A/N - Thank you Angel of the Heart, Duster, Isis Aurora Tomoe, LilWolvie, Reviewer (IhateU), Reviewer Maggie, TheWolf, TrilogyX, and Verena Gruen for your reviews. I really appreciate knowing what you really think. For Reviewer Maggie I hope I answered your questions. For Reviewer (IhateU) sorry but maybe you mean that in a good kind of way and for everyone else just one or two chapters more and I think I'll be finished. Thanks to all for hanging in there with me, I appreciate it greatly. The future is bright!

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A week had passed and Logan had not returned but Ororo had not expected him to leave Sera alone to mourn. Should they really need him she knew where he was and she knew he would always come back. Fortunately they had not needed him. There had been no super villains or bad guys to hunt down and no recent threats to destroy the world. It had been much needed down time for them all. Peter had finished painting her portrait and was now working on Maddie's. Rogue and Alison were getting along better than usual and Ororo had actually been able to get the guys to finish the pond she'd had them start on when they'd first arrived.

The pond was not too close to the compound for prying eyes and yet not too far to be dangerous. She was free from Gateways presence and she could relax. The spot was a little oasis in the barren land for she had planted a plethora of flowers and trees. She was there now to take a relaxing swim before she went to bed. She breathed in the wonderfully cool night air and sighed with satisfaction. It was a perfect night for a swim. She slipped off her kimono letting the gentle breeze caress her naked skin. She wadded into the pond a few feet then stopped. She stood completely still for a moment. She could feel someone out beyond the trees watching. Who would be out at the pond at this time of night beside herself? She knew she should recover her robe and fly to the compound but she felt wild and reckless tonight. Let them look if they wanted. She could certainly defend herself and she had nothing to hide.

Logan was remembering another beautiful lady. Jeanie. But that was the past. A man couldn't live in the past. He thought of Mariko. Both were gone. He watched Ororo as she slipped into the pond and started swimming. She was easily the most beautiful woman he knew. After a while he saw her come close to the waters edge. He almost lost his breath as she rose from the water bathed in moonlight. Suddenly she flew straight into the air. From where he stood she looked like a bird soaring high into the sky. Smart lady. She'd known someone was watching her. Only he hadn't meant to play peeping Tom. He'd just gotten back from Madripoor, had wanted a smoke and thought he'd check out the pond to see if they'd made any progress. Yet somehow he had known she would be there.

"You again catch me without my robe."

He gaped as she gently landed before him.

"I believe my robe blew away."

He shrugged out of his leather jacket and tossed it to her then turned around to give her some privacy. She laughed as she caught the coat. It smelled strongly of cigars and soap and as she slipped it on she could feel his body heat engulfing her.

"It is safe to turn around. Thank you for your generosity."

Logan turned and looked at Ororo carefully. Did she know how beautiful she was? Was she aware of the affect she'd caused, a nude goddess in flight landing before him almost as if she were offering herself to him.

"Think I need a brew."

"Perhaps I could use one too."

"Yup."

They started back to the compound in silence.

"May I try on your hat, Logan?" Ororo asked after a moment.

"Sure," He said and placed the cowboy hat on her head.

He adjusted the hat with a few tugs then tilted his head to see his handiwork. Not satisfied he reached up to push the hat back, his hand gently brushing her face as he did so. She didn't move, nor did he.

"'Roro, yer beautiful. A man could lose his reasoning with you looking like that. Maybe you should fly off an' leave me."

"I do not want to leave you."

"You don't know what you're sayin'."

"Perhaps. Perhaps not. Perhaps you do not know either." With that she took to the air again, his jacket and hat tumbling downward.

His keen eyes tracked her flight till she'd reached the compound. She shouldn't fly around naked like that, cause a man to lose his head. What was she thinking?

"Logan." She lay upon her bed, his name a whisper on her lips. "Forge."

How could she say both names in the same breath she wondered? Had it not been for her and Forge the X-Men would be alive today, at least to their family and friends. She and Forge had sought to save the world. Forge, the man whom she thought she loved no matter that it had been he who had stolen her powers. Yet Logan had gone in search of her. Determined to find her, to help her. She knew he would never desert her. He would always be there for her. He had willingly forsaken all other ties to be legends living in the barren Outback with her and the others. Forge had no part in her world now. Now she only had Logan.

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It was morning before Ororo saw Logan again and the sun was just rising. She'd used a gentle wind to take her into the kitchen for her morning tea as usual and found Logan looking out the bay window in the breakfast nook. He was wearing the same leather jacket and cowboy hat that he had lent her last night.

"I am going with you," Ororo stated as she landed gently in front of him.

"No. Not this time, darlin'."

"I need to refresh my spirit just as you do."

"I need distance."

"From what, Logan?"

Logan pulled her to him roughly almost crushing her. Their lips touched almost timidly then his arms gripped her even tighter and her body seemed to melt into his. She could not think she could only feel and what she felt was whole and complete.

"I can be ready in five minutes," she said when he released her.

"No. I said you weren't comin'."

She laughed ignoring him and asked, "Where are we going this time?"

"No."

"I am sorry if my kiss offended you."

"Nope. Nothin' different than any other time."

They stood looking at each other, seeing the truth in each others eyes but neither acknowledging it. They had shared kisses before and in truth this was no different yet if it was no different, had he always wanted her, had she always needed him?

"You've got five minutes, no more," he growled as he headed for the door.

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Ororo was a little surprised to find the Princess bar was still closed for business when they arrived. Logan knocked twice and Abraham let them in but instead of slapping Logan on the back as he was wont to do he embraced Logan in his muscular arms. Ororo looked around the bar and wondered why he always came to Madripoor, what ties did he have there beside Sera and Abe? She had no time to dwell on the thought for Abraham was hugging her. A quick bear hug that hurt her ribs actually, and then he picked her up with tears in his eyes. Logan looked at the big guy with a frown.

"That's enough, bub. Put her down."

Abe put Ororo down and smiled sadly at her. "Goodbye, Miss. Goodbye, Patch," he mumbled, his voice thick with emotion.

"Ya ain't gonna cry are ya, Abe?" Logan asked.

Abe laughed and shook his head but he didn't reply.

"Are you going somewhere, Abraham?" Ororo asked.

"Yah, with Sera."

Sera's loud booming laugh reached their ears and Ororo saw the little lady coming down the stairs with the doctor who had been there last week.

"Patch! N'Dare! Good to see you! Now if Ollie were here I'd have him serve up drinks on the house but since he's not, hmm, Abraham you do the honors." She motioned for them to join her and the doctor.

Abraham, beaming, hurried behind the bar and eagerly looked around at the large selection.

"Well, Patch can't get rid of you, hmm?"

"Just came to say g'bye, Sera."

"Shots, Abraham," Sera directed as Logan lifted her up onto the counter.

"You are leaving?" Ororo asked.

Sera smiled and nodded but had no time to answer. A loud rapid knock was heard at the front door and then another and another.

"I should get that," the doctor said as he got up from a bar stool.

"Wait, doc, it's probably Foo's henchman again," Logan said as he got up to check. Looking out the window he shook his head. "Same goon. Wants ta see Foo."

"Let him see him then," the doctor said.

"'An how're ya gonna explain his condition?"

"I have no explanation to give," the doctor shrugged carelessly. "He will stop coming if you let him see you are not lying."

Logan wanted to laugh but he held himself in check. The doctor went to the door and unlocked it. A handsome young Asian man stepped into the bar.

"I believe you are here to see John Foo? I must tell you Foo is not in any condition to be seen, that he's suffered a type of stroke possibly and has been left wholly incompetent."

"I see for myself. If you lie I will kill you."

The doctor stepped back aghast. Logan rolled his eyes and again tried not to laugh. The doctor drew himself up to his considerable height and led the young man upstairs.

Sera was shaking her head as Logan went back to the bar. "Hmm, no good will come of that," she said.

After downing three shots each, except Ororo who was still nursing her first one, Foo's henchman came stomping down the stairs. He went to the door but stopped, turned and yelled at Logan, "I do not know what you did to Foo, gaijin but you will pay!"

"Best try an' get yer beatin' now 'cause I won't be around fer a long while, Wong," Logan shouted back at the man who stomped out of the bar and slammed the door behind him.

"You will not be coming back to Madripoor?" Ororo asked nervously.

Logan didn't look at Ororo when he spoke. "I'm headin' ta Japan."

Sera watched Ororo's reaction and sighed. Patch was going to break the woman's heart she could tell and maybe his own in the process she thought but there was nothing to be done.

"You alright with money, Sera?" Logan asked.

"Hmm, with the doctor buying this place and my savings I have enough to retire quite comfortably," she said. She then turned to Ororo and took her hand and squeezed it gently. "Thank you for your help, N'Dare."

"I did nothing."

"You were there when I needed a shoulder to cry on and you're here for Shorty. Just take care of the little guy will you, hmm?"

Logan leaned down and kissed Sera on the cheek. "Stop talkin' crazy."

"Hmm, just keep your wits about you, Patch," she warned.

"You too. Take good care of her, Abe an' yerself."

Abraham wiped his eyes with the back of his sleeve and nodded.

"I gotta go. You be good, Sera."

"Farewell, Sera. Farewell, Abe. Be well," Ororo said as she started to follow Logan.

"Wait here fer a minute," Logan said gruffly.

Ororo watched him go with tears in her own eyes now. He was going to Japan and had not mentioned it to her as if it were of no importance. He was leaving the X-Men, leaving her.

"Oh, no you don't!" Ororo muttered under her breath. She got up, waved hastily to Abe and Sera and headed after Logan. Just as she reached the door she almost screamed. She heard gun shots exploding from outside and raced out the door. She saw Logan being spun around as he was hit again and again. Thunder rumbled angrily in the skies and lightning rained down but her aim was thrown off as a bullet hit her and she fell into darkness.

Logan crawled over to Ororo, his wounds already beginning to heal. She opened her eyes when he called her name. She looked into his eyes and saw his concern and his fear. He looked into her eyes and saw her love and he was dumbfounded. Then he remembered the doctor inside. He gently picked her up and carried her into the bar.

"Abraham, get the doctor down here now!" Sera ordered. "Logan put her on the counter here and tell me what happened."

"Just havin' a smoke an' Wong came back . . . ." Logan's voice faltered as he looked at Ororo's wound. It looked bad but he'd seen plenty of wounds before to know it might not be as bad as it looked.

"What's all this then?" The doctor asked as Abraham pulled him down the stairs. When he saw blood all over Logan the doctor immediately went to him. "Where have you been shot?"

"I'm fine, got a bullet proof vest on. Ya gotta help her, she's been shot!" Logan demanded as he led the doctor over to Ororo.

"Oh no! I do not help her kind," the doctor stated flatly.

"What? Her kind?" Logan was incredulous. "How'd you know . . . .?" His words died on his lips as he realized the doctor might be talking about race and not Ororo's mutant factor. "Yer gonna help her or yer gonna die right here, right now, bub!" Logan snarled shoving his claws at the man's neck

Trembling, scared out of his mind, the doctor looked at Ororo's wound. He lifted her slightly and felt along her back.

"It is a flesh wound and the bullet has gone clear through. She will be alright," he told Logan. "I will need my medical bag."

Ororo sat up on the bar moaning in pain. "That will not be necessary; Patch is quite skilled in bandaging flesh wounds." She slid down off the counter and headed for the door.

"'Ro---N'Dare, you can't just . . . ."

She spun around ignoring the pain in her shoulder. Her face was contorted with anger. "You can go to Japan without telling me and I can do whatever I please. I am going back now. You can assist me or not."

"Hmm," Sera smiled and thought, "Feisty. I like that one." Aloud she said, "Don't forget to stay in touch, Shorty! You have a lot of s'plainin' to do!" And her booming laughter followed the two out the bar and into the alley.