One week later the wedding was still on and the mansion was a buzz with pre-wedding festivities and plans.  Logan hardly said Marie at all in the last seven days and he desperately wanted to spend some time with her.  How could she learn to love his new "good guy" image if she never was around him?  Yet, it seemed between his classes, her classes, Ororo and Cliff; they never had time to be with each other.  Heaven forbid a mission in there, and then for sure time was scarce.

Finally, exactly ten days before Marie's wedding day, Logan managed to corner her outside in the garden.

"Hey, Kid," he greeted, "what's the sudden interest in the gazebo?"

"Oh, Cliff thought it would be a great place for the wedding ceremony," Marie replied.  "I'm just trying to decide if all of the bridal party should go with us or just Ororo and Cliff's brother."

"It's kind of small, Marie," Logan replied giving it the once over, "probably just you two, the preached, and the best man and maid of honor should.  It would be too crowded other wise," he observed.

"That's what I was thinking," Marie replied, "What brings you out here?"

"I missed you.  We haven't talked in a while," Logan reminded her, "I wanted to see, uh, that is if you aren't busy, if you wanted to do something tonight? You and me?"

"Oh, um, sure," Marie answered, a slight smile spreading across her face, "Where?"

"There's a nice place, um, Italian I think and they have a band.  It's about fifteen minutes from here," he explained, "I thought I'd take you there. How's seven?"

"Sure," Marie quickly agreed, "Seven is great.  Meet in the lobby?"

Logan nodded his agreement, "Can't wait," he replied sincerely.

Ororo Munroe was in her room at six that evening when Marie came to her door.

"Ro," she practically shrieked, "you have to help me decide what to wear."

"Hmm? Cliff doesn't care you all ready got him," Ro laughed.  Rogue never cared about fashion before.

"Not Cliff," Marie corrected, "Logan and I are having supper. We haven't spent much time together since he's been back," Rogue told her.

"Yeah, but what does Cliff think about that?" Ororo asked.

'Ro, Logan is still a dear friend and I want him in my life," Marie replied, "If Logan stays this time, Cliff will have to deal with our friendship."

Storm sighed, "All right, let me see the black one."

"Thanks," Rogue smiled and disappeared into Storm's bathroom to try on her black dress.

At seven Logan waited for Marie in the school lobby.  He wanted so badly to tell her how he felt, but, as much as he hated to admit it, Scott was right.  Girls like Marie married the good guy, the polished hero, not the Walkaway Joe.  Before he told her he had to prove her that he could be the good guy.

In preparation for their dinner date, Scott and Kurt gave him a make over.  They tamed his unruly hair with what seemed like an entire can of mousse and a can and a half of hairspray. He would have to be careful when lighting up.  Oh, wait, he was quitting.  He forgot.  They also made him wait to the last minute to shave so that his cheeks were clean shaven and smooth.  Scott loaned him some clothes that were made of actual cloth and Kurt gave him a few etiquette lessons.  Things he needed to know, like how to hold her chair, how to take her coat; how to use his hand to guide her by the small of her back…all things gentlemen know how to do to impress a lady.

Now he waited for his lady fair to emerge from her room.

Marie was fashionably late for her meeting with Logan as she was with Cliff.  At 7:05 she ran her comb through her hair one last time and descended to meet Logan.

Logan's breath caught when he saw her, a vision in black satin and lace.  Marie's hair was pulled up into a twist in the back of her head with two white steaks brushing across her forehead and across her cheeks.  Her cheeks and lips were tinted red with slight makeup and the dress she chose clung to her ample curves.  It was floor length, straight and came up to her neck.  The back was opened and it was sleeveless so her arms were exposed.  She wore long lace gloved over her arms and a sheer body stocking under the gown so it covered her back to avoid accidents. 

Marie saw Logan, hair neat, clean shaven, in khaki pants and blue sports blazer. She's never seem him look better, cleaner.  Would it be too much to hope it was for her?

"You look beautiful, Marie," Logan told her lifting one gloved hand to his lips, "Shall we?" He bent his arm and offered it to her.

"Yes," she replied taking it, "You clean up well."

"Thank you," Logan replied, Kurt's lessons playing over in his head.  "So, you ready for some fun?"  This was so awkward.  It shouldn't be, it was Marie.

"Yeah," she replied with a smile, "let's go.  I've been waiting all day."

Logan used one of the Professor's cars to drive Marie to their destination instead of Scott's bike.  Another step in the image softening process.

The drive was about twenty minutes so Logan turned on the radio.  A fast paced Whitney Houston song pumped out.  The lyrics were so appropriate for their individual thoughts.

Clock strikes upon the hour
And the sun begins to fade
Still enough time to figure out
How to chase my blues away
I've done alright up to now
It's the light of day that shows me how
And when the night falls, loneliness calls

Oh wanna dance with somebody
I wanna feel the heat with somebody
Yeah wanna dance with somebody
With somebody who loves me
Oh wanna dance with somebody
I wanna feel the heat with somebody
Yeah wanna dance with somebody
With somebody who loves me

"Do they have dancing where we're going Logan?" Marie asked as the car moved steadily along the road.

"I think they do," he replied.  "Why?"

"Cause," she shrugged and blushed a bit, "Cause I'm not really that much of a dancer."

"If you're not much of a dancer, than why does it matter if they have dancing?" Logan asked, a glint in his eye.

"Cause, the other night when we were dancing, I did enjoy it," she admitted, "and I wanted to maybe…if you wanted to…"

"Marie, it's me," Logan told her, "you can just ask me.  You don't have to dance around it, no pun intended."

Marie didn't say anything more, she just studied her hands.

I've been in love and lost my senses
Spinning through the town
Sooner or later the fever ends
And I wind up feeling down
I need a man who'll take a chance
On a love that burns hot enough to last
So when the night falls
My lonely heart calls

Oh wanna dance with somebody
I wanna feel the heat with somebody
Yeah wanna dance with somebody
With somebody who loves me
Oh wanna dance with somebody
I wanna feel the heat with somebody
Yeah wanna dance with somebody
With somebody who loves me

Logan studied Marie, disturbed by her shyness and her manner.  It was him, him.  He was the one who protected her, who sheltered her when she had no one else, now she was acting like she was afraid of him, like she was walking on eggshells.  He didn't like that at all; he didn't like the feeling that it gave him.

He listened to music in the car, he wanted to dance with Marie, but he didn't want to do a waltz or a Hustle, he wanted to do an ancient dance of love and companionship, but for now, he'd settle for doing it ballroom style.  Whatever Marie wanted he would give her.

"Marie, I'd love to dance with you.  Anytime, anywhere," Logan replied.  "We're going to have fun tonight.  Trust me."

"I do," she replied with a small smile.

Logan and Marie arrived at the restaurant a few minutes later and were seated quickly.  Logan noticed Marie was reading the menu from right to left, "Marie, don't worry about that.  The sky is the limit tonight," Logan told her.  "Nothing is too good for you."

"You make me feel so special, Logan," Marie smiled, "I missed  you when you were gone.  But I have to ask you something."

"Ask away," Logan told her.

"What's with the jacket and tie, the hair, the shaving…it's not you.  What's going on?"

"So much for shyness," Logan thought, but he said, "Nothing, Marie.  Felt it was time for a change that's all.  Plus, you don't want the Wolverine walking you down the aisle, do you?"

"I want you walking me down the aisle, Logan, I don't care what you look like or what you wear," she told him, "I like you are you are inside.  I don't care about the outside."

The rest of meal involved calm chitchat and mindless banter.  The band played brilliantly and proved the ambience they needed for their meal.  The evening was perfect. 

As Logan escorted Marie to the exit, she pulled lightly on his arm.  "There's something else I wanted to do that we didn't get to do yet," Marie said.  "Come on."

Marie led Logan out to the dance floor and he held her close to his body.  Slowly they moved in time to the music.

Swaying room as the music starts
Strangers making the most of the dark
Two by two their bodies become one

I see you through the smokey air
Can't you feel the weight of my stare
You're so close but still a world away
What I'm dying to say, is that

I'm crazy for you
Touch me once and you'll know it's true
I never wanted anyone like this
It's all brand new, you'll feel it in my kiss
I'm crazy for you, crazy for you

Logan held Marie as if she would break. She was so small and precious in his arm.  He inhaled the scent of her hair, strawberry.  He liked strawberry it was feminine without being overwhelming. 

He watched the strangers on the floor.  They were holding each other trying to become one body instead of two.  He wanted that with Marie, he wanted this to be about love, not friendship or security.  He wanted to tell her, but he still had work to do.

Trying hard to control my heart
I walk over to where you are
Eye to eye we need no words at all

Slowly now we begin to move
Every breath I'm deeper into you
Soon we two are standing still in time
If you read my mind, you'll see

 

I'm crazy for you
Touch me once and you'll know it's true
I never wanted anyone like this
I'ts all brand new, you'll feel it in my kiss
You'll feel it in my kiss because
I'm crazy for you
Touch me once and you'll know it's true
I never wanted anyone like this
I'ts all brand new, you'll feel it in my kiss
I'm crazy for you, crazy for you
Crazy for you, crazy for you

It's all brand new, I'm crazy for you
And you know it's true
I'm crazy, crazy for you

Marie's heart was pounding in her chest, being this close to Logan stirred all kinds of new feelings in her, feelings she never felt for Cliff, feelings she knew she'd never feel for anyone but Logan.  She also knew he'd never feel those feelings for her.

Marie pulled out of  Logan's arms as soon as the song ended, "That was nice.  I'm tired I want to go."

"Are you all right?" Logan asked, following quickly as she walked off.

"I'm fine, I'm just tired," Marie answered, "I want to go home."

Logan followed her and helped her into the car.  He didn't like the change it was too sudden.  He tried three more times to talk to her, but she didn't really respond.  She just lay her head against the window and let the tears fall.

"Marie?" he asked one last time, "What is it?  What did I do?"

"Everything is not about you, Logan!" she exploded, "You didn't do anything.  I didn't do anything.  Nothing is wrong.  Now stop asking me questions and leave me alone all ready!"

With that Marie ran down the lane to the mansion, sobbing.  Logan walked slowly behind, three metal claws emerging unconsciously from his hand.  This was not the way it was supposed to turn out.  Not at all.