Marie stood on the soap and let Storm sew the final hem.  It was Wednesday afternoon.  On Saturday, she was getting married.  That night was the rehearsal supper at the Princess Club and Marie was inexplicably nervous about how it would go, after all it was only the rehearsal.

"So, where do you want to go tomorrow night?" Storm asked as she sewed.

"Tomorrow?  What's tomorrow?" Marie asked.

Storm laughed, "Your bachelorette party, silly. We decided on tomorrow so we can have our fun and not be hung over on Saturday."

Marie let out a small laugh, "I see the wisdom in that."

"After Jean's we learned out lesson," Storm informed her biting off a thread and patty Marie's calf, "All done, Sweetie.  Take a look."

Marie carefully stepped off the step and surveyed herself in the mirror.  The gown was gorgeous; she looked beautiful and felt beautiful in it.  It was white silk that fell to the floor in delicate folds.  The bodice was tight and accentuated her curves and cleveage and the skirt puffed out from the waist and sloped to the floor in delicate folds of lace.

"You're beautiful, Rogue," Storm whispered.

"Do you really think so?" Marie asked, eyeing herself in the mirror.

"You're exquisite, you're going to be such a beautiful bride," Storm assured her, giving her a quick hug, "Now step out of this.  We have to get ready for the rehearsal."

"I hope Scott and Logan get back in time," Marie drawled, "It'll be hard to rehearse without Logan."

"No reason to worry about that kid," said Logan from the doorway, "We're back, mission accomplished  with plenty of time to spare.  You look…you are so gorgeous, Marie."

Marie smiled her special smile she saved only for Logan, "Thank you, it's the dress."

Logan shook his head, "Nah, I think it's the whole package," he said gently a blush in his cheeks, "What kind of attire is required for this shindig."

"Well, the rehearsal is pretty informal," Storm answered for her, "but the supper after is at the Princess Club, so you might want to borrow something."

Logan nodded, "Okay, so I'll see you later?"

Marie smiled again and nodded, "Rehearsal is at Our Lady of the Lake Church, it starts at six."

Again Logan nodded before departing for his room to get himself ready for the rehearsal.  Halfway there Scott and Kurt cut hi off in the hallway, "Logan," Scott said pulling him into the room he shared with Jean.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Logan asked the men.

"What do you think we're doing?  We're getting you ready for your last chance to win Marie," Scott replied, "Tomorrow night is Cliff's bachelor party and Marie's bachelorette.  You won't see her again until her wedding day."

"Guys, the whole image thing, it didn't work.  Marie saw the good guy Logan and was no more interested in him than in bad guy Logan."

Kurt rolled his eyes and Scott sighed, "Look, either way tonight is the last chance you will have to win Marie," Scott said, "Make the most of it."

Logan contemplated his options for a moment.  He could hold his piece and let Marie marry Cliff or he could tell Marie how he felt and break her heart and his.  But, it would break his heart if he didn't tell her he had to tell her, "Okay, Scott, where's the gel?"

At five minutes after six, the bridal party was assembled in the rear of Our Lady of the Lake Church, listening to the priest and wedding coordinator instruct them on how to walk down the aisle.

"All right, Jubilee you lead off the ladies and you begin walking down on the one of the third eight, Kitty you begin on the one of the fourth eight, Jean, you follow Kitty going on the one of the fifth eight, and finally Ororo, you bring up the rear on the one of the sixth eight.  Any questions?" the director asked.

"Yeah," said Jubilee, "How do I know what the one of the third eight is?"

"After the music starts, count to sixteen in your head," the director advised, "Now after Ororo get about half way down the aisle, these doors will close and the music will change fro Canon to the traditional wedding march. That's when you, Marie and your dad…"

"Oh, my Dad's not giving me away, he's passed.  This is my friend Logan," Marie explained to the woman.

"All right then.  Logan  you will stand here on the right side of the church and Marie you're on the left side of the church.  Your walk pattern is the same as your bridesmaids, Marie, right together, left together.  Count it off in your head, one and two and one…" she instructed, "Ready to try it?  Good."

The women lined up in the order they were given and waited for thewedding director to start the CD.  Once she did, Jubilee counted to sixteen and started off the procession which went off perfectly on the first shot.

Once Marie and Logan reached the alter, Ava instructed, "Now, Logan you stand with Marie until the Priest asks, 'Who presents this woman to this man?' Your obvious response is of course, 'I do.'  Then you lift the veil off Marie's face, kiss her cheek, and sit on the first pew to your left.  Got it?  Try it."

The rehearsal moved on uneventfully and was followed by the rehearsal supper at the Princess Club, where a fine meal was served.  Cliff and Marie smiled at each other and kissed occasionally through her scarf while the party swirled around them.

Logan sat in his assigned seat next to Jean and silently studied Rogue.  She looked happy.  She was smiling, she even laughed a few times, but the warmth of the smile never reached her eyes.  Those beautiful eyes would glow and light up when they shared a moment, so why not now hen Marie was sharing time with her fiancé.

"Make your move after the toast," Kurt whispered as he passed Logan's chair.

Just then Cliff tapped his wine glass with his shrimp fork, "Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please?"

All heads turned to Cliff and the table grew silent, "On behalf of my beautiful bride to be and myself, I'd like to thank you all for being here tonight to share this might with us.  Each one of you has been a special part of our individual pasts and we hope you'll all be special parts of our collective futures.  Here's to all of you!  Cheers!" Cliff proclaimed and took a sip of his wine.

The guest started to chatter again, "Hey, hold on, we're not done yet," Marie answered as Cliff was about to tap his glass again.

"Thank you, Darling," Cliff acknowledged, "Next, I'd like for every one to raise your glasses to my lovely bride.  Marie, you've made my world brighter, my heart lighter, and every day a glorious adventure.  I love you with all my heart and soul, and I can't wait until I make you my bride.  Here's to you, Marie."

Echoes of "Cheers" and "Here, here," were heard before Marie rose up her eyes dull instead of shining, but her cheeks were red with embarrassment, "Um, well, again, I'd like to thank everyone for everything they've done.  Ororo for the gorgeous wedding gown and for being the best maid of honor in the entire world, Jean, Kitty, and Jubilee for being such terrific bridesmaids and friends.  Scott, Kurt, and Professor for beoming like uncles and fathers to me, Bobby and John for becoming like brothers, and finally Logan, for being the best friend I've ever had, for being everything I needed and ever wanted in a friend, I love you guys. Here's to you all.  Cheers!"

Once again the group sipped their drinks and waited for Marie's toast to Cliff, "Cliff," she began, "You are my life's partner, my greatest confidant, and my dear friend.  Thank you for being everything you are.  Here's to you."

The toasts were completed and the dinner chatter resumed about the table until bobby began his DJing task. 

"Ladies and gentleman, a party ain't a party without music, so let's get this party started," Bobby announced.

I'm comin' up so you better get this party started
I'm comin' up so you better get this party started

Get this party started on a Saturday night
Everybody's waitin for me to arrive
Sendin' out the message to all of my friends
We'll be lookin flashy in my Mercedes Benz
I got lotsa style, check my gold diamond rings
I can go for miles if you know what I mean
I'm comin' up so you better get this party started
I'm comin' up so you better get this party started

Pumpin up the volume, breakin down to the beat
Cruisin' through the west side
We'll be checkin' the scene
Boulevard is freakin' as I'm comin' up fast
I'll be burnin' rubber, you'll be kissin' my ass
Pull up to the bumper, get out of the car
License plate says Stunner #1 Superstar

I'm comin' up so you better get this party started
I'm comin' up so you better get this party started
Get this party started

Makin my connection as I enter the room
Everybody's chillin as I set up the groove
Pumpin' up the volume with this brand new beat
Everybody's dancin and their dancin for me
I'm your operator, you can call anytime
I'll be your connection to the party line

I'm comin' up so you better get this party started
I'm comin' up so you better get this party started
I'm comin' up so you better get this party started
I'm comin' up so you better get this party started
Get this party started
Get this party started right now
Get this party started
Get this party started
Get this party started right now

Marie and her bridesmaids got up from the table to start dancing.  Cliff studied her as she did that, his eyes holding a hint of anger in them.  Logan didn't know what caused it, but he knew who it was directed at, Marie.  Cautiously, Logan took a seat besides Cliff.

"There's a toast I'd like to make," Logan sighed sitting next to Cliff, "To the luckiest man in the world. To you, Clifford," Logan acknowledged with his beer.

"Yeah," Cliff grumbled, "I'm lucky."

"You are," Logan affirmed, "In two days you are going to become responsible for the only thing I've cared about in a very long time. Take care of her, make sure she's happy and safe, because if you ever hurt her and I hear about it, I'll kill you.  Okay, buddy?" Logan smiled an almost evil smile at Cliff before leaving the groom to admire the bride.

Logan watched Marie as she danced, her beautiful body swaying to the music, her gorgeous smile lighting up the room, if only her eyes would shine like they should on a bride-to-be.

Once Bobby slowed the music down, Logan knew that this time, this song, was the way to approach Marie.

As the strains of the Pretenders, "I'll Stand By You" began to play, Logan took Marie in his arms and once again began to turn her around the dance floor.

Oh, why you look so sad?
Tears are in your eyes
Come on and come to me now
Don't be ashamed to cry
Let me see you through
'cause I've seen the dark side too
When the night falls on you
You don't know what to do
Nothing you confess
Could make me love you less

I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you

So if you're mad, get mad
Don't hold it all inside
Come on and talk to me now
Hey, what you got to hide?
I get angry too
Well I'm a lot like you
When you're standing at the crossroads
And don't know which path to choose
Let me come along
'cause even if you're wrong

I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
Take me in, into your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you

And when...
When the night falls on you, baby
You're feeling all alone
You won't be on your own

I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you

I'll stand by you
Take me in, into your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you

They danced in silence.  Logan let the lyrics and his arms speak for him as he held her tightly.  Marie listened to the words and the beating of Logan's heart, "I'll stand by you" she knew he would, she knew she would stand by him, even if…

Marie pressed her cheek against the lapel of Logan's jacket, and he felt how tightly she was holding on to him and the heat of her tears through his clothes.  "What's wrong, Baby?" he asked near her ear.

"Not here," she managed, hiding her face again.

Logan skillfully danced Marie to the open balcony doorway and led her outside where it was private and she could talk to him.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, "I didn't think I'd get so emotional."

Logan pressed her head to his shoulder, "its okay, Kid.  It's perfectly understandable, a wedding is stressful and so much is changing for you.  It's okay."

Marie nodded a bit and sniffled, "I'm scared, Logan," she confided after a few minutes.

"Nervous you mean?" he asked for clarification.

"No, scared," Marie affirmed, "of so many things."

"What kinds of things?" he asked gently.

"Of not being everything Cliff expects me to be as his wife, of being out in the real workd again, of being exposed, and mostly, I don't know, I'm afraid of losing my identity with him of being Cliff's wife Marie, instead of Marie, Cliff's wife, you know?"

Logan nodded, "You don't have to go through with it you know?"

"Logan how could you even suggest that I…"

"You know how, Marie," Logan interjected, "you know me," he said turning to her so their eyes met.  "No one before you ever really knew one, Marie,and no one ever will, not on such…not at such an intimate level.  And I know you, I know you better than anyone else ever did, better than that David person, better tan all the X-geeks, better than Cliff will ever hope to know you."

"No," Marie protested loudly, "you don't know me."

"Yes, I do.  Yes, I do.  You don't want to think I do because of how much it scares you, but I do know you Marie," Logan protested, "and I know…" he paused.  This was his last  chanced and he was blowing it, "Come with me," he finally said.

"Where? Logan, I'm…" Marie began running a hand across her forehead.

"I don't know where.  No where.  Anywhere, just come with me," he said reaching for her gloved hand, "You know we're meant to be together, you knew it back in Laughlin City, two years ago, and now I know it too.  I knew it, then I just couldn't realize it then and I left but I'm here now, and…" he took a deep breath, "I love you Marie."

"Logan, no, pleases," Marie protested trying to pull her hand form his grasp, "I can't here this now.  I'm getting married in three days.  I loved you for two years every day, never hearing from you.  I loved you never even knowing if you were dead or alive, getting nothing in return, never asking for anything in return," Marie took a deep breath, tears were streaming down her cheeks, "Until you showed up here, ten days before my wedding, then I asked you to give me away at  my wedding, my wedding to a man who loves me, who cherishes me, and you can't even do that for me without tearing my hear tout in the process."

 Marie was sobbing now, nearly collapsing in hysterics.  If Logan had not been holding her arm, she would have, "I'm sorry, Marie.  I'm so sorry for all of those things, but I'm here now, you can count on me now.  I promise you."

Marie shook her head, "No!  Logan I'm marrying Cliff on Saturday.  He's the man inmy life now.  He loves me, he really loves me."

"I really love you," Logan protested, "I do."

"You thin you do," Marie countered, "but you can't love until you find yourself and you still haven't done that.  I still want you to be my friend, and give me away, but I don't want you in my life in any other way," Marie explained evenly finally composing herself again, "I'm marrying Cliff on Saturday, and I'll accept whatever that entails and I'll be happy."

Marie pulled out of Logan's grasp and turned to walk back into the party.

"You can't marry him, Marie," Logan called after her, "You don't love him."

Marie paused and turned around to face Logan as she answered, "No," she said evenly, "but I chose him."