Chapter Ten
Stiff Drinks
The mansion was draped in silence: as mute as an undisturbed Egyptian tomb buried deep in the Earth. And just as tense: like an archaeologist trapped inside alone, fearing the dead pharaoh will twitch inside his sarcophagus. It was unsettling and yet felt natural until the shuffling of a pair of lonesome feet interrupted the stillness.
Logan prowled through the hallways, his senses on high alert. He was too wired to sleep: his thoughts always returning to Rogue. What did she want from him? What did he want from her? Why was it she had suddenly begun to haunt his dreams? Bothered by his own questions he had slipped out for a run, but instead found himself pacing the hallway outside her door.
He was so wrapped up in his ponderings that he didn't hear her footsteps approach the door. Yet, neither did he jerk when she opened it and asked, "Logan?"
He paused mid-stride and peered over at her before swinging his body around to face her completely. "Hey, kid, what are you doing up?"
The left side of her mouth twitched up and her eyes went skyward as if to scold him. "Kind of hard to sleep when someone is marauding outside your door." She shivered, her arms going to encircle her waist. She should have grabbed her robe. Why hadn't she? Who opens a door wearing only their spaghetti strapped, knee-high, satin negligee?
Logan grunted. "I wasn't 'marauding' outside your door. I was heading to the kitchen for a stiff drink."
She eyed him as if to exclaim 'yeah, right' then smugly added, "There's no alcohol. This is a school."
"Who said anything about alcohol? I was thinking of a nice cold, hard mug of cherry blast Koolaid."
Rogue snorted, caught off guard by his flippant remark.
Logan grinned from ear to ear, tilting his head slightly and eyeing her with merriment dancing in his eyes. "Did you just snort?"
"You must be hearing things," she laughed. "I don't snort. Now how about taking a woman out for a drink?"
"If there was a woman around…" he purposely let his sentence hang, goading her to reprimand.
Rogue sucked out her chest in response. "I don't know Logan," she teased innocently. "I think these would define me as being a woman…don't you?"
Instinctively, Logan glanced down and his mouth went dry. She wasn't a busty woman, but it didn't matter. With her arms still wrapped around her waist, her chest pressed invitingly against the soft fabric of the low-cut nightgown. Like a jolt, he flashed his eyes back to her face. "Whatever, kid. I've seen some pretty chubby guys with bigger breasts."
"You know what," she leaned closer and Logan's heart raced, "so have I." She drew back, disappearing into her room. "Just let me find my robe."
"Don't go through the trouble on my account."
"Ha, ha, Logan." She reappeared dressed in the satin robe that accommodated the nightie.
She followed him down the corridor and stairs. Reaching the kitchen, he went ahead first, not bothering to keep the door open for her. As Rogue pushed in after him she was smiling. "Always the Wolverine, uh?"
"What?"
"Nothing." She plopped down on one of the black stools. "So how about that drink, soldier?"
He growled. "When did you get so bossy?" He ducked his head into the silver metallic fridge. "Sorry, no cherry blast, but there's some good old-fashioned grape." He pulled out the pitcher and then slammed the shut before strolling over to the island and settling in beside her.
"Cups?"
Logan shrugged. "Who needs them?" He took a swing from the mouth of the pitcher and then handed it to her. "Or are you afraid of my cooties?"
"Highly unlikely considering I've let your to--," she cleared her throat and reached for the offered drink.
"What were you going to say?"
"Nothing," she mumbled.
"Finish your thought, Rogue," he urged.
She set the pitcher down, her cheeks flaming red. "I was only going to say that it's highly unlikely considering I've let your tongue in my mouth."
A long, strenuous pause fell between them: both Logan and Rogue staring holes into the gray marble countertop. The kiss they had shared only a night ago…in the same room…sitting in the same chairs…seemed to have happened a lifetime ago. And yet, the memory was fresh and vivid in both their minds.
Logan cleared his throat nervously. "Yeah, well…it's been a long day."
"Yeah."
"You know, saving your ass can be work."
"You didn't save me," she retorted, finally looking up at him. "Not today. I kicked Stone's ass myself."
"Yeah," he peered over at her, "but then you flew up a tree and couldn't get down."
"I could've!"
"Yeah, and broken your little neck."
"Maybe, maybe not, but I should've at least tried. It's not like you'll always be there to catch me."
"I'll always be there to catch you, Rogue. All you have to do is let go." He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Enough of this mushiness, kid. I'm making myself sick. Pass the koolaid."
End Chapter Ten
Roguechere: Hey, you hear that everyone? I'm an ass kicker! Lol. Ok, seriously, thank you for the compliment. And I love Logan/Rogue movie fics, too!
Jo: 'Rogan': I've never seen that before, but I like it. It's a cool blend of Rogue/Logan. Did you come up with it or is it a commonly used expression and I just happen to be the last to know (as the case usually is)? Anyway, thanks for the review. I try to keep it as realistic as possible.
Galxychld: I'm glad you caught the double meaning of the title/chapter.
Starshine: Ooo, I had you too hooked to review. Excellent. Thank you very much and I hope you continue to enjoy it.
Anonymous: /beaming/ I like knowing that even readers who aren't Rogue/Logan fans will at least give a story a try. And I'm thrilled that you gave mine the benefit of the doubt and then actually found that you enjoyed it.
Substantivo: They will both come around eventually…maybe…JUST KIDDING! Dear God, they have to be together!
Tara: Thanks a million!