Blix: Thank you for both reviews. Chapter One: I've always thought that since she can absorb people's memories she would make an excellent detective. And, yet, I knew she would never be one by choice. Chapter Two: I'm so glad you approve. I always look forward to your reviews.
Chapter Three
Cold Heart
The wind, like fingers, brushed through her auburn hair, swirling the strands in the brisk air. Pressed to Logan's back, her arms securely embracing his waist, Marie wondered how her life had come to this: herself, a motorcycle, a mysterious man, and a death warrant hanging over her. She had nothing else. Not even shoes.
Logan, however, had gruffly handed his worn leather jacket to her, mumbling, "Here. Can't bring back a Popsicle." Then climbed onto his bike, grumbling what sounded like nonsense under his breath.
She wore it now, inhaling the scent of leather and smoke.
They roared down a long, winding, and deserted road. The sky was pinkish with the first light of dawn and the peachy-red rays grazed like soft kisses along Wolverine's face. Rogue leaned as far as she dared, gazing at his intense features and noticing that he was much more handsome than she had originally given him credit for. She jumped when his piercing dark eyes flicked down and over at her. Marie swallowed and slowly disappeared fully back behind him and gingerly laid her head against his red flannel shirt, the fabric soft against her cheek.
She allowed her eyes to drift shut.
~ ~ ~
"Don't worry, Marie. I'll be back in two days. I won't be late. I promise." Bobby leaned down, placing a chaste, but sweet kiss on the tip of her nose. "Nothing in the world could stop me."
Marie sighed, peering down at the floor. "But, Bobby, our wedding is in four days." She glared up at him, fuming with righteous anger. "You can't leave now! This is a bunch of bullshit. You tell your boss that if he makes you go to this conference then he'll have me to deal with! And I won't let him…"
"Marie, Marie." Bobby rubbed her arm soothingly, gazing at her, searching for much needed understanding. "I don't want to go, but I have to. Please, honey, don't worry. I'll be back. Nothing will keep me from marrying you, Marie. Nothing."
~ ~ ~
She jerked awake as Logan dismounted the bike. She had only been out for a couple minutes, which led her to believe that she had more likely been daydreaming than actually sleeping.
She lowered herself off the motorcycle, scanning the vast mansion before her. It was the largest building she'd ever seen. It was made of stone, reminding her of the castles she had seen in her travel books. The landscape was beautiful, adorned with perfectly cut shrubbery, lavish flowers, and ivy that scaled up the side of the mansion.
"You just going to stand there gawking or are you going to come in," Wolverine glowered, coming up behind her. He nudged her, pressing her to move it.
Marie was about to scold him when he suddenly gripped her arm, halting her. He reached a hand under the jacket.
"Hey," Marie shrieked, shoving him away. "Just because you lent me your coat doesn't mean I'm going to let you…"
"Settle down, woman. I ain't interested in you." He withdrew his hand, a pack of cigars and a lighter clenched in his fist. He eyed her, the muscles in his face tight. Without another word, he trudged off.
Marie huffed and then raced to catch up. She followed him begrudgingly into the spacious foyer, awed by the large, mahogany staircase. "Where are we," she breathed, taking in the handsome woodwork, intricate carved designs, and breathtaking paintings. "Should I go buy a ball gown?"
Logan snorted, inhaling a large dose of smoke into his lungs.
"You're back," a woman exclaimed from above them.
Marie peered up to see a redhead leaning against the second floor's railing. She watched as the older woman gracefully descended the steps, her smile growing with each stride. The redhead was dressed in a classy crimson blouse and tight, hip-hugger, tan khakis. Marie softly cleared her throat, pulling the labels of the jacket tighter around her self. She felt intensely self-conscious standing in her black satin negligee and Logan's jacket, which was twice her size.
"Miss me, Jean," Logan teased charmingly, a grin splashing across his face causing his eyes to twinkle.
Marie glanced from Logan and the woman, feeling like a forgotten third wheel. Or, worse yet, a third wheel not even on the same planet.
Jean's cheeks sparked a light shade of red and she ducked her head bashfully to the side. "Mmm, don't you wish."
Marie felt annoyed and sickened. She glanced away, her gaze falling on a handsome, but stiff man by the door. He was dressed too preppy for her liking, but his red sunglasses helped displace the "all-American boy" look. She watched, amused, as the other man entered the foyer, his jaw clenched. "Logan," he said in a way of icy greeting.
Logan, smirking, nodded at the other man. "Scott, have you missed me, too?"
Scott huffed as if impatient and then his ruby shades turned to Marie. "You must be Rogue."
Marie shrugged. "Must be."
Jean, for the first time, looked her way. She scanned Marie's attire. "I'm sorry, you must be cold. Come with me. I'll let you borrow something of mine."
Marie's head snapped wide-eyed at Logan, searching for answers. He nodded, pulling the cigar out of his mouth and pointing it towards Jean. "Go ahead, Rogue. You'll be fine."
"But…I…" she felt butterflies erupt in her stomach and the tingling of an anxiety attack creeping up on her. Like hell she was going to just blindly be led by a stranger, away from the only person in the world she even remotely trusted. "Where are you going to be?"
"Around. Listen, kid, I ain't your damn babysitter. Jean here will find you some clothes. Unless you want to walk around in your p.j.'s."
Marie, infuriated, feeling betrayed by the man who had seemed so sincere in her bedroom, snapped. "Maybe I'll just head straight back to Stryker and tell him where the hell you've been staying! I'm sure he would love to hear all about this enlightening journey that I've gone on at the butt crack of dawn!"
"Look," Wolverine barked. "Jean just wants to get you some clothes. What the hell is this third degree shit about? It's not like I owe you anything!"
"Fuck you," Marie hissed, whipping around and stalking towards the doors. "This is all bullshit anyway!"
Wolverine growled and swiftly marched around her, blocking her exit and abruptly extracting his claws. "Hold it, Rogue!"
Her eyes widened at the sight of his metal claws, staring horrified at the fatal weapons. Her gaze slowly rose to meet his and she murmured, "You going to kill me?"
Logan released a heavy sigh, gradually retracting his razors. "No."
"I don't want to be here. Please," she pleaded. "Let me go."
"Rogue," Scott said, gingerly approaching from behind her. "It's not safe out there. Stryker knows you left with Logan."
"I could tell him I was forced to."
"And then what? Tell him where he is?"
Marie fought back her tears of frustration. "Why not? Wolverine here is a cold-blooded killer. I've seen his victims. He has no pity," she accused, her eyes hardening like stone as she continued to stare at Logan. "A charcoaled heart if any. I bet he would slice his own mother's heart out if…"
"Enough," Wolverine roared. "You don't know anything, kid. There's a war going on right under your nose and Stryker is the enemy. I saved you from him!"
"By placing me on his hit list! Yeah, thanks, wolfie, but no thanks! I was just fine with my life as it was. You've screwed it up."
"Fine," Wolverine barked. "Go back to Stryker. Tell him I say hi." He stormed off, shouting over his shoulder: "And don't you ever call me 'wolfie' again!"
End Chapter Three
