I opened the door quietly. Mystique was asleep, her hand holding Pyro's book against the covers. I walked over and took it from her, putting it on the table next to her bed. The metal cuff pulled her hand down to the bed, and she made a sound in protest. I turned to look at her. She said, clearly, "Never did before."

I sat in the chair next to her bed. "Never did what?"

She muttered something I couldn't make out. Great. She talks in her sleep, too, in addition to having a trigger-happy son and being a terrorist ... what the hell am I thinking, coming up with the crazy idea that we could work something out together?

"Logan." A curl of red hair lay against her cheek. I pushed it back. It was soft.

"Yeah?" I pulled my hand back. Let's see if she can respond to people in her sleep, too.

"I think maybe ... irritating. Angry. Pushy." Like I didn't know any of that. Heck, she was describing some of my better traits.

"So?"

She twitched a little. "Do not hate him, though. Never really did."

"So how do you feel about Logan?" I asked. This was ridiculous. It was entertaining, though. Like I said before, whether feverish or asleep, Mystique could play the Palace. And hey, free insight into Mystique don't come along every day.

"Mm. Like. A lot." My chest felt lighter. Had I stopped breathing or something? Aw, crap. I was really done for.

"Closer." Her right index finger beckoned. I bent down to hear what she had to say next. She whispered, "You can pretend I was asleep in the morning, but you and I both know I am awake."

I could have slugged her. Her yellow eyes opened wide, and sure enough, Mystique was awake and in as much of a right mind as she ever had. "All that just to get me back, huh?" She was laughing now, and she nodded as she did.

"You cannot ... just tease ... Mystique," she gasped between gales of laughter. I didn't want to, but her laughter sparked mine, and I let go, too. We kept going for about five minutes, and then we finally calmed down.

"Bet you can guess my next question." I wiped the tears from my eyes as I waited.

"I prefer having you tell me, Logan. It makes things much easier when I do not have to pretend to be a telepath." She patted the side of the bed. "And come here. It hurts my neck to have you sit there."

I raised one eyebrow, but didn't make the obvious joke. "How much of it was fake, to get me back, and how much was real?"

She looked down at the covers, like she always did when she had something hard to say. I moved to her side and tilted her head up so I could see her eyes. She stopped trying to hide and pulled that old Mystique defiance out. "I do like you. I just decided to teach you a lesson. And I do not care what you think about me."

She was good. Real good. But she couldn't change her scent, and there was fear underneath her brave words as she said she didn't care what I thought. Sure she doesn't care. And Kurt isn't blue.

I leaned closer to her and whispered, "I'll be honest with you if you're honest with me, Mystique. Now, tell it straight."

Anger, suspicion, and then reluctant agreement crossed her face in quick succession. She frowned at me and fiercely said, "Fine. I like you a lot. Maybe more. I am not certain. I do want you to like me. And you smell of cheap tobacco. It is irritating my nose."

I laughed again. That was Mystique for ya. "Tough. Insulting. Overly proud. Annoying."

She rolled her eyes. "I suppose I might deserve that."

"Interesting. Fun. Likeable. Maybe even lovable, darlin'. But pushy."

She smiled, eyes shining, and then shook her head. "Logan. Has anyone ever told you that you talk too much?"

I snorted. "Nope."

"Then come here." I leaned in close, and she pulled me in for a surprisingly gentle, intimate kiss. "You do talk too much."

"Maybe," I said, clearing my throat and stretching out next to her as she yawned. "How'd your session with the elf and the others go?"

She took my hand. "I told them it was none of their business if I chose to be with Sasquatch."

"Oh, thanks," I grumbled. "Next thing, you'll tell me you want me to dye my hair orange."

She yawned again. "I am tired. Would you stay with me as I sleep?"

"You really want me to? Remember, I'm irritating." I stayed where I was.

"I have been having nightmares," she replied. "I believe having you nearby to combat them would be a good thing."

I did my best to ignore her strong scent of desire as she pulled the covers up over me. "I'm not an easy sleeper myself ... all right. Here." I moved the pillows and cushioned her head on my chest. She sighed and snuggled up to me.

What was I getting myself into? I must be a glutton for punishment. I closed my eyes and waited for morning.