Disclaimer: A whole host of new characters are mine. Please don't use them. Of course, the X-Men and other such characters involved in the comic, books and the movie belong to Marvel, and new ones are mine. Also the plot is my own.

Throughout story:

" " = Speech

' ' = Thoughts

^ ^ = Telepath

Jenny: No.. it's not any virus infected human.. keep an eye out for reappearances of these odd moments.

TheWolf: *shakes her head* Noo.. I'm sorry.. but we need the Wolverine in this chapter too. *pats Logan on the head affectionately before sending him off to Chapter 37* *just grins stupidly when she's growled at*

Chapter 37

            The darkest hour of the night was upon them. Way beyond midnight and into the most silent and mysterious hours of the dark. The stars were scattered across the black canvas, only slight puffs of wandering clouds hid the sparkling starlight. A full moon radiated from the heavens and cast a heavenly glow upon the dense woodland that the mutants passed through.

The bike still roared across the terrain of mud and dirt. Sludge squirted from the back tire as the thick wheels bounded over every bump and dip in the thick ground. Logan was very precise with his driving; he manoeuvred over all crevices in the trail with control, even though the bike juddered over rocks and broken branches that lingered in the damp grass, ready to trip them up.

The night air was cool, and it briskly whipped at their faces as they powered on through the woodland at an alarming speed. Aurora held her head close to the leather on Logan's back. Ducking from the bitter slaps of wind and using him to keep her warm. Her hair still wildly blew out behind her, snaking majestically with the cold night air. She pressed her cheek firmly to Logan's back, the warm leather comforting her as they drove wildly across the foreboding landscape.

Logan still drove on, Aurora's warm presence behind him extremely comforting; it made him feel better knowing that she was there. At first she had made him jump when her arms instinctively tightened as the bike roared over large mounds. But now he was used to it, and he savoured her closeness whilst it lasted.

Above the din of the sharply tuned engine Aurora called into his close left ear, "I think we need to stop soon and get some sleep."

Logan nodded to her briefly, allowing the engine to slowly calm as he slowed down the bike. The bike travelled on at a slower pace, enough for them to notice their surroundings in detail rather than a mad blur. Logan let his hand off the throttle and the bike came to a purring halt in a small clearing.

Aurora swung a leg off the bike and staggered gently over the grass. Her face ached from the sharp cold and her eyes stung from the blast of the wind. She turned to see Logan propping the bike up against a tree and pulling their backpacks off the carrier.

"Did you put in any food?" Muttered Logan, dropping their backpacks on the damp grass.

Aurora nodded, now crouching in front of the backpacks and opening one, "Yes.. but I think we ought to save it till later.."

"Suppose so.." Mumbled Logan who now reached into the foliage behind them and dragged out a handful of branches whilst he placed them in a small pile in the centre of the clearing. Lifting a lighter out of his back pocket he lit the wood.

The ominous darkness of the night slowly transformed into a glow of orange from the small pile of wood. The crackling flames now lighted the Wolverine's blackened features faintly. With the light beneath him, it actually caused him to look more sinister.

Logan dropped down to sit on the grass, inhaling the air absent-mindedly, his ears ever tuned in to his surroundings.

Aurora dragged out two flat pieces of canvas out of one backpack and dropped them onto the grass. Her head slowly lifted and she watched the Wolverine.. he was sat in silence, watching the flames morosely. His knees were bent and his elbows rested upon the bend, hands lightly dangling between. His head was slightly bowed, and he stared into the fire – the flames causing his sharp hazel eyes to be alighted by the flickering wafts of orange.

Aurora quietly sighed and moved to sit by him, her legs gently crossed upon the grass and her arms rested loosely in her lap. As she came by Logan, his eyes slowly slid downwards to look upon her gold arm.

Logan made a loud sigh and rested his nearest hand on her bulky arm, "Every time I see that thing.. " He shook his head, "God.. I shouldn't have left you in that place.."

Aurora frowned, sighing at the fact that Logan had not let this go, "Logan.. I told you it didn't matter anymore."

"It does to me." He then said gruffly, his eyes falling back upon the flames again. His hand left her arm gently and sat with the other.. which was holding tightly onto his adamantium tag.

"Why..?" Asked Aurora softly, peering to him intently.

"Because.. even though I can't remember leaving you.. I can still feel it." His head bowed, "Like when we left Jean.. the same.. sick feeling in my stomach."

"So Jean was her name.." Then said Aurora softly.

Logan now looked to her slowly, "Yes.."

"The one you love.."

Logan quickly looked back to the fire, not wanting to look at Aurora at that particular moment. He could feel a hole open up inside him.. the sick feeling of grief..

"She was very beautiful."

Logan now turned his head sharply to her, "What.." His eyes now looked at Aurora harshly.

Aurora had a knowing, but pitying look on her face as she sighed quietly, "Jean.. she was a red-head.. correct?"

Logan slowly nodded. How does she know?

Aurora now nodded once, "I saw her body at Alkali Lake when I fell through the dam wall... You wouldn't have guessed she was dead.. not a mark upon her. She looked at though she was sleeping.."

Logan lowered his head to a hand slowly, his eyes closing as memories played through his mind, reminding him of Jean's beauty.. but also tormenting him with grief and guilt.

Aurora frowned, "I don't expect you to have moved on Logan.. you don't have to hide it away." She said softly, "You can leave the past when you feel ready.." There was a hint of desperation in her voice.. trying to plea for his admittance so she knew.. just where she stood in his life.

"I have to move on.." Said Logan under his breath, "Like you said.. the past is indestructible.. and it can't be changed."

Aurora looked at him in silence, her eyes upon his, unflinching.

Logan frowned gently, his eyes studying her intensely.. their differences were their similarities.. they both had the characteristics of animals.. but whilst Logan had the rough and sturdy quality.. Aurora had the sleek and graceful definitions.. together combining to a powerful duo.

Logan then turned to her gently, his eyes now resting on her, "I'm moving on.." Said Logan quietly, "You're there to guide me.."

"Look.. Logan.. don't do anything till you're ready.." Said Aurora softly.

Logan nodded slowly at her, "You'll know.."

Aurora watched him, a little puzzled by his words.. but she didn't have chance to question it, because Logan had stood to his feet and was setting up one of the tents. Aurora sighed quietly and looked back down to the fire..

***

It will happen folks! We just need some perilous scenes first. *hint hint*

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