**Her Touch**
Danielle woke up in her own bed, without a guardian for once. Logan was always there when something happened to her. Then it dawned on her, he had been hurt, and was probably in the infirmary. Oh, god! Logan, was he okay? She jumped out of bed and dressed quickly. She orbed herself into Logan's room. She wasn't surprised when she found it empty, and his bed obviously hadn't been slept in. She ran out of his room, and slammed right into Scott.
"Whoa, hey, slow down, you had a rough night," he said as he caught her. She obviously just woke up, her hair was a wild mess, and she was bare foot. He could see that she was upset. "What's wrong?"
"Logan, he was hurt. Where is he?" she asked.
Uh, oh. He should have known she would be looking for Logan. "He's in the infirmary," he said, but she disappeared before he finished.
*****
"If you don't get out of my way, Hank, you and me are going to go a few rounds," Logan growled angrily.
"Get back in that bed, Logan. Danielle is fine, you are not," Hank barked. Hank rarely allowed glimpses of his inner Beast, but Logan had pushed his buttons. The man had been in agony off and on all night. Right now he felt fine, but any moment, the pain would return, and he would be howling.
"I'll heal, it's just taking a little longer this time," Logan said, rather unconvincingly, as he doubled over in pain again. He made an odd sound like a growl crossed with a whimper.
"Yes, I can see you're just fine," Hank said dryly.
When Dani arrived in the infirmary, her ears were assaulted by the sound of Logan's suffering. She ran to the bed. "Logan! Oh, Logan, I'm sorry I wasn't here," she exclaimed. "Hank, what's wrong with him? He should have healed by now."
His body is fine, his adamantium implants are holding some of that charge, and releasing it into his system. He is essentially electrocuting himself every few minutes," Hank explained.
"Dr. McCoy, please excuse us," Dani said curtly.
Beast was not offended. Danielle was the only one who could help Logan. He left the infirmary without another word.
Logan was writhing in pain, and Dani could see the tiny tongues of electricity crackling across his skin. "Glad to see you're okay," he grunted tenderly through gritted teeth.
"Logan, I know you're hurting, but please try to keep still," she said softly. She reached out her hands and gently pulled the charge from him. Her eyes took on that mysterious violet glow, along with her hands. His body immediately relaxed, and he collapsed back into his pillow, utterly exhausted. He was panting, and trying to catch his breath.
"Dani…" he tried to speak between breaths, but was worn out.
Dani didn't respond anyway, she was still using her power on him. He started to feel warm, and his breathing became normal.
"Its okay, Dani. I'm all right. You can stop now," Logan said with a hint of panic in his voice. He didn't want to cause her pain.
She still didn't stop. Dani kept staring blankly with those glowing eyes, and healed him, completely. He felt the exhaustion leave him, and his strength return. He felt fantastic, like he'd just had a restful night's sleep. Oh, baby stop, please, it's hurting you.
Dani finally stopped. Her eyes stopped glowing, and seemed glazed over, like she wasn't even there. Her knees started to buckle, but Logan caught her. He laid her on the bed he had just occupied, and wiped the sweat from her forehead.
"All better now?" she asked, barely above a whisper.
Logan looked down at her, tears in his eyes, "Yeah, baby, all better," he said tenderly. He watched her smile warmly, and then pass out. He couldn't stop the tears. He had felt her, when she'd healed him, and she was never as completely open with him as she was just then. He felt her love wrap around him like a blanket, warming him. Even as she took his pain into herself he heard her calming voice, I love you, Logan. Everything's going to be okay. She had shown him her soul, and he was completely blown away.
Hank walked in to check on the progress. He'd had a feeling that Dani would put everything into healing Logan. He needed to check her energy levels. He looked at Logan, and was amazed to see tears. And even more startling, Logan wasn't embarrassed by them.
"Pretty intense, huh?" Hank asked.
"You have no idea," Logan said as he wiped his cheeks. "You think you know a person, and then they go surprising you, and it just gets to ya," he added thoughtfully.
"Sounds like you got more than healing," Hank said.
"You might say that," Logan agreed. "She all right?"
"Her energy level is low, but still in the safe range. I'll just plug her in, and let her rest," Hank said nonchalantly.
Logan's eyes narrowed on the big blue man, "Excuse me, what did you say?"
"Oh, yeah. You didn't hear about my new Danielle recovery device. Essentially, we run a low voltage current through the metal frame of the bed. It's not enough to hurt anyone, but it is enough for her body to gradually recharge during her sleep," Hank explained.
"Can you rig one for her bedroom?" Logan asked, suddenly enthusiastic about the idea.
"I've been working on that. It's a little bit complicated though. I gather Danielle doesn't always sleep alone?" Hank interjected delicately.
Logan gave him a look that answered that question.
"I see. Well, being as conductive as you are, I don't recommend it. You didn't seem to enjoy being a battery, so I think we'll have to come up with something else," Hank explained.
Logan was lost in thought. He watched Danielle sleep. He found himself in this position often, and wished they could get a handle on that weird mutation of hers. She was sleeping her life away, and he missed her.
"Logan, she'll be asleep for a while, why don't you go to breakfast?" Hank suggested.
"Yeah, I think I will. You'll keep an eye on her for me?" Logan asked as he cocked a brow at the resident doctor.
"Count on it," he said smiling. "Oh, and Logan, you might want to get dressed first."
Logan chuckled, "Yeah, I forgot I was only wearin' my drawers." He put on his Jeans and left.
*****
Logan carried his tray over to the adult table. Jean, Scott, Storm, Kurt and the professor all looked up. Logan took a seat between Kurt and Xavier.
"It's good to see you recovered so quickly, as usual," Storm said casually.
"I didn't. Dani healed me," Logan said, a little more harshly than he'd intended. It was still tearing him up inside. She shouldn't have taken it so far. Once she pulled the energy from him she should have stopped. He had a healing factor, he would have been fine. Why did she do that? She didn't have to.
Jean looked at him sympathetically. She understood what a personal experience that was. For Logan, it must have been even more intimate. Jean had watched them together, and it was like looking at herself and Scott, a few years ago. Love had been new and fresh, and made each day an adventure. She envied them.
"Logan," Xavier said, interrupting everyone's thoughts, "we were just discussing how we might celebrate Danielle's birthday. Do you have any suggestions?"
"When is it?" Logan asked, suddenly very interested.
"Today," Scott said. His expression was unreadable, but he was annoyed. A boyfriend should know those things.
Xavier gave Scott a warning glance, and a quiet telepathic rebuke, Danielle doesn't even remember, give the man a break.
"It's Danielle's birthday today?!" Rogue exclaimed when she overheard. "Let's have a big party!"
"Party? For who?" Jubes and Kitty asked as they came over to get in on the gossip.
As the girls giggled and planned, Logan scowled. A more private celebration had been what he had in mind. Perhaps candlelight and soft music, and he would make love to her. Maybe he would love her once for each year. Ugh! Down boy! He needed to think about something else.
"I think a party is an excellent idea. It will make her feel welcome here, as part of the family," Jean said.
"We got enough time to plan that?" Scott asked.
"Of course," Storm said enthusiastically.
"Absolutely," Jean agreed.
"So what do we need to do?" Logan asked, giving in to the majority. He could act on his fantasy another time. Dani could use a party.
"You keep Danielle out of the gallery," Jean said.
"She'll be out for at least a couple hours," Logan said.
"The party will be around six o'clock, so keep her occupied elsewhere," Xavier said.
"Take her shopping or something," Rogue suggested. "Get her a birthday present," she added, giving him a sly smile.
Hmmmm. Not a bad idea.
*****
Dani woke feeling surprisingly refreshed. She glanced around and saw Beast sitting at the computer playing a card game. He turned and smiled. "Only two hours recovery, you're improving," he said.
"I actually feel pretty good, how's Logan?" she asked.
"He's fine. I sent him off to breakfast," Beast said. "I'd like to check your energy level. I added a special feature to this bed, and I want to see how well it worked."
"Special feature?"
"I just ran a little electricity through the frame, I want to see if you absorbed any," he explained. He checked the numbers and there was a definite marked improvement. "Good news," Beast said triumphantly, "it worked."
"Great, Doc. Can I go now?" she asked anxiously.
"Yeah, you can come with me," Logan said as he strode into the infirmary. He was carrying her boots, socks, jacket and a hairbrush. "Here, get yourself together, toots, we're going to town," he said with a grin.
"Toots?" Dani asked with a smirk. "So what should I call you, Snookums?"
Logan gave her a look that said I dare ya to try it, and Beast just chuckled. Dani quickly brushed her hair, and put on her boots. Logan led her to the garage, careful to avoid running into anyone. Dani went straight to the motorcycle.
"You want speed or comfort?" he asked with a brow cocked playfully as he pointed to the Jeep.
"How about both?" Dani asked as she pointed to the red convertible sports car parked beside it.
Logan smiled wickedly at the thought of taking another one of Scooter's toys on a joyride. He didn't have a key, and hated the thought of hot wiring it in front of Dani. It just didn't seem right. Just when he thought he was going to have to break it to her that it wasn't his toy, Scott walked in.
"It sticks a little between first and second gear," he said casually as he tossed Logan the keys. "Don't grind any gears." He looked over at Dani and they shared a little smile.
Logan grunted something that almost resembled 'thanks,' but Scott couldn't be sure. He watched the pair drive away in his favorite car and he sighed. "Happy birthday, Dani."
*****
"Hey, I got the bakery on the phone, what kind of cake should we get?" Jean asked anyone in the room with an opinion.
"Chocolate," Scott said as he strode in the door. "Logan just left with her, so we're safe," he added.
"I noticed they took a rather nice looking red Italian car, but you wouldn't know anything about that, would you?" Storm asked teasingly.
Jean looked over at Scott. Really? "Yes, whipped cream frosting," she told the baker. "He wants to know how we want it decorated," she inquired of the group again.
"Lots of purple, er…violet roses," Scott offered. This time he got looks from everyone else in the room as well.
"That's a good idea Scott, lets go with the color theme," Xavier said as he entered the room. He was pleased with the speed at which this group could accomplish any task. They loved a challenge, and always rose to the occasion. Anything from fighting an arch enemy, or throwing together a last minute party was handled with the same professionalism and gusto.
~Screeeeeeeeech! Screech! Screech! Screech! ~
Everyone looked to see the cause of the unbearably high pitched noise that had suddenly assaulted their ears. It was Jubilee. She had blown up a balloon and proceeded to rub her fingers across it causing a fingernails-on-the-chalkboard type of sound. She giggled to herself until she realized she was the center of attention.
Jubilee abruptly stopped, "What?" she asked innocently.
"Okay, Rogue is now in charge of balloons. Jubilee is in charge of streamers," Storm announced, provoking chuckles from the entire room.
*****
Logan was really a Harley man, but he had to admit, Scooter had good taste in speed. The car handled like a dream with horsepower to spare. The woman gracing the passenger seat giggled approvingly at his finesse behind the wheel. They drove in silence, but it wasn't awkward. They enjoyed the quiet companionship. Logan glanced over at her. She was enjoying the scenery, something she had been deprived of during her long stay at Alkali Lake. Logan had found her there a week ago, today.
Danielle was her name; sweet, crazy, pigheaded Dani. She was a walking magnet for disaster. Since he'd met her he was either chasing her, or rescuing her. She was stubborn, clumsy, and couldn't carry a tune in a bucket. She was carrying as much emotional baggage as he was. Dani was a bundle of trouble wrapped in a pretty package. Her mutation made her a walking powerhouse, and he was a walking lightening rod. It made absolutely no sense for them to be together.
But Logan didn't always do what made sense. Logan followed his instincts. From the first moment he saw her, his instincts told him that Dani was his. Then, after she was free of that cage, he smelled her. Her scent screamed out to every fiber of his being, this was his mate. He could not believe his patience these past few days. He had several opportunities to just take her, and he didn't. He exhibited more self control in the past week than he had for the past fifteen years combined. He never would have held himself back when he wanted something. It was the Wolverine in him that made him aggressive and gave him an edge. But Dani made him want to be better than that. She made him want to be worthy of her.
Logan thought of all the ways Dani had touched him. The first time she saw him, he had been in a foul mood with his claws extended and fighting the bloodlust. She had never been afraid of him, not once. She had looked into his eyes and saw Logan, not Wolverine. Her acceptance and trust were genuine. That day she had touched his heart. And then this morning she healed him. He still couldn't explain the experience, but it had given him a glimpse of her he couldn't have seen any other way. She loved him, and he felt it, really felt it. That moment was her gift to him, and now he had to find a gift for her. Today was her birthday, and he was determined to make it unforgettable.
