." A brief pause before she propped herself up on an elbow and looked at him groggily, hair everywhere. "Then why are you bothering me?"
Logan stood there aghast. Where was the excitement? The crazy behavior? The throwing herself at him bodily to knock him down the stairs to get there faster? "Marie, it's Christmas morning."
A look of confusion, "What?" Then a look of horror, "Oh my God! I slept in?" And then she was up and running around like a lunatic, at one point hopping on one foot in an attempt to put on socks while brushing her teeth. It wasn't till she was sticking her feet into slippers while running a comb through her hair that she spared a look for the clock. All movement ceased. "Wait a second. My clock says it's only six fifty."
Still standing by the door in an attempt not to get in the way of the chaos, "Yeah?"
She turned to face him, "I set my alarm for seven."
Not quite following, "So?"
Rogue crossed her arms. "So, you woke me up before seven a.m. because you couldn't wait to get downstairs on Christmas morning."
Logan felt the need to defend himself, but decided remaining calm was the better tactic so as not to create suspicion. "Is there something you're getting at kid?" He could actually see the little synapses firing in Marie's head ... and then she got it.
A huge smile. "Oh my God, it must be really good isn't it?"
Damn it! Blasé feigned confusion, "What?"
And Rogue realized the power balance was suddenly tilting in her favour. "My present."
Logan put his hands in his pockets. See no big deal at all. "Well now, I wouldn't go saying that."
"Right." Rogue walked past him into the hall. After taking a few steps she turned back to the room. "Come on Logan, you're the one that's in the big hurry this year, remember?"
Logan followed, reminding himself that it didn't matter that he had lost this particular round because the present was good. The present was exceedingly good. Okay, so perhaps the present had only reached divine inspiration due to the intervention of the one-eyed monster, but it wasn't like the boy had actually said the words, "buy the girl a ...". No, Cyke had merely taken a great big gritty shit on the excitement of the original gift, thus forcing Logan to dig even deeper.
A couple of weeks back, Logan had taken an entire day to acquire the gift, hopping on the old bike at dawn and not getting back till night. He had driven back up across the border to a little store he had found years ago on a reservation. It was one of those "trading posts" that probably made at least as much of its profits off the tourists looking for authentic native wares as it did from the actual residents. Logan liked the man who ran the store, had even taken some time to get to know him on previous visits. The gift was a pair of finely made moccasins. They had an intricate beaded design and soft fur that wrapped around the cuff. Logan figured they would provide the opportunity to tell her stories of that particular portion of his travels. A blend of something uniquely beautiful that Marie could savour touching as much as wearing and was meaningful to him. Perfect.
Enter Mr. Stoic.
Logan had literally just walked into his room, dumped his things out of his bag onto his bed and was in the process of taking off his jacket when Scott appeared at his still open door. It was all very business like, the leader informing him of some minor mission the next day for which the team was to meet at seven hundred sharp.
Scott was about to turn to go when his gaze fell to the curious articles. "Huh."
Reaching into his closet to retrieve a hanger, "What?"
Standing straight with a slight smile, "It occurs to me I've only ever seen you in dilapidated boots or bare feet. Somehow you just never struck me as the furry slippers kind of guy."
Logan paused just long enough in what he was doing to send an unimpressed glare. "They're for Marie, you dumbass."
Struck with genuine curiosity Scott bent to retrieve the moccasins. "I'm impressed Logan, they're very nice." He frowned in thought a little, "So you know Rogue is okay with fur then?"
"What the hell is that supposed to mean."
Scott paused in his inspection to look up at the other man. "Nothing, it's just some people take issue with the use of fur."
Hands on his hips, "They're hand crafted."
"I realize that, I said I was impressed."
Logan started to point. "Look, whoever made them probably ate the damn rabbit, or at least sold the meat. It's part of the whole respect the animal culture."
"Okay, okay." Scott returned the items in question to the bed, raised his hands in surrender and retreated to the door; he really hadn't been looking for a fight. "You're probably right. You know Rogue better than I do." He turned back just before closing the door behind him, "Logan, I'm sure Rogue will think they're perfect."
Logan stood over the bed looking down, scratching his head. There was just enough doubt nagging at him to drive him crazy. Oh crap, now what was he supposed to do?
When they reached the main room, Marie waltzing in front of him, Logan suddenly reached out and stopped her with a hand at her hip. She turned, confusion denting her brow. "Maybe we should open ours first."
Marie tilted her head and gave him a serene smile. "I want to save the best for last, just like last year Logan."
He nodded, "Right." Three feet long by two feet wide by about another two feet high equals how many cubic feet of air? She ducked in for a quick hug, told him to have fun and then danced off to the centre of the crowded floor. Logan picked a spot on the couch and settled in to open the boxes handed to him and watch the girl a few feet away. Marie was such a bizarre mix of giddy happiness yet tranquil calm that it fascinated him endlessly. He didn't understand how such a combination worked exactly, but it did. Every once in a while she glanced up at him and gave a little smile, and he felt it again. An object in motion tends to stay in motion. He had broken a basic scientific principal simply by realizing that there were in fact times when he could actually be comfortable being still.
He looked up, when he felt the cushion beside him dip, to see Jean Grey smiling at him. "I like my book."
Logan nodded slowly. "Good. You don't have it already do you?"
Jean looked about the room. "Oddly enough I don't. I studied the lives of Watson and Crick during my undergrad obviously, but ..." A little sigh. "DNA, it's all so complicated now. I think it will be good to go back to my roots. Remember the people with whom it all started."
There was a slight pause. "The motorcycle helmet was a laugh riot."
Jean gave a wry grin. "It was Scott's idea."
"I assumed as much." Logan was certain there was some hidden message about him hitting his head one too many times behind the gift.
"I insisted that I pick the colour."
The helmet was black. "As opposed to what exactly?"
Jean smiled more broadly but deflected the question. "I was walking around and noticed a rather large gift off in the corner."
"Really."
She nodded. "I thought, in case someone was worried, I should let the owner know the contents are still viable."
"That's good information to have."
Jean stood and squeezed his shoulder. "She is going to adore it."
As Jean walked away Logan muttered. "I hope so." Man he hoped she liked it. Man he was glad to know it was still alive.
Rogue tried not to watch the scene too carefully. Her rational mind knew she didn't need to, but old habits die hard and all that. If the last year had taught her nothing else she could at least be confident that certainly, definitely, probably, most likely, there was very little chance that anything would ever actually happen between the two. If it was going to happen, it would have already, right?
Really, Rogue tried to theorize, if she should worry about anything, it was the possibility that one day Logan would actually get over Jean and find someone new. If something unimaginable occurred, bringing about the end of the Scott and Jean institution, and if Jean and Logan did find their way to one another, Rogue knew that her position in his life would not change. Having been there from the beginning, Jean understood their bond and the nature of their relationship. She would not be threatened by their connection and would feel no need to try to situate herself between them. Best of all, since the school was her home, Jean would never have reason to ask Logan to leave. Someone new would be an entirely different matter. Rogue could imagine what it might be like, trying to build a relationship with a man when he spends so much of his time with another girl. Becoming jealous would only be natural. A new woman might make him choose and that thought was terrifying. Really, it was silly to get all worked up over his unrequited love for the beautiful doctor.
Still though, watching them, she couldn't help but feel a little wistful. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but when Jean squeezed his shoulder and walked away, he looked, God, he looked almost nervous. All this time and an innocent, simple touch from Jean could still create such a reaction in him. It was sad. Uh, she was being such a childish, selfish bitch. She should want him to get over it. She should want him to find someone new and wonderful and be happy. He had given her so much and what had she given him. Nothing. Well, nothing and a book, she thought as she cast her eyes down to his gift she had once again intercepted.
Hey, what the hell?
Rogue looked about her. Coloured paper littered the floor. People seemed to have officially switched from the opening mode to the checking my new stuff out inspection. She craned her neck to get a glimpse under the tree. Nothing left. Hmmmm. She looked to Logan. He wore a smug grin. Bastard. She picked up the one gift left on the floor and crawled over too him. Hands on his knees, "Alright Mr. Funny, cough it up."
Innocently, "What?"
"You know, playfully hiding presents from your friends really doesn't match the growly tough guy reputation."
He scowled at her, took her hand, pulled her up to her feet as he stood and marched her over to the far corner. Two boys were sitting on the chairs which had been strategically placed to obstruct the view of the of what was hidden behind. Logan jerked his thumb over his shoulder and grunted, "Out." The twelve-year-olds spared a glance at each other before quickly skedaddling.
Rogue crossed her arms and watched in amusement as Logan moved the chairs, revealing a brightly wrapped, large rectangular box with a giant bow on top. He sat in front of it and motioned for her to do the same. "Can we move it out from the corner a bit?"
Logan rubbed his hands on his thighs. "No, I think it's better if you open it first."
"Okay." She sat on her knees beside him and contemplated the gift before her.
"Well, go on." Logan's fingers tapped against his legs impatiently.
Rogue took a breath and removed the bow, studying it for a moment before putting it aside. Finding a seem in the tissue, she took an edge between her fingers and pulled. The strip removed revealed that not a box lay underneath, but a cage. She looked to Logan. He appeared to be very pleased with himself. She raised herself up and began ripping paper with more fervor. Finally, outside layers torn away, she could look inside to see a brown and white ball of fuzz, lazily eating a carrot. "It's ... it's a bunny."
It was in fact alive. Thank God. A hundred years from now he would have been sitting on a leather couch while some geek looked down over his glasses and asked him, "So your relationship with this," checking his notes, "Marie started to disintegrate when exactly?"
"It was that second Christmas bub, dead bunny, she lifted off the freaking tissue paper and, well, she really just got the wrong idea."
Marie was already lifting the wire cage off its base to get to the creature inside. She lifted the small bundle under its front legs and held it up to her face. Marie stared at the rabbit. The rabbit stared at Marie. "I figured, since I can touch your hair, it should be safe for you to touch him." She moved to cradle the animal in the crook of her arm, pulled one glove off with her teeth and carefully began to stroke the soft fur. "Just, you know, don't let him snack on your finger or anything."
And then she smiled, or rather beamed. "I love him."
Deeply satisfied, "Good."
He was just watching her, everything else apparently forgotten. Rogue continued to run her hands over the glorious coat, reveling in the warmth and the fact that she could feel her new friend's body move with each quick breath. She stole a glance at Logan. Yep, still staring. Shyly, "It's your turn."
"Right." Logan shook himself from his daze and turned his attention to the gift sitting in front of him. It was a simple square. Logan was somewhat relieved that there wasn't another t-shirt acting as camouflage. He had been half expecting something in pink. This time around, it was simply a book; "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance".
"Okay, I admit, I picked it up because of the title, but when I looked at the first page, turns out it's kinda a hard read."
"Yeah it is."
Disappointed, "Oh, you've already read it."
Logan looked up and smirked. "I used to own a copy. I think it blew up with my trailer."
"Oh!" Rogue perked up. "So it's a good thing then, I'm finally replacing something." She returned her gaze back to the bunny in her lap. Thoughtfully, "Do you ever wonder, what your life would be like, if I hadn't followed you?"
"No point, I know exactly what it would be like, the same as it always had been."
"I have no idea." Rogue tilted her head up at him. "Even if I had ended up here, it wouldn't be the same. I'm not sure I'd be the same. I'm glad." Eyes back down. "But sometimes I worry, about what I cost you."
Logan took a breath, he didn't like where this was heading. "What did you cost me Marie?"
"I don't know. Freedom."
"Freedom is what you make of it." He reached for her hand that was still gloved. "Hey, I wasn't exactly thrilled with the life I had. Look at me." She met his eyes. "I moved around cause I didn't have anything worth stopping for. You're worth stopping for." He paused. "And hey, the whole package came with a hell of a lot of perks; decent home base..."
"Near death experiences."
"Good food..."
"Super-hero obligations."
"Fun gig," a wry grin, "the respect of my peers..."
"Pretty women to look at?"
He snorted, "That too." Honestly, he didn't know what would have happened if Charlie had found him sans Marie. The way it did go down, the only reason he joined the team on that first mission was because it was the best way to make sure the kid was going to be okay, because she had been stuffed into a bag while he lay unconscious moments after he had promised to take care of her. And he came back because the school was the best place for her and he still had that promise to keep. But now, if he was really truthful with himself, he had to admit, he liked it. He liked that his sorry ass life had some purpose. He had never believed in any cause, aside from his own. Still, the grand scheme, the greater good wasn't what moved him. It was watching the individual person hurting like he did and realizing he could make it stop. No one should hurt like him, certainly not someone innocent. Marie had been his in. Maybe if she hadn't been here, he never would have stayed, but now, things were different. Marie was the first person he wanted to help, but she wasn't the last. If something happened to her, or if she left him, he would stay. He would be a miserable, howling, piece of shit, but he would stay.
Marie's concentration was back to petting the rabbit. She seemed happy with his response. She was definitely happy with his gift. "So, what's on the rest of the agenda for today?"
Uh oh, she looked a little mischievous. "Well actually, I heard since this is the first Christmas in so long that the lake has been frozen in time, everyone's going to go skating, like a big group."
"Kid..."
"Oh come on Logan, don't be such a baby." He glared at her. "I'm sure you know how. It'll be fun."
Logan considered pointing out that since it was Christmas he shouldn't have to go. However, he realized it being Christmas was precisely the reason he would end up giving in. He had this humiliating vision of landing on his ass so many times that he would be moved to suggest, "Why don't I just stay down here and you drag me around a while? It will have about the same effect." He could always try an avoidance tactic, which may lead to a pretty decent bribe. "So kid, what are your thoughts on the issue of fur?"
Several hours later Rogue padded into the den in her new moccasins. Last year she had been thrilled when Logan agreed to the new tradition. They had chosen the smaller den, as opposed to the main room, so they could have a private screening. Logan had put a note up on the door which simply read, "Stay out. - L." He provided a six pack and "insisted" she have one to complete the atmosphere. It had been very good night.
When she entered the room he was lounged on the couch in his usual uniform of jeans and two shirts. The VCR appeared to be already set up. "Mr. Butler is all settled into his new home."
Logan looked up and took in her appearance; flannels, covered in the little snowmen, the infamous moccasins, her checkered quilt under one arm and a box in the other hand. "Mr. Butler?"
"My rabbit." She dumped her blanket. He was frowning at her. "The one you gave me." No change in his expression. "Logan?"
"Mr. Butler?"
"Hi," she waved, "girl from the south. Besides, I can tell that rabbit is a little rough around the edges. Honourable maybe, but definitely doesn't play by the same rules as normal rabbit society." Finally he nodded and turned to look back at the blank tv. "Anyway, what are you sulking about?"
"I'm not sulking, I am plotting my revenge."
Oh, she really should have been more cautious. They had tried skating after all. It had gone badly. She gave her biggest, hopefullest , most innocent smile, "I love you."
"Uhuh. You know, I have always suspected revenge might be even more fun between loved ones." He stared straight ahead with an evil glint. "They'll never see it coming."
She plopped on the couch beside him. "Here, eat one of these."
A red foil wrapped ball landed in his lap. He picked it up suspiciously. "What is it?"
"A Lindor chocolate," she answered pertly. "They are supposed to make you feel all warm and loved inside."
Logan scowled at the offending object, but he started unwrapping it. "Sounds suspiciously like a crock of shit."
Rogue shrugged, "You never know till you try." She began her ritual of cocooning herself in her comforter. As she leaned forward to secure the blanket around her legs she noticed Logan pop the chocolate into his mouth and start to chew. She leaned back and simply waited for what she knew was coming.
"Oh my God."
Rogue feigned confusion, "What?"
Logan swallowed that last of the creamy sweetness. "That," he paused for emphasis, "was really good." Rogue snorted. He casually swiped another from the box on her lap. "Where did you get them anyway?"
Rogue returned to pulling her blanket around her shoulders and tucking it in at her sides. "Some boy gave them to me."
Logan paused before tossing the next treat into his waiting mouth and looked at it a little guiltily. "If a boy gave them to you, don't you think he might be kinda mad that you're sharing them with me?"
Rogue snorted again. "Like I care." Logan just stared at her. "Chocolates are not an appropriate Christmas gift if you are trying to impress a girl."
In an attempt to be as annoying as possible. "Didn't you just say they were the chocolates of love?"
She glared at him. "That's the ad campaign." Finally, securely swaddled she settled down into the cushions. He was still just looking at her unimpressed, clearly waiting for an explanation. "Chocolates are something you give to the hostess at a party, or maybe the nice old lady next door, a teacher, the guy at the bank who helped you with a loan, maybe even your dentist. Valentine's day is a totally different thing. Valentine's day is almost about chocolate, but at Christmas, they are the save-all gift you give to people you don't really know."
Logan crossed his arms. "Hey, at least the squirt tried."
She mumbled, "Yeah, he tried so hard he actually put a whole thirty seconds of thought into it." Rogue heaved a sigh and explained quietly, "I want a guy to be creative. I want him to find something that is special, something that is perfect just for me. Then I will know he actually understands who I am and that he cares."
Logan regarded her thoughtfully. "Like a snow globe?"
Rogue gave a humourless smile as she felt her heart ache; that was exactly what she meant. In a tiny voice, "Yeah." They sat in silence for a moment. "Can we start the movie now?" He nodded. She looked about her. "Oh God damn it!"
Completely taken off guard, "What?"
She looked miserable. "I can't find the remote."
He chuckled a little. "Well I'm sure it's around here somewhere. Maybe your sitting on it."
Almost a wail, "But now I can't get up!"
Grinning like an idiot and shaking his head, Logan got up off the couch and loped over to the VCR to press play. When he turned to face her again Marie was giving him the cutest smile. She just loved being waited on. "Beer please."
He raised an eyebrow at her, but reached down to retrieve the beer from the sixer on the floor and handed it to her. He sat down and stretched his arm around her. "Come here kid," he murmured as he pulled her against him. He felt her snuggle down into his side. He watched as she unwrapped another chocolate and reached up, holding it in front of his lips. On cue he opened his mouth and took it from her fingers, his tongue catching a bit of her glove. Savouring the delicious cream he nudged her. "They certainly are good though. Maybe I'll date him." And Marie laughed and laughed.