Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X or the X Men. Evie is my character.

/Personal thoughts/

~~telepathic communications~~

Chapter 6

After everyone had changed and left for the club, Adam and Evie walked in the garden and around the grounds in the moonlight. Soon Evie caught Adam trying to stifle a yawn and laughed.

"What's so funny?"

"You are," she said closing her arms around his waist. "You're so tired but you refuse to admit it." Leaning up she pecked his lips and said, "Come on. I'll tuck you in so you can be fresh for tomorrow."

Yawning again and eliciting another laugh from his love, Adam decided to give in. "All right, but I want to stop and say goodnight to Charles first." They made their way through the mansion until they were standing in front of the heavy double doors that marked the entrance to the professor's office. Adam raised his loosely balled fist to knock at the door but was stopped short by the professor's familiar voice.

"Come in Adam."

Instead of knocking Adam reached down, turned the small gold knob set in the right door and pushed it open, allowing it to swing slowly into the room. "Charles," he began, "we just wanted to…"

"…thank me again for having you all here at the mansion." His mouth broke into a sly grin as he marked the disgruntled look that momentarily crossed his friend's visage.

"I hate it when you do that," Adam said matter-of-factly.

Charles grinned wider and continued as if he had no idea what was troubling his guest. "It's my pleasure," He continued. "Please come in for a moment." He reached out to them as he wheeled from behind his desk and gestured to a cluster of upholstered chairs situated to one side of the room. "I cannot thank you enough," he said gratefully, "for your diligence in helping Marie." There was a momentary silence that underscored the great appreciation the elder felt for his friend before he spoke again. "We've been so involved in planning for her procedure that I've not had the chance to ask you about your wedding." He turned in his chair to face them as they sat down. "What are your plans?"

Adam smiled to Evie, offering her the chance to answer. "Well, we really haven't made any plans yet. We've only decided we want it to be in June. We know we want our family to stand with us and you and your family to be our witnesses."

"June 1st is only two days away," Charles said with some concern, "Will you have time to get home and make adequate plans?"

Adam knew Evie was grappling with that reality already so he answered. "We only want a simple garden wedding. I think we should be able to put it together rather quickly," he said reassuringly.

"Do you have a site in mind?" Charles inquired.

"No, not really," Evie explained, "but there are a number of lovely parks at home which will do nicely."

"Why don't you consider letting us host you here." Charles offered. "The grounds are well suited for such an occasion, you would not have to rush home and I know our ladies would love to help, if you would allow them."

Evie's eyes widened at the prospect.

"That is very generous of you, Charles." Adam replied as he glanced to Evie trying to read an opinion, "If you would rather go home…,"

"Oh, Adam," she cut him off, "the gardens here are so beautiful!" Her eyes misted over until a single tear finally broke and fell down her cheek as she thought of how wonderful it would be. Adam smiled and reached for her hand.

"It's settled then," Charles said decisively. "I will tell Jean and Ororo in the morning. Everything is at your disposal to make your wedding lovely."

Evie immediately walked over to Charles and knelt in front of him. She put her arms around his neck and hugged him. "Thank you so much," she whispered.

Gently hugging her back, Charles smiled. "It is my pleasure, My Dear. Our families are becoming very close and it's the very least we can do."

Adam stood as Evie came to him. He shook Charles' hand and said goodnight. They walked silently up to Adam's room.

Entering the room, Evie finally found her voice. "The gardens here are so beautiful, I'd never have dared to ask to have the wedding here. I can't believe Charles offered."

"What he said about our families is true. They have been developing close relationships." He took his sleeping clothes and went to the bathroom leaving the door slightly ajar as he continued. "You were in the danger room. How do you think Shalimar and Logan are going to get along?"

"There was a lot of tension at first. But by the time it was over I think they came to mutual understandings. They walked out arm in arm and Brennan didn't seem threatened. I think they'll be ok."

"That's good." Adam came out wearing black sleeping shorts and muscle shirt.

Evie had to concentrate hard to get her next words out. "Come…sit in the chair and I'll rub your shoulders."

Complying, Adam found his muscles relax at her touch. "How is it you seem to know just what I need?"

"I love you."

Smiling he took her wrists and pulled her around to the side and made her fall into his lap. With one armed wrapped around her back he pulled her to him and began to spread gentle kisses over her cheeks and chin. When finally he found her lips, he covered them with his own and kissed her, pouring himself into her with a passion that seemed to come from his very core.

Evie felt his intense emotion and wanted to live forever in the moment, until…Adam put his other hand on her thigh. His caresses felt warm. Soon he was sliding his hand away from her knee and under the hemline of her short skirt. Letting out a gasp within their kiss, Evie jumped off his lap and slowly headed for the door. "I…um, I need…I should let you get your rest. Good night, Adam."

Just as she reached the door knob and began to open the door, Adam stepped in front of her, blocking her escape. Reaching for her arms he tried to look into her eyes. Seeing her refusal to meet his, he put a hand to her chin and gently forced her to look at him. "Evie, Darling, what's wrong?"

Closing her eyes for a moment and calling on her last ounce of determination, she smiled, "Nothing's wrong, I just think you need to go to sleep."

"Evie, please…this is the third time you've pulled away from my touch. Please tell me what's wrong."

Seeing the pleading in his eyes she covered her face with her hands and began to cry. "I'm sorry, Adam. I don't mean to hurt you."

Adam pulled her to his chest. "I love you. You should know by now, you can tell me anything. Please…talk to me."

Lowering her hands she let him lead her to sit on the bed.

A frightful thought suddenly crossed his mind. "Please…please tell me you're not afraid of me," he begged, his voice just above a whisper.

"It's not like that." She fidgeted slightly. "It's just that…well, I'm still…" she hesitated flushing with embarrassment.

"Pure." Adam finished as his realization reflected in his face and a smile took the place of the concern he held.

She looked down at her hands and took a deep breath then began to explain. "I decided…back in high school that I didn't want to be…like some of the girls in my classes. I always sort of lived in a fairytale world and wanted to…save myself for my knight in shining armor…for our wedding night." Hesitantly looking back up to him she asked, "Are you upset…with me?"

Adam heard the doubt in her voice and quickly took her into a warm embrace. "Oh, Darling, I could never be upset with you. And knowing this now just makes me love you all the more. But…I don't think I can live up to the reputation of a knight."

Finally truly smiling at him she answered, "Oh, but you already have, in many ways. You literally came rushing to my rescue, and you've given me more than I could ever have asked for."

Now his turn to look down, Adam confessed, "but I've…been with a couple of other women."

"That's ok…it makes me happy to know that I've won the heart of the knight others had hoped for." She suddenly looked down and flushed as she added, "and…your experience…will make up for my…inexperience."

Adam turned her to him and gently embraced her. As she moved away and looked at him again; he saw doubt still in her eyes. "There's more isn't there? That wouldn't be enough to make you afraid of me," he stated as concern for her returned.

"I'm not afraid of you, honestly." Taking a deep breath she explained, "It's just that…in college my roommate wanted me to go out one night while she entertained her new boyfriend. It was to be her first time and she wanted it to be special. I went out to the movies and saw a double feature. When I got back I could hear them through the door. They were obviously…not done yet. So I just moved down the hall and sat on the floor and waited. Soon I was hearing shouts and screams and him laughing. I didn't know what to do. I froze in panic and fear. After about five minutes, the screaming stopped and soon the door opened and I saw him leave. When I went to find my roommate I saw her on her bed curled up and crying. I tried to comfort her but nothing worked. In the morning she told me that it had started out great but he soon turned rough and mean and all she kept saying was that it hurt so much. I guess the fear I felt, actually took a greater hold at that point. I think about that night a lot and I can still hear her scream sometimes."

Taking her in his arms once again he just held her silently for a while. Finally breaking the silence he said, "Come on. I think I need to tuck you in."

When they got into her room and she had changed for bed, he tucked her in, as promised, and sat beside her. "I'm glad you told me about what you want. I love you and I will be especially happy to wait for you until our wedding night. I will never, ever hurt you like that. Our first night will be so special that you'll feel like you're on a cloud. I promise you, I will banish that fear forever, when I make love to you." He leaned in and kissed the tears that began to fall from her eyes.

Putting her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly she whispered, "You are so much better than any knight I could have ever imagined. I love you so much."

"Goodnight, Evie." He tenderly kissed her forehead.

"Goodnight, Darling."

At a club on King's Highway, five couples were sitting at a table finishing their drinks as the DJ announced the last slow dance of the night. Emma was feeling much more relaxed. Most of the night was spent talking and drinking. Some hit the dance floor a few times. This last song, though, seemed to beckon to them all, even Logan who hadn't danced once yet. Ororo had been watching as Shalimar, Emma, Marie and Jean were led in arm to the dance floor by their guys. She was stunned when Logan suddenly appeared by her side and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Care to dance, Ro?"

Hesitantly, she took his hand and let him lead her to the dance floor and into his arms. She had had only a couple of drinks and was in full control, but was still feeling good. Her mind began to wander as she felt his arms around her. They had developed a very comfortable friendship during the times he was home. She had been able to sense when there was something bothering him and was always willing to lend an ear. She had seen him at different times display the full gamut of emotions. She talked him through anger and disappointment and shared in his joys and happy times. As time went by, she realized that there was one emotion left that she longed to share with him. She had come to love him, but remained at a distance. He never seemed to reciprocate that feeling. It hurt each time she would see him flirt, however innocently, with just about every girl in the mansion who was of age, except her. She could never be angry with him though. Logan was a man of deep passion and she knew it. She convinced herself to be content in the knowledge that he considered her a dear friend and that she shared a part of him that none of them ever would. Now in his arms, however; and with the affects of the alcohol making her feelings more intense, she wanted nothing else but to melt in his embrace. After only a few moments she gave into the desires of her heart.

Alcohol didn't bother Logan at all; his healing factor not ever allowing him to get drunk no matter how much he consumed. Taking Ororo into his arms was natural. He considered her a good friend. She had been the one person who seemed to understand his mood swings and wasn't afraid of his darker times. He felt comfortable around her. She had seen the man at home and the wolverine in battle and had accepted them both. Swaying slowly to the music he could feel the warmth of her body next to his. /She's so beautiful, /he thought to himself. /I could hold her like this all night./ Then silently kicking himself, /Knock it off, Logan, this is Ororo your holding./ Feeling her lay her head against his chest, he instinctively lowered his head to the top of hers, resting his chin against her forehead. Feeling her body relax against him, he tightened his embrace. /I really like the feel of her in my arms. She's so soft and delicate. That's different from the confident control she always shows. Even her scent is different. It's still her, fresh as a spring rain, but there's something else…/ Logan recognized the hint of desire Ororo was inadvertently allowing to pass her relaxed control. /No way, it's got to be my imagination. She's a good friend, but she doesn't want me like that. Still,… it feels like she belongs here, wrapped in my arms./ Before he realized what he had done he felt the soft skin of her forehead as his lips gave a gentle kiss. She didn't move but Logan felt her muscles tense. /You idiot,/ he reprimanded. Trying to recover and make sure he hadn't offended her he finally spoke, "Ro?"

"Hmmm?" She smiled and relaxed again. It had been unexpected. /What's he thinking? Could he possibly be attracted to me after all this time? His lips were so soft./

"I…um…I just wanted to tell you…that…um…you look nice in that dress." /Lame, Logan./

"I'm glad you like it," she smiled at his appreciation.

/The scent is getting stronger. That can't be my imagination./ Feelings of attraction began to surface, raw feelings that Logan had worked hard to not allow himself to have whenever they were together. He valued her friendship more than anything and refused to let sex ruin what they had. But this was different. It wasn't just the wolverine reacting to heightened senses. This feeling seemed to come from somewhere else; somewhere much deeper. Straightening himself and lifting her chin to meet her eyes, he looked deeply into the sparkling blue/gray looking back at him. He was just about to lean down when suddenly the music ended and the DJ's voice brought him back to the room. Immediately he dropped his hand and took a step back.

The ride back to the mansion was quiet. Five couples were now beginning to feel the affects of their drinking as well as the dancing. Logan drove the van they took, so they would have only one car and was thankful to have to appear to be concentrating on the road as opposed to sitting next to Ororo with nothing to occupy his mind but her. She was all that was in his mind, anyway, try as he might to shake her. It was like he was inebriated by her. As they all went in and said goodnight, he turned from the stairs and headed back to the door.

"Logan," Ororo softly called his name. He turned and was caught immediately by the same sparkle still in her eyes. "Aren't you going to get some rest?"

Knowing if he didn't leave now, he was going to do something he didn't want to regret later. "You know me, Darlin'. I need to get some night air first." Willing himself to break away from her gaze, he went into the gardens and leaned against a large oak. Pulling a cigar from his shirt pocket, he lit it and began to try to clear his head.

From her balcony doors she looked down on the shadowed figure. /The look in his eyes tonight, I thought he was going to…but why would he? He doesn't love me, not like that. He probably never will./ Feeling the tears begin to sting; she turned and went to bed.

TBC