Disclaimer: Several new characters are mine, including the plot. X-Men belongs to Marvel and Fox.

Du Soleil Oriental: My chapters always remain around the same size. I'm content with their size. I end them when it appears right, like a cliff- hanger or after a major event. The latter I used in chapter 7. I hope you like the Phoenix story!

Jenny: Michael, haha. I love this character, and I love the friendship he's managing with Logan too.

Boleyn08: Hello! Welcome to the stories! (: I'm glad you're liking this, and the Logan representation!

Omala Moola: More Logan and Aurora coming up! ;) (In the next few chapters =P)

Chapter 8

The staff kitchen was filled with the succulent scents of Michael's cooking, the sizzling spits of bacon mixing in with the quiet music from the radio that sat upon the blue tiled surface of the worktop. Sunlight streamed in through the leaded windows of the kitchen, spilling warm summer rays over the inhabitants. The other staff had gathered around the small table, Scott buried behind a newspaper, Logan merely looking out of the window, Aurora in his arms, and Storm was sat with a mug of coffee in her hands. Michael bent, humming merrily to a tune on the radio as he rustled through a dark oak cupboard to retrieve plates for the others.

Siren groaned heavily, head resting on folded arms, "I cannot take the smell.. oh my stomach.. oh.."

Michael chuckled gently as he turned and placed the plates on the table quietly. Logan looked up sharply at this, "Hey, Michael, there's only seven plates there."

Michael turned back to the table, blinking at Logan, "Yeah..?"

"What about Rogue? And Bobby? Them lot?"

Scott lowered his newspaper; peering over to Logan, "Xavier has relieved them from their X-Men duties."

"What?" Cried Logan, both he and Aurora looking sharply to Scott at his words. "Why?" Demanded Logan.

Storm sipped her coffee gently before replying, "After everything in England, Charles found it rational to not let them become involved which such things until more training."

Logan snorted, his arms falling from Aurora as he leant forth, "But they were doin' great! Bobby helped us loads!"

"Since the activities Rogue has restrained herself from the students. After she attacked humans at the compound she's been plagued by their memories." Explained Scott grimly in a gentle tone, his fingers lifting his tea, "Of course.." He continued with a raised brow, "You missed yesterday morning's meeting.. Yourself and Aurora were.. er.. some what occupied when I tried to fetch you."

Logan's mouth closed to refrain arguing as he heard Scott's words. He then frowned and leant back in his chair. He hadn't seen Rogue since they had returned.. and now he felt incredibly guilty. He promised he would look after Rogue, and now she was suffering awfully.. and he had completely forgotten her, "I need to go and see her." He muttered, lifting from the table. Storm's voice stillened his movement.

"No Logan. Let her sleep. It's the only time she's free from the memories." Storm softly said, "Leave her, wait till she awakens."

Logan sighed and lowered back beside Aurora, "All right.." He muttered gently, watching Michael as he placed a plate of breakfast in front of him. The traditional English works. He couldn't help but smirk; a good meaty breakfast was just what the Wolverine needed. He was not one for the cornflakes. He normally settled for a cigar and a beer. As the last of the plates were lowered, people began to tuck in. Michael threw his towel over a shoulder and hitched up his pyjama trousers as he sat and began to slice through his egg. He had made Siren a bacon sandwich rather than the full meaty n' greasy works. Siren eyed it dubiously, pulling it to her and taking a very cautious bite.

Roxanne slowly ate her food, glancing around the table at the other breakfasters. She quietly chewed before her hand outstretched to the pot of tea in the centre of the table. But just at that moment, Logan had reached by to grab the pepper pot. Their hands gently collided in a clumsy fashion, missed by the others at the table. Roxanne drew her hand away sharply, looking back down to her plate and eating in silence whilst Logan watched her from across the table thoughtfully.

Once plates were emptied, Storm rose to begin clearing the table. Roxanne lifted as Storm did and shook her head gently, "I'll do this." The silver haired woman offered, leaning in to collect the plates and glasses, "It's the least I can do."

Storm smiled gently, nodding to her, "Thank you Roxanne." She replied lowering herself to her chair once more. Roxanne nodded gently to the table members, quickly moving round and collecting the plates and other dirty items before she carried them over to place them on the shiny blue work surface. The radio beside her was still lazily uttering a delightful tune before a cheery voice popped up expressing the glorious weather for the day. Roxanne's eyes glanced down slowly at the drawers in the unit. Her fingers running gently over the handle. The music returned after the brief forecast, jauntily playing as she pulled the drawer open, and body shielding it from view of the others in the room. Her digits gently slipped in to lift the cool handle of a knife out of the culinary drawer. She watched the large blade glint in the sunlight and she quickly turned with it hidden behind her.

"I'm going to take a shower.." Explained Roxanne, "I'll see you all later, I'm sure." She added. She quickly turned out of the door beside her, smirking mischievously as she heard the farewells behind her.

Logan quietly travelled through the corridors. He breathed in mightily at the fresh morning air as he wandered across the plush ruby carpet beneath his booted feet. His hands were duly fastening up a pale grey shirt as he walked, for he had just descended from his room after showering and dressing. He knew what he had to do now. He had to see Rogue and quickly apologize for his ignorance and comfort her. She needed someone right now, and Bobby wasn't really experienced enough in matters like these.

As he came upon her door, his head leant to the woodwork and listened. He could hear movement. He turned the door handle and pushed it open, peering round the door to smile to her. Rogue was curled up in her window seat, head huddled by arms desperately. Her knees were bent and held to her bowed head. She remained silent.. until a quiet noise was heard beneath the arms. Logan's smile dropped as soon as he saw her. He pushed the door open completely to gain access before he shut it silently. Rogue hadn't noticed his entry just yet. Logan continued forth, moving towards her silently before he lowered himself beside her on the cushion of the bench. Her head sheepishly rose when he sat. She hadn't been fully crying before, but at his appearance she did now. Nervous sniffling turned to deep sobs as her arms searched forth for comfort.

Logan frowned as he watched her smaller form. He'd never seen this upset since their meeting on the train when Rogue had tried to flee from everything dear. He opened his mouth to try and offer a reassuring word, a mutter of comfort. But he wasn't one for careless whispers of soothing. He couldn't think of anything logical to say. So, he just outstretched his arms around her covered shoulders and pulled her in to a tight and warm embrace. Rogue's distress seemed to calm once she was in his strong arms. Her head nestled close under his chin, hands gripping his shirt desperately as she sniffed softly. Logan watched the crown of her brunette locks before he turned his head away with a sigh, averting his eyes out of the window of her room. His eyes watched the morning sunlight spill over the parched green lawns of Xavier's school. His attention dropped back to her after a shuddering sigh was exhaled from her heaving chest. His brow dipped some more and his head tilted to try and see her face, "Rogue?"

She responded by holding him tighter, a few sobs starting suddenly. Logan sighed gently and pulled her closer, resting his chin over her head. He vowed to take care of those rare few. His appreciation was tightly stretched over the X-Men in general, and much to his annoyance – Scott. But his true loyalties lied with Rogue, Aurora.. and possibly Roxanne. He felt her move gently under his arms. He tried a more personal approach in his speech, "Kid?"

That did it.

Rogue's head lifted from his chest and her tear sodden eyes watched him timidly. "I'm sorry Logan.." She muttered, gloved hands lifting to free hair from her forehead. Logan smiled faintly as she saw her dismay at his now damp shirt and she leant forth, brushing at the patches. Logan's sturdy hands stretched forth, one taking hers gently, holding her digits tenderly.

"I'm sorry for not seeing you sooner Marie.. I didn't know this had happened." He explained softly, watching her with a frown as he apologized. Something he rarely did.

"At least your 'ere now.." Whispered Rogue softly, a tremble still in her tone.

Logan lifted his free hand and brushed lightly at a falling tear, he ignored the gentle wrench as his finger met her flesh. His hand lowered and took her other quivering gloved fist, "What's been happenin'?"

A heavy intake of breath came from Rogue as tears threatened to restart, "At England.." She began softly, "When I wer' fightin'.. some touched me.. an' now. They're in my head. So many.. They won't go, they won't leave me alone!" She then cried, her fists shaking beneath his hands, "I keep seein' their memories! They keep playin! Not stoppin'. I get no rest. I can feel their pain, their hatred. It's awful Logan, it's terrible!" Her chest was heaving with a new verge of tears, her eyes sparkling enchantedly from the rays outside, "An' no matter what I do.. none of 'em go.."

Logan held her chose, his arms slipping back round her, "I can't say I understand.. but the torment of memories.. I deal with nightly."

"I know." Rogue whispered, leaning into his embrace, "That's why I wanted you to come.."

"Well, I'm here now.."

"I know."

"I always said I'll protect you Rogue.."

"I know you did.. I never thought I needed you.. but now I know why I do.."

They remained close, regardless of the gentle tugs of mutation every so often, "See Xavier.." Logan whispered gently in her ear, "Let him help you.."

"I will.."

There we go! How'd you like?