A/N - Many, many thanks to all those that reviewed - Amber Myst, bant, Digital Tempest, dorothy, Isis Aurora Tomoe, LadyRogue007, Shadow41, The Wolf, Verena Gruen, and wOLF8. I'm sorry it took me so long to update once again but I was just enjoying my summer doing more reading of some of your stories rather than pecking away on my computer. I love you RoLo writers out there! Thanks for hanging in there! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Chapter Twelve - Confrontations

"Gotcha!"

Kurt jumped; startled to find a grinning Yukio perched precariously the balcony rail.

"They make a pretty picture don't they?" She asked her eyes on the couple by the pool below.

Kurt followed her gaze to see Ororo and Logan embracing by the pool. When he turned back to Yukio he noticed she looked a little jealousy but he said nothing knowing something of what she was feeling.

"Cute tail," Yukio said when she noticed him watching her. "Bet that comes in handy, eh?"

"How did you get up here?" Kurt asked as he turned his image inducer on.

"Much effort and hard work."

"You are truly crazy!"

"And cute to boot too, no?" Yukio laughed.

"Ja but that hardly makes up for insanity."

"Take me as I am just as I accept you as you are - tail included," Yukio said.

She dropped down onto the balcony and linked an arm through his Kurt who pulled away abruptly. She gave him a look of exasperation then snatched the image inducer away from him.

"How does this thing work?" She asked.

"Please give it back to me," Kurt demanded.

Yukio studied the strange controller then began pressing buttons. She laughed when he seemed to fade then smiled as he turned back into his dark blue self. Tilting her head a little she admired his unique tail.

"Those are interesting tattoos," she said as she began walking around him slowly. "I've always wanted tattoos and a pierced belly button."

Kurt studied the strange woman without speaking. He truly had no idea what to make of her.

"You can't tell anyone especially Logan but I'm scared to death of needles," she laughed at herself.

"And vhy is that so funny?"

"Imagine me the daring Wild One afraid of anything! You mustn't tell a soul and you have to promise," she said quite seriously though her eyes were twinkling with mirth.

"I give you my vord. Your business is not for me to tell," Kurt said solemnly.

"You're such a gentleman," she smiled and slipped her arm through his again.

"Vhy are you here?" Kurt asked not moving away this time.

"Found out why that creep's after Logan."

"Ve should tell him immediately then!"

"He looks pretty busy right now don't ya think?"

Kurt turned to see Logan and Ororo walking hand in hand back towards the hotel. He watched them for a moment then turned back to Yukio. He was surprised to see the sadness on her face and it touched his heart.

"You loved him?" He asked.

"Huh? Oh sure. Once upon a time - a long time ago in a different world," she said with a shrug. "Lots more fish in the sea though. Blue fish in particular," she said with a devilish smile.

Kurt turned back to watch his friends.

"You care for her - the Wind-Rider?" Yukio asked him.

"She is a dear friend and I vish to see her happy."

"She won't be if she's in love with the Wolverine and she is same as he's in love with her. It won't end well," Yukio said with a shake of her head.

"Vhat do you know that vould make you say such a thing?"

She shook her head again not bothering to elaborate.

"I do not understand you at all, Yukio," Kurt said.

"Time is all you need," Yukio said looking up at him with a sweet smile on her face. "What say we get to know each other a little better, eh?"

"And vhat vould you have in mind?"

"Oh we could go dancing, get a bite to eat maybe neck a little," she said mischievously.

"I hardly know you," he protested.

"How better to get to know me, Kurt Wagner?"

"I . . ."

"Darf ich?" Yukio whispered as she stood on the tip of her toes and pressed her lips to his. It was a soft gentle kiss that lasted barely two seconds yet it left Kurt flustered, slightly shocked and more than a little bit pleased.

"You speak German?" Kurt asked.

"I'm a woman of many talents."

"I do not doubt," Kurt said thoughtfully.

"Tell you what - Logan's probably . . . busy and my news can wait till tomorrow. My cab's parked right outside - are you game?" Yukio asked.

"I think I vould like that, Yukio but vith one condition," Kurt said.

"Spill."

"You must promise to be good," Kurt said with a smile.

"Moi?" Yukio laughed. "Okay, you have my word. I'll be on my bestest behavior!" And with that Yukio dragged her quarry into his room.

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There is nothing more wonderful and more thrilling yet more terrifying than falling in love. Both Logan and Ororo felt this strange rush of emotions when they parted that night. Neither wanting to part yet neither quite sure if they wished to submit to these new and baffling feelings.

Even as Logan watched Ororo prepare to board the plane the next morning these feelings warred within him. She turned and looked at him one last time, a sad smile on her face and then she was gone leaving him to ponder the emptiness in his heart. He remembered Ororo's words of last night and as memories overtook him one word left his lips though it was barely audible - "Home."

Ororo watched the airport grow smaller and smaller as the plane soared higher and higher. There was a sadness within her that she couldn't quite explain. Trying to ignore the ache was almost as impossible as trying to keep her thoughts from straying back to Logan. She thought of the night before and a small smile crept onto her face.

Last night after they had left the pool hand in hand, feeling somewhat shy around each other, Ororo and Logan had retired to their own separate rooms. Ororo had packed and after much tossing and turning she had drifted off to sleep. Logan had tossed and turned, not able to sleep for some hours. His thoughts kept returning to Ororo and when he finally slept he dreamt of her. Much later that night Ororo was awakened by the sound of Logan's anguished cries. To hear him in so much pain almost broke her heart. She hadn't hesitated this time. She'd slipped a robe over her nude body and hurried to his room easily unlocking the door with a lock pick that she'd grabbed on the way. Logan was thrashing in his covers, moaning wildly, and at one point his claws popped then retracted as his eyes shot open. He sniffed the air then visibly calmed.

"Ro?"

"Yes. I heard you - I didn't mean to . . ."

"It's okay. I'm fine." He sat up looking at her in the darkness of the room willing her to stay. "There's something about you - when you're near me - just smelling you - I mean when I was dreaming I thought you were in danger - but then I could smell you and somehow everything was all right."

She didn't understand what he meant nor did she know what to say. She could only nod in the darkness and after a minute of silence she turned and started to leave.

"Stay."

Ororo turned, sure of what she'd just heard but unsure of his meaning. Logan moved towards her and enveloped her in his strong arms then picked her up and carried her to his bed. He laid her down as carefully as if he were carrying the most delicate flower. Her blue eyes looked up at him with both need and fear but Logan could sense her conflicting feelings.

"I just want to hold you," he whispered in her silky hair as he sat beside her. He would be content just holding her through the night.

He could feel her body tense when he lay down beside her and pulled her into his embrace once again but after a few minutes he felt her hand on his forearm, felt her body begin to relax. She was soon breathing peacefully and he smiled to himself. Only when they heard the loud harsh sound of the phone ringing in her room next door did he feel her body tense again. After a long while the ringing stopped and they both wondered if it was Jean attempting to track Ororo down yet again. When the phone in his room didn't ring and no one came knocking they both relaxed, feeling a peace neither of them had quite experienced before and they waited for sleep to come.

There was no morning after awkwardness when they awoke together and Ororo woke with a smile on her face lying on Logan's chest in perfect contentment.

"Sleep alright?" He asked with a grin.

"Hmmm, quite well and you?"

"Best in a long time," he murmured as he leaned down to kiss her.

She tried to pull away feeling but he drew her close to him refusing to let her go, his lips covering hers as if they were meant for only that purpose.

"You're the most fascinating woman, Roro," Logan said after their kiss. "You even taste like you smell - fresh - like rain and flowers and wind and sunshine."

"Hmmm, that's the nicest compliment I've ever gotten!" Ororo smiled. "You taste like you've been up for awhile."

"Long enough."

"Doing what?" She asked tentatively.

"Watching a goddess sleep."

She laughed. "You need a little more sleep if that's what you think I am!"

"I know it," he said and kissed her again.

"Well, Logan where do we go from here?" Ororo asked, her lips close to his.

"Well you're leaving today - thought you said you'd wait for me."

"Oh no I've got a plane to catch!" She leapt out of the bed, pulled her robe closer to her and raced for the door. "What time is it? I have to get ready! Oh wait!" She stopped at the door turned around and ran back to him, pecked him on his lips, smiled then hurried to her room. Logan had to laugh. He laid back on his bed breathing in Ororo's lingering scent feeling like a new man.

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"Ororo? Honey did you hear me?"

Ororo looked up at Jean, her thoughts of Logan fading.

"You've been in another world ever since I picked you up. Is everything okay?" Jean asked with genuine concern.

"Yes, everything's fine."

"Are you sure? I called you last night but couldn't get through. I tried your room and your mobile but they just kept ringing and ringing. Did something happen?"

"Nothing happened."

Jean gave a small sigh of relief that Ororo didn't notice then continued her interrogation.

"So where were you?" She asked.

"I was in bed - sleeping," Ororo said and she didn't' bother to hide the smile that spread over her face like sunshine as thoughts of Logan returned.

Jean looked at Ororo curiously. She was tempted to read her friend's mind but quickly tossed that idea aside knowing she couldn't call Ororo friend if she were to go that far. Besides that she knew she had no right to be jealous. Knowing what was right and what was wrong didn't make her feel any better though.

"How was Logan when you left him?" Jean changed the subject, patting Ororo's leg in a friendly gesture.

"I don't want to talk about Logan."

"Did he do something? I knew it! He can be such an uncouth animal sometimes."

Ororo's eyes grew large in disbelief. She glared at her friend and said, "Jean this will be the last time that we ever talk about Logan again."

Jean, surprised but undaunted, went on - "I won't tell anyone if he made a pass at you or anything. You can trust me. You should know that by now. So tell me did he make a pass at you?" Jean glanced anxiously at Ororo then turned her attention back to the road again.

When Ororo didn't answer Jean continued - "You should know he's just a big old flirt but he really doesn't mean anything by it. I mean he doesn't want you like - well you know - like a relationship or anything. I hope he didn't give you the wrong idea."

Ororo's eyes were now solid white as her anger grew but Jean continued driving oblivious to her friend's state of mind.

"You know he's in love with me and I know it sounds kind of silly for me to have even noticed but let's face it, it is the truth."

"That . . . is . . . enough!" Ororo spoke finally, her words quiet but commanding, rumbling with finality.

A small cry escaped Jean's lips when she looked at Ororo. And indeed Ororo was a sight to behold. Her hair was beginning to steam out around her face shining full of static electricity. Her eyes were mere gaping holes of crackling lightning. Jean hit the brakes hard and they both jerked forward then were wrenched backwards.

"O . . ."

There was no time for words as Ororo, having released her seat belt with one swift movement, summoned winds so strong that they tore both car doors off their hinges. Jean clung to the steering wheel attempting to use concentrate on her own unique powers. If it hadn't been for her telekinesis she would have been swept out of the car, seat belt and all.

"You don't know Logan at all," Ororo said, her voice sounding deep and hollow yet fierce with rage. "I will not stand by and let you sully Logan's name and if you ever attempt to say another false word about him I . . . will . . . make . . . you . . . regret . . . it . . . with . . . every . . . fiber . . . of . . . your . . . being!"

Thunder and lightning raced through the sky crashing almost simultaneously creating a crescendo of noise that was almost deafening. The sky seemed to open releasing an icy barrage of hail pelting them like sharp stones.

"Do you understand me, Jean?"

"Are you crazy, Ororo?! What are you trying to do? You're acting like you're crazy!"

The car rocked to and fro as Ororo's winds battled with Jean's telekinesis neither woman willing to give up in this battle for supremacy.

"I can beat you any day," Jean said lightly though the look of horror on her face belied her words. "Look, I'm sorry, Ro. Can't we just forget I said anything about Logan?"

Ororo smiled. It was a terrifying smile that the eerie eyes only enhanced. Jean screamed as the car fell on its side with a loud crash followed by deafening peals of thunder. Ororo's smile grew wider as she focused on the car ready to send a lightning bolt down to set it on fire, to end its very existence including the passenger inside it.

"Ororo! No! Please!" Jean shouted, pleaded. She could clearly see Ororo's intentions in her own mind and knew she was lost.

The hail increased, growing into huge balls of dangerous ice. Large dents grew on the side of the car that was exposed. Letting loose for the first time in ages she dropped the temperature so low that ice coated the car now. She reveled in the sheer power at her fingertips and smiled again. Her smile was full of spite and malice as the winds grew even more violent.

Desperate, Jean crawled out of the car her body shaking with fear and exertion, her eyes never leaving the horrible figure before her posed in the sky like some fierce avenging god. Ororo looked at Jean. Their eyes met for a moment and something inside Ororo made her waver. In that moment her anger and her love of life fought against each other. She saw the damage she'd caused, looked at her friend cowering on the side of the road and her true nature seemed to win over the savage beast within her. She took a long ragged breath that did nothing to calm her, the anger within her unleashed knowing no bounds, and feeling the urge to destroy, to kill still so strong she knew she was losing control and she darted up into the air as if shot from a catapult soon disappearing in the dark violent sky.

Jean lay on her stomach looking up at the sky. She knew she had barely survived. She had been too frightened, too overcome, to guilty. She had seen the battle Ororo was going through as if it they had been her own thoughts and her own battle. Ororo had actually come close to incinerating the car with her in it. Her friend had turned her back on her. She could no longer call her friend, no longer turn to the one woman she trusted more than anyone in the world.

As tears streamed down Jean Grey's face she wondered how she was going to get back home, how she was going to explain the condition of the SUV, how she was going to face the others, especially Scott and Logan. But the mere thought of Logan made her sob all the harder.

"What have I done?" She groaned and curled up into a fetal position rocking slowly.

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Darf ich? - May I?

Moi - Me (french of course ;D)