Chapter Twenty-Three
Secret of Two
Logan lurked the halls of the school, a cigar dangling from his mouth. He grumbled a couple of hellos to the students who were brave enough to bid him good morning, but refused to break his stride. His eyes were narrowed, naturally suspicious of those around him, especially toward the man headed his way.
"Logan," Xavier spoke in his gentle, fatherly voice. "May I have a word with you?"
"Now?"
"Yes. Now. If it isn't too much of an inconvenience."
Logan snorted his agreement and followed the professor into his office. Xavier parked his wheelchair by the couch and indicated for Logan to sit. "I'm afraid I haven't made myself clear to you."
"How's that professor?"
"I've asked you not to smoke in the building."
Logan breathed a sigh of relief. Was this all Xavier wanted to talk about? "Right. Sorry, professor."
"I don't care if you smoke, Logan. I don't care if you do it out on the lawn or patio. Yet, I wish you wouldn't smoke indoors. It's unhealthy for the children."
Logan glanced around. Were to snub it out? He definitely didn't want to use his palm again.
"And I want to discuss Rogue."
Logan froze, his throat tightening from anxiety. "Yeah," he cleared his throat. "What about her?"
Xavier's knowing eyes stared at him. "She's a very special girl, Logan; a special girl who happens to be more fragile than she appears. And with her recent kidnapping, I'm afraid she's slipping away from us."
"What do you mean?"
"Just be careful with her, Logan." He glanced at his watch. "I'm late for class. If you will excuse me."
Logan nodded and trailed out into the hallway where he bumped into Cyclops. "Watch it, one-eye."
Cyclops pursed his lips together and ambled off. He was still mourning Jean and never felt up to a confrontation.
Logan was rounding a corner when he saw Rogue strolling his way. They looked at each other's faces in unison and neither knew what to do. Logan shifted his weight and leaned against the conjoining walls, waiting for her to come to him. "Morning," he mumbled as she reached him.
"Morning," she replied just as softly.
"Listen, Rogue, I…"
"Hey, Rogue," Kitty called out from the top of the stairs. "Are you ready to go?"
Logan glanced at Kitty and then questioningly at Rogue. "Where you going?"
Rogue shrugged. "IHOP for Breakfast."
"Oh. I'll catch you later then." Logan turned and walked away.
He went to the kitchen to grab a bite to eat, never comfortable eating in the cafeteria. He plopped down on a stool at the island with a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios and a glass of orange juice. He was taking his first bite when the door slowly swung open and Rogue nervously floated into the room.
"I thought you were going to IHOP," Logan said without looking up from his bowl. He shoved a spoonful of cereal into his mouth.
"I was," she whispered. She retrieved a bowl and spoon and sat in the stool opposite of him. "May I join you?"
He shrugged, grunting his approval. "It's a free country, kid." He pushed the cereal box across the table to her. "Healthier for your heart than pancakes anyway."
Rogue gave a gentle giggle, accepting the cardboard box. "As if you care about that."
He shrugged and shoved more cereal into his mouth.
Rogue poured herself some Cheerios then sighed. "We can't avoid it, Logan."
"I know."
"We need to talk about it."
"I know."
Rogue sagged and tabbed her spoon against the cereal in her bowl. "This is awkward."
"I know that, too." Logan peered up at her sincerely. "You want to start?"
"I don't want anything coming between us."
"Nothing will."
"Not even last night?"
Logan shook his head. "No. Not even last night."
"How can you be so sure?"
He gave a ghost of a grin. "I just do. Trust me."
Trust me. Those words conjured up the memory of last night.
[LAST NIGHT]
He covered her mouth with his. Her lips were soft and hinted at the strawberry gloss she usually wore. He groaned, slipping his tongue into her mouth as he pressed her closer to him. Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew that what he was doing was a mistake. You'll only end up hurting her.
No. No, I won't.
Do you plan on marrying her? That's the kind of commitment she wants.
He lost all train of thought when Rogue rolled onto her back, taking him with her. Lying on top of her, his lips assaulting her, and his hands roaming her body, he couldn't see past his actions. He wanted her. He wanted her more than he'd ever wanted a woman.
Rogue ripped the buttons of his flannel shirt off, sliding her hands up his chest. She moaned as his tongue wandered down the side of her neck. And then she froze as she felt it. He was straining against his jeans, pressing into her thigh. She gulped. "Logan," she murmured. "I'm a…I mean, I've never…"
Logan drew his head back and gazed into her misty eyes. "Do you want to stop?"
[PRESENT]
Rogue's features relaxed, softening into acceptance. "You're right. We're cool." She finally took a bite of her cereal. "We can be mature adults, right?"
"Right."
She stole his glass and took a gulp of his juice. "Let's just keep it between us, though, ok?"
"Who the hell would I tell? It's you who's got the nosy friends."
Rogue, ignoring his jibe, passed him back his juice. "What are you thinking?"
What am I thinking? Damn, Marie, you don't want to know. "I agree. It'll be our secret. It ain't anyone else's damn business anyway."
Rogue nodded, her shoulders slumping a little more. She tried focusing on her cereal, but it was hard; being so close to Logan and the memory of what they had done last night was utterly unnerving. She wasn't sure if she'd ever be able to look him in the eye again.
End Chapter Twenty-Three
Cassandra: I know what you mean. I like it when things go wrong, but I hate it when it takes forever to get them fixed.
Snoob: Lol. I actually seriously considered leaving that scene as the ending. Yet, I knew people would freak out on me. I would have had to watch my back for years to come.
Vegeta: I'll see what I can do about the action. /smiles/
Asterope: I'm glad I managed to get you hooked even if it took awhile. Thanks for all three reviews!
Jo: I'm obsessed with the tent scene! It makes you wonder. Why would Mystique even think of changing into Rogue unless Logan truly cared for her?
Jenni: I was truthfully considering that being the end, that's why I did it. Yet, I couldn't be that cruel.