Disclaimer: I don't own any X-Men, the creators ::cough::Marvel::cough:: would probably sue the pants off me if I said I did....so I won't.

Summary: Alt. Reality. After a long absence, Logan returns to a place of fond memories where someone he loved was left behind.

Pairing: Logan/Ororo.

Note: This is an alternate reality fic, in which the characters we know and love are not mutants.

2ndNote: The entire story is only a few chapters, and it's all finished so I'll probably update either every other day or when I get a review or so. Enjoy!

The Barn

Chapter 1: Homecoming

An old '63 Chevy pick-up poked out from under broken boards, hay, and whatever debris remained from the old barn. Dull grey primer and rust covered the aged truck, and it looked like it had definetly seen better days, but surprisingly it had survived while the supposedly sturdy barn had crumbled to the ground. Outside there was a tangle of pale brownish overgrown grass poking out all over the place, and a dusty old dirt road with tall weeds and more browning grass all around the edges. Barely anyone came around this particular Arkansas County, and the area had been run down for a couple years.

As the sun began to set, a loud rumble could be heard in the distance, getting louder and closer to the old barn. Soon a motorcycle could be seen making it's way down the winding dirt road, dust clouds swarming the rumbling bike and settling while the vehicle came to a halt just outside the barn's crumpled opening. The engine soon winded down as the dusty rider shut down the loud motorcycle, and an eerie silence hung in the air as the light breeze stilled and the tall brown grass stopped swaying. The leather jacket wearing rider patted at his shoulders and chest, soft puffing clouds of dust appearing in the air at his attempt to clean himself off a bit. He slowly plucked the dusty sunglasses from his face with a calloused hand and tucked them away in an inside pocket of his leather jacket. Squinting his dark hazel eyes, the rider took off his bowl-shaped black helment, letting his wild black hair flow freely as he shook his head. The severe scruff and mutton-chops on his face were equally dusty, as was his chin from the long ride that had taken him to the old barn. A sudden memory that was once thought long-forgotten soon came forth in the man's brain and he found himself staring at the barn entrance, transfixed on the delapidated sight.

"Logan, why don't you come down from there and take a break. You've been working on that roof all day!" a beautiful young woman with long, flowing white hair and a soft, light brown complexion called from the ground, shielding her eyes from the sun as she looked up toward the roof of the tall barn. Her flowing off-white sun dress swayed behind her in the breeze, giving her a very angelic appearance.

"A'right 'Ro, I'm comin' down." Logan gave in, as was usually something he couldn't help when his fiance was ever-so-sweetly asking something of him. He gave a partial grin, then climbed to a careful standing position on the slanted roof as he reached for a few scattered tools. Crouching closer to the roof and reaching for the hammer that had slid down toward the ledge, Logan stretched his arm while balancing himself to reach it.

"Careful," Ororo warned as she watched him struggle to reach the fallen tool.

Logan began to tighten his grip on the hammer as soon as his fingertips touched the handle, but as he began pulling it toward him he lost his footing and slipped, then slid right off the roof with a shocked yelp.

Ororo shrieked in horror as she watched him fall, but couldn't force herself to look away. There was nothing she could do. He hit the ground with a sickening thud and the deadening crack of breaking bones. "Logan!" she cried out with teary eyes as she flung herself beside him.

His eyes opened moments after his fiance was beside him, but he couldn't speak right away. Logan just felt like he had the wind knocked out of him, but he didn't yet register any other pain and figured he must have been in shock. His head felt fuzzy, but he managed to focus on Ororo, her eyes immediately telling him things were worse than he thought. Carefully tilting his head to the side, he saw his right leg, even though he knew rightly from the angle his head was tilted, he shouldn't have been able to. The limb was twisted at a sickly angle, and he could just make out the white, blood-spattered bone sticking out from his flesh.

Logan had broken his right leg and three ribs that spring, but the doctors said he was lucky not to have snapped his spine. That didn't make him feel any better, but it wasn't the broken bones that angered him. He was just mad that he wouldn't be able to finish up the barn's new roof. He had to call upon his friend Peter all the way over in the next county for help. Logan had tried several times to climb back up on the roof to help his friend, even while his leg cast was still on, but Ororo had kept him grounded until he fully mended and assured him Peter would be able to finish the job.

As the memory passed, Logan absently rubbed at his right shin before dismounting the bike and leaning it against the kickstand. He set the helmet down on the leather seat and strode toward the collapsed entrance of the barn. He patted the hood of the old Chevy that poked out of the rubble, then began dragging off the broken boards and debris. After he had cleared the way enough so he could get to the driver's side, he thrust the door open, wincing slightly as it creaked and rust particles dusted the ground. He sat down on the old seat, dust clouds puffing up from the old material. Coughing a few times as he swatted his hand to disperse the dust, Logan left the door open and leaned back in the seat while gripping the steering wheel.

He just sat there awhile, looking out the dirty windshield and holding onto the steering wheel. Finally he reached into his left pocket, producing a set of old bronze keys. Sticking the keys into the ignition, Logan turned them and attempted to start the old truck. He wasn't surprised when the engine wouldn't turn over and plucked the keys out before returning them to his pocket with a sigh. He got out of the Chevy and slammed the rusty door shut before returning to his motorcycle and mounting the bike. Clapping his hands on his worn jeans to get rid of more road dust, Logan started up the bike, twisting the throttle as he knocked back the kickstand and sped off down the dirt road from where he came.

The house that was previously near the old barn seemed as if it had burned down long ago, judging by what little remained of a the crumpled foundation and the burnt, broken boards and debris that was scattered about. He had some good memories of that house and the barn, but there were some he cared more to forget. Sometimes the good memories just made him feel worse about what happened, and those he would have rather forgot too, but he couldn't. Nope, of course the ones he didn't want to think about would come to surface at the wrong moments.

- - - - -

Pulling the motorcycle onto a narrow side road that seriously needed re-paving, Logan drove up to a well-kept yellow farmhouse with cream-colored shutters and a matching wrap-around porch with flower boxes on the ledges. As he killed the Harley's engine, he took in a long breath and let it out slowly while dismounting and nudging the kickstand down with his foot. Logan's boots clanked heavily on the planks of the porch steps as he cautiously approached the door. Just as he raised his arm to knock, the screen door flung open as someone from within started speaking.

"Can I help - " the woman's voice trailed off as she took sight of the man on her porch. She absently brushed a stray white hair from her face, mouth hanging open in a gasp that never passed her lips. "Logan?" The name squeaked out in a scratchy whisper of disbelief. "Is it really you?"

His brows quivered a moment and he gave a slight nod, clearing his throat. "Yeh 'Ro...it's me."

Silent tears trailed slowly down her cheeks and her lower lip trembled. "I - you - it's been five years...." she finally managed, a million thoughts running through her mind.

"I know," Logan looked down, focusing on the scuffed toes of his boots. He cleared his throat again roughly, hoping that his voice wouldn't crack. After five years he was still desperately in love with her.

"After you were recalled to the army....then..." Ororo's scattered thoughts were running a mile a minute. She swiped a hand over her teary face. She just wanted to reach out and touch him to make sure he was really there. "The accident...It was supposed to be a simple scouting mission right?" she cleared her throat, willing herself not to just break down and start bawling her eyes out. "First..they told me you were dead....then you were in a coma...." Ororo put a hand over her mouth, trying to stop her ramblings.

"Three years..." Logan said quietly, his head still bowed for a moment. When he looked up, his eyes were a little watery, and he suddenly wished he'd stopped some place to clean himself up some before going to see her. He tapped the left side of his head. "Still got the bullet." he smiled a crooked half smile before his expression turned grim. Ororo hadn't said anything further, and when Logan spoke again his voice sounded much softer, sadder. "Took me two years jus' ta get the courage ta come down here." Logan looked down again and wasn't sure what Ororo would say. He was almost afraid she'd turn him away, tell him to get lost.

She took in a shaky breath and closed her eyes a moment. "I'm sorry I never went to visit you after you came out of it..." Ororo pursed her lips and sadly cast her eyes downward. She nervously fingered a silver chain around her neck.

Logan couldn't help but notice that the chain she wore had the engagement ring he gave her on it, but he didn't say anything. His brows furrowed and he sighed softly, raising his chin. "I don't blame ya....You probably jus' wanted ta get on with yer life."

Ororo met his gaze again, and even though she tried to fight it, more tears ran down her cheeks. She felt so guilty. Why didn't she just stay with him?

Logan distantly recalled the letter he'd gotten in which Ororo told him she was breaking off the engagement. It was soon after she found he'd recovered from his three-year coma. It was devastating news, but he learned to accept it, or atleast pretend he did. She'd fallen in love with another man after being told by doctors her fiance wouldn't survive. "So, how's Scott?" Saying that name caused some bitterness to slip into Logan's words. He hadn't really known the man, only that he raised cattle over in the next county and was a business partner with his friend Peter.

"Oh, I'm not sure. We broke up last year and he moved to the city." There was a touch of sadness in Ororo's voice, but it wasn't because of Scott. It was because she felt bad speaking about her relationship with him to Logan. It was because she still had feelings for Logan that she chose not to move to the city with Scott, therefore breaking off their relationship.

"Hmph." Logan just grunted softly, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket. What the hell am I doin' here? He thought to himself somberly. Did I think she was jus' gonna jump inta my arms an' everythin' would be like it once was? Who'm I kiddin'? Why the hell am I here disruptin' her life? What right do I have? He was suddenly jostled from his thoughts at the sound of Ororo's gentle voice.

"Um, why don't you come on in?"

Logan suddenly felt a sharp pain in his head and grimaced for a moment until it quickly passed. "Nah, it's okay. I don't wanna bother you an' yer mother."

"My mother passed away about a month ago." she said sadly. Ororo rubbed her arms then smiled nervously like she didn't know what else to do.

"I'm sorry." Logan said, scratching the back of his head.

Ororo nodded. "Yeh, well....she left this house to me, but I can't afford to keep it up. I'll have to sell it." she frowned slightly, then stepped aside, still holding the door open. "Come in okay? Please?"

Logan really wanted to stay around her, and he didn't want to refuse, so he stepped inside tentatively. He was met with the old familiar smells of Ororo's mother's house; cinnamon and freshly baking cookies, even if there weren't any cookies in the oven. Logan stood there a moment until Ororo had closed the door, then he followed her toward the kitchen as she passed him, trying not to meet his eyes. He took a seat at the table and absently ran a hand over the edge of the smooth wood. He remembered when he'd built that table for Ororo's mother years ago after an unintended brawl had broken out between Logan and Ororo's ex-boyfriend and they haddestroyedthe old kitchen table. A brief smile broke out on Logan's face at the memory.

Ororo must have noticed the far-away look on his face because she suddenly asked, "What is it?"

"Hm?" Logan looked up and shook his head, his face giving way to a stoic expression. "Oh, nothin'."

Going over to the counter to prepare some fresh coffee, Ororo was soon halted by Logan.

"Ya don't need ta make a fresh pot fer me. B'sides, it's gettin' late an' the stuff keeps me up." he partially smiled and Ororo returned the gesture and sat down across from him.

She'd only been making coffee because it was the only thing she came up with to do, as per usual when she had guests, which was rarely. Ororo didn't even feel like having coffee either. She soon adapted a curious and concerned expression when she noticed Logan wince and put a hand to his head. "Are you alright Logan?"

"Yeh." He grunted softly and cleared his throat, his face still slightly twisted in a pain. He tapped lightly at the left side of his head. "Bullet still gives me one helluva headache sometimes." he grimaced, then rubbed at his head.

Ororo pushed her chair back from the table and stood up. "Want me to get you an Aspirin or something?"

"Uh, no," Logan shook his head and reached out to stop her. "I'll be a'right in a minute." He realized that he'd grabbed her forearm and shamefully pulled away as if his touch would somehow damage her soft skin.

Ororo blushed slightly. She then just realized how much she missed his gentle touch, the warmth of his rough skin on hers. A tear threatened to force it's way out, but she pushed it back and looked away for a moment, unable to face him without fond memories of their past relationship surfacing. But she was remembering them anyway.

"You're late," Ororo scolded softly as Logan walked in the door and made his way into the kitchen. The smell of a slow-cooked roast wafted in the room, and the table had already been set for two.

"Sorry darlin', long day at work." he apologized sincerely, striding toward his beloved fiance and snaking his arms around her waist.

Ororo revelled in the warmth of his strong arms wrapped around her, leaning her head against his shoulder and holding him back. "Mm, as long as you're here now."

"I better go." Logan's voice broke through her thoughts, but Ororo suddenly felt like she was still within the memory.

"But you just got back," she said with a touch of longing in her voice, then shook her head to clear away the remnants of the memory. "I mean, you just got here." Ororo corrected softly.

Logan stood up and rubbed his head again, the headache finally fading. He cleared his throat, then tried for a smile but ended up making it seem regretful and sad. "I know...." he sighed. "I - I shouldn't have come here. I don't wanna be wreckin' things for you now when you're life's settled down already."

Ororo forced back tears again as she watched him walk away. Then the sound of her pleading voice surprised even her. "Logan, wait!"

He turned around in the doorway, one foot already on the wooden planks of the porch outside. He blinked, somewhat shocked to see that longing look in Ororo's eyes.

She calmed her voice before speaking again. "Do you..." she took in a deep breath. "Do you have a place to stay for the night?"

"Uh.." Logan froze. He didn't want to get his hopes too high and think that maybe, just maybe she was slowly starting to see him the way they used to be. He blinked a few times, mentally shaking his head but not doing so physically. No, he thought. It's never gonna be the way it used ta be. We're never gonna be us the same way anymore. "I haven't really thought that far ahead," he finally answered dumbly. What kind of idiot travels over a few states with no plan? He paused in his thoughts, then mentally answered himself. This kind of idiot.

"Why don't you sleep here. In the spare room?" Ororo suggested a little too quickly, but she found that Logan didn't really notice. She wanted to be close to him again, she wanted him to be around her. But was this moving too fast? She hadn't seen him in five years. After she found out about the accident and that he may not recover, Ororo couldn't bring herself to visiting him in the military hospital. She didn't want to see him like that. If he was going to die, she wanted to remember him how he was before, not lying comatose in a bed with breathing tubes and bandages all around his head.

Logan cleared his throat, unsure for a moment if he had heard her right or not. "I...I don't wanna impose any more than I already have." he said lowly.

"It's okay," Ororo detected the sadness in his tone. He felt rejected, like he shouldn't be there, and she felt responcible for that. She shuffled her feet a little and began to approach him slowly, stopping a few feet away. "I mean, there's not really anything for you to disrupt...I haven't been up to much lately." She managed a little smile as their gazes locked.

"Uh..." Logan scratched at the back of his head, feeling the grit in his hair through his fingers. He really could use a good place to stay and clean up. "Alright..." he answered slowly, then moved his hand from the back of his head to his neck and rubbed it. He jerked a thumb out the door toward his motorcycle where his saddlebags held his few belongings. "I'll jus' get some o' my stuff."

Ororo nodded with a tight smile, trying not to seem too eager. What am I doing? She thought as she watched him head toward his bike. I've missed him so much more than I could ever say....But what do I do about it? She debated whether or not to express how much she'd missed Logan while he walked back into the house and set his bags down on the floor. Before she realized what she was doing, Ororo flung her arms around his neck and rested her head briefly on his shoulder. "I missed you Logan." she said quietly and a little teary-eyed.

He stiffened at her sudden actions, then relaxed a little. He didn't want to get too caught up in the moment since all he wanted to do was hold her tight and never let go. Logan patted her back gently and uttered quietly, "I've missed you too 'Ro." He gave a short nod as she pulled away with a small smile.

"Well, I'll go prepare the spare room," she said quickly, swiftly walking away and leaving Logan standing there, slightly confused.

- - - - -