Saints and Sinners - By Darlin

A/N - What a nice compliment, Artemisn - thank you! Oh, lordanhur how right you are the X-world definitely revolves around RoLo - thanks for the review. LilWolvie, Nienna of Sorrow thank you. Skyz thank you for you kind review. Thank you also wOLF - I'm looking forward to your next chapter of Diablo!

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Chapter Four - Where It Stops Nobody Knows

After a long night of drinking Logan was just coming back in as everyone else was getting up to start a new day. He thought about having breakfast but wasn't quite sure if he felt like being subjected to the deafening silence that he always experienced during mealtimes. Deciding against it he was just turning to go upstairs when he smelled Ororo's intriguing scent. He looked up as she raced down the stairs. She was obviously in a hurry but he didn't move out of her way and by the look on her face it was obvious she wasn't pleased with his behavior.

"Can you move your adamantium bones out of my way, Logan?"

"Well if ya say 'please'."

"Screw that! How 'bout I say 'fry' an' top it with a little jolt of lightning?"

Logan chuckled and asked, "Where're you headed in such a rush?"

"Secret mission – you know – the usual."

Logan's eyes narrowed as he studied her.

"Are you going to move?" she asked.

"You don't care much for being polite do you?"

"And you do?"

He chuckled again, started to move out of her way then changed his mind, and instead stepped closer to her.

"Are we not leaving in five minutes, Ororo?" Peter's deep voice was heard from the top of the stairs and they both looked up at him.

"That would be your cue to move," Ororo looked back at Logan, a smug smile on her face.

"You and the Ruskie're teamed up?"

"Yep."

"And where're ya goin'?" He asked again with one eye on Peter who was slowly coming down the stairs.

"Parts unknown," Ororo said with a shrug.

"Any idea how long?" Logan asked nonchalantly.

"You'd have to ask the Professor," she replied.

"Yeah. Well . . . good luck." He moved aside as he spoke.

"Thanks," Ororo said as she stared at him, her head tilted slightly to one side.

When Peter came up alongside her she stole a glance at the tall well-built young man but his face was expressionless. She wondered if he'd perk up during their mission. At a sudden thought her own face brightened a bit and she fell in step with Peter who hadn't spoken or looked at Logan. She felt sorry for Logan but knew his actions had brought this alienation and it wasn't exactly unjustified. It would be up to him alone to resolve his issues with the team.

Feeling a brief stab of unfamiliar emotions – guilt and regret – that he quickly shoved back into the darkness of his soul, Logan followed the two. When Ororo's eyes met his for a brief moment he stopped dead in his tracks. He wasn't sure what to make of the look. It wasn't exactly pity that had been in her eyes and for that he was grateful but having come to know her a little better he couldn't really be sure. She didn't seem to be the emotional type but something about her told him otherwise. Watching her retreating figure, clad in tight leather, he felt another unfamiliar emotion – jealousy. He knew that was pointless not to mention stupid and pushed the emotion aside.

He hadn't expected to feel anything least of all that. Nor had he expected to feel as if he were going to miss Ororo, but he reasoned that she was his only friend if you could even call it that. She was the only one talking to him anyway. Not that he cared he told himself. He was actually disgusted with himself for feeling anything at all. Emotions were a liability something he'd fought hard to control or ignore over the years. All he was there for was to find out about his past. He wouldn't need the X-Men after that and after he had the answers he wanted he figured he'd leave, after all there'd be no other reason to stick around. Right now all he wanted to do was get through one boring day at a time. Unfortunately he realized without Ororo there it was going to be a long boring stretch.

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Six days later Ororo was pressing the up button for the lone hangar elevator while impatiently drumming her fingers on the wall. After ten seconds she heard the musical ping that announced the elevator's descent. When the doors opened she leapt inside and pushed the button for level one. She groaned when Peter stuck a large strong metal hand in the doors preventing them from shutting.

"Ororo, can I talk to you for a moment?" he asked.

"If you get in so we can go up yes."

Peter obediently stepped inside, the elevator doors closing behind him. As they were lifted upwards to the main level Peter remained silent. He seemed to have forgotten what he wanted to say. Ororo drummed her fingers on the wall while Peter looked down at the floor. She was going to miss 'My Wife and Kids' if the elevator was going to take all day and she wasn't too happy.

"May I ask why you have been . . . er . . . more friendly to me of late?" Peter finally asked with a quizzical look on his handsome face.

"Oh, Peter is that all?" Ororo laughed. She threw her arms around him pulling his head down to her level. "I just needed to know something but you weren't very helpful. Maybe you can give me more to work with now, hmm?"

"I . . ." his voice sputtered and died as Ororo's lips met his.

His metal body transformed back into flesh and blood as he responded to her kiss. She gave it a second more before she broke away and grinned up at him with much satisfaction.

"I am so glad you like girls, Petey! But don't get the wrong idea . . ."

The elevator doors were opening and Ororo dashed out without bothering to explain herself leaving a very confused Peter standing with his mouth gaping wide in a kind of shock.

"Is it on yet?" Ororo demanded to the back of Bobby's head as soon as she entered the media room.

Bobby shook his head not bothering to turn around. She noticed Logan was sitting on the other side of the couch with Bobby.

"Ororo!" Peter called behind her. "Can we talk please?"

"Can't it wait, Petey?"

"I really need to talk to you about . . ."

"It'll have to wait for an hour."

"This can not wait!"

Ororo sighed. The things she did for her friends, she thought to herself. It just wasn't supposed to be this difficult. Then she noticed the reason for Peter's confusion sitting on the loveseat. Kitty was looking as if she were going to drool any minute.

"Sit over there and we'll talk after the show," She said in a tone that brooked no argument from him as she waved him over to the loveseat.

"We saved you a spot," Logan said quite casually when Ororo headed towards an empty chair.

"Um, thanks," she said looking from Logan to Bobby. She knew Bobby never shared the couch but she sat down between them just glad to have the best seat in the room.

Bobby handed her a large tub of popcorn wearing a silly grin on his face.

"Thanks," she said absently as she waited for the commercial to end. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Peter was still standing in the doorway as if he weren't sure what to do. She grinned when she saw Kitty's eyes still trained on the hunk. If he didn't sit down soon she was going to have to drag him over to Kitty, she mused as she took a handful of popcorn.

Logan and Bobby glanced at each other then looked back at Ororo. When she tasted the popcorn she sat up and looking at them in turn.

"You got real popcorn from the movies!" she exclaimed.

"Yeah," Logan said as if it was something a person did every day.

"Wow! Thank you so much you two! Have you tried this Kitty?" She handed the bucket over to Kitty but the girl's eyes were still glued on Peter even as she shook her head.

"Oh good grief, Peter!" Ororo jumped up, ran around the couch and dragged Peter into the room. "Sit and we'll talk later. Scoot over, Kitty!"

The loveseat sunk under Peter's weight as he sat down. There was very little room for poor Kitty to scoot over and she blushed scarlet.

"Want soda or beer?" Bobby asked Peter.

"Bobby!" Three voices cried out in unison.

"Geeze! I was only kiddin'!"

"Soda is fine," Peter said with a smile.

No one laughed harder than Ororo during her favorite show and she hardly noticed or cared when the others stole sidelong glances at her and Logan who was almost enjoying the show as much as she was. His boisterous laughter boomed throughout the room every time the father, Michael, thumped his son, Junior, upside his head. Ororo was even more delighted when a second episode of My Wife and Kids came on after her second favorite show, The George Lopez Show. She made herself comfortable against the big cushiony couch once again after seeing Peter and Kitty chatting during the commercial. Good popcorn, good show, good company and even a good matchmaker, she thought to herself. It just didn't get much better than that.

As each person's sense of humor is often times quite different Ororo hadn't really known if Peter would enjoy her favorite shows but she was pleased to see Peter laughing right along with Kitty. They all spent a very entertaining hour and a half laughing and munching on goodies with Ororo laughing so hard she had to wipe away tears at one point. Even Logan had looked at her strangely then but she just laughed all the harder. Her laughter was loud enough to draw attention from anyone passing by the opened door, something Logan had considered so he wasn't surprised when he heard Hank's heavy footsteps coming down the hall ready to investigate.

Hank knew he should leave Ororo alone. He knew she was still mad at him and he knew she'd meant what she said but still he just couldn't resist taking a peek to see what was amusing his ex-lady love. Just before he made it to the door Logan reached over Ororo and handed Bobby a beer. Bobby grinned and nodded though no one seemed to be paying any attention to him. Hank looked into the room at that moment and was surprised to see Bobby throwing his arm along the back of the couch behind Ororo. He also noted that Logan had just removed his arm. Frowning he observed the silliness on the television screen and immediately turned around leaving the immature children, so he was thinking to himself, to enjoy their childish and mindless entertainment. Logan chuckled but he was the only one who seemed to have noticed Hank's arrival and sudden departure.

"So didn't you think that was some of the best popcorn you've ever had?" Ororo asked Peter when she held out a trash bag for him to dump his soda cans in.

"It was good," Peter agreed as he stood up and stretched.

"Don't leave yet, Pete I have a great idea," Ororo pushed him back down besides Kitty.

Kitty smiled dreamily, pleased with the thought of having Peter sitting next to her a little longer. However, after Ororo announced her great idea the smile immediately left her face.

"Let's play spin the bottle!"

Logan laughed out right.

Bobby snorted and said, "That's for kids." He didn't make a move to leave however.

"Last time I looked that definition defined you to a tee, Bobby Drake," Ororo replied.

"Yeah, well Logan's old. He's no kid!"

"Okay, you've had your limit, bub," Logan groaned.

"Aw, man! No fair!"

"You shouldn't encourage him to drink. He doesn't have your healing factor," Kitty told Logan.

"Well yer right, Kitty," Logan admitted feeling a little ashamed of himself. This was the first time Kitty had actually spoken to him since he had convinced Kitty that they couldn't help Scott on that fateful mission when he'd actually left Scott to die.

"But one beer can't hurt you. Whaddya think, Kitty?" Logan asked.

Kitty blushed, remembering how ill she'd felt after consuming the one beer Bobby had swiped for her last week.

"Kitty's right and beer's disgusting," Ororo said. "No more beer for the minor tonight."

"Stupid . . ." Bobby muttered a few unsavory things under his breath so Ororo wouldn't hear him but Logan with his enhanced hearing heard every word and he had to stifle a laugh.

"Ororo, can we talk now?" Peter asked.

"Okay but make it quick and you guys finish cleaning up."

"Who died and made her boss?" Bobby muttered but he had no intention of leaving so he obediently began cleaning.

"Ororo, about that kiss . . ."

"It's not a big deal I shouldn't have really and I won't do it again."

"I do not understand."

"I – well I was just trying to see if you liked girls."

"What? Why would you think otherwise?"

"Um . . ."

"I do like girls very much, Ororo although you are not my type."

Ororo laughed. "You're not exactly my type either, Petey although you definitely have a bod to die for but listen – it's Kitty who – well she kinda has a crush on you. She'll get over it after awhile – hopefully, but in the meantime just be nice to her and please be careful with her little heart."

"I would never hurt Kitty."

"Easily said but it's the whole Men are from Mars thing that I'm worried about."

"I do not understand."

"You're not supposed to just know that I'll be watching you."

"Huh?"

"This conversation's over, Peter. Now let's just play and have some fun." Ororo grabbed Peter and pulled him back into the room.

Logan had been listening to the conversation in the hall. He realized what Ororo and Peter did wasn't any of his business but he still couldn't help from eavesdropping. He had been annoyed to hear that she'd kissed Peter and felt the stirrings of jealousy that he'd felt earlier, which annoyed him even more. But as he continued listening he'd almost broke out in laughter when he heard why she'd kissed Peter. If he hadn't believed it before he was definitely certain now that Miss. Ororo Munroe's tough girl attitude was just one big front. He grinned as he watched her boss everyone around having them move the coffee table then arranging everyone in a circle on the floor with one lone beer bottle in the middle of the circle.

"Sit down, Logan or leave," Ororo said without bothering to look at him as she reached for the bottle ready to start the game.

"Hey who said you could go first?" Bobby asked.

"I did. It was my idea!"

The matter settled they all watched the bottle spin, most of them wondering who would be the lucky guy. Ororo wasn't above using a little breeze to nudge the bottle towards the person of her choice.

"Kitty!" Bobby shouted, his eyes wide with anticipation. "Is this an on the mouth kiss?"

"Opposite sex yes – Kitty and me – no!" Ororo grinned, leaned over and pecked Kitty on the cheek. "Your turn now!"

Kitty looked around nervously but bravely took her turn. After a moment the bottle pointed to Peter, with a little help from Ororo's control over the wind again. Kitty's eyes grew wide with alarm but Peter smiled reassuringly at her. He leaned over and took her small face in his large hands. He kissed her very softly on the lips. Both were quite red after the kiss but Ororo was happy to see Kitty was smiling shyly.

When Peter took his turn Ororo saw his stoic face was replaced with one full of mirth when he looked at her. As the bottle spun about Logan had noticed the same subtle shift in the air as before and he looked at Ororo suspiciously. Suddenly he clamped his hand over Ororo's effectively breaking her concentration. The bottle continued spinning wildly around finally coming to a stop, its long bottleneck pointing to empty space. Ororo gave Logan an angry look but said nothing. He wagged a finger at her and shook his head all the while smirking at her as if daring her to say or do something.

"Who's turn now?" Bobby asked.

"No one's, kid. It's bed time." Logan stood and stretched, stifling a fake yawn.

"It is late," Peter agreed. He stood then helped Kitty up. "I will walk you to your room if you do not mind, Kitty."

"Oh no! I mean yes! Thank you! Good night everyone." Kitty was obviously thrilled.

"A moment, Kitty," Peter whispered leaving Kitty at the door. He walking up to Logan and looked him in the eye a moment. "Thank you, Logan," he said quietly but firmly.

Logan looked at Peter and nodded. They both looked at Ororo who had the good sense to look mortified. Logan dropped down beside her after everyone left. She was spinning the bottle aimlessly refusing to look at him.

"You're really a piece of work," Logan said as he took the bottle out of her hands.

"Aren't we all?"

"Some more than others, Ro."

"Okay, so what if I cheated? It's no big deal."

He shrugged and said, "No big deal if you were giving Bobby all the kisses but I think it embarrassed Pete and Kitty more 'n anything."

She frowned. She hadn't thought of that. "They didn't have to play," she grumbled.

"No, but they probably didn't want to hurt your feelings."

"When she didn't reply he went on – "That's something you and me don't think about sometimes – other people's feelings."

Ororo looked at Logan as the truth of his words sunk in. Logan could see she was having difficulty admitting he was right. He spun the bottle and watched it rotate. When it pointed to himself he placed it so it was directly pointing at her. She was taken by surprise when he pulled her to him and kissed her. Not just kissed her but seemed to absorb her in the very depth of the kiss.

"Not too gropey or too wet or sloppy, eh?" He asked when his lips left hers.

"No . . . but it's not fair for you to cheat if I can't!"

"You're glad I cheated."

"You're full of yourself."

He laughed. "Did you forget I have enhanced senses?"

Ororo's mouth fell open as she stared at him. "Are you crazy?"

She jumped up ready to leave but he stood and grabbed her by the arm.

"Why fight it?"

"Because I'm not Jean! I'm a completely different person and I don't screw every man I get hot over." She pulled away from him and said, "You better remember that too, bub! I'm not anything like your stupid ex-bimbo girlfriend." She stormed out of the room – and honestly no pun intended here.

Logan settled back onto the couch, his arms linked behind his head, and grinned. He was starting to like this girl. And while maybe that wasn't too smart he couldn't help but grin the more. Ororo definitely wasn't Jean and he liked that. Yeah, even hot and bothered she didn't let herself fall for him. Not many women resisted him like that. He couldn't help but admire her even more for that. He wanted her but he knew he'd respect her wishes and leave her alone because he liked having her for a friend more than he needed to get laid.

He sat up and looked around the room for a moment wondering if he had just thought what he thought he'd thought. But yeah, he had to admit it – Ororo was a friend he wanted to keep. He'd enjoyed getting the popcorn that she liked with Bobby's help and he'd enjoyed watching TV with her and the others. He knew without her no one would've stayed to watch TV with him. And without her little wind trick Peter would still be ignoring him. Kitty had even spoken to him because of Ororo's little Wednesday night deal. It was all kind of like a normal family kind of thing, he thought. Not that he wanted anything like that but still it had been – well . . . nice.

Ororo was somehow the glue that held them all together and he'd never realized that before. He'd never known she and Bobby enjoyed the same shows or that Ororo was close to Kitty. All he'd ever known about her was that she was hot and Hank's property. Now that he saw her in such a different light he felt drawn to her unlike any other woman he'd ever known. He could smack himself for being such a jerk with her. Hell, if he could even admit that he deserved to be knock senseless for being such a jerk with everyone there especially with Scott. No, he immediately thought, forget that! He tried to push this new revelation from his mind only it wouldn't budge and when he went to bed that night just before he drifted off he wondered what he could do to make up for his asinine behavior towards everyone now that he knew he had to if he wanted to keep Ororo as a friend.