Cliff moved over to Rogue's side immediately, "Hello, I'm Cliff. Marie's
fiancée."
Before Logan could answer or even process what Marie and this Cliff person had just dropped on him, he was bombarded by face, familiar and otherwise, welcoming him back to the mansion or just trying to get a look at the famous Wolverine. As usual, the Professor recovered his physical voice first, "Welcome back, Logan. It's good to have you back."
"Never thought I'd say this, but it's nice to be back," Logan replied studying the faces around him. There was Jean, holding hands with Scott. He smelled another scent on her and a quick look down at her middle revealed she was indeed expecting a child, not soon, but she was expecting just the same. He looked to their right to see Storm. She'd cut and tamed her hair some since he'd last been hear, but the smile on her face told him that she was in particular glad to see him. He knew she didn't like him much, so her joy must have something to do with Marie. Then his eyes fell on the students he remembered, Bobby, the one that had been sniffing around Marie when she had first arrived. Jubilee, the perky somewhat radical Asian student, and Kitty, the cute bouncy brunette who could walk through walls; all three were smirking and nudging the other.
Finally, his eyes fell on the newcomers; there was a very tall muscular kid maybe Marie's age, maybe a bit older and a blue guy who, was weird looking even by X-men standards. Logan turned his attention on him, "Who are you?"
"My name is Kurt Wagner," he replied, "But in the Munich Circus..."
"He was known as the incredible Nightcrawler," the whole room chorused and Logan could only guess how many times they'd heard that before.
Logan only nodded, finally turning his attention back to Marie, "So, little Marie's all grown up, huh? When's the wedding?"
Marie felt her heart break, right in that instant. She expected a lot of reactions out of Logan, questions, anger, maybe a claw or two or six, but never just a plain "when's the wedding?" It was like he didn't even care at all.
"Three weeks from Saturday," she replied.
"So this is sort of an engagement party then?" Logan asked taking the banner, the cake, the music and the attire of those gathered around him.
"Yeah," Marie smiled and hugged him again, "and now it's perfect."
Logan rocked her for a second before he placed a chaste kiss on the top of her silky hair, "Congratulations," he said with a sad smiled, "I don't want to interrupt."
"You're not," Cliff told him, "It's the only thing she's really wanted for the wedding. I'm just glad she got what she wished for. She deserves it."
Something about this guy made him want to puke that or unleash his claws and well...this was Marie's day, he didn't want to ruin it for her. She did deserve better than that.
"Come on," Marie smiled tugging on his hand, "let's get you something to eat and drink."
For the remainder of the night Logan drank beer and watched as Marie danced with Cliff, then Bobby, then Cliff, then Kurt, then Cliff, there was a pattern forming there. Finally, Bobby, who'd been serving as a sort of DJ for this shindig announced the last dance.
Logan was not a dancer, he hated everything about dancing, the rhythm, the closeness, the touching, but suddenly as the strains of REOSpeedwagon began to play, he felt his body almost move itself to Marie's side.
Cliff was about to take her hand and claim this last dance, but Logan appeared and quietly took her away from his grasp before the man could even protest.
I can't fight this feeling any longer
And yet I'm still afraid to let it flow
What started out as friendship has grown stronger
I only wish I had the strength to let it show
Logan pulled Marie close to him, listening to the words of the song. They seemed to echo what was in his heart. He couldn't fight it anymore, that's why he came back. But, not that he was here, with her seeing how happy she was with the Cliff guy, he was afraid to let her know what he felt for her was definitely more than the brotherly friendship they'd shared, afraid that she'd reject him, afraid of getting hurt. He was not strong enough to bear the pain of that happening, of definitively losing Marie for ever. He just was not strong enough.
I tell myself that I can't hold out forever
I say there is no reason for my fear
Cause I feel so secure when we're together
You give my life direction, you make everything so clear
Being in Logan's arms was the most natural feeling for Marie. He made her feel safe, secure, something she never truly felt with anyone but him, not even Cliff, not even her family when she lived home had given the warm feeling she got with Logan. She had wanted to tell him how she felt, a hundred times, a thousand. She knew she had no reason to be afraid of him, that even if he didn't return her feelings he wouldn't mock her or humiliate her. She knew she had no reason to be afraid of the man who made her know what her purpose was in this world.
And even as I wander I'm keeping you sight
You're a candle in the window on a cold, dark winter's
Night
And I'm getting closer than I ever thought I might
"A day never passed when I didn't think about you, Marie," he confessed his voice so soft she barely heard it. "It was like I somehow knew that you'd still be here for me, like you'd always..."
"I was always here for you, Logan," she told him, "I just hope you found what you were looking for."
And I can't fight this feeling anymore
I've forgotten what I started fighting for It's time to bring this ship into the shore
And throw away the oars forever
Cause I can't fight this feeling anymore
I've forgotten what started fighting for
And if I have to crawl upon the floor
Come crashing through your door, baby, I can't fight this
Feeling anymore
Logan looked at her beautiful woman's face. She'd grown a woman's face, a woman's body, a woman's heart. This was no longer the Marie he knew, but she was a kid, she was still a kid. She had no business getting married to anyone, especially so guy he didn't know and didn't approve of. He'd have to talk her out of this, talk to her. He'd do whatever he had to do to get her to listen. She was too young to get married to this guy, just too young.
My life has been such a whirlwind since I saw you
I been running around in circles in my mind
And it always seems that I'm following you, girl
Cause you take me to the places that alone I'd never find
Marie knew what Logan was thinking. He was in her head. She knew he didn't like Cliff from first sight. She knew that he didn't trust him with her, and she knew that he was going to try to talk her out of marrying him. She knew he thought she was too young to make this kind of commitment, and normally, he'd have been right.
But her life had been out of control since they met in that bar in Laughlin City, and now she felt that she needed the stability that Cliff offered. She craved it. It was like for the past two years she'd been running in circles, spinning on her ear, now finally; she was able to stay in one place.
Logan too felt out of control, but in a different sense. He had been out of control for most of his remembered life, but now he felt that being with Marie was his central force. It seemed that no matter where he went she was with him, it seemed that no matter what he was seeking, he was in a way following her, following her lead, seeking acceptance. It only took him a little longer to find it. Maybe, the whole time, she knew the way to that place, to that acceptance that he was afraid he'd never find. Looking around him now, he knew he, they, had found it.
And even as I wander I'm keeping you sight
You're a candle in the window on a cold, dark winter's
Night
And I'm getting closer than I ever thought I might
So, he decided he'd stop wandering, he stop looking for the past and fight for what he had now in his arms. He was going to fight for Marie. He was going to make her see that this was the wrong idea, a bad idea. Then he was going to do what he'd vowed to do all along, protect her, keep her safe, and be her friend. That was all it could be, she was so young, but at least, with him, she was safe enough.
The song ended and Marie and Logan noticed that no one else was dancing except for them. Cliff came over to Marie and raised the delicate scarf she had around her neck and kissed her on the mouth, "That was beautifully done, Darling," he whispered, "now I think it's time we said goodnight to our guests."
Marie followed Cliff obediently and bit farewell to those who did not reside within the mansion, including her fiancée. This process seemed to take forever, but finally Marie headed off in the direction of the kitchen. Alone. Logan took the opportunity to follow.
"Hey, Kid," he said in the doorway, "got another one of those for me?" he asked, referring to the iced tea in her hand.
"Sure," she replied and poured him a glass, "I'm really glad you came home, Logan."
"Listen, Kid..."
"I'm not a kid," she cut him off; "In three weeks I'm going to be a married woman."
"Marie, you are a kid," Logan told her, "You're not more than seventeen."
"Eighteen," Marie corrected, "old enough to be drafted, vote, and get married."
Logan knew that this was not going to be easy; in fact it was going to be very hard. Marie's guard was up; she was protecting herself, her decisions from him. He'd have to play this differently.
"So, where have you been for the last two years?" Marie asked, sipping her drink.
"Everywhere. Nowhere," he replied, "It doesn't matter; it was a waste of time anyway."
"You didn't find what you were looking for?" Marie asked face falling into a frown.
"I thought I did, but, Kid this ain't about me. It's about you," Logan told her. He was not going to let her off easy, "Who is this Cliff guy? What do you know about him?"
"Cliff's a banker from New York City. He's moving to a branch in Westchester. We met at a bar..."
"He...what were you doing in a bar, Marie?" Logan growled, "You're not twenty- one, you're barely eighteen."
"You met me in a bar when I was barely sixteen, Logan," Marie reminded him.
"Yeah, but that was different, you were running then," Logan tried to justify it.
"Who's to say I wasn't running now?" Marie shot back, "It can get pretty lonely around here, even if it is filled with people."
"I'm sorry, Marie," he said, his voice holding great remorse, "I promised to protect you and I didn't protect you. I just..."
"Relax, Logan, you have nothing to apologize for," Marie told him, "It's not all about you, you know?"
"Then why," Logan began fingering the dog tags around her neck, "do you still where these?"
Marie didn't answer that. She knew why, but Logan wouldn't understand. He didn't understand. He never would.
"You told me to keep them for you," she replied removing the tags and handing them back to him, "I did that."
"I also told you to be careful, Marie, and what do I come back to find? You getting married to...Marie he's a human."
"He loves me," she countered, "Why is that so hard for everyone to accept?"
"Everyone?" he questioned, so he wasn't the only one who didn't trust this guy.
"The Professor and Jean at first, but now they...he's a good man, and he loves me. Is that so impossible to believe?" she asked, tears threatening to spill over.
"No, Marie, it's just...you are so young...and he is..." He didn't know how to put it.
"Logan, I love Cliff, I do. And I want to get married to him. Everyone likes him and trusts him now and we're all working together to make this a beautiful wedding. There is nothing I want more on this earth than for you to be there and walk me down the aisle on my wedding day, and I truly would like to have your blessing on this. You gave me back my life, you saved my life, twice and I owe you for that. I want your blessing Logan, but I don't require it, nor do I require your permission. I'm getting married, Logan, and I wish you'd be happy for me."
Logan watched Marie rinse out her glass and get ready to retreat upstairs. He knew she didn't need his permission, and what did he expect that after two years, she'd just fall into his arms and declare his love. She never really loved him, it was a teenage crush. She was over it now, and had a woman's love in her heart. And not for him.
He wanted her to return his feeling, no matter how in appropriate, but more than that he wanted her to be happy. So he stopped her with a light touch on her hand before she retreated upstairs, "If you love him so much, Marie, I know I'll at least tolerate him. But I want to talk to him, meet him. Cause if he hurts you..." he unsheathed a claw in silent declaration.
Marie placed her scarf over his mutton chop and kissed his cheek, "Thank you Logan. I'm so glad you're home."
"Me too, Kid," He told her, with a quick hug, "Me too."
Before Logan could answer or even process what Marie and this Cliff person had just dropped on him, he was bombarded by face, familiar and otherwise, welcoming him back to the mansion or just trying to get a look at the famous Wolverine. As usual, the Professor recovered his physical voice first, "Welcome back, Logan. It's good to have you back."
"Never thought I'd say this, but it's nice to be back," Logan replied studying the faces around him. There was Jean, holding hands with Scott. He smelled another scent on her and a quick look down at her middle revealed she was indeed expecting a child, not soon, but she was expecting just the same. He looked to their right to see Storm. She'd cut and tamed her hair some since he'd last been hear, but the smile on her face told him that she was in particular glad to see him. He knew she didn't like him much, so her joy must have something to do with Marie. Then his eyes fell on the students he remembered, Bobby, the one that had been sniffing around Marie when she had first arrived. Jubilee, the perky somewhat radical Asian student, and Kitty, the cute bouncy brunette who could walk through walls; all three were smirking and nudging the other.
Finally, his eyes fell on the newcomers; there was a very tall muscular kid maybe Marie's age, maybe a bit older and a blue guy who, was weird looking even by X-men standards. Logan turned his attention on him, "Who are you?"
"My name is Kurt Wagner," he replied, "But in the Munich Circus..."
"He was known as the incredible Nightcrawler," the whole room chorused and Logan could only guess how many times they'd heard that before.
Logan only nodded, finally turning his attention back to Marie, "So, little Marie's all grown up, huh? When's the wedding?"
Marie felt her heart break, right in that instant. She expected a lot of reactions out of Logan, questions, anger, maybe a claw or two or six, but never just a plain "when's the wedding?" It was like he didn't even care at all.
"Three weeks from Saturday," she replied.
"So this is sort of an engagement party then?" Logan asked taking the banner, the cake, the music and the attire of those gathered around him.
"Yeah," Marie smiled and hugged him again, "and now it's perfect."
Logan rocked her for a second before he placed a chaste kiss on the top of her silky hair, "Congratulations," he said with a sad smiled, "I don't want to interrupt."
"You're not," Cliff told him, "It's the only thing she's really wanted for the wedding. I'm just glad she got what she wished for. She deserves it."
Something about this guy made him want to puke that or unleash his claws and well...this was Marie's day, he didn't want to ruin it for her. She did deserve better than that.
"Come on," Marie smiled tugging on his hand, "let's get you something to eat and drink."
For the remainder of the night Logan drank beer and watched as Marie danced with Cliff, then Bobby, then Cliff, then Kurt, then Cliff, there was a pattern forming there. Finally, Bobby, who'd been serving as a sort of DJ for this shindig announced the last dance.
Logan was not a dancer, he hated everything about dancing, the rhythm, the closeness, the touching, but suddenly as the strains of REOSpeedwagon began to play, he felt his body almost move itself to Marie's side.
Cliff was about to take her hand and claim this last dance, but Logan appeared and quietly took her away from his grasp before the man could even protest.
I can't fight this feeling any longer
And yet I'm still afraid to let it flow
What started out as friendship has grown stronger
I only wish I had the strength to let it show
Logan pulled Marie close to him, listening to the words of the song. They seemed to echo what was in his heart. He couldn't fight it anymore, that's why he came back. But, not that he was here, with her seeing how happy she was with the Cliff guy, he was afraid to let her know what he felt for her was definitely more than the brotherly friendship they'd shared, afraid that she'd reject him, afraid of getting hurt. He was not strong enough to bear the pain of that happening, of definitively losing Marie for ever. He just was not strong enough.
I tell myself that I can't hold out forever
I say there is no reason for my fear
Cause I feel so secure when we're together
You give my life direction, you make everything so clear
Being in Logan's arms was the most natural feeling for Marie. He made her feel safe, secure, something she never truly felt with anyone but him, not even Cliff, not even her family when she lived home had given the warm feeling she got with Logan. She had wanted to tell him how she felt, a hundred times, a thousand. She knew she had no reason to be afraid of him, that even if he didn't return her feelings he wouldn't mock her or humiliate her. She knew she had no reason to be afraid of the man who made her know what her purpose was in this world.
And even as I wander I'm keeping you sight
You're a candle in the window on a cold, dark winter's
Night
And I'm getting closer than I ever thought I might
"A day never passed when I didn't think about you, Marie," he confessed his voice so soft she barely heard it. "It was like I somehow knew that you'd still be here for me, like you'd always..."
"I was always here for you, Logan," she told him, "I just hope you found what you were looking for."
And I can't fight this feeling anymore
I've forgotten what I started fighting for It's time to bring this ship into the shore
And throw away the oars forever
Cause I can't fight this feeling anymore
I've forgotten what started fighting for
And if I have to crawl upon the floor
Come crashing through your door, baby, I can't fight this
Feeling anymore
Logan looked at her beautiful woman's face. She'd grown a woman's face, a woman's body, a woman's heart. This was no longer the Marie he knew, but she was a kid, she was still a kid. She had no business getting married to anyone, especially so guy he didn't know and didn't approve of. He'd have to talk her out of this, talk to her. He'd do whatever he had to do to get her to listen. She was too young to get married to this guy, just too young.
My life has been such a whirlwind since I saw you
I been running around in circles in my mind
And it always seems that I'm following you, girl
Cause you take me to the places that alone I'd never find
Marie knew what Logan was thinking. He was in her head. She knew he didn't like Cliff from first sight. She knew that he didn't trust him with her, and she knew that he was going to try to talk her out of marrying him. She knew he thought she was too young to make this kind of commitment, and normally, he'd have been right.
But her life had been out of control since they met in that bar in Laughlin City, and now she felt that she needed the stability that Cliff offered. She craved it. It was like for the past two years she'd been running in circles, spinning on her ear, now finally; she was able to stay in one place.
Logan too felt out of control, but in a different sense. He had been out of control for most of his remembered life, but now he felt that being with Marie was his central force. It seemed that no matter where he went she was with him, it seemed that no matter what he was seeking, he was in a way following her, following her lead, seeking acceptance. It only took him a little longer to find it. Maybe, the whole time, she knew the way to that place, to that acceptance that he was afraid he'd never find. Looking around him now, he knew he, they, had found it.
And even as I wander I'm keeping you sight
You're a candle in the window on a cold, dark winter's
Night
And I'm getting closer than I ever thought I might
So, he decided he'd stop wandering, he stop looking for the past and fight for what he had now in his arms. He was going to fight for Marie. He was going to make her see that this was the wrong idea, a bad idea. Then he was going to do what he'd vowed to do all along, protect her, keep her safe, and be her friend. That was all it could be, she was so young, but at least, with him, she was safe enough.
The song ended and Marie and Logan noticed that no one else was dancing except for them. Cliff came over to Marie and raised the delicate scarf she had around her neck and kissed her on the mouth, "That was beautifully done, Darling," he whispered, "now I think it's time we said goodnight to our guests."
Marie followed Cliff obediently and bit farewell to those who did not reside within the mansion, including her fiancée. This process seemed to take forever, but finally Marie headed off in the direction of the kitchen. Alone. Logan took the opportunity to follow.
"Hey, Kid," he said in the doorway, "got another one of those for me?" he asked, referring to the iced tea in her hand.
"Sure," she replied and poured him a glass, "I'm really glad you came home, Logan."
"Listen, Kid..."
"I'm not a kid," she cut him off; "In three weeks I'm going to be a married woman."
"Marie, you are a kid," Logan told her, "You're not more than seventeen."
"Eighteen," Marie corrected, "old enough to be drafted, vote, and get married."
Logan knew that this was not going to be easy; in fact it was going to be very hard. Marie's guard was up; she was protecting herself, her decisions from him. He'd have to play this differently.
"So, where have you been for the last two years?" Marie asked, sipping her drink.
"Everywhere. Nowhere," he replied, "It doesn't matter; it was a waste of time anyway."
"You didn't find what you were looking for?" Marie asked face falling into a frown.
"I thought I did, but, Kid this ain't about me. It's about you," Logan told her. He was not going to let her off easy, "Who is this Cliff guy? What do you know about him?"
"Cliff's a banker from New York City. He's moving to a branch in Westchester. We met at a bar..."
"He...what were you doing in a bar, Marie?" Logan growled, "You're not twenty- one, you're barely eighteen."
"You met me in a bar when I was barely sixteen, Logan," Marie reminded him.
"Yeah, but that was different, you were running then," Logan tried to justify it.
"Who's to say I wasn't running now?" Marie shot back, "It can get pretty lonely around here, even if it is filled with people."
"I'm sorry, Marie," he said, his voice holding great remorse, "I promised to protect you and I didn't protect you. I just..."
"Relax, Logan, you have nothing to apologize for," Marie told him, "It's not all about you, you know?"
"Then why," Logan began fingering the dog tags around her neck, "do you still where these?"
Marie didn't answer that. She knew why, but Logan wouldn't understand. He didn't understand. He never would.
"You told me to keep them for you," she replied removing the tags and handing them back to him, "I did that."
"I also told you to be careful, Marie, and what do I come back to find? You getting married to...Marie he's a human."
"He loves me," she countered, "Why is that so hard for everyone to accept?"
"Everyone?" he questioned, so he wasn't the only one who didn't trust this guy.
"The Professor and Jean at first, but now they...he's a good man, and he loves me. Is that so impossible to believe?" she asked, tears threatening to spill over.
"No, Marie, it's just...you are so young...and he is..." He didn't know how to put it.
"Logan, I love Cliff, I do. And I want to get married to him. Everyone likes him and trusts him now and we're all working together to make this a beautiful wedding. There is nothing I want more on this earth than for you to be there and walk me down the aisle on my wedding day, and I truly would like to have your blessing on this. You gave me back my life, you saved my life, twice and I owe you for that. I want your blessing Logan, but I don't require it, nor do I require your permission. I'm getting married, Logan, and I wish you'd be happy for me."
Logan watched Marie rinse out her glass and get ready to retreat upstairs. He knew she didn't need his permission, and what did he expect that after two years, she'd just fall into his arms and declare his love. She never really loved him, it was a teenage crush. She was over it now, and had a woman's love in her heart. And not for him.
He wanted her to return his feeling, no matter how in appropriate, but more than that he wanted her to be happy. So he stopped her with a light touch on her hand before she retreated upstairs, "If you love him so much, Marie, I know I'll at least tolerate him. But I want to talk to him, meet him. Cause if he hurts you..." he unsheathed a claw in silent declaration.
Marie placed her scarf over his mutton chop and kissed his cheek, "Thank you Logan. I'm so glad you're home."
"Me too, Kid," He told her, with a quick hug, "Me too."
