**Proposal**

"That's really pretty obvious putting the poor kid in the room right between us and Jean and Scott," Dani said with a smirk.

"This time you can't blame me, it was Wheels' idea," Logan said casually as he opened the door to their room.  He could hear the kid's shower running.  Good.  Wash all the extra scents off, so he could get a better fix on the kid's real scent.  Logan was having a hard time disliking the kid, but the scents were driving at his instincts.  Who is this kid?  Is he on the level?  What's an Odium?

"Stop scowling and come here," Dani said from the bed where she just sat down. 

"You're a pretty petite little thing to be giving orders," he said playfully.  "What's in it for me?" he asked provocatively.

"A howling good time, if you play your cards right," Dani said wickedly.

"Gin or poker?" Logan said as he grabbed the deck and headed for the table.

"Strip poker," Dani said with a cocked brow.

Logan stopped dead and looked at her rakishly.  "I'll be the dealer," he rasped huskily.

Dani sat in her 'recharge' chair that Beast made for her.  She had to spend one hour a day in the low voltage chair to keep charged.  If they returned from a mission, she needed two hours or sometimes more.  She and Logan started playing cards to fill the time.  It didn't matter what game they played, it usually ended in someone losing their wardrobe.  By the time Dani was charged, Logan had plans for expending some of her energy.  It was an amusing pastime, and a great way to wind down from the day.  They used the time to talk, and it kept their relationship strong and fresh.

"So, baby, how was your day?" Logan asked as he shuffled.

"Not as exciting as yours.  Just how close was that lightening to you when it hit?" Dani asked with concern.

"Too close," Logan said.  "But it wasn't at all natural.  It looked almost green."

"What do you think of his story?" Dani asked delicately.

"I want to know why I would give him those tags.  If it really was that far into the future, why would I part with them?" Logan asked.  He didn't want to say what he really meant.  If Dani was gone, why would he give up that reminder of her?  He'd wear that tag till the day he died; no matter how long that took.

"You don't have to skirt the issue, Logan.  I know what's bothering you," Dani said.

"Really?  Then tell me, cause it's eating me up and I don't know why," Logan said a little more gruffly than he'd intended.

"There's a time in the future, when you'll still be here, but we'll all be gone.  All of us, including me," Dani said as sensitively as possible.

Logan's face went pale and he closed his eyes.  "Dani, please," he rasped hoarsely.  He had assumed that her healing factor would prolong her life as well.  He had never considered that there would be a time when she might be gone.

"Its okay, Logan.  Everyone dies.  I'm not worried about my future, are you?" Dani prompted.

Logan took in the sight of her looking at him from across the table.  Her big violet eyes were full of love and understanding.  He ached with the thought of someday being forced to go on without her.  How could he put into words what he was feeling?  "Dani, I don't want to think of a future that doesn't have you in it," he finally said.

"Jesse's future is very distant," Dani said.  "Who's to say we don't have a long happy life together?"

Logan considered that his opening to ask another question.  "Long and happy as what, roommates?"  Logan asked with a questioning look.

"As whatever, together," Dani said evasively.  What are you driving at, Logan?

"I think we've played around long enough." Logan said firmly.

"But its fun, and you haven't removed a stitch yet," Dani said with a wicked smile, desperately trying to steer him from this subject.

"Baby, I want more than strip poker.  I love you, Dani," Logan said seriously.  "I want you to be my wife.  I want you to be the mother of my children.  I want to be with you forever," he finished.

Dani stared at him in shock.  Wife?  Mother?  But it was impossible.  She would never have children.  Not once in her entire life had she ever had a period.  How could she tell him?  And worse, what about the future?  He might have to watch her grow old and die.  She wanted him to keep his freedom.  She didn't want him to feel suffocated with responsibility.  He was half wild, and needed the open road now and then.  Dani had always understood this.  She would place no hold over him.  She couldn't give him everything he wanted.

"What's wrong with this?" Dani asked.

"There's nothing wrong with this for me, but I thought I should make you respectable again, tie the knot," he said.  Logan was puzzled.  Dani loved him.  He knew she did.  Why was she suddenly evasive and terrified?  Why wouldn't she want to marry him?  Wasn't that what every woman wanted, to marry the man they loved?

"Loving you doesn't make me feel tainted, Logan.  Forget about it now.  There's nothing to worry about.  Who's to say I'm not still around, and you just wear the tags out of habit?" Dani offered.

Logan was angry.  She didn't get it.  This had nothing to do with Jesse's arrival or any fears she thought that brought.  Logan wanted her because he wanted her.  It was a need.  She was his, and his possessive nature wanted her wearing a ring that said so to everyone.  Fear had nothing to do with it.  He laid his cards on the table. 

"A royal flush," he said with a harsh smile.  "House rules say you owe me a favor."

Dani had a bad feeling about this.  What was she thinking when she let him slip in that rule?  "What's the request?"

"No request, you have to do it, it's in the rules."

"Fine, what?"

"Marry me," Logan said firmly.

Dani didn't answer.

Logan shoved the table aside and pulled her out of her chair into his lap.  She was trembling in his arms, and he kissed her.  His strong hands pulled her close and he showed her with the ardor in his kiss how much she meant to him.  She clung to his broad shoulders and surrendered to his passion.  He finally pulled away and looked into her mesmerizing eyes.  He waited for her to answer. 

She searched his face, for any sign of uncertainty, but there was none.  He meant every word.  She didn't know what to say. 

"Logan, I love you more than life itself, but I just can't...  I won't," Dani said crying.

Logan suddenly looked like a child who was lost and alone.  She saw the sudden pain in his eyes, and she thought it would kill her.  "I'm sorry."

"Why?" he rasped, barely above a whisper.

"Logan you don't understand… I can't …" she couldn't say it.  It was too painful to say out loud.  She would never be able to give him children.  She kissed him and then orbed out of his arms.

Logan sat there, devastated.  Why couldn't she?  What didn't he understand? 

She hadn't done that to him since they moved in together six months ago.  She'd gone on little excursions, but always took her com link, and told him she was going.  But to run out on him, that was not fair.  He knew she wasn't anywhere nearby.  He looked at the dresser where her com link sat.  He couldn't even call to swear at her for leaving. 

*****

"The plan is changed.  Xavier dies, but I want Wolverine's woman.  Take her alive, I want to make him watch when I kill her," Odium said ruthlessly.

"You will have trouble controlling her," Magneto said.  "Her powers are very impressive, and she has learned to control them."

"Sting you a bit, did she?" Odium asked sarcastically.

Magneto regarded the man with distaste.  He would have to pay back Mystique for getting him into this situation.  He didn't like being a follower, or being involved in a group that wasn't his.  Mystique had deliberately set him up to go to this meeting.  Now that he was here he didn't know how to get out of it.  The room boasted some impressive members.  Several politicians, a few mutants he knew, and a couple he didn't.  Odium himself was a mystery.  He appeared to be a mild mannered business man with good taste in suits, but Magneto could feel there was much more there than what could be seen.  The man gave off an aura that Eric could feel, if not see.

"Leave the issue of control to me.  Technology has come a long way from here to my time.  There is a simple to construct devise that will dampen her powers.  She'll be no trouble," Odium boasted.

"And what about the others?" a green scaly looking man asked with distrust.

"Kill them," Odium said simply.

Right, Magneto thought.  Kill them.  Just like that.  What was this ass hole smoking in that century of his?

*****

True to his word, Xavier sent for Jesse via Scott exactly an hour after dinner.  There was a quiet knock on the door.  Jesse opened the door to see a friendly smile on the face of the X-men leader.

"Hi, Jesse," Scott said.  "The professor would like to have that talk now, if you're ready."

"Sure."  Jesse closed the door and silently walked down the hall with Cyclops.

They reached the office and Xavier called for them to enter.  Scott offered Jesse a seat on the couch, and sat beside him.  Xavier regarded Jesse with interest.

"You came to warn us," Xavier began.  "Perhaps you could elaborate, now that Logan is not glaring at you?"

Scott chuckled softly.

"Sir, I'm not sure what I can tell you.  I was sent here at the last minute.  Logan was the one with all the answers, but he said he couldn't um…meet himself, er time travel here, without serious consequences.  He seemed to know me already, but we had never met before."

Jesse paused here, and Xavier and Scott waited for him to continue.

"Odium was sort of my boss, but I didn't know he was anything but a museum curator until I saw him go through the portal," Jesse explained.  "Logan told me that he intended to kill you, professor."

"What did he hope to gain with that?" Scott asked.

"I think it was politically motivated.  But it gets a little more complicated than that," he added nervously.

Scott didn't need to be a psychic to know there was something big coming.

"It's all right, Jesse, go on," Xavier prompted.

"When we went to stop Odium, Logan sort of …um, killed his girlfriend," Jesse began.  "He made some other threats…"

Scott knew immediately what Jesse was going to say.  "Oh god, Dani," he said softly.

Xavier closed his eyes and cringed.

"Yes," Jesse said hanging his head, "and all the rest of you as well, but especially her.  He said he would force Logan to watch, and it wouldn't be pretty.  His original plans have been clouded with his need for revenge."  He was upset.  This was not how he would have chosen to meet his heroes.

Just then, the door burst open and a frantic looking Wolverine stood there.  He glared at Jesse.  "Tell me everything," he said with quiet menace in his voice.

"Logan, calm down, we're all safe, Jesse's warning will help us prepare," Xavier tried to reassure him.

"No, it's too late.  She's gone," he growled.

"What?" Scott yelled.

"Quiet, both of you," Xavier said. "Logan, what happened?"

"She just left, without her com link."

"You guys have a fight?" Scott accused.

*Snikt!*

Jesse cringed.

"Stop this!" Xavier ordered.  "I'm going down to cerebro to find her."  Xavier exited the office with Logan, Scott and Jesse right behind him.

~Welcome Professor~

The door closed behind Xavier, and the three men stared at the large round door.  Jesse felt horrible.  He should have explained the situation sooner.

"Why'd she leave, Logan?" Scott asked quietly.

"I proposed," he answered bitterly.

Jesse stood silently.  This was not his business, he should probably leave.  He turned to leave, but Logan caught his arm.

"What else do you know?" he demanded.

"Only what I told Scott and the professor," he answered. 

"You're a history major, kid," he said.  "I ain't stupid."

"Ease up, Logan," Scott warned.

"Shut up, One-eye," Logan said harshly.  Then to Jesse, a little less menacingly, "Please kid."

"I wish I could say you guys live happily ever after, but when Odium and I came here, history as I know it changed.  Whatever I might know won't mean squat," Jesse said.

"Bullshit!"  Logan said angrily and reached over to pull the tags out of Jesse's collar.  "Why did I wear these?"

"Please, sir," Jesse said.

Scott pried Logan's hand off Jesse's arm.  "Take it easy, the kid don't know," Scott said.

Logan glared at Jesse.

"You did marry her," Jesse said softly.

Scott and Logan stared at Jesse, and Jesse stared at the floor.

"Go on," Logan said quietly.

"The records on most of your lives were destroyed in a fire…whoops," Jesse swore.  "I shouldn't be telling you the future."

"It's okay, kid," Logan said.  She marries him.  That was all he needed to know for now.

"I'm not a kid," Jesse said bitterly, and walked away.

"Why don't you have powers?" Logan called after him.

Jesse just glared at him as the elevator door closed.

"Interesting young man," Scott said.

"Big chip on that shoulder," Logan added thoughtfully.

The door to cerebro opened, and Xavier wheeled out with a stern expression.

"Well?" Logan asked.

"You proposed," the professor said.

"Yes," Logan said.  "Why did she take off?"

"You have to ask her that, it's not my place to break her confidence," Xavier said.  "But I can tell you that she loves you very deeply, and her refusal was motivated by love."

Scott raised a brow at that statement.  Refusal?  He could have told Logan that Dani loved him.

"Where is she?" Logan asked softly, closing his eyes and trying to control his rage.

"By the lake, she never left the grounds," Xavier said.

Logan was running to the elevator before Xavier got halfway through that sentence.  He was going to get to the bottom of this right now.  No more secrets.

*****

Dani sat on a flat mossy rock next to the still water of the lake.  She felt ill.  Her stomach was doing summersaults and she couldn't calm down.  Logan would be here in minutes.  Xavier warned her that he would be angry at her unless he explained to Logan why she left, but Dani made him promise not to tell.  Logan could not know.  He would tell her it didn't matter, but sooner or later it would.  Logan wanted a family, and she couldn't give it to him. 

She reached out a finger and touched the water.  She released a little energy bolt and it splintered across the surface making a random purple pattern before it dissipated.  She sighed and hung her head.  Why did things get so complicated all of a sudden?

Logan stood by a tree watching her.  He decided not to ask her about it.  Whatever was bothering her didn't matter right now.  He had to patch things up for now and keep her close until this Odium thing was over.  Then he could sort out her issues.

"You're mad at me?" Dani asked quietly.

"No, baby, lets go home," Logan said as he walked over to her.  She looked up at him with her big violet eyes, and Logan knew losing her would kill him.  "Come on; let's get back to the mansion."

"What's wrong?" Dani asked.

 "Jesse explained Odium's whole plan, we need to prepare," Logan said, helping her up.

"And us, are we ok?" she asked nervously.

"Dani, when you're ready to tell me about it, I'll listen.  Until then, well, I'll take you any way I can get you," Logan said seriously.

*****

Jesse sat brooding in the garden.  Well, they've been warned.  Good.  Time to leave.  How do I get home? Wolverine is a pain in the ass in any century.  'Why don't you have powers?'  None of your business.  Waves of anger and frustration washed over him and he closed his eyes in defeat.  He felt water droplets hitting his face and opened his eyes.  He was shocked by the sight before him.  The water in the large garden pond had risen up into a tall column, and hovered.  Jesse gasped and the water fell back into place with a heavy thud, splashed, and flooded over its banks. 

Damn, what a mess.  He wished he could clean it up.  Just then, the water rushed back and flowed up the cement side and back into the pond.  He staggered back, eyes huge and mouth hanging open in shock.  "What the …?" Did I do that?   Jesse stared at the water as if it were some sort of monster. 

"So, you've been holding out on us, eh kid?" Logan said from behind him.

Jesse turned around, and the confusion and shock on his face made it clear that he was just as surprised as they were.  He looked back at the water and backed away without a word.  

"Wait, Jesse," Dani said, but he turned and ran to the woods.

"Damn," Logan said.  "Go inside and stay there, I'll go after the kid."

"Logan, he's obviously in shock," Dani warned.  Logan had been hard on the kid and she was worried about how he might handle this.

"Relax, Dani," Logan said.  "I know he's on the level.  I'll bring him back safe, go inside." 

Dani smiled at him and went inside.  He watched her until the door closed and then let out a sigh.  He turned to the woods and followed future boy's scent.  Logan knew he wasn't a bad kid, but Jesse had a chip on his shoulder the size of a redwood.  Poor kid didn't have a clue about his power until today.  How could he not know?  What was this kid's life like?  There was that scent.  What was it that made this kid seem familiar?