A/N - My thanks go out to Aquora, evilbon32, Isis Aurora Tomoe,
LilWolvie, Skyz and Verena Gruen for your very nice reviews as well as to
all the others who've R/R previously! I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Logan carried Ororo up the stairs with ease. She said nothing and tried not to look at him. When he reached the second floor he opened one of two doors in the hall, stepped inside then kicked the door shut behind him.
"Lo . . . ."
"Ssshh," Logan's lips covered hers again and Ororo stifled a moan.
He pulled away and said softly, "Name's Patch, darlin', don't ferget!" Then he tossed her onto the bed.
"Lo . . . !"
"Sssh!" he hissed and nodded at the door as he silently leaned against it.
Suddenly he jerked the door open and the short redheaded woman from last night fell into the room and tumbled to the floor.
"Ah, oh. . . ." she sputtered as she looked from Logan to Ororo.
"Wanna tell me what's goin' on, Red?"
"I. . . . um. . . . er . . . . I jest thought ya might . . . ." She sat up and looked at the floor.
"Um hmm? Might what, Red?"
She stood up and wiped her dress off. "I jest thought Abe was in here wiv ya, Patch, is all," she turned to leave. "Don't let me catch ya snoopin' again, Red!" Logan growled.
"Humph!" she grunted and switched out of the room in a huff.
Logan looked at his fetching partner as she laughed.
"An' just what are you laughin' at Daisy Mae? Ya wanna blow our cover or somethin'? An' where's yer flamin' wig? You ferget ya were supposed ta be incognito?"
"Did you forget to tell me you were leaving?"
"Fer cryin' out loud! You sound like my girlfriend or somethin'! I just needed to get out, darlin' but I don't have ta explain myself to you. On the other hand, you need to explain a few things to me, 'Ro."
"What happened to Daisy, hmm?"
"You think this is funny, darlin'?"
"I think you felt I would be a hindrance to you," she said as she got off the bed.
Logan went to her and took her hand in his.
"Darlin', I just don't want you hurt. That's all."
"I admit I was . . . .upset. The thought of you---I mean I am claustrophobic . . . ." She fell silent.
He squeezed her hand and led her to bed and gently pushed her down on to it.
"We need to get a few things straight here, darlin'," he said as he sat down besides her.
"First, ya can't come chasin' after me blowin' my cover and second, you can not be the boss here! This isn't X-Men business. It's my business. It's personal an' private."
"I respect that."
"Then do as you're told."
"I . . . ."
He held up his hand and said, "No. I'm runnin' this show. You agreed. What I say goes."
"You are right," she sighed. "I acted far too impulsively. I was not thinking clearly. When I saw you had left without me I was a little . . . . angry."
"A little?" Logan muttered.
"Perhaps a lot and I did forget the wig but it is an ill fitting atrocity that no one should have to tolerate. Besides, that is easily solved by purchasing another wig, one that fits and looks better , perhaps a red wig this time," she teased then continued. "I will not let it happen again and for the record, Patch, I did not blow your cover. I suppose they think I can not stay away from you," she laughed.
"Yup, desperate," he agreed and chuckled.
"Hardly."
"Well, ya sure had every guy in the joint checkin' you out."
"I can always leave," she smiled just a little.
"An' have them thinkin' I can't entertain a beautiful goddess like you fer more 'n ten minutes?" He arched an eyebrow and grinned.
"And how would you entertain me . . . . Patch?" Ororo asked with a bemused look that made Logan pull her into his arms.
"Ya don't wanna find out, Darlin'," he said as he pushed her back onto the bed.
"Hmm?" She smiled up at him. "Try me."
Logan's lips brushed hers fleetingly.
"You still wanna find out?" Logan whispered, his lips barely touching hers.
"I . . . ."
"Fun 'n games," his words were barely audible, a soft breathe in her mouth.
"How long must we . . . . ?" Ororo found it hard to speak with his lips covering hers.
"Hour."
"An hour?"
"At the very least."
"Hmm," she breathed back into his mouth enjoying the sensation of feeling totally connected to him.
"Bed squeaks though," Logan said as he sat up and bounced on the bed once or twice.
She laughed and sat up beside him.
"Shall we both bounce?"
"Or jump," he chuckled.
Later after much jumping and bouncing on the bed Ororo fell back and laughed more freely than she had in ages. Logan fell beside her and propped himself up on his elbows and smiled at her. It was good to see her so relaxed and happy and he said as much.
She sighed and her entire body seemed to fall and rise in release.
"Logan, I will not deny that I have been troubled since Texas. I constantly wonder did we make the right decision. And if we did how can we justify ourselves to our loved ones such as Kitty and Kurt? Especially Kitty. You and I are like second parents to her, Logan."
"Yup, that's true but pumpkin'll be alright. She's stronger 'n ya think."
"But the others---the professor, and Scott. What will they think when they discover that we are not dead? Will they hate me?"
"Hate you, 'Ro? Anyone who knew you couldn't hate you. They'll understand that we did this for the greater good as Petey said---an' don't ferget we all agreed ta do this. You never forced this on any of us!"
"Still, when I was on the world the Adversary put Forge and I, I had much time to think and I thought of how much everyone of the X-Men meant to me, that I would not want to lose any of you. I believe this is why I felt such fear when I thought you were dead. You are the only family I have," she smiled and turned on to her side to look into his dark eyes.
"You have been a true friend to me for a long time, Lo---Patch, and knowing you has made me a better and stronger person. I assure you that I will not falter again. When you need me I will be there for you."
"Through thick 'n thin, 'Ro. Same here."
They looked at each other for a long moment then Ororo rolled onto her back again.
Logan leaned over her. "You sure yer gonna be alright?"
Ororo saw the concern in his eyes. She reached up and touched his face and found herself feeling overwhelmed with feelings. She shook her head, grinned and snatched Logan's eye patch off.
"I will be fine, Logan," she laughed.
"Give me back my disguise or I'm gonna have ta tickle ya, darlin' an, 'Ro--- Daisy---N'Dare, you better be alright." Logan sat up and began bouncing viciously on the bed.
Ororo got off the bed as she laughed and tossed his eye patch at him.
"Come on, Darlin', I gotta help repair yer damage," Logan said as he put his patch back on.
"I am glad I did not damage your reputation as the irresistible Patch of Madripoor."
"Well, yer rep's been damaged a bit, darlin'. Foo's claiming' he's the one who brought down lightning' an' winds strong enough ta wreck the place," he said with a chuckle.
"How could . . . .?"
"My guess is he's just tryin' ta make himself out ta be badder 'n he thinks people think he is."
"And you still do not know if he is the one trying to break into this place?"
"Nope."
"Then it seems we will have no choice but to use the key tonight," Ororo said quietly as they reached the last step.
"Yup, now you be a good girl, Daisy an' scoot before I have ta slice n' dice a few over eager horny toads."
Ororo laughed and started for the door.
"Hey, Daisy," Logan caught her arm and pulled her to him. "Gotta say g'bye properly," he said as he dipped her and gave her a final kiss that almost stopped her heart.
"Don't make that a habit, Patch," Ororo grinned when he released her.
"Better get outta here while ya still got a chance or I'll take ya back ta bed."
She laughed with delight. She was truly having fun.
"Tonight then," she said.
"T'night," he winked and watched her until she was out of sight.
"So, Patch, she's the one, hmmm?" Sera had come to stand beside him.
"Whaddya mean, Sera?"
"Hmm. She is the one."
"Don't know what yer talkin' about, Sera."
"Hmm, I know you don't, Shorty. So I'll warn you now---watch out for a long-legged wig wearing blue-eyed witch. She's casting spells."
"Yer talkin' nonsense, Sera," Logan laughed.
"I never talk nonsense, Patch."
"Well then, you need to open up 'bout what's going on here."
"Nothing's going on here that concerns you."
"I can't protect you if ya don't trust me."
"I trust you with my life, Patch but I have this under control."
"I hope so, Sera."
"You just watch yourself, hmm? Or you'll end up losing control."
"Don't know what yer talkin' about."
"Pity. You really are telling the truth---as you see it."
Logan shrugged. His eyes were still on the door that Ororo had left through. The word tonight still in his thoughts.
Logan carried Ororo up the stairs with ease. She said nothing and tried not to look at him. When he reached the second floor he opened one of two doors in the hall, stepped inside then kicked the door shut behind him.
"Lo . . . ."
"Ssshh," Logan's lips covered hers again and Ororo stifled a moan.
He pulled away and said softly, "Name's Patch, darlin', don't ferget!" Then he tossed her onto the bed.
"Lo . . . !"
"Sssh!" he hissed and nodded at the door as he silently leaned against it.
Suddenly he jerked the door open and the short redheaded woman from last night fell into the room and tumbled to the floor.
"Ah, oh. . . ." she sputtered as she looked from Logan to Ororo.
"Wanna tell me what's goin' on, Red?"
"I. . . . um. . . . er . . . . I jest thought ya might . . . ." She sat up and looked at the floor.
"Um hmm? Might what, Red?"
She stood up and wiped her dress off. "I jest thought Abe was in here wiv ya, Patch, is all," she turned to leave. "Don't let me catch ya snoopin' again, Red!" Logan growled.
"Humph!" she grunted and switched out of the room in a huff.
Logan looked at his fetching partner as she laughed.
"An' just what are you laughin' at Daisy Mae? Ya wanna blow our cover or somethin'? An' where's yer flamin' wig? You ferget ya were supposed ta be incognito?"
"Did you forget to tell me you were leaving?"
"Fer cryin' out loud! You sound like my girlfriend or somethin'! I just needed to get out, darlin' but I don't have ta explain myself to you. On the other hand, you need to explain a few things to me, 'Ro."
"What happened to Daisy, hmm?"
"You think this is funny, darlin'?"
"I think you felt I would be a hindrance to you," she said as she got off the bed.
Logan went to her and took her hand in his.
"Darlin', I just don't want you hurt. That's all."
"I admit I was . . . .upset. The thought of you---I mean I am claustrophobic . . . ." She fell silent.
He squeezed her hand and led her to bed and gently pushed her down on to it.
"We need to get a few things straight here, darlin'," he said as he sat down besides her.
"First, ya can't come chasin' after me blowin' my cover and second, you can not be the boss here! This isn't X-Men business. It's my business. It's personal an' private."
"I respect that."
"Then do as you're told."
"I . . . ."
He held up his hand and said, "No. I'm runnin' this show. You agreed. What I say goes."
"You are right," she sighed. "I acted far too impulsively. I was not thinking clearly. When I saw you had left without me I was a little . . . . angry."
"A little?" Logan muttered.
"Perhaps a lot and I did forget the wig but it is an ill fitting atrocity that no one should have to tolerate. Besides, that is easily solved by purchasing another wig, one that fits and looks better , perhaps a red wig this time," she teased then continued. "I will not let it happen again and for the record, Patch, I did not blow your cover. I suppose they think I can not stay away from you," she laughed.
"Yup, desperate," he agreed and chuckled.
"Hardly."
"Well, ya sure had every guy in the joint checkin' you out."
"I can always leave," she smiled just a little.
"An' have them thinkin' I can't entertain a beautiful goddess like you fer more 'n ten minutes?" He arched an eyebrow and grinned.
"And how would you entertain me . . . . Patch?" Ororo asked with a bemused look that made Logan pull her into his arms.
"Ya don't wanna find out, Darlin'," he said as he pushed her back onto the bed.
"Hmm?" She smiled up at him. "Try me."
Logan's lips brushed hers fleetingly.
"You still wanna find out?" Logan whispered, his lips barely touching hers.
"I . . . ."
"Fun 'n games," his words were barely audible, a soft breathe in her mouth.
"How long must we . . . . ?" Ororo found it hard to speak with his lips covering hers.
"Hour."
"An hour?"
"At the very least."
"Hmm," she breathed back into his mouth enjoying the sensation of feeling totally connected to him.
"Bed squeaks though," Logan said as he sat up and bounced on the bed once or twice.
She laughed and sat up beside him.
"Shall we both bounce?"
"Or jump," he chuckled.
Later after much jumping and bouncing on the bed Ororo fell back and laughed more freely than she had in ages. Logan fell beside her and propped himself up on his elbows and smiled at her. It was good to see her so relaxed and happy and he said as much.
She sighed and her entire body seemed to fall and rise in release.
"Logan, I will not deny that I have been troubled since Texas. I constantly wonder did we make the right decision. And if we did how can we justify ourselves to our loved ones such as Kitty and Kurt? Especially Kitty. You and I are like second parents to her, Logan."
"Yup, that's true but pumpkin'll be alright. She's stronger 'n ya think."
"But the others---the professor, and Scott. What will they think when they discover that we are not dead? Will they hate me?"
"Hate you, 'Ro? Anyone who knew you couldn't hate you. They'll understand that we did this for the greater good as Petey said---an' don't ferget we all agreed ta do this. You never forced this on any of us!"
"Still, when I was on the world the Adversary put Forge and I, I had much time to think and I thought of how much everyone of the X-Men meant to me, that I would not want to lose any of you. I believe this is why I felt such fear when I thought you were dead. You are the only family I have," she smiled and turned on to her side to look into his dark eyes.
"You have been a true friend to me for a long time, Lo---Patch, and knowing you has made me a better and stronger person. I assure you that I will not falter again. When you need me I will be there for you."
"Through thick 'n thin, 'Ro. Same here."
They looked at each other for a long moment then Ororo rolled onto her back again.
Logan leaned over her. "You sure yer gonna be alright?"
Ororo saw the concern in his eyes. She reached up and touched his face and found herself feeling overwhelmed with feelings. She shook her head, grinned and snatched Logan's eye patch off.
"I will be fine, Logan," she laughed.
"Give me back my disguise or I'm gonna have ta tickle ya, darlin' an, 'Ro--- Daisy---N'Dare, you better be alright." Logan sat up and began bouncing viciously on the bed.
Ororo got off the bed as she laughed and tossed his eye patch at him.
"Come on, Darlin', I gotta help repair yer damage," Logan said as he put his patch back on.
"I am glad I did not damage your reputation as the irresistible Patch of Madripoor."
"Well, yer rep's been damaged a bit, darlin'. Foo's claiming' he's the one who brought down lightning' an' winds strong enough ta wreck the place," he said with a chuckle.
"How could . . . .?"
"My guess is he's just tryin' ta make himself out ta be badder 'n he thinks people think he is."
"And you still do not know if he is the one trying to break into this place?"
"Nope."
"Then it seems we will have no choice but to use the key tonight," Ororo said quietly as they reached the last step.
"Yup, now you be a good girl, Daisy an' scoot before I have ta slice n' dice a few over eager horny toads."
Ororo laughed and started for the door.
"Hey, Daisy," Logan caught her arm and pulled her to him. "Gotta say g'bye properly," he said as he dipped her and gave her a final kiss that almost stopped her heart.
"Don't make that a habit, Patch," Ororo grinned when he released her.
"Better get outta here while ya still got a chance or I'll take ya back ta bed."
She laughed with delight. She was truly having fun.
"Tonight then," she said.
"T'night," he winked and watched her until she was out of sight.
"So, Patch, she's the one, hmmm?" Sera had come to stand beside him.
"Whaddya mean, Sera?"
"Hmm. She is the one."
"Don't know what yer talkin' about, Sera."
"Hmm, I know you don't, Shorty. So I'll warn you now---watch out for a long-legged wig wearing blue-eyed witch. She's casting spells."
"Yer talkin' nonsense, Sera," Logan laughed.
"I never talk nonsense, Patch."
"Well then, you need to open up 'bout what's going on here."
"Nothing's going on here that concerns you."
"I can't protect you if ya don't trust me."
"I trust you with my life, Patch but I have this under control."
"I hope so, Sera."
"You just watch yourself, hmm? Or you'll end up losing control."
"Don't know what yer talkin' about."
"Pity. You really are telling the truth---as you see it."
Logan shrugged. His eyes were still on the door that Ororo had left through. The word tonight still in his thoughts.