Logan was in the Professor's office early the next morning with one subject on his mind, Marie's wedding. The Professor was not surprised to see him there and motioned for him to sit down.

"Good morning, Logan," he greeted pleasantly.

"I'll cut to the chase, Chuck," he almost growled, "who's this guy and why is he marrying Rogue?"

"There are several answers, Logan. He's Cliff, he's a banker with a secure future and he's marrying Rogue because he cares for her and she said yes," Professor Xavier responded all ready knowing and sharing Logan's fear.

"How long has she been with this guy? What does she know about him?" Logan asked, 'What do you know about him?"

"It's almost a year now, Logan," Xavier replied "and I've not found reason to be alarmed. Cliff has a clean past."

"I don't like him," Logan almost pouted, "I don't trust him around Rogue."

"Logan, you often say people fear what they don't understand. Perhaps you should try to understand Cliff," the Professor suggested.

"Rogue's just a kid," Logan continued pretending he didn't hear the Professor's suggestion, "Don't you think she's just a kid?"

"No," Xavier replied, "Rogue's a woman now, just as sure as you and I are men. No one could help but become one after what she's gone through."

"And what would that be?" Logan asked.

"That would be for Rogue to explain," Xavier told him.

"I thought you might say that," Logan grumbled rising to leave, "One more thing, what were you people thinking letting her get married."

"She's an adult, Logan. The only hope we have to protect her is to support her, keep her close. If we push too hard Rogue's likely to run out the door marry the kid, and never come back again," Professor Xavier explained, "Discretion is the better part of valor."

Logan understood that. Marie had a wild spirit; she was passionate, reactionary, and stubborn. If she wanted to do something bad enough or hard enough, she'd do it, in spite of other people. That's part of what he loved about her. "Loved? Don't go there, Logan," he scolded himself.

"Logan," Xavier suggested, "why don't you get to know Cliff. You may feel better then."

"I doubt it," Logan replied, "but I do want to talk to him."

"I doubt it, too," the Professor silently agreed as he watched Logan's retreating back.

Ten hours later Logan sat in a posh Westchester restaurant across from Cliff feeling and looking very out of place. He was wearing jeans, a tee shirt, and leather jacket, along with a really smelly, very ugly tie the restaurant supplied. Cliff had chosen the place.

"I'm very glad we're getting to do this, Logan. I know Marie wouldn't' feel completely right about the wedding unless we had your blessing," Cliff smiled lucking his napkin on his lap.

"Yeah, well I wouldn't feel completely right about the wedding unless I got to know you," Logan replied, "then I still won't be sure."

"Well, hopefully. I can alleviate whatever fears or doubts you may have about us, Logan," Cliff said, "Marie, talks about you so much. She sits a very high store by you. Says you saved her life. Twice."

"It was nothing you wouldn't have done, I'm sure," Logan baited, "anyway, she saved mine."

"Marie, um, told me about her powers, that she can drain life forces and...I think she thought it would spook me."

"Does most people who don't understand mutations or mutants," Logan replied, "Why weren't you spooked by it?"

"I was all ready enamored with Marie the person before I found out about Marie the mutant," Cliff replied, "She's had it rough. I want her to have a good life."

"I want that too," Logan nearly whispered, "How did you and Marie meet?"

"We were in a pub on the east side of Westchester. Marie's car had a flat and I had a jack in my trunk. Next thing I knew we were in a revival house for a midnight movie. She had such a cute little laugh. I knew then I had to be with her, "Cliff explained, "Now we're inseparable. And I know Marie had dreams about being a journalist and I'm going to do my best to be supportive of her dreams, she's a very gifted writer."

Two words crossed Logan's mind. Bull and shit. This guy was full of it. Yes, Marie was talented and all those things Cliff said, but he would not be supportive of her dreams. Cliff didn't know her dreams, only he, Logan, knew her dreams.

"What about you?" Logan asked. "What do you do?"

"I'm President of a banking franchise that just exploded into Westchester. Its secure future," Cliff told him. "You know Professor Xavier and Scott all ready gave me the third degree."

"I know, but now it's my turn," Logan replied.

"I don't see why you should get a turn," Cliff argued, "you were gone, out of Marie's life for two years. Now you want to come back and run it."

"Marie understands why I was gone and I'm not trying to rule her. I'm trying to protect her," Logan said evenly, "Now you listen up, I'm back in Marie's life as long as she wants me there. I promised I'd take care of her, I'm doing that. So, if you dare hurt her, upset her, if you even so much as harm a hair on her head, you're mine. I don't like you, I don't know you, and I am watching you. You got that?"

Logan didn't give Cliff a chance to answer before he got up, knocking Cliff's glass of white wine in the process, "Nice meeting you," Logan said on his way out the door.

Back at the mansion, Rogue had gone to her room early. Ororo wanted to get up early and go to the beauty shop for a trial up do with her veil . Sometimes she wished she just eloped with Cliff and got it over with. But part of her wanted a big wedding.

She was tired, but she wanted to wait up for Logan. Logan insisted on dinner with Cliff and knowing Logan as she did, she knew it wouldn't go well. Logan had a temper and Cliff was jealous of him, jealous of the faith she had in him, or the love she desired from him. But it was Cliff she chose, Cliff who was there when her parents died, it was Cliff who stuck around.

Marie heard the motorcycle engine die. She got out of bed ran a comb through her hair and headed for the kitchen. If she happened to run into...

"Logan!" she smiled literally, running into him, "How was dinner?"

"Logan!" she smiled literally, running into him, "How was dinner?"

"Stuffy," he replied, "he made me wear a tie."

"Well, it's good practice," Marie smiled, "You'll have to wear a tux at the wedding."

"I'm not wearing a tux," Logan declared, "No way."

"Come on, Logan. The bride's father always wears a tux to..."

Logan cut her off, "Well I'm not the bride's father. Am I?"

"You know what I mean, Logan," Marie rolled her eyes, "So did you like him?"

"Marie, what's important is, do you like him? Do you love him?" Logan neatly turned the questions.

"I asked you first," Marie countered, "It is important to me. What do you think?"

Logan looked at Marie, he beautiful eyes wide. She wanted him to like Cliff, he didn't have the heart to tell her the truth, "I think he's great. I'm happy for you, Marie."

Part of her wanted Logan to forbid her from marrying Cliff. She wanted him to say he loved her and she should be with him. Another part thought was happy Logan approved was thrilled he gave his blessing because if she couldn't have Logan one way, she wanted him another.

Marie put her arms around Logan's neck and quickly kissed his cheek, "Thank you. You don't know what that means to me," she told him before heading off to her room.

"I have a feeling I do," Logan said softly patting the spot Marie just kissed before bounding out the door, "Logan couldn't sleep he was too wound up. He went to the kitchen for a soda and saw Scott there.

"How did you like Cliff?" Scott asked, when Logan sat in front of him.

"I'm not sure he's good for Ma...Rogue," Logan replied not feeling up to a battle with Scott.

"We weren't either when we first met him," Scott said, "But he treats her so well, and he cares for her. It's what she needs. It's what she deserves, someone who cares for her."

"I care for her," Logan said almost involuntarily.

"I know," Scott sympathized, "but are you good for her?"

"She cared about me. I know she did. I know she does," Logan mumbled, not really talking to Scott.

"She does, Logan," Scott replied, "but you see you're the fantasy guy; the one every girl dreams about catching. You're hard, mysterious, and even dangerous but Logan girls dream about the dangerous guy. They marry the good guy and Cliff's the good guy."

Logan slowly nodded, "I know. But still Rogue's way to spirit for this guy. He's totally wrong for her. I give it two weeks tops, one week."

Scott shook his head, "It will last Logan. Rogue's happy. Let her be happy," With that, Scott finished his drink and headed for bed.

Logan sighed and thought about what Scott said. He was a dangerous guy, rough, hard, but he wasn't a bad guy. He didn't hurt people on purpose, he didn't cheat or lie...He could be the good guy. And if Marie wanted the good guy, his mind was made up. He'd become the good guy. Conversation over.