Chapter Six

Living Nightmare

Logan groaned and attempted to shift, but found himself strapped down to a gurney.  He pried open his eyes and cursed.  The infirmary.  What the hell am I doing in the infirmary?  And why am I tied down?  He glanced around, his eyes falling on the woman standing in the corner conversing with Iceman.

"Rogue," Logan called out hoarsely.  Strange.  He didn't recall ever having a cold before.  It didn't matter: his body would heal it away within hours.  "Rogue, what's going on?"

Rogue whispered something to Bobby, patting his arm.  She then strolled over.  Her movements were stiff and edgy.  As Logan got a better at her, his blood pressure shut up and he burst off the bed, ripping the restraints.  "What the hell happened, Rogue?"

Rogue flinched and then willed herself to remain calm.  "Logan?"

"What?"  He jumped off the bed and reached his hand out to cup her bruised cheek, but she recoiled away from him and his throat tightened.  "What the hell is going on here, Rogue?  What happened to your face?"  I swear to God I'll murder whoever touched her.

"Logan," Rogue said, her voice quivering.  "There's something I need to tell you, but you need to tell me something first."  She took a deep breath.  "Do you remember anything about last night?  Anything at all?"

Logan's eyebrows knitted together in puzzlement.  "I went out for a cigar."  He grew uneasy.

"And after you did that?"

"I…" he stood up straighter, defensive.  Something cold and barren settled into his gut.  "I don't know."  He glanced over to where Bobby was still standing in the corner.  The younger X-man looked peeved.  "Why?  What are you getting at?"

Rogue gingerly touched her swollen face.  "Logan, sugar, last night you…" she struggled for the right words.  "You weren't yourself.  I don't blame you for anything.  I know it wasn't you.  You hadn't even recognized me.  Or your own name."

Logan felt nauseous.  "No," he moaned, backing away, waving his hands to fend off the truth from escaping her lips.  "No, no, no, Marie.  No."  He'd never experienced such a burden of self-loathing.  How could he live with himself knowing that he had hurt her?

"Logan," Rogue soothed, slowly approaching him.  "It's ok.  Calm down.  Please."

Logan, wild-eyed, shook his head in denial.  "No."  He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to block everything out.  "What about Charlie?  Where is Charlie?"

"Charlie's fine, Logan.  He's fine.  He slept through the whole thing."

Logan hung his head in shame.  "I'm sorry, Marie.  I didn't…I would never…at least not knowingly."

Rogue rushed over to him and threw her arms around his shoulders, burying her face into his chest.  His t-shirt was soon wet with tears.  "I know, sugar, I know.  We'll work through this.  I promise.  The professor should be back in a day or two.  He'll help us figure it out."

Logan wrapped his arms around her tiny frame, pressing her to him.  What if it only gets worse?  Somewhere in the back of his mind, something tingled: things will get worse.

End Chapter Six

Base:  Sorry about the delayed reply.  Thank you very much.  I don't have kids so I'm basing Charlie off of what I can remember of my younger siblings.  It's nice to hear that you think he's cute.

Jo:  You're so sweet.  Thank you very much.

Blix Howlett:  Don't worry, it may take a while to get it all explained, but everything will be.  Thanks for the review!

Vegeta:  I'm working as fast as my fingers can go!  Thank you so much for all your support.