A/N - I really appreciate everyone's reviews very much. Thank you Aqora,
artemisn, Isis Aurora Tomoe, lilWolvie, Skyz, Verena Gruen and last but not
least DarkSabretooth for your nice review on chapter two. Now this chapter
didn't seem to download properly on fanfic so please ignore the extra
paragraphs and empty spaces! Also, I'm hoping to update a lot sooner from
now on. Thanks again. Enjoy.
To Ororo it seemed as if midnight had taken forever to come but as soon as the clock struck twelve she stepped onto the windowsill and was lifted into the sky with a strong breeze. She landed in a crouched position on the rooftop of the compound and waited. The night air felt good on her face. She wanted to free her hair from the newly purchased auburn wig but she ignored the impulse.
She felt she looked a fright but in truth, the auburn color complemented her golden brown complexion. She had taken considerably more time in choosing just the right style and color this time. Amazingly it had actually taken away some of the anxiety of waiting. She laughed quietly still amazed that people could and actually did purchase real hair in a store. It seemed rather silly. There was simply no freedom, wearing a hot cap of human hair over your own and why would anyone want to hide their true self in such a way? She had to laugh again at that because wasn't that just what she was doing?
She shifted her position just as she saw Logan going down the front steps. He seemed to be sniffing the air as if he were trying to place a scent then he stated off at a swift pace for Gateway's rock. She smiled to herself as she enjoyed the view. Had she been able to blush she felt she surely would have as she thought how well built Logan was even from behind.
"Silly woman, put those thoughts out of your head," she sighed then rose from the roof and after a moment she dropped down beside Logan.
"Wondered when you'd show up," Logan said as he kept walking.
"Ah, Patch san, there is no surprising you," she smiled and bowed slightly.
He stopped and looked at her hair then burst out laughing.
"You weren't kiddin' 'bout the red wig, eh? Thought I smelled something different around the compound."
"Alas, I am forced to wear someone else's hair. Why one would sale their hair I have no idea."
"Make a buck I guess."
Ororo's eyes twinkled mischievously and she said, "Then I have helped in my growing collection of poor wigs. Today you may call me Red'."
Logan choked back laughter, "Don't think so, 'darlin'. Ya ain't the red- head type. 'Sides, you look best as your white-haired self. No one can top ya look wise."
"Why thank you," Ororo was surprised and pleased with his compliment.
She breathed in the wonderful night air and thought of the redheads she'd known in Logan's life. Jean, her best friend, now gone and the red-head at the Princess bar. Was he, had he been interested in her? Ororo laughed out loud at the sheer ludicrously of the idea.
"What's so funny, 'Ro?"
"The thought of you and the little red-head who seems to like you as much as she likes Abe."
"She ain't too partial, yer right about that. No guy wants a woman like
that though."
She briefly wondered if his partiality to red-heads was the reason she'd thought of buying the wig. Putting the thought out of her head as completely asinine she slipped on her sunglasses and smiled.
"Yer lookin' good, 'Ro. Too good."
"You are looking quite good yourself in those tight jeans, Patch," Ororo returned the compliment just before she took to the skies.
"I think I'm startin' ta be a bad influence on that woman," he muttered as he watched her.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
How Gateway knew when and where it was safe to teleport people Logan and Ororo had no idea but he was never wrong and ever accurate. He had transported them into the alley across from the Princess bar where they saw little Sera talking to Foo by the front door. Though they were talking quietly Logan started to step out of the alley but Ororo held him back shaking her head. After a few minutes Sera laughed her booming laugh and Foo actually took her tiny hand in his and kissed it. Sera laughed again and went into the bar. Foo stood still as if in deep thought and Logan hurried over to the small man with Ororo close behind.
"What're ya doin' here, Foo?"
"Ah, the lovely lady from last night! Delight to see you," Foo blatantly ignored Logan but bowed before Ororo and took her hand as if he were going to kiss it.
Logan snatched the man's hand from Ororo and growled, "Touch her again an' I'll kill you!"
Foo looked genuinely frightened but he tried to recover and said,
"Patch san, konbanwa. I meant no harm."
"Beat it then," Logan growled and the poor man hurried off.
"That was unnecessary," Ororo said.
Logan growled but said nothing.
"I think we must ask what Foo was doing here, Lo--Patch. Sera certainly did not seem bothered by his presence any more than the last time he was here."
"I don't know what game Sera's playin' but t'night we're gonna find out!"
Ororo followed Logan into the bar where they found Abe sweeping up the mess the construction crew had left. Sera looked up from her seat on the bar counter and frowned at them.
"Bar's closed," she snapped.
"Then I guess I'll just help myself to a beer," Logan growled as he went behind the bar.
"Hello," Ororo said.
"Trouble," Sera muttered under her breath then said aloud, "Hello. Red hair t'night, hmm?"
Ororo smiled but Sera continued frowning.
"Hmm, Shorty, give me and your lady friend a beer too," Sera ordered.
Logan frowned but quietly obeyed his little friend.
"What's got you in such a sour mood, hmm?" Sera asked him.
"Saw you an' Foo talkin'."
Sera shrugged and said, "He can charm snakes that one."
"That's all ya got to say about it?"
"It is under control, Patch."
Logan's frown grew deeper but he said nothing. Abe sauntered over to the bar and smiled at Ororo then looked hopefully at Sera and Logan.
"Hmm, give him a beer, Patch," Sera ordered again and Logan complied.
Ororo had left her beer on the counter and was now looking at the selections on the juke box in a corner. After a moment she selected a coin from a pocketful of foreign change and dropped it in. A soft song began to play.
"Dance?" she asked Logan and held out her hand.
"Don't dance."
Ororo walked over to him and tugged at his shirt but he pulled away. Ororo laughed. She bent down so that her face was almost touching his and whispered, "These two will think you cannot satisfy me or keep up with me."
"What the . . . ." Logan looked incredulously at Ororo then pulled her over to the jukebox. He twirled her then dipped her and said, "Don't play games, N'Dare."
"You must relax a little, Patch."
Sera watched the two dance as she finished her beer then she jumped off the counter and started for the stairs.
"Where ya goin', darlin'?" Logan asked.
"Bed. I'm tired. Be a good boy and lock up for me, Patch, hmm."
"Sure," Logan grunted.
"And, N'Dare, be good. Our Patch, he's a good man, hmm?"
Ororo looked at the little lady and nodded.
"What did she mean?" Ororo asked when Sera had left.
"No idea," Logan said without looking at her. "Place'll be up and runnin' in a few days. Lotta damage fer just a few little lightnin' bolts."
"I hope the damage was not too costly," Ororo said.
"Don't worry, I paid fer it," Logan said. "Hey, Abe I'm gonna close the joint, why don't ya go ta bed?"
Abe waved goodnight and ambled up the stairs leaving the two still swaying gently to the music.
"You enjoyin' yerself, darlin'?" Logan asked as he dipped her again.
She looked up into his dark eyes and smiled blissfully.
"Didn't hear ya," Logan's voice was a low growl.
"Completely," Ororo sighed.
"Well cut it out, it's time we find out just what's goin' on around here,"
Logan said as he dropped her.
"Ouch!" Ororo cried out as she landed on her bottom. "That is not funny, Patch!"
Logan nodded towards the stairs. "You listen at the steps an' I'll move the rack outta the way."
After Logan moved the heavy glass rack Ororo turned the lights out and went over to see if any alarms had been added since their last visit. There were none so Logan took the key from his pocket and put it in the door.
"Ready, darlin'?"
"Never more so."
"Good day to . . . ."
"Good night to be with friends."
"Maybe you should step back some."
"I am staying with you."
Frowning and growling slightly he found the key turned easily in the lock as if it was used frequently. He opened the door to a room so dark it seemed as if it had never seen light before. Logan waited a full minute listening for the slightest sound and sniffing for anything out of the ordinary. Ororo had gone back to the stairs for a moment just to be sure no one was there then she returned to the bar with Logan. She quickly grabbed some emergency candles she'd seen earlier behind the bar and a matchbook from the counter. She lit two candles and handed one to Logan.
Logan took the candle and looked at Ororo uncertainly but she smiled determinedly and nodded. He entered the room first, the glow of the candle lighting up the extreme darkness. When Ororo came in behind him she saw they were completely surrounded by mirrors. The walls, the ceiling and the floor reflected their images a million times over. Ororo breathed deeply as she steadied her nerves although she was still by the door which she'd left open just a crack.
There was nothing inside except a large mirrored screen standing in the middle of the room. Logan could sense nothing in the room as he led the way to the screen but his gut feeling was telling him there was something or someone there. He could hear Ororo trying to control her fear as she took long deep breaths just loud enough for his sensitive ears to pick up. He wanted to push her back towards the door and safety but instead he took her free hand and held it firmly. He could feel her relax and begin to breathe normally again. Quietly they stepped as one to look behind the screen.
To Ororo it seemed as if midnight had taken forever to come but as soon as the clock struck twelve she stepped onto the windowsill and was lifted into the sky with a strong breeze. She landed in a crouched position on the rooftop of the compound and waited. The night air felt good on her face. She wanted to free her hair from the newly purchased auburn wig but she ignored the impulse.
She felt she looked a fright but in truth, the auburn color complemented her golden brown complexion. She had taken considerably more time in choosing just the right style and color this time. Amazingly it had actually taken away some of the anxiety of waiting. She laughed quietly still amazed that people could and actually did purchase real hair in a store. It seemed rather silly. There was simply no freedom, wearing a hot cap of human hair over your own and why would anyone want to hide their true self in such a way? She had to laugh again at that because wasn't that just what she was doing?
She shifted her position just as she saw Logan going down the front steps. He seemed to be sniffing the air as if he were trying to place a scent then he stated off at a swift pace for Gateway's rock. She smiled to herself as she enjoyed the view. Had she been able to blush she felt she surely would have as she thought how well built Logan was even from behind.
"Silly woman, put those thoughts out of your head," she sighed then rose from the roof and after a moment she dropped down beside Logan.
"Wondered when you'd show up," Logan said as he kept walking.
"Ah, Patch san, there is no surprising you," she smiled and bowed slightly.
He stopped and looked at her hair then burst out laughing.
"You weren't kiddin' 'bout the red wig, eh? Thought I smelled something different around the compound."
"Alas, I am forced to wear someone else's hair. Why one would sale their hair I have no idea."
"Make a buck I guess."
Ororo's eyes twinkled mischievously and she said, "Then I have helped in my growing collection of poor wigs. Today you may call me Red'."
Logan choked back laughter, "Don't think so, 'darlin'. Ya ain't the red- head type. 'Sides, you look best as your white-haired self. No one can top ya look wise."
"Why thank you," Ororo was surprised and pleased with his compliment.
She breathed in the wonderful night air and thought of the redheads she'd known in Logan's life. Jean, her best friend, now gone and the red-head at the Princess bar. Was he, had he been interested in her? Ororo laughed out loud at the sheer ludicrously of the idea.
"What's so funny, 'Ro?"
"The thought of you and the little red-head who seems to like you as much as she likes Abe."
"She ain't too partial, yer right about that. No guy wants a woman like
that though."
She briefly wondered if his partiality to red-heads was the reason she'd thought of buying the wig. Putting the thought out of her head as completely asinine she slipped on her sunglasses and smiled.
"Yer lookin' good, 'Ro. Too good."
"You are looking quite good yourself in those tight jeans, Patch," Ororo returned the compliment just before she took to the skies.
"I think I'm startin' ta be a bad influence on that woman," he muttered as he watched her.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
How Gateway knew when and where it was safe to teleport people Logan and Ororo had no idea but he was never wrong and ever accurate. He had transported them into the alley across from the Princess bar where they saw little Sera talking to Foo by the front door. Though they were talking quietly Logan started to step out of the alley but Ororo held him back shaking her head. After a few minutes Sera laughed her booming laugh and Foo actually took her tiny hand in his and kissed it. Sera laughed again and went into the bar. Foo stood still as if in deep thought and Logan hurried over to the small man with Ororo close behind.
"What're ya doin' here, Foo?"
"Ah, the lovely lady from last night! Delight to see you," Foo blatantly ignored Logan but bowed before Ororo and took her hand as if he were going to kiss it.
Logan snatched the man's hand from Ororo and growled, "Touch her again an' I'll kill you!"
Foo looked genuinely frightened but he tried to recover and said,
"Patch san, konbanwa. I meant no harm."
"Beat it then," Logan growled and the poor man hurried off.
"That was unnecessary," Ororo said.
Logan growled but said nothing.
"I think we must ask what Foo was doing here, Lo--Patch. Sera certainly did not seem bothered by his presence any more than the last time he was here."
"I don't know what game Sera's playin' but t'night we're gonna find out!"
Ororo followed Logan into the bar where they found Abe sweeping up the mess the construction crew had left. Sera looked up from her seat on the bar counter and frowned at them.
"Bar's closed," she snapped.
"Then I guess I'll just help myself to a beer," Logan growled as he went behind the bar.
"Hello," Ororo said.
"Trouble," Sera muttered under her breath then said aloud, "Hello. Red hair t'night, hmm?"
Ororo smiled but Sera continued frowning.
"Hmm, Shorty, give me and your lady friend a beer too," Sera ordered.
Logan frowned but quietly obeyed his little friend.
"What's got you in such a sour mood, hmm?" Sera asked him.
"Saw you an' Foo talkin'."
Sera shrugged and said, "He can charm snakes that one."
"That's all ya got to say about it?"
"It is under control, Patch."
Logan's frown grew deeper but he said nothing. Abe sauntered over to the bar and smiled at Ororo then looked hopefully at Sera and Logan.
"Hmm, give him a beer, Patch," Sera ordered again and Logan complied.
Ororo had left her beer on the counter and was now looking at the selections on the juke box in a corner. After a moment she selected a coin from a pocketful of foreign change and dropped it in. A soft song began to play.
"Dance?" she asked Logan and held out her hand.
"Don't dance."
Ororo walked over to him and tugged at his shirt but he pulled away. Ororo laughed. She bent down so that her face was almost touching his and whispered, "These two will think you cannot satisfy me or keep up with me."
"What the . . . ." Logan looked incredulously at Ororo then pulled her over to the jukebox. He twirled her then dipped her and said, "Don't play games, N'Dare."
"You must relax a little, Patch."
Sera watched the two dance as she finished her beer then she jumped off the counter and started for the stairs.
"Where ya goin', darlin'?" Logan asked.
"Bed. I'm tired. Be a good boy and lock up for me, Patch, hmm."
"Sure," Logan grunted.
"And, N'Dare, be good. Our Patch, he's a good man, hmm?"
Ororo looked at the little lady and nodded.
"What did she mean?" Ororo asked when Sera had left.
"No idea," Logan said without looking at her. "Place'll be up and runnin' in a few days. Lotta damage fer just a few little lightnin' bolts."
"I hope the damage was not too costly," Ororo said.
"Don't worry, I paid fer it," Logan said. "Hey, Abe I'm gonna close the joint, why don't ya go ta bed?"
Abe waved goodnight and ambled up the stairs leaving the two still swaying gently to the music.
"You enjoyin' yerself, darlin'?" Logan asked as he dipped her again.
She looked up into his dark eyes and smiled blissfully.
"Didn't hear ya," Logan's voice was a low growl.
"Completely," Ororo sighed.
"Well cut it out, it's time we find out just what's goin' on around here,"
Logan said as he dropped her.
"Ouch!" Ororo cried out as she landed on her bottom. "That is not funny, Patch!"
Logan nodded towards the stairs. "You listen at the steps an' I'll move the rack outta the way."
After Logan moved the heavy glass rack Ororo turned the lights out and went over to see if any alarms had been added since their last visit. There were none so Logan took the key from his pocket and put it in the door.
"Ready, darlin'?"
"Never more so."
"Good day to . . . ."
"Good night to be with friends."
"Maybe you should step back some."
"I am staying with you."
Frowning and growling slightly he found the key turned easily in the lock as if it was used frequently. He opened the door to a room so dark it seemed as if it had never seen light before. Logan waited a full minute listening for the slightest sound and sniffing for anything out of the ordinary. Ororo had gone back to the stairs for a moment just to be sure no one was there then she returned to the bar with Logan. She quickly grabbed some emergency candles she'd seen earlier behind the bar and a matchbook from the counter. She lit two candles and handed one to Logan.
Logan took the candle and looked at Ororo uncertainly but she smiled determinedly and nodded. He entered the room first, the glow of the candle lighting up the extreme darkness. When Ororo came in behind him she saw they were completely surrounded by mirrors. The walls, the ceiling and the floor reflected their images a million times over. Ororo breathed deeply as she steadied her nerves although she was still by the door which she'd left open just a crack.
There was nothing inside except a large mirrored screen standing in the middle of the room. Logan could sense nothing in the room as he led the way to the screen but his gut feeling was telling him there was something or someone there. He could hear Ororo trying to control her fear as she took long deep breaths just loud enough for his sensitive ears to pick up. He wanted to push her back towards the door and safety but instead he took her free hand and held it firmly. He could feel her relax and begin to breathe normally again. Quietly they stepped as one to look behind the screen.