Homecoming
Logan stated with Dani that night, just talking. Their renewed memories of their lives together gave them a point of reference, but there was a lot to talk about. Logan looked around the room at the paintings she'd done. They were almost all fantasy illustrations of dragons and wizards and such. He realized that they weren't the same people.
"The paintings are good," Logan said.
"Thanks, but my teacher doesn't like them. He's trying to get me to change my style," she said casually.
"You don't need to change a thing," Logan said firmly as he walked around her small room. He noticed a beat up guitar case in the corner and cocked a brow. "You picked up another guitar?"
"It's a pawn shop special, but it's sound," she said. "I've been collecting sheet music since I got here."
Logan picked it up and opened the case. It was obviously old, but looked like it was in decent shape. He handed it to her and said, "Play something for me."
Dani blushed as she scooted to the edge of the bed and positioned her instrument in her lap. She thought of something to play, and settled on a Bach solo piece she'd recently memorized.
Logan leaned against the wall and closed his eyes while he listened. She was good, but that didn't really surprise him. She'd played the piano before… and he wondered if she still did. She used to sketch, and now she painted. Her personality and interests were similar, but her life had been completely different. He was glad she hadn't suffered in that lab. But the differences made him realize they couldn't just pick up and move on like they were the same people. They needed to start over and get to know each other again. They shouldn't pretend that nothing happened between them before, but they also couldn't pretend they knew each other. He wanted to start fresh. He wanted her to fall in love with him all over again. He wanted to give her the fairy tale. From now until the wedding, he was going to keep his hands to himself and treat her like a princess. This time he was going to do everything right. When the music finally stopped, Logan opened his eyes and stared at her in admiration.
"You're amazing," he said and smiled when she blushed.
Dani put the guitar away and Logan pulled her into his arms. He hugged her close, but didn't try to kiss her. His mind was searching for a way to tell her what he was feeling. But Dani knew something was bothering him and she spoke up before he could collect his thoughts.
"What's wrong?" she said.
"I was just thinking that as familiar as we are to each other, we're different people now. My memory of you is so vivid, but… I think we should get to know each other in the present," Logan said seriously.
"I understand," Dani said. "I'm not the same… you might not like the new me…"
Logan interrupted that train of thought immediately, "No, Dani, I love you. But I want to know you as you are now, not just the echo of who you were."
"You haven't changed," Dani said.
"Don't count on that," Logan said.
"All right," Dani agreed. "We'll start from now."
"Good," Logan said. "How about a night on the town?"
"You mean a date?" Dani asked.
"Yes. Our first real date," Logan said with a smile. "You can show me the sights."
Dani smiled playfully, "What sights would you like to see?" she asked provocatively.
Logan stifled a feral growl. Damn, this dating thing was going to be hard if she didn't cooperate. "We just met, this is courtship here. Keep your goodies to yourself for now," Logan said firmly.
"Oh, sorry," Dani said softly.
Logan mentally cursed himself for putting it so badly and he lifted her chin to look her in the eye. "I only meant that this time I want us to get to know each other first," he said.
Dani searched his eyes and then gave him a dazzling smile. "I understand," she said. "Thank you."
Logan gave her a quick kiss on the forehead and headed for the door. "Dress warm, we'll take the bike," he said as he headed down the stairs.
Dani couldn't believe how excited she was. She ran to her closet and searched for something to wear. She settled for jeans, a skin tight lace shirt and a tan leather vest that matched her suede boots. Very biker chic, and sure to keep Logan's attention. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail and grabbed her jacket. With one final look in the mirror she headed down the stairs. Logan was waiting by the door with Yen glaring at him. Dani stopped to talk to him.
"Yen, Logan and I are going out. Everything is okay between us," she said. "Are you okay?"
Yen frowned at Logan and looked at Dani, "Are you sure about this guy?"
"Positive," she said firmly.
Yen rolled his eyes and just said, "Have fun."
Dani gave him a kiss on the cheek, "Don't wait up," she said as she headed out the door with Logan.
Logan led her up the block to where he'd parked his motorcycle. They climbed on and Logan glanced back at her. "It's your city, Dani, where to?"
"Fisherman's Warf," she said with a smile.
Logan gave a nod and headed down Washington Street. After a few blocks, Dani gave him a nudge.
"Turn right on Hyde Street," she said. "You'll run right into the Warf."
Dani was right; they found themselves in the middle of a tourist's paradise in less than ten minutes. Logan found a spot to park his bike and they walked the waterfront. He'd been in the city for two months and hadn't seen any of this. But he was quite familiar with Chinatown. Dani dragged Logan through the shops, not his favorite thing, but with Dani, he didn't mind. He was watching and learning. She liked books and music and art. After enduring all of the shopping at Ghirardelli Square, Logan decided to take over when spotted the ice cream shop. There was a fairly long line, but it was worth the wait. They were seated on the terrace and gazed at the stars while they ate some of the best ice cream he'd had in a long time.
"Are you going to be upset if I ask you to come back to New York with me tomorrow?" Logan asked. She was in school, and he didn't know how she'd feel about leaving it.
Dani took another fudge covered bite of her Emperor Norton and looked at him thoughtfully. "You could stay here," she offered.
"I've been away for two months, Dani. They need me back and as much as I hate to admit it, I miss them," Logan said. "They have art schools in New York too you know."
Dani thought about her current class load and decided she wouldn't miss it. With her restored memory she realized she missed them too, even if they didn't know who she was. "Maybe I can take a few art classes at the Westchester Community College," she ventured.
Logan's face lit up, "I'll bet you can be enrolled before the end of the week!"
Dani smiled at his enthusiasm. She really loved this man.
After Ghirardelli, they toured The Old Cannery, Fisherman's Warf, and Pier 39 before heading back to Chinatown. It was nearly three in the morning when Logan stopped at his motel to collect his things. He settled his bill and then took Dani home. There was a light on in the back room of the Apothecary shop, and Dani knocked softly. Mr. Li emerged and let them inside.
"You are leaving," he said to Dani.
"Yes, right away," Dani admitted.
Mr. Li nodded. "Then I have something for you. You go pack, and I'll get it."
Logan and Dani headed up to her room and she quickly packed her few personal things in a duffle bag. Logan grabbed her guitar and then looked around at her paintings.
"What about the artwork?" he asked.
"Let Yen have them, he loves my dragons," she said and headed down the stairs.
Logan felt a tinge of jealousy, but knew there was nothing between them other than friendship. Logan followed Dani downstairs and waited while Mr. Li gave her a small wooden box. Dani hugged him and put the box in her bag.
"I'm ready, Logan," she said and headed out the door.
Logan followed and walked his bike around the corner into the narrow alley. He gave Dani a questioning look. Coast to coast was a pretty long jump.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing," she reassured him.
…It was like a near death experience when your whole life flashes through your mind, except it was an unfamiliar life. Logan was married to Danielle, they had a child, she died… and then the kidnappings started…
Back at the Xavier mansion, the grandfather clock in the main hall was chiming two a.m. when everyone abruptly woke. Xavier's eyes shot open and his heart was racing from his dream. He quickly calmed and scanned the mansion for trouble. He realized that everyone was awake and reeling from the same bizarre dream. His explanation for everyone's recognition of Danielle had finally come, but he couldn't identify where it came from. Xavier got up, put on his robe and wheeled himself to the door just as someone knocked.
"Enter," Xavier said.
Jean and Scott were standing there and Jean just looked at Xavier and said, "Oh my god."
"Indeed," Xavier said. "I see we have shared a similar experience. Do either of you doubt the validity of your dreams?"
Scott just shook his head. His memories of Danielle had been very personal and he was still in shock. Jean put her arm around her husband and shook her head as well.
Xavier smiled thoughtfully. "Help the students get settled back to bed and then meet me downstairs. I'm going to check Cerebro to see how they are doing."
It was three thirty in the morning when Logan and Dani transported right to the mansion garage. The garage was dark, and Logan grabbed their duffle bags off the seat and wrapped an arm around Dani. Logan hoped they could sneak in unnoticed, but they weren't that lucky. Scott cleared his throat and flipped on the switch.
"Found her, eh?" Scott said.
Logan frowned briefly, but then just led Dani past him and grunted, "You got a gift for stating the obvious, Scooter."
"You never called," Scott said as he followed the pair down the hall. "The professor has been keeping tabs on you. He wanted to speak to both of you when you got back."
"Later," Logan said as he headed for the stairs. "We'll see him at breakfast."
"I believe you'll see me now," Xavier said as he wheeled over to the top of the stairs to meet them. "There have been some interesting developments since you left."
"That's the understatement of the decade," Dani said under her breath. She and Logan just found out they were married in another life, or another version of their lives… whatever. That was one hell of a development. It was no wonder he'd been familiar. The love they had shared spanned centuries.
"Your room is closer than the office," Xavier said abruptly and turned down the hall.
"What's the rush, Chuck? We just got back," Logan said in annoyance.
Xavier waited until they were in Logan's room with the door shut before he answered. "I had a vivid dream this morning, and I believe it was a memory," Xavier said.
"You remember Dani and me from before," Logan guessed. "We had the same dream."
Xavier cocked a brow and looked at Dani. "You apparently saved all of our lives," he said. "Welcome back, Supernova."
Dani suddenly blushed and glanced at Logan.
"How much do you remember?" Logan asked.
"Enough," Xavier said.
"What about the rest of the team, what have you told them?" Dani asked.
"I didn't tell them anything," Xavier said. "We all had the same dream, and they are quite anxious to see you again."
"Scott didn't say anything," Dani said in surprise.
Xavier headed for the door. "I told him not to until I'd spoken to you both." Xavier paused and glanced at Dani a moment. "Congratulations to you both, by the way," he added and then headed out the door.
Logan grinned proudly, "Thanks, Chuck. We want to get married right away."
"I anticipated that, in fact I'm surprised you didn't stop in Vegas on your way home," Xavier said sarcastically over his shoulder.
Logan closed the door behind the professor and turned around. His eyes raked up and down over Dani's frame and settled on her flat belly. He walked over to her and put his hand on it.
"You don't even show," he said wistfully.
"Give it another month," Dani said.
Logan bent down and kissed her. "I want you to stay next door until the wedding," he said. "This time I want to do everything right."
"It's a little late for me to be wearing white," Dani said with a smirk.
"You'll wear white without shame," Logan said firmly. "In my opinion, Dani, we're already married. This wedding is just a formality."
"Then why the segregation?" Dani asked.
"This time I want to give you the fairy tale, baby," Logan said with a loving smile. He gave her another quick kiss, but she turned it into a passionate one. They were about to fall onto the bed when there was a loud knock on the door.
"Logan? You back?" Rogue's voice called.
Logan broke the kiss and sighed. "Come on in Kid," he said.
Rogue opened the door and smiled brightly. She ran forward and hugged Dani. "I can't believe it!" she said. "How could we have all forgotten you?"
Dani looked at Logan and he just smiled. Dani was finally home where she belonged, and everything was going to be okay now.
