Chapter Seven
Midnight Tête-à-tête
The night air was thick and heavy with humidity as Logan prowled the mansion's hallways in his faded blue jeans. He couldn't sleep with the turmoil of earlier brewing in his thoughts. Sweet little Rogue was only twenty-one and still just a child in his protective eyes. He had vowed to take care of her: take her under his wing and guard her precious life like any loving father would do. But there hid the problem: he wasn't her father nor did he want to be. It was Xavier who held that honor.
Yet, why didn't he want the responsibility of the father figure if he was so hell-bent on securing and providing for her? Isn't that what any good father did? Look after his young with unlimited devotion?
Logan growled, bounding down the stairs. Who the hell am I kidding? I don't want the role of 'father' because I don't want kids.
But Rogue does.
Oh, shut up! He scolded himself. What do I care whether or not she wants little rascals running around her feet? By now he was marching stiffly to the kitchen, but froze outside the door. Sniffing, a rough grin tightened his facial muscles. Speak of the devil. He stepped forward with all intention of waltzing in, but then halted, his palm hovering over the wood.
He wanted to see her: he always did. He enjoyed her company above anyone else's. Yet, for some inexplicable phenomenon, he was apprehensive about strolling in there. Because of this afternoon? Hell no! Nothing happened out there!
The distinct sound of giggling brought him up short. His nose inhaled sharply. Storm. How had he missed her scent? Courage returning, he burst into the room. "A little late, ain't it?"
Rogue wouldn't meet him, but Storm looked at him with calming eyes. "You're not the only one with demons tonight keeping you awake." She glanced pointedly at Rogue. She got up, draping a sisterly arm over the younger woman's shoulders. "I'm going to be now. I'm all laughed out. You can come to me anytime, Rogue." She stepped away, eyeing Logan with a warning.
Logan watched her slip out the door before tossing Rogue a look of amused interest. "Do I want to know?" He grabbed a Dr. Pepper from the cupboard, wishing Iceman were there to chill it. They weren't allowed to put the pop into the fridge due to the undeniable fact that the students would devour it to quickly, ignoring the healthier assortments of milk, juices, and flavored water.
"No," she murmured, clasping her gloved hands around the neck of the glass battle in front of her. "Hey, Logan," she stared sullenly at him. "About my…uh…my…"
"Flying."
She snapped him a cold glare, gripping her soda more tightly. "No," she hissed. "I don't fly. Forget it." She tapped the bottle with her short fingernails (wearing gloves wore them down).
"Hey, whoa kid, what's with the defense?" Logan plopped himself on the stool beside her, bumping into her shoulder. "What's wrong with calling it what it is? So you may be related to Superman: big deal."
She rolled her eyes up at him. "Ha. Ha. When did you get so funny? Besides, you are aware that Superman is only a cartoon, right?"
He shrugged, grinning his sexy teasing grin, lightly brushing against her side as he leaned closer. "I'm just full of laughs, Rogue. Haven't you ever noticed my lively sense of humor before?"
"More like dry sarcasm." She playfully shoved him back out of her space, her eyes sparkling. "What are you doing creeping around anyway? Couldn't sleep?"
"I rarely do." He took a swing of the pop (soda), telling himself it was the much-needed taste of acid whisky instead of the carbonation burning his throat. "What are you doing up? Isn't it hours past your bedtime, kid?"
She slugged him on the arm. "Whatever. You know, I seriously wonder at times if you haven't noticed I'm a grown woman. I like it when you call me kid. It's a pet name or whatever. But sometimes it gets on my nerves. Don't you realize? I'm old enough to drink. Why don't we go a bar sometime? I could drink a few with you – maybe get wasted." A smile tugged at her mouth at his appalled expression. "I'm joking, Logan. You drink enough for the two of us."
His body visually relaxed. "Dam, kid, there are easier ways to give me a heart attack."
"Maybe I'll try them on you sometime." She blushed at the double meaning. "You know what I mean," she added innocently.
"Mm, Rogue, are you coming on to me," he jibed.
"No more so than you were earlier." Oh god. Her eyes widened with mortification. Why did I say that?
He stiffened, cleared his throat, and looked uncomfortably around. "Yeah, well, it's really getting late. We have a mission tomorrow. Xavier wants that disc. Are you in on it?"
She stared at the tabletop. "Yeah. I, uh, you know: not going to freak out about my fall the other day."
"And you're flying…"
"It wasn't flying. I just…I…hovered. I just stopped dead air, an inch away from your -- " her cheeks were stained red " – never mind. Let's just say that was a position I never thought myself to be in; and I don't mean the fl-hovering." She waved a hand in surrender. "Ok, never mind. God, let's just discuss something else."
"Like what?"
She shifted in her seat, heaving her shoulders. "I don't know. Dr. McCoy wants to run some tests on me. I don't know if I feel comfortable with that. I mean, if it were Jean I would be ok, I guess, but this is a man I hardly know."
"What does he want to test?" Your new ability. You're flying.
"Well, because of what happened at the warehouse. He says I'm obviously evolving into a more powerful mutant, but I…I don't know. I guess it would be cool, but it'll only be one more thing that makes me different."
"Storm flies."
"I know. That's what we were discussing," she peered up at him. "Among other things."
Logan glanced down before meeting her eyes dead on and felt a strange pull. What is it about her? "Rogue," he shook his head at lack of words. What could he say? He peered more deeply in her eyes and got locked in the depths. The lights around them seemed to dim and the noises in his sensitive ears resided. His heart thudded wildly against his chest, pounding so loudly he was sure it would wake Xavier.
Rogue gazed back in return, her breaths turning raspy and labored. Why did he have to be so sensual and mysterious? Why did he always treat her as though she were a precious jewel that he needed to guard? He had been the first person to accept her for what she was; and had without request taken it upon him self to care for her. Was it out of some desire to quench his guilt for the sins in his life?
No. If it had started out that way, it sure isn't now. He cares for me.
She tilted her head slightly – unconsciously. Did he love her? She leaned forward gradually, his lips beckoning her. Her mouth cracked open, a sigh escaping as he leaned closer and his warm breath caressed her lips. All thought vanished as the last centimeters between them disappeared and his lips cascaded over hers, starting tenderly and burning her inside. She wrapped her arms around him, tangling her hands into his hair and pressing him closer.
He groaned, embracing her and clutched her body to him, pulling her out of her seat to stand between his legs. His mouth devoured hers and he licked his tongue over her lips, begging for her to open her mouth. Her slender hands slipped up shirt, caressing his chest. Involuntarily he slid one of his own up her pajama top, creeping painstakingly up. And then he felt it: the drawing of his life. His eyes flew open and he gasped, struggling to breathe.
Rogue yanked away in alarm, panicking as his body slumped off the chair and tumbled to the floor in convulsions. "Logan? Logan!" She ran to the door screaming. "I need help! Please, somebody, I need help! We're in the kitchen!" God, Rogue, you are so stupid!
NOTES: This will probably be the only chapter with such a detailed kiss scene. I'm not into smut. I just wanted to get their first kiss written with enough passion for you, the readers, to grasp their emotions.
End Chapter Seven
Nuiserre: I was thinking along those lines! I don't want them physically together unless she has some control because otherwise it would be impossible; and I want my story more realistic than not. P.S. Awesome on the Egyptian name! S'Ashe Grey: Thank you for the clarification. I knew she had absorbed the power, but I didn't know from whom. Kryptonite: I did something about it! And yes, we all know what happened even if the characters are too dense (or to frightened to acknowledge it). Galxychld: Thank you very much. I was hoping people would enjoy the tease. Kirstijoy: Yeah, they needed more mutants in the Brotherhood. I'm excited that you liked them! GothicRose: Aw…thank you. Lol. Honestly.