A/N: Hey, hey! New chapter and this one didn't take nearly as long as the last one. I think my muse is finally deciding to cooperate with me. Wahoo! Anyway, I hope you enjoy it and as always, your feedback is highly appreciated. Thanks again to all of you! And, now, on with the show!

Neon Moon

(by Brooks and Dunn)

Logan paced back and forth in his room; trying to decide what to do. Either he could stay there and dwell on his emotions or he could go out and drown them. As he grabbed his leather coat, he chose the latter and rushed out of his room. Thrusting the coat over his shoulders as he walked out the door, he took Scooter's bike and headed into town to find a place to drown his sorrows. He sighed as the cool wind rushed through his hair, giving him an almost relaxing feeling. Something he desperatley needed.

As he entered the city, he slowed the speed of the bike and scanned the buildings; searching for the perfect bar that would service his needs. Most bars gave pity to their customers by giving them the hardest liquor they carried, but Logan was looking for one where people generally kept to themselves. He didn't need, nor wanted, anyone to try and strike up a conversation with him. He just wanted to stare into the glass and think about Marie until the booze made him temporarily forget her. He didn't want to forget her, that was the last thing he wanted, but the pain was too much to bare. Why couldn't his healing factor work on a broken heart, too? That would've been nice. That way he could care less whether Marie came back or not. But no, it seemed the heart and the mind worked together on occasions. That's why he let her into his truck when he found her in his trailer. His conscience scolded him for leaving her on the snowy road and she had already touched his heart the moment he saw her. She seemed so innocent and frightened. He felt for her.

When the sun goes down

On my side of town

That lonesome feelin'

Comes to my door

And the whole world turns

Blue

Logan parked the bike in front of a worn out bar. The perfect place. He walked into the bar and saw there were maybe four or five people lounging around, each with a drink by them. Some seemed passed out with their faces resting on the table. Yep, this would do just fine. He crossed the floor to a table with two chairs pushed in to the table at the back of the bar. He pulled one chair out and released a sigh as he sat down. He scanned the bar to see if anyone had noticed him enter, and sure enough, they had. A woman with way too much makeup on and too tight of clothes for her physique headed his way.

"What can I get for ya, honey." She asked with a hand on her hip and a tray in her other hand; smacking the gum around in her mouth as she spoke.

"Whiskey." He said gruffley.

"Straight up?" She asked with a hint of laughter in her voice, this was going to be fun to watch.

"Yeah." Logan answered as he glared up at her. He didn't need this. Everyone he met, except Marie of course, judged him the first time they saw him.

"Comin' right up." She replied before turning around and heading back to the bar.

Logan noted the amount of neon signs that hung on the walls near the ceiling all around the bar. Some said "Bud Light" and others said "Coors Light". Most of the signs hanging up had some letters missing. One of the Coors Light signs said "oors Light" and some of the Bud Light signs said "Bu Light". Yep, definitely his type of bar.

There's a run down bar

Across the railroad track

I've got a table for two

Way in the back

Where I sit alone

Think I'm losin' you

I spend almost every night

Beneath the light of a neon moon

This wasn't the first time he'd been to this place, but this was the first time he actually took a good look around. It was a dump and needed some refurbishing. Okay, so that was an understatement. It needed major refurbishing. Logan grabbed the whiskey that was set in front of him and quickly downed the burning liquid, barely wincing at the burning sensation that traveled all the way down to his stomach; surprising the waitress in the process.

"Another?" She asked and he nodded his head.

She quickly came back with another and he downed that one just as quick. She set the bottle of whiskey down in front of him and gestured to it with her hand.

"Help yourself, sweetheart." He looked up at her with a softer look on his face and her eyes held understanding. She knew, somehow, that he lost someone he loved and needed to kill off the pain.

"I've seen plenty of broken hearts come through here." She answered when he held a look of wonder on his face. "So, like I said, help yourself." She finished before heading back to the bar.

Now if you lose your one and only

There's always room here for the lonely

Come watch your broken dreams dance

In and out of the beams

Of a neon moon

Logan rubbed his thumb over the black letters that spelled out the alcoholic drink as he thought back to the days of him and Marie. God, he had to get his mind away from her. But it was difficult. She was everywhere. And she was the strongest in his mind. He could've swore he saw her more than once while he sat in the bar, but knew it was just the alcohol playing tricks with his mind. The bottle was now less than half full, or empty, whichever way you looked at it. It was full to the neck when the waitress had given it to him and he only felt buzzed. Damning his healing factor, he grunted before clutching the clear bottle and bringing it to his lips; taking a big swig and welcoming the burn.

He growled at a few people who dared to stare at him and his drinking behavior. He didn't give a shit what they thought about him, but one of the things he hated more than anything, it was being stared at. He knew he was a freak, even among mutants, but being stared at made him feel even more of freak than he already was.

Lowering his eyes back to the table the bottle rested on; he wished Marie was with him now. Instead of feeling miserable, he could be having fun at watching her get drunk. He hadn't been there for her twenty first birthday and he mentally kicked himself for it, too. He had left her a couple of months before her birthday and he figured he probably broke her heart by doing so. After all, they had made plans on what they were going to do. Get drunk, watch some hockey, get even more drunk, watch some more hockey and then pass out before the alcohol took it's toll on them. But no, that hadn't happened because he ran from his feelings for her before that time came. It was a wonder she still cared for him after that. Again, she never ceased to amaze him. She never was one to hold a grudge, no matter how bad it was, she always forgave.

I think of two young lovers

Runnin' wild and free

I close my eyes

And sometimes see

You in the shadows

Of this smoke filled room

Logan now had his head resting on the wood of the table witht the now empty bottle still clutched in his hand. He was feeling past buzzed, but Marie was still in his head and he had smacked his head against the table a couple times in hopes of knocking her out of his head only to keep his head lying there in defeat. He was a wreck and he knew it. For as long as he could remember he never felt this way before. Hell, he didn't even get like this when Jean died. But then again he didn't love Jean. Cared for her, yes. But never loved. He loved, still loves, Marie with all his heart and soul and it practically felt like she was dead. No, scratch that. If she were dead, then he would have found someway to die himself so he could be with her. But then again, according to Catholics, God frowned upon suicidals. Unwelcome in heaven. Not allowed. Kicked out. Whatever. Ugh, he needed more alcohol.

He lifted his head to call for the waitress only to find her standing above him, "more, please." He slurred as he handed back the bottle.

"Sorry, mister, but I gotta cut ya off. You've had more than enough." She replied as she took the bottle from him.

"No. I'm fine, now give me more whiskey." Logan growled as he straightened up in his chair.

"I can't." She argued before turning around.

"No." Logan growled again, grabbing her arm to stop her.

"I suggest you take your hand off me, sir." She whispered harshly to him while looking towards the bar. Logan looked in the direction she was looking and noticed a man he hadn't seen earlier standing behind the bar; cleaning a glass with a white towel as he stared in their direction suspiciously.

"Sorry." Logan grumbled as he let her go and slowly sat back in his chair.

"Don't worry about. But I can't give you any more alcohol. He told me you're cut off. I don't think he much appreciates you drinkin' all the whiskey." She explained and Logan nodded before waving her off.

"S' alright." He slurred as he stood up, stumbling slightly. "You're prob'ly right."

"You need me to call ya cab?" She asked as she placed a hand on his shoulder to steady him.

"Nah. I'll take a walk first. Sober up enough." Logan replied with a small smile. He really did appreciate her hospitality.

"Alright. You just be careful." She said.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine." Logan assured her before walking out of the bar.

No tellin' how many tears

I've sat here and cried

Or how many lies

That I've lied

Tellin' my poor heart

She'll come back someday

Oh, but I'll be alright

As long as there's light

From a neon moon

Logan pulled his jacket on and shivered slightly as the cool air rushed over his warm body. He looked up at the sound of something buzzing above him and noticed the flickering of a pinkish-purple sign just above the door. He probably could have read what it said had it not been for his slightly blurry vision the alcohol gave him. He wasn't full fledged drunk but he was definitely past being buzzed. Maybe he should just go to another bar and drink some more there. He shook his head against the thought and figured they would probably see how drunk he was and kick him out right away. He looked at Scott's bike and at the road before him, deciding he would take a walk, he stepped around the bike and headed down the road, getting once again lost in thought.

He stuffed his hands in his pockets and stared at the ground as he walked. He figured if he had a dime for everytime Marie crossed his mind since she left, he'd be rich. She'd been gone almost two weeks now, and he still couldn't get her out of his head or get rid of the hope that maybe she'd return someday and someday soon. He knew it was a fools hope. But then again he was a fool, so, things evened out. Another blinking sign caught his attention and he had to fight the urge to go inside. He wanted to so desperately, but knew it wouldn't have been a good idea. First of all, the bar didn't look like his kind and people would sure try to connect with him, most likely women, and he just couldn't do it. Before Marie, he would surely take them up on their offer, whatever that may be, and take them to bed. But now, now he just couldn't.

Oh, if you lose your one and only

There's always room here for the lonely

To watch your broke dreams dance

In and out of the beams

Of a neon moon

After what seemed like hours he turned around and started back to the bar; feeling more than sober. Now he just wanted to go back to the mansion and pass out and hopefully not have any dreams. Lately, he'd been having dreams, very realistic dreams, of Marie returning and running into his arms where he took her to bed. But then he'd wake up and realize he had dreamt it all; only to end up crying into his pillow. His heart ached every time almost to the point he could no longer bare it. Not having her with him, even near him, was killing him; driving him insane. He just wished there was someway to bring her back. To find her. But that wish would never come true. No matter how much he wished it.

Logan made it back to the bar in time to see the waitress walking out. When she turned around she greeted him with a big smile; apparently happy he had actually taken a walk. He gave her a small smile himself as he walked up to his bike.

"You okay, now?" She asked as she stood opposite of him by the bike.

"No, but hopefully I will be." He answered as he climbed on the bike.

"Maybe you shouldn't drive. You can stay the night at my place. If you'd like." She offered and Logan looked her up and down before making his desicion.

"Thanks, I appreciate it, but I'll be fine." Logan replied. He didn't know why he was being so kind to her. Most people he'd just grunt and growl at and be on his way. Mabye it was because she understood his pain without him having to spill the story to her.

"Alright, honey. Just be careful." She patted him on the back before walking down the street, hugging her coat tighter to herself.

Logan followed her with his eyes for a moment before turning his attention back to the bike. He started up the engine and turned it onto the road; heading back to the mansion. With all his memories of her.

Juke box plays on

Drink by drink

And the words

Of every sad song

Seem to say what I think

And it's heard inside of me

Ain't never gonna end

Oh, but I'll be alright

As long as there's light

From a neon moon

Logan parked Scott's bike in the garage where he had found it and slowly walked into the mansion, quietly closing the door behind him. He walked up the stairs to his room; stripping off his jacket and the flannel shirt beneath that, now showing the white tank he always wore. As he entered his room, he threw the shirt and coat on his dresser and collapsed on the bed, not bothering to take his boots off, he was too exhausted. He drifted off into a dreamless sleep; for the first time in weeks not seeing the woman who haunted him at night.

Oh, if you lose your one and only

There's always room here for the lonely

To watch your broken dreams dance

In and out of the beams

Of a neon moon