AN: Don't try to write fanfiction while watching Indiana Jones. I almost had Logan with a whip and Storm taking shots in a drinking contest. Hey now, maybe that would work…
Also, I truly believe that Logan is a very possessive man, and that comes in conflict with his independence. So, he wavers back and forth in my mind, never committing to one side or the other fully. But that's for a Wolverine writer to deal with.
____________
"Yeah, 'Ro. It's me." An involuntary smile crept along Logan's face as he stared at Ororo. Whether it was a purely friendly smile, or something born out of Storm's tight outfit, the dark alleyway did not betray.
Incredulous and shocked, Ororo stuttered over her words. "Wha…what are you doing here?"
Logan strode over to Storm, and lightly rested his large palm on her shoulder. "I came ta see you, darlin'. I was worried 'bout you."
Yukio let out an irritated snort at the display, and leaned against the cool, rough concrete building. Rolling her shoulder back, Storm broke contact with Logan, and gave him a wary look. "Worried? Why now? Why not back at the mansion?" As Logan's mind reeled, Yukio gave him a smug, sardonic grin. "Why have you truly followed me, Logan?" Storm continued.
"Because my girl shouldn't…"
"Your girl?" Ororo blinked rapidly while trying to form her words. "And since when have I been your property?
"That's not it at all, 'Ro. I just wanted to see what was going on."
Ororo mimicked Yukio's arrogant posture against the wall, looking down at Wolverine. Eyes narrowed, she looked on the brink of fury. "And yet, you felt the need to sneak around, not letting me know you were even here. Goddess, Logan. It does not even matter now. Goodnight."
"Ro!"
"Goodnight."
Moving as one entity, Ororo and Yukio pushed off the wall with the soles of their feet, and walked off, leaving Logan standing under the lone blinking streetlamp.
_______________________
"No…I…no. Stop…no. I can not…ahhhhhh!"
"Wind Rider!" Kicking in the door to Storm's room, Yukio burst in after hearing her friend's screams. Her eyes darted around, and noticing no one else in the room, looked at Storm. The ashen silk sheets were strewn around the bed, pooling around the foot. Storm's white hair was becoming tangled around her arm, as she thrashed about, mumbling and screaming alternately. A light gleam of perspiration shone on Ororo's forehead, reflecting in the light that streamed in the window from the street. Her normally flawless face was etched in pain and creases. Another scream, another kick, and Yukio dove on the bed, trying to restrain Storm.
"Ororo! 'Ro! Wind Rider! Stop it!"
Once Ororo was pinned, her claustrophobia kicked in, and she began to curl up and yell, drawing the sheet up in her clawed fist. "No! Stop it!"
"Ororo!" The sudden audio and shaking assault broke through the sleep haze, and Ororo bolted up, panting.
"Where…Yukio?"
"Yeah, 'Ro. You had a nightmare. What happened?"
"I…I was trying…trying to control a tempest, but I could not, and it overwhelmed me, knocking me out."
Yukio cradled Ororo's head against her shoulder, and smoothed out Storm's long hair. "It's alright, nothing's going to happen. Everything's all right. See?"
"Yes, there is no storm. I can see…" Suddenly, Ororo began to panic and shot out of the bed to look outside.
"'Ro! What is it?"
"I…I cannot feel that there is no storm."
Yukio rested her chin on her knees in confusion. "What do you mean, you can't feel it?"
"I cannot feel my connection with the weather or earth."
"Can you still use your powers?"
Raising her hand from her side, Ororo concentrated, and a small rain cloud appeared inside the apartment, just under the chocolate hand. "Obviously, yes."
"Then your powers are now completely divorced from all outside influences. Congrats."
A faraway look shone through the brilliance of Storm's blue eyes. "Yes. I see."
"Come on, get some sleep. I'll stay here tonight. Well, as long as you don't kick me or snore, that is." Yukio smiled, and scooted herself over to allow Ororo to lie down again.
"Right." Mechanistically, Storm curled up under the sheets, staring at the lone picture on the far wall. She listened to Yukio's rhythmic breathing as she finally managed to drift off to a troublesome sleep.
____________________
Damn. Damn it all to hell and back, pausing in between for a good fuck. Logan lay back on his hotel bed, hands crossed behind his head. A Japanese game show was on in the background, the bright colors playing around the room, flashing all around. Logan knew he had royally screwed himself over this time, but he also knew that he was not one to roll over and die.
Sure, he cared for Storm as a deep and true friend. That was never in question. So, why did she turn so harsh? Crossing one hairy foot over the other, Logan settled back into the pillows for support. They had known each other for a long time, Storm and himself. She knew how possessive he was of his friends, of the women in his life. As long as he didn't hinder her, she had always laughed about it before.
Growling, Logan smashed his fist into the dresser, splintering the fine wood. She had changed, and he didn't like it one bit. Fuck what Ororo Munroe wanted, Logan was taking over.
___________________
Another night, same scenario. Yukio and Ororo were out at the underground club, and Logan was biding his time, downing a beer. Somehow, each of the parties involved instinctively knew that the others would be there again. This time, though, Logan wasn't waiting to be discovered. As soon as the girls walked through the metal door, Logan stood, and intercepted them, leading them outside to the alleyway of the previous night. The lone blinking light had finally given up the ghost, and aside from the faint moonlight, there was no illumination, bathing the alley in a dark cover.
"Logan," Storm bit out in a tight voice, "what is the meaning of this?"
"You're not getting any better here, time ta go home."
"And if I refuse?"
"I'm taking ya home, 'Ro. Just come along."
"Why the sudden interest, Logan?" Ororo glanced back at Yukio, who shrugged her shoulders, implicitly urging Ororo to continue whatever she was doing. "Jean finally decide that you were not worth her time?"
"That has nothing to…"
Heel, toe. Heel, toe. Storm's predatory advance stopped Logan's voice in his larynx. Slowly, she advanced on him, head cocked and eyes sharp. Logan's instincts kicked in, telling him to extend his claws, but he suppressed them. This was Storm. She wouldn't intentionally harm him. Would she?
Voice soft and flowing like warm honey, Ororo paced around Logan, trailing a finger around his shoulders. "So, you thought that coming here, playing the protective macho role would cause me to return with you? Or, were you just thinking with your cock?" Logan opened his mouth in shock at the profanity coming out of the normally placid Storm's mouth, but she closed it with a finger. "Do not leave your mouth open, Logan. It is rude." Yukio snickered, she was enjoying the show.
Crossing her arms over her chest, Storm slowly strode away, back to Wolverine. "You cannot convince me to leave with you, Logan. I suggest you go, now."
"No."
Storm sighed, and spun on her heel to face Logan once more. She dropped her head, allowing her fine hair to drop into her eyes, covering her face. She slowly raised one hand, following it with her eyes as some hair fell back, framing her face. Turning her chin up diagonally, she stared with fascination at the back of her knuckles. "I always wondered why you liked to fight with claws at such a close range, Logan. I much preferred distance fighting. Close in seemed so harsh, so…" Her voice trailed off as three bolts of lightning raised themselves off the back of her hand, mimicking Wolverine's three claws. She smiled a wicked, predatory smirk. "So…fun."
Yukio moved forward a bit, clearly no longer at ease. "'Ro?"
A clench of the fist, and the electric claws disappeared, returning Ororo's eyes to blue. "But, that is neither here nor then." Heel, toe. Heel, toe. Once again, Storm advanced on Logan, but this time without the stalking aspect. He relaxed; she seemed to be calm once more. Reaching his broad form, Ororo placed one hand on Logan's chest, and dropped her head to his shoulder. She nuzzled her nose against his neck, breathing in his scent. He reached around her waist, pulling her closer. Storm balled the fist against his heart, and whispered "Goodnight, sweet prince."
Yukio startled forward as Logan's limp body tumbled to the ground. "What happened?" Looking over, she saw Ororo inspecting her lightening claws that protruded from the hand that had been against his heart. Evidently, the pulse of electricity had been enough to stop his heart for a moment. Storm looked up, releasing the current, and saw Yukio. "Come." Seeing Yukio hesitate, Ororo waved her hand in dismissal. "He will heal. Let us leave."
_______________
AN2: I'm thinking two to three more chapters, and I'm out. Wow, to finish this story!
Stormfreak: Were they more than friends? Eh. Like heck anyone knows. So, I'm putting them as close as possible without actually crossing the NC-17 line. ;) I think this resolved the problem I told you about. Too bad I need that person later, can't kill them off.
Rhapsody: Yeah, demanding. But, that always has seemed to fit him. He'll pine away and brood one minute, aggressively jump the next. And if you want a Yukio friend, I've got one for 5 easy payments of $19.95.
Rhiannon and Lori: You got your confrontation. ;) And her emotions are now fully separated.
Trilogy: Ahem. Why did you remove your story from ff.net? I like to read stories that aren't finished, too! Damn it!
Stormgirl: Thanks!