Title: Sirens' Song
Author: Sinayah
Email: Sinayah@hotmail.com
Distribution: Ask and ye shall receive.
Rating: At FF.net, rated R. Any other site, NC17
Disclaimer: I don't own any characters from Buffy, Angel, or Xmen. They
belong to very rich people who don't appreciate them as we fanfic writers
do.
Disclaimer 2: The Chapter Title and Lyrics belong to Gloria Estefan. The
song I Need You belongs to LeAnn Rimes, and Cowboy Take Me Away is by the
Dixie Chicks (NC17 version only).
Authors Note: Many heartfelt thanks to my muse Zenura, without her I
wouldn't have had the guts to write. If you like this story please review
or send me an email, I'd really appreciate hearing what you think. Enjoy!
Authors Note 2: I just want to say thanks to everyone who's reviewed Sirens
Song, all the encouragement you've offered gives me the warm fuzzies and
inspired me to write more. This particular chapter has been difficult, and
might not have been as good without your support. Please keep reviewing, I
love hearing from you all!
Chapter 17: Coming Out of the Dark "coming out of the dark, I know the love that saved me; you're sharing with me."
"It's been four days Professor, isn't there something we can do? She's going to end up in the bed beside him if this goes on much longer." Scott asked, worry clear in his tone. The mansions occupants, including the new arrivals and half the Brotherhood were gathered in the rec room; trying to figure out a way to bring two of their friends back to them.
"I don't know Scott; I'm just as worried as the rest of you. As Dr. Harding said, there is nothing we can do about Logans' condition. However, we must find a way to get through to Serena. Frankly, her rapid decline frightens me. I have tried to speak to her, both aloud and telepathically, but she doesn't hear me. Her attention is focused solely on Logan." The professor replied, his frustration evident.
Over the last four days, the group had tried everything in their power to help their friend and been wholly unsuccessful. After the doctor had finished speaking, Serena had gone into the hospital style room and taken up a position at her loves' bed side. She hadn't left that position for more than a few minutes at a time since then.
The first day no one had showed much concern for the womans constant vigil. They had all come in to sit with the pair and check on Logan, and no one had thought anything of Serenas' silent, withdrawn demeanour; passing her behaviour off as merely worry for the man she adored.
The second day, when they noticed that the hypnotist hadn't come upstairs even to change clothing or eat, those closest to her had begun to worry. Kurt had come down with Willow and tried to talk to Serena, but the woman wouldn't make comments, and would answer questions only with a great deal of prodding. Spike had forced her to eat something, and then talked to her for hours with no more success than the blue teen. In his frustration he'd even phoned Drusilla in South America and had the vampiress try to talk some sense into her.
On the third day, when she still hadn't moved, taking her rest in the chair next to the bed, the others became concerned. She wouldn't speak at all, didn't even acknowledge the presence of her friends. When Lance and the brotherhood boys had visited they'd noticed how sickly looking Serena had become. Pietro had spoken to all the Xmen about her appearance, particularly about how her uniquely beautiful amber eyes were now sunken and muddy looking.
Now, after four days, the group was seriously frightened for their friend. Something had to be done before the woman slipped into a coma herself. Xander listened to the conversation quietly, discarding everyone's ideas in his mind moments after they were spoken. The dark haired boy noticed Faith doing the same thing and caught the slayers eye. Understanding passed between the two and they stood, leaving the room without anyone's notice.
Downstairs, they entered the hospital room and found the scene they'd expected. Serena was in her rocking chair, which Spike had brought down for her comfort after it became apparent that the woman wasn't leaving the room except to use the adjoining bathroom occasionally. They approached the bed and Xander knelt beside the catatonic woman while Faith placed a hand on the comatose mans shoulder.
"We could almost be them ya know Faith? I was in her position once, when Angels' minions put Willow in a coma. Up until a few days ago you were where Logan is now. We've got to get through to one of them, or we might lose both." The dark haired boy said as he gazed at the older couple.
Faith too looked closely at the pair, fear for these people she didn't know welling up in her heart. "Yeah, but how? I remember things from when I was in that coma. I could hear the doctors and nurses when they came in; sometimes they talked to me. But she won't talk, she just sits there looking at him and holding his hand."
Xander threaded his fingers through the slightly greasy, tangled mass of Serenas' hair and pushed a forelock behind her ear. "I guess all we can do is talk to her, and hope she's not too far gone to hear us. Maybe if we tell her about the things that happened to us, she'll come back and bring him with her."
Faith nodded, it was better than any of the ideas she'd heard upstairs. She liked these people, but none of them really understood what these two were going through. She cast a glance at Xander, the boy she'd once tried to kill. He was smarter than anyone gave him credit for, she realized, especially when it came to understanding people. "I'm sorry you know, for what I did to you. I can't take it back, or make excuses, but I am sorry."
"I know, it took me a while, but I realized you aren't that girl anymore. I can forgive you for the things you did, to me and the others. We're all starting over here, and I'd like for us to start as friends." The dark haired man said, offering his hand across the space that separated him from the brunette slayer.
The young woman took his offered hand and squeezed it tightly. "Friends. I think I'd like that. Well friend, let's see if we can get these two back on the right track. I think they'll be good friends to have, friends worth saving." When Xander nodded in agreement Faith turned her attention to Logan.
She squeezed the mans shoulder and studied his strong, handsome features. Her voice was soft when she spoke to the older man, but loud enough for everyone in the room to hear. "Hey Logan, how're you doing in there? I know you can hear me, kinda been there and done that if you know what I mean. I don't think anyone told you that up until the day we met I'd been in a coma, like you are now. I got there in almost the same way too, stabbed through the gut."
A soft hiss of remembered pain issued from her full lips before she continued, "There's only two differences I can see in our situations. First is that I deserved what I got and you didn't. I'm no innocent, like those kids upstairs. Before I got hurt I'd done some pretty nasty things, including murder and betrayal. In fact the reason I got stabbed was because I'd shot Angel with a poisoned arrow and mine or Buffy's blood was the only cure." The brunette explained.
"That leads me to the second difference. When I went into that coma, there wasn't a single person who didn't celebrate and wish I'd died instead. You're lucky there Logan, you've got a house full of people who want you to wake up; and a powerful little woman who's making herself sick sitting here day after day, waiting for any sign that you're getting better. What she doesn't realize is that you can't give her that sign. You can hear her if she talks, you can smell her scent and feel her touch, but you can't work up the energy to climb out of that place. It took an act of God to make me wake up; I hope it takes a lot less for you." When she'd finished speaking Faith bent down and pressed a kiss of friendship to the big mans' brow.
Xander gave the slayer a bright smile, one that grew to a grin when she returned the gesture. The boy then turned his attention to Serena, and he noticed a tear slipping down her sunken cheek. 'So you did hear her. I knew you weren't that far gone.' He thought as one large hand came up to wipe the wetness away. He took the womans chin between his thumb and index finger and used firm pressure to turn her head until his coffee brown eyes met the whiskey coloured orbs that seemed to have lost all the sparkle that made them beautiful.
"Hey 'Rena. I know you can hear me; you haven't disconnected that far yet. We're all worried about you, you know. Your friends are upstairs right now trying to figure out how to bring you back to us. You might as well come back, because you're not doing Logan any good with this vigil. You heard Faith, she's been where he is now and she remembers the things that happened around her. It's been four days 'Rena, he's probably taking some comfort in you holding his hand, but I doubt he's enjoying the smell anymore, you're getting a little rank."
The small woman winced a tiny bit at his half joke and Xander knew he was getting through to her, so he kept pressing. "You're also not doing the one thing that might give him the will to come back. That voice of yours has been a curse for ten years, why don't you turn it into a blessing now? Use it, talk to him, make him want to come back to you."
"Did you hear what I said earlier? I've sat where you're sitting 'Rena. When those vamps put Willow in a coma I was right there beside her through the whole thing. They had to set my broken arm while I held her hand with my good one. I talked to her all that night, told her everything I should've said while she was awake." Xander closed his eyes and remembered how terrible he'd felt that night, holding Willows pale, bruised hand and babbling worse than she'd ever done, hoping that something would make her wake up.
"You know what finally brought her back? I told her that I loved her. She'd loved me in secret for years and when I finally realized how much she meant to me and told her, she woke up. Too bad for me the first thing she did was call for her boyfriend, she thought it was him talking. I doubt Logan will do that to you though, he'll probably wake up growling for you to bring him a steak or something." Xander smiled at the thought of the big, gruff man opening his eyes and growling for his dinner.
He saw Serenas' lips twitch and a brief twinkle in her eyes. "Ah ha, I saw that. So bad jokes are the way to get through to you huh? Well then, this man walked into a doctor's office.No, I'm kidding, I won't torture any of you with my frightening sense of humour. Faith and I will leave you two alone; I think you might have a few things to say to each other."
Xander stood and placed a kiss on Serenas' hair before holding a hand out to Faith. The brunette came forward and swatted at the appendage, telling the boy that his girlfriend would rip her to shreds if she happened to see them holding hands. The two friends walked out the swinging doors and their laughter echoed through the sterile room where Logan lay sleeping and Serena still sat in silence, holding his large hand. But the sparkle was coming back to her eyes, and a tiny smile tilted the corners of her mouth up.
When she heard the elevator at the end of the hall start up, Serena pressed her lips to Logan's hand. "Is what they said true Wolvie? Can you hear me, wherever you are? I hope you can; Xander's right, I do have a few things to say to you. But first, I think a shower is in order, otherwise I'll never know if it was my words or my stench that got through to you. I'll be back soon."
With renewed hope in her heart, Serena walked out of the hospital room quickly, intent on having herself a shower and changing into some clean clothing. In the elevator, she heard and felt her stomach complaining. 'Maybe I'll stop by the kitchen and get something to eat too.' She mused.
Logan was floating, or so it felt to his mind. He was in a dark place, not the nightmarish dark of his worst dreams; this dark was warm and comfortable. As Faith had described, he still had some of his senses; he could hear his friends talking, and feel when they touched him. When he inhaled, he could detect the scents of those around him. But he couldn't see or move and it angered him. He'd tried, so many times, to squeeze his Chatterbox's hand, to give her some sign that he was there with her.
Through his remaining senses, he'd known the small woman was always near, and he'd heard the people who visited the room talking about how she was making herself sick with worry for him. That knowledge had made him fight the undetectable, but rock solid barrier that held him captive. The problem was energy; he couldn't find enough will power to break out of the cage in his mind.
He didn't know how much time passed between Serena leaving and her reappearance, but he could feel the difference in her by the pressure of her hand. She took his limp hand in hers and climbed up beside him on the bed. Her free hand traced the contours of his face, smoothed the whiskers at his jaw line, tickled across his closed eyelids, and her lips pressed gently against his.
"Hey there Wolvie, told you I wouldn't be gone long. I did some thinking while I cleaned myself up. I wonder, did you feel anything after you were stabbed? I felt that you know, your pain hit me like, well like a skewer through the gut. I started screaming like a banshee, it scared the hell out of poor Kurt and Lance. I put everything I had into that sound, and I sent it straight to you. I heard third hand that it might have gotten to you, but I don't know for sure." She started, explaining things she didn't quite understand herself.
With a sigh, Serena leaned in close, and her amber eyes focused on his face. "So here's what I'm going to do. Everything I feel, everything I want you to know, I'm going to sing. Right here, right now, I'm going to throw myself out there and hope what I have to say will bring you back home to me. So you listen Logan, and you hold on to these words, they aren't easy for me to say."
"I don't need a lot of things,
I can get by with nothing
Of all the blessings life can bring,
I've always needed something
But I've got all I want
When it comes to loving you
You're my only reason,
You're my only truth."
In Logan's darkness, Serenas' voice was like a bolt of lightning. Her words of love cut a path through the blackness and when the light reached his consciousness, he grabbed onto it like a lifeline.
"I need you like water Like breath, like rain I need you like mercy From Heaven's gate There's a freedom in your arms That carries me through I need you."
Once again, Serena opened her mind and heart and poured everything she had into the words she sang. She felt the connection with her love and increased the volume of her song, putting as much pure energy into the sound as possible. She felt it leave her body, using her voice its method of transportation. With it she sent all the love she had in her heart for the one she was singing to.
"You're the hope that moves me To courage again You're the love that rescues me When the cold winds rage And it's so amazing 'Cause that's just how you are And I can't turn back now 'Cause you've brought me too far."
Upstairs in the common room where the large group was still discussing Serenas' declining physical and mental state, several people jumped in surprise when the amazing voice of their friend came to them, singing words of love and need that they knew instantly were meant for Logan. Professor Xavier reached with his mind, thinking to make contact with the shields she kept around her thoughts.
He was surprised to find the barriers down, though he could only hear an echo of her thoughts; it seemed to him that she was purposely directing her message to someone, and from the words and images, the telepath knew it was his old friend. He pulled his powerful mind back, not willing to invade her privacy more than he already had.
Sitting across the room from each other, Xander and Faith shared a smile. At the very least, the young people were glad that they'd brought one friend back with their words, and they hoped that the beautiful song she was singing would bring the other home.
"I need you like water Like breath, like rain I need you like mercy From Heaven's gate There's a freedom in your arms That carries me through I need you."
Logan climbed; he could feel himself rising, following the line of light out of the dark void. His beautiful Sirens' energy was pouring into him, giving him the strength he needed to reach her. As her voice faded on the last note, a sudden rush overcame him and he was pulled completely out of the dark. Sapphire blue eyes opened just in time to see tear filled gold ones closing as Serena collapsed in complete and utter exhaustion.
"Oh Darlin, I need you too. You brought me back Baby, sleep now." The big man whispered hoarsely. Serena had fallen across his chest when she lost consciousness and he was able to wrap his arms around her sleeping form. He clasped her tightly to him and was pressing a kiss into her damp black curls when the first of his friends arrived.
The residents arrived in what was becoming an expected order. Kurt and Willow appeared first via teleportation and were almost knocked over by Pietro as the speedster bolted into the room. Spike was mere seconds behind the teens, having run down the stairs at top speed.
The blond vampire was the first to take in the situation. "Well, it looks like she's done it again. Welcome back Wolf, been a bit boring around here without you." Spike greeted as he came forward to clasp his friends shoulder. He gave the feral man one of his beatific smiles to indicate how pleased he was with the big mans recovery.
Kurt and Willow approached to make their own greetings before Logan could reply, "It's good to see you awake mien friend. You have had us all worried about you. But what is wrong with Mama, she should be jumping for joy now." The blue teen's heavy accent belied his happiness, as well as his concern for Serena.
"I think she must have done the same thing she did in Sunnyhell. She gave all her energy to Logan so the lazy bloke would wake up. She just needs to sleep for a while now, get some strength back." Spike replied, stroking a hand over the womans' hair. He arched his scarred brow when Logan growled at him for touching the Nymph.
Before any more could be said, a large group of people came through the doors. They'd crowded into the elevator to come down and see their friends. Greetings were exchanged along with handshakes from the men and hugs or kisses from the ladies that made Logan growl at having too much affection showered on him.
Everyone expressed concern over Serenas' unconsciousness, but were reassured when the professor probed her mind and explained, "She is just extremely tired, even her mental shields are down. I can sense her sleeping thoughts, so she is not comatose. She will wake up when she's regained her strength. Come now; let's leave Logan and Serena to rest a while."
The group began to leave, but was halted a moment later by a vicious growl coming from the man on the bed. Spike had approached the couple, thinking that both of his friends would be more comfortable if he moved Serena to the bed a few feet away. Logan was now growling threateningly at the vampire, warning him to keep away from the sleeping woman. "Mine. She stays right here." The big man informed his undead friend.
"Don't get your knickers in a twist Logan, it was just an offer. If you want to keep her there it's fine with me. We'll come down and check on you later." The blond placated. He could've kicked himself for not realizing that the feral man would be overly protective of Serena right now. Logan was acting mostly on instinct and had taken the vampires gesture as a threat to his woman.
Logan shook himself a little, regaining control of his emotions, and said, "Yeah, later. Sorry bout that Blondie." Spike nodded understanding and left the room, shooing the spectators in front of him. As he entered the elevator with an arm around Rogues shoulder he mused, 'So, the big brute's going to lay claim to my Nymph huh? 'Bout bloody time.'
Left alone in the large room again, Logan turned onto his side and cuddled the soft, warm, sleeping woman beside him. He leaned back after a moment to gaze at her lovely, delicate face. 'She looks so damn young when she's sleepin. Too young to be doin the things she does. Fightin to save the world, fightin harder to save her friends. The Elf called her Mama earlier; she's a mama to every kid in this house.' He reflected, memories coming forth at random.
He smoothed her hair back and placed his lips against her brow for a moment, "Not a mother to me though are ya Chatty? The animal inside me, that part is real specific about what you are. You're mine, my mate. I'm not quite sure what the other side calls you. More than girlfriend, more than lover even though we haven't got that far yet. Love will do I suppose; you are my love and damn near everythin else I can think of."
"I'm not real good with words like you are. I don't always know just what to say, and I sure as hell couldn't sing it if I did. But I do love you Serena, and I need ya. You rest now, get back all that strength you gave me, and when you wake up I'll tell ya again." Logan closed his eyes and tightened his hold on the small beauty, breathing in her scent. A smile softened his chiseled features as he drifted off to sleep beside the woman who'd given her heart to bring him back.
* * * * * * * * * *
The mansion was suffused with happiness all evening. It banished the tension that had loomed over the house since the teams' return. Homework was finished quickly so that the teens could gather in the rec room for activities that matched their exuberant moods. Kitty filled the room with music and an impromptu party got under way. Scott and Lance were in front of the television playing a video game in friendly competition. Jean was reading a book on the couch. Xander and Spike played pool with their girlfriends. Kurt, Evan, and Pietro were quite happy to dance with Willow, Kitty, and Faith. Todd and Freddy were expected to come over after they finished detention at six and join the fun.
Even Charles, Ororo, and Giles joined in when the loud music and sounds of laughter drew them to the rec room. It was quite a sight when Kitty took hold of the austere professors' wheelchair and began dancing around the room with the telepath. Ororo was dragged onto the make shift dance floor by her nephew, protesting all the way. When Willow and Faith started glancing at Giles, the librarian quickly escaped to join Spike and Xander at the pool table.
At a quarter past six, the doorbell was heard, and Ororo excused herself to go answer it. A minute later she came back with Todd and Freddy. The two boys hadn't been able to come to the meeting earlier, or even to the mansion since the mission. On Monday Mystique had found her car suspiciously dented and slimy, and the pair were given three days detention. They hadn't met the Sunnydale group yet, and were looking forward to it since Pietro and Lance had had only good things to say about them. Once they were informed the crisis with Wolverine and Siren was over, they were in even better spirits.
Lance and Pietro took their team mates around the room and introduced Xander, Anya, and Faith. They were in the middle of greeting Giles when Todd absently flicked out his tongue to catch a fly that was buzzing above the bright red hair of a girl on the couch, who the boy assumed was Jean.
Willow was talking with her boyfriend and waiting to be introduced to the new boys when she saw the long, slimy tongue flick near her face. 'FROG!!!' her mind screamed as she jumped up off the couch and ran a few feet away. Mimicking her thoughts she squeaked, "Ack, Frog! Oh Goddess, Frog!"
"Naw, it's Toad, yo. Or Todd; you must be the tree girl right? Willow?" The amphibian-esque teen replied, wondering what had startled the girl so bad. He took a few steps forward with a hand outstretched in greeting. Willow backed away from him in panic, her mind still taken over by the phobia everyone had forgotten.
Todd started to turn away in dejection when the girl kept acting afraid of him. He'd seen the reaction to his mutation many times, but it still hurt his feelings. He was stopped by Xanders hand coming down on his shoulder. "Just give her a minute Todd. No one told her about what your power is, so she wasn't expecting that tongue of yours. She's afraid of frogs, has been since we were little kids."
The greenish skinned teen looked back at the redhead, who was beginning to calm down as her boyfriend hugged her. Kurt gestured for Todd to come over, and the boy obeyed, though he moved slowly so he wouldn't accidentally scare the pretty girl again. "Willow, this is my friend Todd." The dark haired teen said as his girlfriend pulled away to greet the boy.
"Umm, hi Todd, it's nice to meet you. Sorry I wigged a minute ago, no one told me about your mutation. I kinda have frog fear, but don't worry I won't freak on you again." The redhead said brightly, extending her hand and smiling at the boy. She reminded herself to do something nasty to the others for not warning her.
Todd took the offered hand in his and shrugged off the incident with a smile. "It's ok yo. It happens sometimes. I only flicked my tongue out because I thought you were Jean, it grosses her out, and I love pissing her off. So you're Blues' girlfriend yo? You do know he's got blue fur and stuff under that holo-thingy right?"
Willow nodded and lifted Kurts hand to turn off the image inducer, "Yeah I know, I think he's cute." She kissed a fuzzy cheek happily and watched the navy coloured fur darken as her boyfriend blushed. Past her fright now, the redheads' cheerful personality came forward and before long she and Todd were chatting like old friends. When Freddy joined them and shyly introduced himself, the redhead had tilted her head as far back as she could to look at him and said, "I wish Serena would wake up, she's must be the only person in this town who's shorter than me!"
While the group was laughing at Todds' story about the shortest resident having to be picked up to hug his super strong friend, the object of their humour was just awakening in the med bay. Serena opened bleary golden eyes and wondered where she was for a minute before remembering her attempts to wake Logan. She tried to push herself up, but settled again when a familiar, strong arm clutched at her waist.
An elfin face tilted upwards from its place against a muscular chest, and whiskey hued eyes met twinkling midnight blue. Logan had woken from his light sleep when his bed partner shifted and when his eyes took in her tired, disbelieving expression a deeply tanned, callused hand lifted to brush against the silken skin of her cheek. "Hey there Darlin, I was beginnin to wonder if ya were gonna sleep as long as I did." He greeted, his rumbling voice like the sweetest music to the small woman.
A lone tear of happiness drifted down Serenas' face to be caught on the big mans fingertip. He brought it to his lips and kissed the moisture away before pulling the stunned woman up onto his chest for a deep kiss. A soft sob was muffled against Logan's lips as the small woman kissed him feverishly, small hands coming up to roam over his face and clutch as his wild black hair.
It was a long while before the lion eyed woman pulled back for breath. As she gasped in much needed oxygen her eyes traced his features, followed closely by gentle fingertips. "You're alright. Thank the Gods, you're alright." She whispered in her native Ukrainian, too emotional to do the mental translation and speak English. She pressed light kisses over the roughly whiskered cheeks, over her loves forehead, nose, and eyes; before settling back on his lips in a kiss that was gentler than the last, but no less passionate.
When she released Logan to take another breath the big man chuckled, amused by her fierce welcome. He pulled himself into a sitting position and relocated Serena to his lap before wrapping her small frame in his arms and hugging her tightly. "Not the Gods Sweetheart, you. You were screechin too loud for me to stay asleep, had to wake up so you'd be quiet."
"Screeching? You wait Wolvie, I'll show you screeching. It would've served you right if I did." She replied, laughing softly and smacking him gently on the back of the head. After holding him in her embrace for a long while she pulled herself back and met his eyes, "You scared me Logan, so badly. I don't know how, or why, but I felt that piece of bone go through you. I could see, through your eyes, what had happened. I thought I was going to lose you. Don't ever do that to me again Logan, don't let me lose you." The last sentences were choked out on a sob or remembered fear and pain.
Choking up himself, Logan drew her back into his embrace and held her tightly, almost too tightly. He rubbed her back as she cried out her fear into his shoulder, her tears soaking through the thin cotton hospital gown that covered him. He murmured reassurances in her ear, words about never letting go and always being by her side. When she quieted again he gripped her shoulders and pulled her back until he could gaze into the watery, bloodshot, amber eyes. "I mean it Chatty, I aint never lettin ya go. What was it you sang to me?"
He remembered the words and gave them back, "'I need you like water, like breath, like rain. I need you like mercy from Heavens gate.' It goes both ways Serena, I need you, and.I love you." The raven haired, golden eyed, angel faced creature in his arms was the first in his memory to hear the declaration from his lips, and he swore that she'd be the only woman to hear it ever.
It took a great effort not to burst into tears again. Serena knew that Logan cared for her, but she hadn't expected to hear the words before she'd given them herself. Her Wolvie guarded his thoughts and feelings like a dragon over his hoarded treasure, and now it appeared that the dragon was handing her the loveliest jewel in his trove. "I love you too Logan, so much."
Suddenly she remembered a sheet of paper she'd been looking at before the hurried trip to California, and the name printed on it. She placed her small hands on his cheeks and stared into his eyes as she spoke clearly, "I love you, Logan Gabriel Chapman."
The big man shuddered when he heard the name she'd given him along with her love. It settled into him with a warm sense of belonging. It was right, it fit on him like a favorite piece of clothing, shoved into a closet and forgotten for years, just waiting to be pulled out again. Just to be sure, he asked, "Is that my name Chatty? That vampire found it for you?"
Serena smiled brightly and nodded, "That's your name. Logan Gabriel Chapman, I like it. There wasn't much else to be found, at least not in the demon world. They had a long, detailed list of demons and famous vampires you'd killed, going from your sudden appearance in the northern untied states in '44 to your 'death' at the hands of William the Bloody in Canada in '59. Fifteen years is a long career for a demon hunter, According to Raphael, several contacts he spoke with actually winced when they heard the name Hunter."
Logan took in the information and mulled it over in his brain. He figured he could learn his history through the military, now that he had a name to search for besides Logan. Willow and Kitty wouldn't have much trouble hacking into their records if he asked them to. But he wasn't as exited as he'd always thought he'd be when he had his missing past back.
He realized that the past wasn't as important as the present and future, which was cuddled in his lap and running around upstairs. He'd still have the girls work their computer magic, he'd searched too long to just let it lie now that he had the key, but his life was here with Serena and the Xmen, and he was quite happy to put the past to rest once it had been found.
He said as much to Serena after he thanked her with a scorching kiss and tight hug. They spoke for a long while about it, and about the future. They were still talking quietly when the professor came to check on them two hours later. Charles gave his friends both a clean bill of health, though he suggested that they try to take it easy for a while, knowing they wouldn't. As he left the room he invited them to come upstairs and join the impromptu celebration being held in their honor.
"What'cha say Chatty? Want to go up there and get mauled by the rug rats?" Logan asked as he threw back the thin blanket and stood, a bit shakily. He steadied himself and grinned, feeling content and happy with the world in general. He started toward the door when Serena nodded and stopped again when her laughter rang out. He turned around to face her and asked what she was laughing at.
A long, slender finger pointed at him while she tried to control her giggles. "You might.you might want to get dressed first Wolvie.Unless you're feeling happy enough to give the kids a free show." She started giggling again, imagining the fiercely blushing faces of their female charges should they happen to see Logan in his current state. The thin hospital gown did little to cover her boyfriends' well formed, tightly muscled derriere.
Logan looked down at himself, felt the breeze of air conditioning on his rear, and started cursing. He'd been too preoccupied with thoughts of spending a pleasant evening with his friends that he hadn't noticed his state of undress. "Where the hell're my clothes and whose idea was it to put me in a damned dress?" he growled, reaching back to undo the ties on the garment before realizing that if he did he'd be standing there naked in front of his woman. After a split second pause he continued to untie the strings, a wicked gleam in his eyes.
Serena rooted around in the bedside dresser to find the clothes she vaguely remembered someone bringing down in anticipation of Logans' awakening. She came up with a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt as well as boxers and socks. When she turned and held the items out to him, she gasped.
********** NC 17 description of Logan naked has been edited out. To read it go to the adult fan fiction dot net site and look for Sirens Song there.***********
Quick reflexes saved him from getting a face full of cloth and he hurriedly dressed, cursing silently that the jeans were uncomfortably tight. When he had the pants fastened he quickly threw the shirt on and walked stiffly to where Serena was sitting in her rocker, eyes tightly shut and breathing deeply to calm down. He crouched beside her and threaded his fingers into her hair, pulling her head down for a kiss that expressed all his love, lust, and anticipation which she returned whole heartedly.
"You're evil Wolvie, the most beautiful man I've ever seen sure, but still evil. Luckily, I have a thing for evil, gorgeous men. Now, let's get to that party before I give in and attack you." Serena said once she'd caught her breath.
Logan chuckled at her, though he was sorely tempted to let her try. 'Very sorely' he mused when his cock twitched to add its opinion. Aloud he said, "Beautiful, my ass. Come on Chatty, let's go up and see the brats." He took her hand and led her toward the door.
Serena gave in to her own evil thoughts and pinched the previously mentioned rear, "That too." When Logan growled and slung his arm around her shoulders she smiled happily and snuggled in, her arm coming to rest at his waist, a thumb hooked through one of his belt loops.
* * * * * * * * * *
It was just past ten when the four teenagers that comprised the Brotherhood of Mutants opened the front door of their boarding house. Lance Alvers, their leader, nearly punched the wall when the door fell off its hinges. "You know, I hate this place more and more every day. I should just shake it down and make Mystique find us somewhere else to live. This is worse than any of the damn foster homes I've lived in." He grumbled, taking hold of the door to try and fix it for the third time in as many weeks.
His three friends could only agree with the sentiment. Todd had done the foster home circuit himself, Fred had lived with that travelling truck show, and Pietro had lived all over the world. None of them knew why Mystique had chosen to place them in an old boarding house that was literally falling down around their heads. "Maybe if she actually lived here with us it wouldn't be so bad, but she never uses that room she keeps locked upstairs." Fred intoned as he pounded the door back onto its hinges while Lance held it up.
"And it sucks having to ask her for shit all the time, yo. She won't even give us grocery money until we ask for it and she laughed in our faces when we gave her that list of repairs for the place." Todd said when they'd plopped down in their usual spots. Fred in the ratty recliner, Lance and Pietro sprawled on the lumpy couch and the greenish skinned teen crouching on a straight backed kitchen chair with a broken rail.
Again, the others nodded agreement. They'd been brought here, supposedly 'taken in' by Mystique, and each felt that the shape shifter should be caring for them, at least financially. Fred turned on the television and they stared blankly at some sitcom through the static.
Pietro flicked his blue grey eyes around the room at his friends. He wanted to bring up the subject of switching sides, becoming Xmen, but he didn't want to upset any of the guys. It was harder each time for the snowy haired boy to leave the mansion after a training session or visit, to say casual goodbyes to the group, including his boyfriend. At least Serena never let any of them cross the threshold without a hug and kiss of farewell. The motherly affection did wonders for his friends' moods, since none of them had really been given that kind of attention before.
If the boy had been gifted with telepathy rather than sonic speed, his fears about speaking against Mystique would've been greatly eased. Lance, Todd, and Freddy had the same thoughts of desertion in their minds. Lances' foremost reason was Kitty, and running a close second was his new found friendship with Scott. Todd had the same type of friendship with Kurt and now Willow. He couldn't remember having as much fun as he'd had with them earlier in a long time. For Freddy, it was the adults whose companionship he craved. He'd never felt as proud of himself as he did when Wolverine and Spike praised him for throwing them across the room in the last training session.
Each boy knew he'd be welcomed to the Xmen team with open arms; all they had to do was knock on the door. They never pushed or tried to manipulate the teens into joining them, but the message came through clearly. Though they wanted to leave, they felt they owed Mystique and Magneto for the things they'd done for the boys. So they waited for something to happen, something that would decide their loyalties once and for all. They knew it wouldn't be long before one of their leaders gave an order they weren't willing to follow.
* * * * * * * * * *
The next two weeks seemed to fly by in a blur, no one having a spare moment. Professor Xavier had been called away to consult with the warden of his brothers penitentiary on different types of security measures and cells made specifically to house mutant criminals. Ororo was attending a conference for meteorologists to discuss the latest weather technology and the effects El Nino was having around the world. That left Logan, Serena, and Spike in charge of their rambunctious teenagers.
Someone had sabotaged the cars in their garage one night and Logan was in a fury. He spent all his time in the garage trying to repair the damage, starting just after breakfast and finishing when he was simply too tired to work any longer. Mystique and Magneto were the main suspects, but there was no proof, not even a scent that Logan could detect under the fumes of spilled engine fluids.
With Logan busy from sun up to sun down, it was up to Spike to put the teens through their daily training and make modifications to the Danger Room to prepare it for the weekend sessions. After school Rogue would join him there to give what help she could and just be in his company. The vampire also started doing post curfew patrols to stop any of the kids from going out. He'd caught Evan coming back in at two a.m. one morning and that added a week of early morning workouts with the boy to his list of duties.
Serena spent most of her days helping people move. Xander and Anya had quickly decided that while they enjoyed being around their young friends, living with them was not an option. The teens had agreed after three days of listening to the symphony of bangs, creaks, moans, and screams coming from the couples' room. The raven haired woman had found them an apartment in the city, and Xander got a job with a local construction company. Serena had gone shopping more times than she could stand with Anya, who was ecstatic about decorating her new home.
Giles had also moved out of the mansion and settled into a small townhouse near the high school. With the professors recommendation added to his amazing credentials the British man once again found himself ensconced in a library. He'd been swept up by the city library and offered the position of head librarian. Once his books had arrived, courtesy of Angel, he'd settled into his new home quite comfortably. Serena had used her shopping trips with Anya to also help the older man decorate his townhouse.
Things had finally started to calm down by the Friday two weeks after the mini celebration two weeks earlier. At least Serena thought they had, until Evan approached her in her bedroom where she was working secretly on Rogues' surprise. She had closed and locked her door, which was highly unusual since the teens were normally allowed to visit her there whenever they liked.
The door opened after a flurry of activity to hide the half made clothing, and Serena ushered the dark skinned boy in. "Hello Evan, come to ask me when I'm going to cook dinner?" she asked, smiling brightly. That was the boys' usual question, if he hadn't gotten the answer from Kurt. Her smile faded when he shook his blond head and his eyes met hers seriously.
"I think something is wrong over at Pietros' house 'Rena. He nearly fainted on me today at lunch, told me he skipped breakfast because he was running late and was just hungry. 'Tro is never late, not with his powers. Scott and Kurt both mentioned that the other guys didn't look right, and Kitty was running on about how Blob hadn't eaten lunch today. That's weird right; I'm not just over reacting am I?" Evan blurted out, wanting some reassurance that his boyfriend and the others were okay.
Serena pondered the information and asked, "Do you think Mystique is doing something to them that's making them sick? If it was just one of them I'd pass it off, but with all four of them ill then I have to say that you're not over reacting." Her voice didn't betray the anger she felt rising, though her whiskey shaded eyes began to whirl and darken at the thought of someone harming her friends.
Evan was quick to answer, "Man, I haven't seen Ms. Darkholme at school since the day after Logan woke up. I figured she was on vacation or something. Would she really do something to hurt 'Tro and the guys?" Worried brown eyes met Serenas' equally worried gaze.
"She hasn't been to work in two weeks? That's strange, and it worries me more than the boys' health. I've got an idea what's wrong with them and I'll see it gets fixed right now. You did very good letting me know about this Evan, thank you. I'm going to check things out with Logan. You go down to Spikes' room and tell him to order pizza for dinner, double our usual order. Don't worry about Ptichka and the boys, Logan and I will make sure they're ok." Serena replied, gathering her purse and stepping into a pair of shoes.
Evan gave her a confused but trusting glance as he went down the hall to follow her directions. He took notice of her inky black eyes and the gleam of fangs when she smiled at him. 'Uh oh, she's pissed. Man, I wouldn't want to be Mystique right now.' He thought, also wondering what the woman knew that he didn't.
* * * * * * * * * *
Logan had just finished washing the grease off his hands when a small bundle of anger stalked into the garage. He groaned as he took in his loves' partially changed face and the tense, predatory movements. Without a word, she unlocked her van and tossed him the keys. He climbed behind the wheel and started the engine before asking, "Where are we goin and who's gonna die when we get there Darlin?"
"The brotherhoods' house; and Mystique if she's stupid enough to be there." Came the answer, hissed out through clenched teeth. Not known for being a voice of reason, or passing up a damn good idea, Logan pressed the accelerator and drove towards the boarding house.
When they were underway, Serena began to calm down. She recounted her conversation with Evan and then explained what she believed was going on. "Two weeks is a lot of time off for a principal, they take their vacations in the summer like the teachers and students. What Evan told me, combined with the destruction of our cars, makes me think she's gone to join Magneto somewhere and abandoned the boys to fend for themselves until she needs them for something."
The big man growled and gripped the steering wheel so hard his knuckles were white. "What are you gonna do when we get there Chatty? Much as I'd like to we can't just storm in and drag 'em back to the mansion."
Serena answered in a calm voice, "We're going to knock on the door and go inside. Then I plan to walk through the house and take a look around. If I don't like what I see I plan to give the boys twenty minutes to pack their things and get in the van. Then I'm going to tear it apart. Sound good to you?"
"I love your mind Darlin', you think just like I do. I'm gonna have a lot of fun rippin that place apart." He replied, his grin just as menacing as that of the woman beside him. As far as the big man was concerned, the time for passivity was over. They'd all tried hard not to pressure the four boys into joining their team, but if Mystique had abandoned them to survive as best they could he was fully prepared to take them back to the mansion kicking and screaming.
He stopped the van in the litter strewn driveway in front of the house. They walked up the steps and Logan fumed when he saw the door hanging half off its hinges. Serena knocked on the door frame and they waited for one of the boys to come out. When Todd hopped down the stairs he was clearly shocked to see the adults standing there. No one ever came to the boarding house to visit them.
Todd blushed with embarrassment as he pulled the falling down door completely open. "Umm hey 'Rena, Logan. Is something wrong, yo?" He asked, gesturing timidly for the pair to come in. Logan stepped inside first and stood against the wall, waiting to see what his companion would do.
Before Serena could reply Lance and Freddy appeared from different places in the house. Pietro bounded down the steps a second later and skidded to a halt when he realized the people were friends rather than the bill collectors he'd been half expecting. The four boys looked at each other, confused by the presence of their friends, and embarrassed to have the older couple see their home.
"I heard a rumour that some of my boys weren't feeling well. I would've brought chicken soup, but I figured you might prefer pizza at the mansion instead." Serena was smiling as she spoke but her eyes were darkening again. She came into the small foyer to bestow hugs and cheek kisses to the boys. "You know, I've never actually been in here before. Mind if I take a look around?"
Without waiting for permission, Serena wandered into the living room. She took in the dirty floor and broken furniture, saying nothing. When she walked back across the hall to the kitchen, she found herself hard pressed not to voice her anger. The place was filthy; the open cabinet doors revealed empty shelves, a peek into the refrigerator confirmed her suspicion that the boys hadn't been left with groceries or money to buy them. She waded through the garbage and tried to turn on the faucet in the sink, but nothing came out.
The boys could see the anger written clearly on her face when she came out of the kitchen. They didn't know what to do or say to explain the situation. If it had just been one thing, they might have said Mystique was out having it fixed right now, but there were just too many things wrong. When she attempted to go upstairs Lance stood in her way, making noises about there being nothing up there and how about that pizza. She'd kissed his bright red cheek and gently pushed him out of her way.
Upstairs, Serena poked her head into each small bedroom. She found that these four were as messy with their things as most teenage boys, but the clutter was not what pissed her off. There were holes in the floor, water stains and mildew on the walls, and when she tried to turn on the lights she found that there was no electricity. At the end of the hall she found one door solidly locked and pulled out her leather pouch of lock picking tools to get it open.
The uncomfortable silence downstairs was broken when Serenas' loud voiced, multilingual curses came down to their ears. Amongst the foreign sounds they clearly heard, "Logan, boys, get your asses up here NOW!" With frightened looks passed between them, the boys followed a growling Logan up the stairs.
They found Serena standing in the center of a huge, opulently decorated bedroom. Her black eyes focused on the boys and she said, "Explain to me this. You live in this house; it is falling down around you. You have no lights, no water, no food in sight. I pick a lock, and I find royal palace bedroom. You tell me now why you allow this. You tell me where Mystique is, why she has left you in such conditions. You explain to me why four beautiful, intelligent boys let themselves be treated in such a way."
Four sets of eyes gazed around Mystiques' bedroom. They hadn't known what was behind the locked door. The things they saw, the luxury of the huge room, the expensive decorations, made them as angry as Serena and Logan obviously were. When they finally met the small womans onyx eyes, they didn't need to say anything.
"Get your things packed and your asses into that van." Logan growled in a low voice. The order was closely followed by the *snickt* sound of his claws coming out. Four heads nodded agreement and before they turned to leave they saw Serena pick up one of the knick knacks from the bureau and heave it across the room to smash against the wall.
The sounds of destruction made excellent moving out music as the boys went into their rooms and gathered their clothes and personal belongings. None of them had much and it didn't take long for them to finish their packing and put their bags in the jeep and van. Though they were extremely curious to see what kind of damage the adults were doing around the house, they stayed outside and continued to listen.
Siren and Wolverine left the boarding house almost unrecognizable. Fists were put through walls, knickknacks were shattered and left in broken pieces, and claw marks from both were evident on the walls, doors and in Mystiques mattress. Growls and hisses of satisfaction lingered even after the pair had left a room. Logan had etched a message for Mystique into the headboard of her bed, a large S and W to indicate that Siren and Wolverine were the ones to blame for the ruination. When they walked out of the house they wore twin smiles that sent shivers down the boys' spines.
When the pair approached, Logan spoke to the boys. "You boys know what loyalty is, and that's a good thing, but misplaced loyalty isn't. You shoulda come to us when the blue bitch left ya on your own. You might think you owe her somethin for bringin ya here and puttin ya up, but you don't. You don't owe shit to a woman who'd bring you here and then leave ya to do whatever you had to, to survive."
"You pay attention to him boys; and now you listen to me. You deserve to have a safe place to live, food to eat every day, and adults to love and care for you. We've tried to be patient and let you make your own decisions about where you wanted to be. The powers know how many times I've had to force myself not to hold onto you and make you stay with us at the mansion. What I saw in there was the last straw. You're coming home with us now." Serena stated, meeting each boys eyes. Love, friendship, and honesty were clear in her now golden gaze and left each of the four wondering why they hadn't come to her earlier.
Todd and Pietro climbed into the van with most of their belongings, while Freddy and Lance took the jeep. Logan and Serena took their original places, the petite woman happy to let her love drive them home so that she could talk quietly with the boys. She reassured them of their acceptance among the residents, and their worth on the Xmen team; doing her best to soothe their fears and Logan drove them away from the hell hole they'd called home.
* * * * * * * * * *
There had been a huge bustle of activity when Logan and Serena came home with the former Brotherhood boys. Wolverines' loud roar for the Xmen to get their butts into the foyer had teenagers literally coming out of the woodwork. With a wide, cheeky grin on her face Serena had announced that Mama and Daddy had brought their new brothers home. Kurt had been the first to start laughing at her joke, closely followed by the rest of the group.
When Spike and Willow got back with the huge stack of pizza boxes a few minutes later, Logan dragged Serena away from the dining room where the teens were stuffing their faces and arguing good naturedly over who was eating all the best pizzas. He led the confused woman upstairs to their bedroom and shut the door behind her. "What's wrong Wolvie? We should be celebrating down there with the kids." Serena asked, curious as to her boyfriends' odd behaviour.
"Nothin's wrong Chatty. We're just gonna do some celebratin alone tonight. We haven't had any time alone together for two weeks and I'm gonna fix that right now. You put on one of those fancy dresses you never wear and do whatever it is women do that takes an hour to get prettied up. I'm takin you out for dinner and dancin." The big man replied only after he'd lifted Serena off her feet and kissed her senseless.
Serena let out a happy sigh. She hadn't been out on a date in ages, and never with Logan. Since she'd moved to Bayville and become the mansions house mother the only time she went out was to shop for groceries and other odds and ends that the kids needed. Dinner and dancing with Logan sounded better than a hot bubble bath and chocolates at the moment. "How fancy are we talking about Sweetie? Champagne and violins or whiskey and a jukebox?"
Logan bit back a groan at the mention of champagne and violins. He hated places like those with a passion, but if his woman wanted them, so be it. "Your choice Darlin'." He hoped she wouldn't choose the uptight classy place, but since she was a classy woman, he prepared himself to put on the monkey suit that was stored in his bedroom closet.
'Hmm, proper behaviour, too much silverware, and waiters that look down their noses to gape at my tits; or relaxed manners, not enough silverware, and waitresses who are more interested in him than me. As the kids would say.No brainer.' Serena mused before replying, "I'll take the whiskey and a good honky tonk jukebox any day. Go on and get ready while I make myself pretty. I promise it won't take an hour."
The big man gave her a relieved kiss and patted her rear on his way out the door. "Wear somethin red Chatty, it looks good on ya. I'll meet ya downstairs as soon as you're ready." He called over his shoulder.
He was sitting in the rec room with the teens half an hour later, freshly shaved and dressed in his favourite black jeans and red button down with the sleeves rolled up over his massive biceps, and his Stetson fitted comfortably on his head. He'd had just about enough ogling and teasing from his charges when a vision in red entered the room.
Serena waltzed into the rec room and gave a little spin for her gaping audience. She was no ones mother tonight, but a beautiful woman dressed up for a night on the town with her beau. Her glorious mane of raven black hair was left loose to curl and wave its way down to her bare waist. She'd used a light hand with her makeup, and the natural beauty of her face shone like a beacon.
As ordered, she'd picked an outfit of scarlet red. The top was snug fitting and cropped to bare her midriff. Held together only by a knot between her generous breasts, it left an enticing amount of pale flesh visible between the bottom of the blouse and the top of the skirt. Long sleeves flared out at the elbow and covered the armband computer strapped to her forearm. When she whirled, the calf length, airy cotton skirt flared out and gave a mouth watering peek at curvaceous, lightly tanned, bare legs. Strappy leather sandals with four inch stiletto heels and a few pieces of gold jewellery completed the stunning ensemble.
She took the chorus of assorted 'wow', 'damn', and 'holy cow' expressions as the compliments they were meant to be and grinned widely when they were overshadowed by a "Mien Gott" from Kurt, a "Bloody gorgeous, Nymph" from Spike, and especially a "Christ on crutches!" from Logan as he stood and crossed the room to take her in his arms.
"See there, thirty minutes and I'm ready to go. I believe I was promised dinner and dancing?" Serena teased after pecking Logan's cheek. The big man growled and pulled her close for a more passionate greeting.
When he finally removed his tongue from her mouth, Logan took a step back to get another look at her outfit. "I don't think I want to take ya out anymore, I'm gonna end up kickin the ass of every man in the place. You're just too damned beautiful Darlin." He praised, grinning down at his striking girlfriend.
Before Serena could return the compliment Pietro was beside them and backing away with an arm around the womans waist. "Sounds good to me. Stay here and you can try to steal her back from us all night." He took Serenas' hand and used the arm around her waist to spin her off into another pair of arms, "Catch Ev!"
It wasn't long before a full fledged game of 'keep away' erupted in the rec room using Serena as the object to keep, and Logan as the one to keep her away from. The girls were laughing uproariously as their male friends spun the older woman around the room from boy to boy, trying to keep Logan from catching her.
The adults were having as much fun as the teens. Logan was caught between fits of laughter and mock growling at the boys while he chased the flash of crimson and black. Serenas tinkling laughter spread around the room as she was passed from one teen to another. She kept calling for Logan to hurry up and catch her, but cooperated with her young friends by spinning and running with them.
Eventually Logan caught his woman, but only because Todd misjudged a pass and spun Serena into a chair rather than Scotts' waiting arms. Logan had pounced on the opportunity and had the laughing, dizzy woman over his shoulder and out the front door before she could be whisked away by yet another boy.
With their game ended, the boys sank back down into chairs or onto the floor in laughter. "Man that was fun! I didn't know Logan could relax enough to play games, I thought he was gonna kill you 'Tro." Evan sighed from his place on the floor next to the snowy haired boy.
"So did I, but you know me. I couldn't resist!" Pietro replied, grinning widely. The speedster was well known for playing practical jokes on people, especially people who didn't normally take well to being played with. He'd been as surprised as the rest when Logan began laughing and gamely chasing Serena around.
Spike stood in the doorway and watched the teens settle down for a Friday night at home. On the couch, Kurt watched television with one arm and a tail curled around Willow, who was studying a book of protection spells. Beside the redhead was Faith, talking animatedly with Scott, who had an arm on the back of the couch and was toying with the slayers' hair. Jean was watching the laser eyed boys' actions from her place in the recliner, though she pretended to be reading every time someone tried to include her in the general conversation.
Todd and Freddy were playing ping pong at the other end of the room, and the vampire chuckled when the ball bounced off the larger teen's chest and onto the pool table, ruining Lances shot. The rock tumbler was trying to teach Kitty how to play the game without much success since the little brunette was more interested in getting the boys' arms around her. Pietro and Evan were lying on the floor, hands clasped behind the dark skinned teens' back as they watched television.
Slender hands, freed from their usual covered state, pulled the vampires t- shirt out of his jeans and rubbed against the bare skin of his back. Spike turned slightly and pulled Rogue into his arms with a teasing smirk. "'Ello Luv, where have you been? You missed the keep away game."
"Keep away game Sugar? I was upstairs finishing that essay for history class; I didn't want to have to worry about it over the weekend. It looks like everyone's staying in tonight, why don't you and I go on outside and have a cigarette?" Her emerald eyes gazed upward into icy blue, and expanded the sentence to include some quiet make out time.
Spike answered with a low pitched laugh and led his little spitfire out of the mansion, calling back to the rest of the teens, "Behave yourselves happy meals! This place had better still be standing when I get back!" In a softer voice he told Rogue, "I can't believe I just said that. If the demon world saw me now, I'd be a laughingstock until the day I turned to dust. William the Bloody, the Slayer of Slayers, babysitting a bunch of human teenagers and telling them to behave instead of teaching them how to take over the world." He shook his blond head and gave a self depreciating smile to his girlfriend.
Rogue snuggled into the vampires' chest and squeezed with the arm she had wrapped around his waist. "Are you really unhappy here Sugar? I know it isn't the way you used to live, but it isn't that bad is it?" Her pretty face turned up to meet the clear blue eyes, uncertainty written in her features.
Sighing unnecessarily, Spike turned his head and softly kissed Rogues' wine coloured lips. "No Spitfire, I'm not unhappy here. This isn't what I'm used to, but it's better in a lot of ways. I have you and the Nymph, an actual friend in Logan; the niblets never cease to amaze me, and I have all the bagged blood and sparring partners I want. Sure, I still have this chip in my head, but it doesn't bother me as much now. If it's possible for a demon to be happy, then that's what I am."
His softly spoken words reassured the young redhead, and she leaned up to kiss him passionately. Spike obliged her ardour, returning her kiss with equal passion as he walked them to the nearest tree. He leaned back against the bark and pulled Rogue up against his chest, then ran his hands down her sides to cup her rear end. 'Oh yeah, life is bloody good these days.' He mused when she inadvertently rubbed against his crotch. When she did it again, he ceased to think at all, and groaned instead.
* * * * * * * * * *
Logan and Serena were still suffering from occasional fits of the giggles when they arrived at a nondescript roadhouse fifteen minutes after leaving the mansion. The place was a favourite of the big mans; serving huge steak dinners and good beer as country music filtered through the room from a jukebox beside the bar. The couple were lead to a booth in a quiet corner by a college age waitress named Bonnie who lived up to Serenas' expectations, the girl was unable to remove her gaze from Logans behind until he sat down.
The girl took their drink order, which consisted of a beer for Logan and a straight scotch for Serena, and disappeared, leaving the couple alone. Serena flipped back the loose sleeve of her blouse and tapped on her armband, "This is nice, we should've started going out months ago. Look, not a teenager in sight!"
The big man chuckled a little before replying, "You adore those kids and you know it Chatty. I give it half an hour until you want to call home and check on the brats. I gotta agree though, it's nice to sit down for dinner with a pretty woman and not have to worry about someone coming along to interrupt us."
Bonnie came back with their drinks after a few moments and left again after taking their dinner orders. They talked quietly for a while, sipping at their drinks and holding hands across the table. By the time the waitress brought their dinners out the pair had relaxed and let the company and the alcohol soothe away the tension of the day. Conversation was paused while they ate, except to comment on the delicious food. Another round of drinks came midway through the meal, and were pushed aside to be enjoyed after dinner.
When their plates had been taken away, and an ashtray brought over at Logans' request, the couple leaned back to enjoy their second drinks with a cigarette taken from the pack Serena had confiscated from Rogues' room that day. "You know Chatty, if we're ever gonna get that girl to quit; Spike's gotta do it too. Damned vampire gives the things to her now."
"Yes I know, I've told him not to, but he can't resist her. He's always been a big softie when it comes to the women he loves, he'll give us whatever we want. You should have him tell you about the time be broke into a wizards' fortress to get a pendant that Dru wanted. I swear, it took months for the burns to heal!" Serena replied, laughing lightly at the memory.
The jukebox came to life before Logan could comment, and after he heard the soft strains of a country ballad, he stood and held a hand out for Serena. As he led her out onto the small dance floor, he listened to the lyrics and smiled. With a gentle spin, she was in his arms, and they swayed gracefully as Kenny Rogers crooned about his Lady.
The old bartender watched the lone couple on the dance floor. He and Logan were fairly good friends, and Bill had never once seen the stoic loner come in with a woman, let alone come in and dance with her. He wandered over to the juke and popped in a few quarters, choosing some old ballads that would allow his friend to keep the little beauty close to him.
Now, Bill was a betting man, and he remembered a bet he'd made with Logan one night when the big man came in for a few drinks. He recalled his words from that night, "One day Logan, you're gonna come in here and get blind drunk. I'm bettin when that day comes I'll see you out on the dance floor twirlin and two steppin like a born and raised Texan." Logan had scoffed at the idea, going so far as to laugh at the thought, and the bet was on.
With the grin of a man who knew he was about to win, Bill put two more quarters in and chose Mary Chapin Carpenters' 'Twist and Shout' and Garth Brooks' 'Aint Going Down'. He went back to the bar and started pouring drinks again, silently counting down the songs while his victim danced on; deaf, blind, and dumb to everything but the woman in his arms.
Serena was having the time of her life, held fast in Logans embrace, swaying gently to the music. The last strains of a song she vaguely recognized as something by Vince Gill faded out, and she was caught between disappointment and excitement as the next song started at a faster pace. Disappointment that she was leaving her comfortable place in Logans' arms, and excitement because the big man was not leading her off the dance floor.
Rather, he'd grinned and spun her away from him, making her skirt float out to the tops of her thighs. Keeping a hold on her hand, he brought her back in the same way, so that she landed with her back to his chest. She laughed aloud as he started dancing her around the room in a perfect two step. "Logan, I didn't know you could dance like this! You're not even drunk!"
They executed a complicated series of steps and turns before he replied, "There's a lot of things you don't know about me Darlin, this being the least of 'em. Go round the world now." He pushed her away from him and held on to the tips of her fingers as she spun in tight circles around his body, heels clicking and skirt flaring. When she completed the step he held her tightly and continued dancing.
Serena and Logan were both excellent dancers, and the other people in the roadhouse stopped to watch the couple as they danced, the graceful way they moved together, executing complicated turns and lifts with ease. When the last song ended there was scattered applause for the dancers, who paid them no heed.
The raven haired couple walked off the dance floor and sat back in their booth. The waitress came by and asked if they wanted another round of drinks, but Logan ordered coffee instead. He was sitting next to Serena now, rather than across from her, and had the woman pleasantly cuddled into his chest, one thickly muscled arm draped around her.
"I haven't danced like that in months, thank you Wolvie; this whole night has been wonderful. I love you." Serena said, looking up into the deep blue of Logans eyes.
Deeply tanned fingers came up to caress her flushed cheek, "I love ya too Chatty. It's been a long time since I had fun like this. But you're never wearin that skirt out in public again, especially if we're goin dancin." Her laughter was caught by Logans' mouth as he leaned down to kiss her. She responded immediately and parted her lips to allow his tongue inside, where she twined hers around it in a lazy duel.
So involved were the couple in their embrace, that not even Logan noticed when they were joined by Bill, who had brought their coffee. "So, someone's finally tamed the lone wolf eh? Quit sparkin your girl there and introduce an old man Logan." The bartender ordered as he sat down on the opposite side of the booth.
Logan growled menacingly at the man, who wasn't fazed in the least by the sound. "You gettin senile in your old age Bill? Seems you oughta know better'n to interrupt me when I'm busy." A tilt of his lips suggested that the big man was teasing the newcomer, and that it was an old joke between them.
Bill grinned widely and jested back, "Oh, were you busy? I couldn't hardly see that tiny little thing you got buried under ya, thought she mighta left you all on your lonesome. Now pretend to be a gentleman and introduce me to the lady."
"Damned old coot. This is Serena. Chatty, this naggin pain in the ass is Bill; he owns the joint and works the bar. We go back a ways, which is why I aint shreddin him for interruptin" Logan made the introductions with mock disgruntlement.
Serena took her arms from around Logan and flipped up her sleeve to type a greeting, "Hello Bill, it's nice to meet you. I'd apologize for the big grump, but if you've known him a while you must be used to his lack of manners." She extended her hand, which was taken and a flirtatious kiss pressed to the knuckles before being released again.
Bill laughed loudly at her gentle chastisement of his friend and replied, "That I am little missy. If I had a nickel for every time he's threatened to gut me, I could close down the bar and retire in style. So where'd you pick up the stray dog anyway? In the years I've known him, this boy aint never come in with a lady. Shocked the hell outta me when I saw him doin the two step with ya."
The small woman turned her face up to Logan, silently asking whether she could tell the truth or not. The man apparently knew about her boyfriends' claws, hence his mutant status, but she was unsure if he knew about the other mutants in Bayville. He gave her a reassuring smile and answered for her, "She's one of the Xmen Bill. I brought her up from Louisiana bout eight or nine months ago."
"And ya haven't seen fit to bring her in here before now? Shame on you Logan, the one place in town where she could let loose without worryin about keepin her secret and it takes ya eight months to bring her out." Bill chastised, shaking an arthritic finger at the big man.
Logan shrugged and replied, "We've been busy up at the mansion. Got a vampire and a witch livin with us now, and the Brotherhood boys moved in tonight. This was the first chance we've had to get away for a while."
A grey eyebrow rose at the news, "A vampire and a witch you say? Huh, well how bout that. You don't go waitin for months to bring em in here to say Hey. Now, we've been ignorin the pretty lady here, and she's givin us some real confused looks." Bill turned his eyes to Serena and explained, "Ya don't have to worry about bein a mutant in here little missy. I've known Charles Xavier for years now, and I know about what goes on up at the mansion. You feel free to come in here whenever ya like, you won't get no guff from anyone cause a your powers."
"Thank you Bill. I don't get out of the mansion very often because of the kids, but I'll keep the offer in mind. Maybe I can talk Wolvie into bringing me back once in a while." Serena replied through her armband. She noticed that Bill was giving the computer curious glances and explained the details of her mutation. Conversation flowed easily between the three after that, until Bill took his leave of the couple a while later.
Logan and Serena finished their coffee in companionable silence, and danced to a few more ballads before paying the bill and leaving the roadhouse. The night was warm, but the wind coming off the ocean was a little chilly and Logan kept Serena cuddled in the protective warmth of his embrace for the ride home in Scotts' flashy red convertible. Though he drove slowly, it only took twenty minutes to reach the mansion.
The big man parked the car next to his motorcycle in the garage and the pair got out. Serena circled around the convertible and took Logans' hand. Rather than leading him towards the house, she turned towards the back of the property, taking him to a destination as yet unknown to her companion.
"Where we goin Darlin'?" Logan asked after they'd been walking in the sparse woods for a while.
Serena smiled up into his handsome face and replied, "Nowhere in particular; I just don't want the night to end. It's been so wonderful, getting out of the house, spending an evening alone with you. I guess I never really noticed before how little time we get to ourselves in this place, until I started going crazy from wanting to be completely alone with you."
Logan smiled gently and squeezed the small woman around the shoulders. "I know how ya feel Chatty. These last few weeks have been hard; hell by the time we got the kids to bed at night even I was too tired to do much besides crawl into bed and sleep. There's a clearing up ahead a little, why don't we head there and just sit awhile before we head back." He replied, and received a nod in answer.
* * * * * * * * * *
They entered the small glade a few minutes later, and settled down on the grass. Logan lay on his side, propped up on one elbow, and looked down at the woman beside him. Serena had sprawled herself out on the grass, not caring about what it might do to her hair or clothing. Her pale skin was glowing in the moonlight, and the inky dark hair was tinted with blue highlights. A soft smile curved her lips as she gazed back up at him.
One slender arm reached up, and soft fingertips traced the bold planes of Logans face. A scarlet tipped thumb rubbed over his full bottom lip and then joined the fingers in threading through his unruly hair. A gentle press was all the urging he needed to lean down and kiss the crimson shaded lips.
Serena revelled in the sensations the big man was creating in her with his kiss. Her arms came up to wrap around his neck, and she tugged gently, encouraging him to move so that his upper body hovered over hers, covering her slight frame with his. A work roughened hand skimmed over her side, stopping to rub gently at the bare skin of her waist before moving upwards to curve around the generous swell of her breast.
She arched up in response, wanting more of the touch. Her own hands weren't idle, massaging the heavy muscles of his shoulders and back, making their way around to his chest and arms. Time seemed to have no meaning in this place, and they could have been kissing for minutes or hours before parting for breath. Hands wandered, exploring each others bodies at first shyly, and then with more confidence when each new touch was rewarded with soft noises of pleasure.
When the arm that was supporting his weight started to go numb Logan wrapped his free arm around Serenas' small waist and rolled onto his back, carrying her with him so that she ended up stretched out on top of him. It was a small shock to his system when he felt the naked skin of her breasts against his equally bare chest. He hadn't realized they'd been undressing each other as they kissed. The knowledge brought his already half erect cock to full attention, and he growled lustily as his hands came up around the womans back and under her open blouse to free the catch on her bra.
********** NC 17 sex scene between Serena and Logan has been edited out. To read it go To read it go to the adult fan fiction dot net site and look for Sirens Song there. ***********
They lay pressed together for a long while, trembling in the aftermath of their love making. Very slowly, their minds fell back to earth, and they separated reluctantly. Logan rolled off of the small woman, and cuddled her close against his side. One of her arms came to rest on his chest, and she bent her leg to rest over his thighs. She placed a soft kiss against his chest and tilted her head up. "I love you Logan." She said quietly.
He brushed his knuckles over her flushed cheek and replied, "I love you too Serena. I love you too." He turned onto his side and wrapped both of his large arms around the small woman. His lips met hers in a gentle, lingering kiss that spoke more than the simple spoken words could.
* * * * * * * * * *
A long time passed as they lay entwined, looking up at the stars, but eventually they parted and gathered their clothing to return to the mansion. The walk back was quiet and peaceful, and they held each other close for the entire trip. At the front door, Serena turned to face her lover and said, "I want one more kiss before we go in and the chaos erupts around us."
Logan smiled and bent his head, touching his lips to hers at first gently, then with more passion as her arms came up around his neck and her lips parted to welcome his tongue. Suddenly, the door swung open and a flash went off. The startled pair jumped apart like guilty teenagers and Logans claws emerged with a familiar 'snickt' sound.
Lance was standing partially behind the door, and Kitty was holding a camera to her eye. Both were wearing wide grins, and before the adults could react, the camera went off again, its flash making them blink. Serena turned to her lover and said in a slightly menacing tone, "See, chaos. You take her, I'll get him."
The big man growled and an evil grin twisted his lips as he eyed the little brunette that had just become prey. Kitty gulped dramatically and ran for it, barely taking time to grab Lances' vest and drag him along with her. The adults gave their quarry about two seconds head start before they chased after them.
It didn't take long to corner the pair in the rec room where they were hiding behind Freddy, giggling madly. As they'd agreed, Logan grabbed Kitty and threw her over his shoulder, walking with her to the couch which quickly emptied of its occupants and dropping her on it before leaning in to start tickling her.
Serena, being unable to throw the tall boy over her shoulder, simply tackled Lance to the floor and mercilessly attacking his ribs. Only when both teens were crying from laughter and begging for mercy did the adults let them go. Logan was the first to notice that it was two hours past curfew/bedtime and all the teens were still lounging around in the rec room. "Anyone wanna explain why there're a dozen rug rats and one passed out vampire sittin in here instead of bein upstairs in bed where they belong at one in the morning?"
"It's all Spikes' fault! He wanted to watch Interview with the Vampire and made all of us watch it with him." Willow replied, pointing a dainty finger at the bleached blond who was currently sleeping in the recliner with a tired looking Rogue in his lap. The other teens were quick to agree with the redhead, nodding their heads and pointing.
Serena smirked and shook her head indulgently, "You mean you conned him, or bribed him with alcohol, to let you stay up past curfew. It's a good thing for you we had a wonderful night, otherwise you'd all be participating in a five a.m. Danger Room session."
Logan nodded his head in agreement and added, "You've got ten minutes to get this mess cleaned up and get your asses in bed. Or there will be a five a.m. workout, no matter how good a night Chatty and I had. And if it was my liquor stash you bribed Spike with you'll be in the Danger Room all day."
The teens quailed at the threat and began cleaning up the scattered bowls and glasses that had previously held snack food and sodas. Spike was shaken awake by his girlfriend and he groaned at the sight of his friends standing before him. "It's all your bloody fault. You left me alone to deal with twelve teenagers while you went out on a nice quiet date! Never again, not even if you beg me on hands and knees will I ever baby sit for this lot again."
The vampire looked around him to see the last of the teens heading upstairs and the messy rec room free of clutter. There was a hint of awe in his voice when he said, "How did you manage that? I tried for a sodding hour to get them to go to bed."
"You're dating one of them Spikey, it undermines your authority. All we had to do was say the words 'five a.m. danger room session' and they got down to business. You do know they're blaming you for being up after curfew right?" Serena answered, amusement in her voice and her lips forming a smile.
Spike cursed under his breath for a while, muttering threats against the teens and plotting to get back at them. Serena placed a kiss on one of his blade like cheekbones in consolation and left the room to say goodnight to the kids, kissing Logan on her way out the door.
The big man sat down on the couch, only half listening to Spike's ranting. Seeing his undead friend had brought several questions to the forefront of his mind, and seeing his lover kiss the blonds cheek with such familiarity sent a rush of jealousy through him. He brought one of his hands up to rub at the spot on his neck where Serena had laid her claiming mark.
'She claimed me, even if I won't show the scar, it was still a claim. But does she know that? Or did she just bite me because she wanted to? She was so good, so wild; she might've just bitten me in the heat of the moment. Damn she was tight, but she wasn't a virgin! She's been with someone else. Was it Spike? Did he take her first? Did he put his mark on her while he fucked her? Did she claim him too? How long ago would it have been? Not since she came here, but before that?' His thoughts whirled, jealousy over an unknown past, confusion about the future.
He said goodnight to the vampire and went upstairs to the room he shared with Serena. He stripped off his clothing and climbed into the bed after a quick stop in the bathroom. His thoughts continued to plague him with questions he had no answers for as he waited for his mate to come to bed.
* * * * * * * * * *
Serena stopped in each room to say goodnight to the teens, but she kept her visits short, wanting to get to bed where Logan was waiting for her. Lance, Todd, and Freddy were all surprised when she came into their rooms. The boys couldn't remember the last time someone had stopped in to wish them a good night, let alone bestow hugs and kisses. They took the mothering with half hearted protests and wide grins as the door shut behind her.
She had to separate several couples during her rounds. She found Lance kissing Kitty in the hallway, Willow in Kurts' room, and surprisingly, Faith in Scotts' room. Her last visit was to Pietros' room, where she found Evan, who had evidently thought she'd already been and gone, and was currently curled up behind the snowy haired teen. After she'd lectured them about the brand new 'no bed hopping' rule and escorted him back to his own room, she came back to visit with her Ptichka.
Pietro looked like an over grown two year old as he lay propped up in his bed. Wiry muscled arms were crossed over his chest and his angelic face was twisted into a scowl, cupids bow lips pouting as he glared at the older woman. Serena couldn't help but laugh lightly at the expression which was very familiar to her. Her little bird looked as if someone had taken his favourite toy away. "You quit pouting at me Ptichka, I am immune to it."
The snowy haired teen tried to keep his petulant expression, but when Serena sat down on the bed beside him and opened her arms for a hug he smiled and leaned forward to embrace her. He rested his head on her shoulder and held her tightly around the waist, feeling happy and safe in her motherly embrace. He felt her hand petting his hair and sighed deeply.
Serena felt the tension in the boys shoulders and back ease as she held and petted him. She'd noticed his wariness when they'd first gotten back to the mansion, but hadn't had a chance to ask about it. She did now, "What is wrong Ptichka? Something has been bothering you since we left that awful boarding house."
The tension immediately returned to his slight frame and he pulled back from the embrace to look into her concerned eyes. Pietro wasn't used to talking about his problems, but he desperately wanted to share this burden with Serena and have her reassure him. He took her hand and held it tightly as he spoke, "'Rena, I can't stay here. They'll kick me out if they find out who my father is. You remember him right? You know who he is?"
She did indeed remember. She remembered fear and unbearable pain of body and soul. Her mind cringed at the memories that threatened to overwhelm her. The humiliation and anger, and the black hatred she felt for the man. She forced the memories down, back into their cage of promised vengeance, and looked into the lovely silver blue eyes of the child she'd given everything for. "Yes, I know who he is. Charles showed me his picture not long after I came here."
"Then you know that they won't let me stay here. The Xmen will never trust Magnetos' son, even though I hate him as much as they do." The boy replied, his voice both fearful and angry.
Slender arms reached out to embrace him again, and pulled until he was sitting on her lap the way he'd sat countless times as a child. "My baby, my little Ptichka. You think these people are so shallow that they would hold you responsible for your fathers' actions? No, Magnetos' crimes are his own, and he will pay for them eventually. You watch, tell them tomorrow and you will see. You're a good boy and they know that, and they won't turn you away because of your father."
Pietro held on tightly, wanting to believe the woman, "Are you sure? I like it here, I don't want to leave. I.I'm afraid they'll hate me, that Ev will hate me."
Serena tilted his chin up and made him look at her. She wiped the stray tears from his face and kissed his forehead, "You listen to me. No one will hate you. They might be shocked at first, but they won't turn against you. Anyone who speaks a word about making you leave will deal with me. I lost you once, though the gods and goddesses know how hard I fought to keep you, I will not lose you again. I love you Pietro, as if you were my own son, and nothing will take you from me."
The seriousness of her tone gave the teen the reassurance he needed. No matter what happened, she would stand by him. "I love you too.Mama. I'll tell them tomorrow like you said, if you'll talk to them with me."
"Of course I will Ptichka, we'll tell them together. Now, you need to get some sleep. Back under the covers." She replied, smiling at the boy. She watched as he scrambled back under the thick blankets and laid down on his side with one hand curled beside his face. She pushed a lock of snowy hair out of his eyes and kissed his forehead. He turned his face up and kissed her cheek, then closed his eyes. "Goodnight Ptichka, sweet dreams." She whispered, getting up to leave.
"G'night 'Rena." He replied sleepily. Serena paused and turned to look at the boy, holding the half closed door. She smiled when she noted that he had his thumb pressed against his lips, reminding her of all the times she'd had to stop him from sucking his thumb as a child. 'Some things never change.' She mused, closing the door.
She walked down the hall and into her room, her smile widening when she saw Logan already in bed. He was dozing off, but his eyes opened as she closed the door behind her. "Where ya been Darlin?" he asked, the words slurred slightly from tiredness. Serena told him about having to kick a few people out of the wrong rooms, and that she'd stayed in Pietros' room talking with the boy for a while.
When she'd undressed and finished her nightly routine she crawled into bed and curled up against him. The couple kissed and petted for a while with lazy passion that became less lazy and more passionate as they continued. After a long while, Logan moved over his lover, and Serena opened her legs to receive him. They made love slowly, holding each other close and whispering words of love and devotion. When they climaxed together, they muffled their sounds of completion in each others necks, biting down over marks the marks they'd made earlier.
Afterwards, they lay entwined listening to the quiet stillness of the mansion. As they drifted off to sleep, each tried to put aside their worries for the moment, and basked in the love they shared. Tomorrow would take care of itself, and tonight they would sleep contentedly in the arms of the one they loved.
Chapter 17: Coming Out of the Dark "coming out of the dark, I know the love that saved me; you're sharing with me."
"It's been four days Professor, isn't there something we can do? She's going to end up in the bed beside him if this goes on much longer." Scott asked, worry clear in his tone. The mansions occupants, including the new arrivals and half the Brotherhood were gathered in the rec room; trying to figure out a way to bring two of their friends back to them.
"I don't know Scott; I'm just as worried as the rest of you. As Dr. Harding said, there is nothing we can do about Logans' condition. However, we must find a way to get through to Serena. Frankly, her rapid decline frightens me. I have tried to speak to her, both aloud and telepathically, but she doesn't hear me. Her attention is focused solely on Logan." The professor replied, his frustration evident.
Over the last four days, the group had tried everything in their power to help their friend and been wholly unsuccessful. After the doctor had finished speaking, Serena had gone into the hospital style room and taken up a position at her loves' bed side. She hadn't left that position for more than a few minutes at a time since then.
The first day no one had showed much concern for the womans constant vigil. They had all come in to sit with the pair and check on Logan, and no one had thought anything of Serenas' silent, withdrawn demeanour; passing her behaviour off as merely worry for the man she adored.
The second day, when they noticed that the hypnotist hadn't come upstairs even to change clothing or eat, those closest to her had begun to worry. Kurt had come down with Willow and tried to talk to Serena, but the woman wouldn't make comments, and would answer questions only with a great deal of prodding. Spike had forced her to eat something, and then talked to her for hours with no more success than the blue teen. In his frustration he'd even phoned Drusilla in South America and had the vampiress try to talk some sense into her.
On the third day, when she still hadn't moved, taking her rest in the chair next to the bed, the others became concerned. She wouldn't speak at all, didn't even acknowledge the presence of her friends. When Lance and the brotherhood boys had visited they'd noticed how sickly looking Serena had become. Pietro had spoken to all the Xmen about her appearance, particularly about how her uniquely beautiful amber eyes were now sunken and muddy looking.
Now, after four days, the group was seriously frightened for their friend. Something had to be done before the woman slipped into a coma herself. Xander listened to the conversation quietly, discarding everyone's ideas in his mind moments after they were spoken. The dark haired boy noticed Faith doing the same thing and caught the slayers eye. Understanding passed between the two and they stood, leaving the room without anyone's notice.
Downstairs, they entered the hospital room and found the scene they'd expected. Serena was in her rocking chair, which Spike had brought down for her comfort after it became apparent that the woman wasn't leaving the room except to use the adjoining bathroom occasionally. They approached the bed and Xander knelt beside the catatonic woman while Faith placed a hand on the comatose mans shoulder.
"We could almost be them ya know Faith? I was in her position once, when Angels' minions put Willow in a coma. Up until a few days ago you were where Logan is now. We've got to get through to one of them, or we might lose both." The dark haired boy said as he gazed at the older couple.
Faith too looked closely at the pair, fear for these people she didn't know welling up in her heart. "Yeah, but how? I remember things from when I was in that coma. I could hear the doctors and nurses when they came in; sometimes they talked to me. But she won't talk, she just sits there looking at him and holding his hand."
Xander threaded his fingers through the slightly greasy, tangled mass of Serenas' hair and pushed a forelock behind her ear. "I guess all we can do is talk to her, and hope she's not too far gone to hear us. Maybe if we tell her about the things that happened to us, she'll come back and bring him with her."
Faith nodded, it was better than any of the ideas she'd heard upstairs. She liked these people, but none of them really understood what these two were going through. She cast a glance at Xander, the boy she'd once tried to kill. He was smarter than anyone gave him credit for, she realized, especially when it came to understanding people. "I'm sorry you know, for what I did to you. I can't take it back, or make excuses, but I am sorry."
"I know, it took me a while, but I realized you aren't that girl anymore. I can forgive you for the things you did, to me and the others. We're all starting over here, and I'd like for us to start as friends." The dark haired man said, offering his hand across the space that separated him from the brunette slayer.
The young woman took his offered hand and squeezed it tightly. "Friends. I think I'd like that. Well friend, let's see if we can get these two back on the right track. I think they'll be good friends to have, friends worth saving." When Xander nodded in agreement Faith turned her attention to Logan.
She squeezed the mans shoulder and studied his strong, handsome features. Her voice was soft when she spoke to the older man, but loud enough for everyone in the room to hear. "Hey Logan, how're you doing in there? I know you can hear me, kinda been there and done that if you know what I mean. I don't think anyone told you that up until the day we met I'd been in a coma, like you are now. I got there in almost the same way too, stabbed through the gut."
A soft hiss of remembered pain issued from her full lips before she continued, "There's only two differences I can see in our situations. First is that I deserved what I got and you didn't. I'm no innocent, like those kids upstairs. Before I got hurt I'd done some pretty nasty things, including murder and betrayal. In fact the reason I got stabbed was because I'd shot Angel with a poisoned arrow and mine or Buffy's blood was the only cure." The brunette explained.
"That leads me to the second difference. When I went into that coma, there wasn't a single person who didn't celebrate and wish I'd died instead. You're lucky there Logan, you've got a house full of people who want you to wake up; and a powerful little woman who's making herself sick sitting here day after day, waiting for any sign that you're getting better. What she doesn't realize is that you can't give her that sign. You can hear her if she talks, you can smell her scent and feel her touch, but you can't work up the energy to climb out of that place. It took an act of God to make me wake up; I hope it takes a lot less for you." When she'd finished speaking Faith bent down and pressed a kiss of friendship to the big mans' brow.
Xander gave the slayer a bright smile, one that grew to a grin when she returned the gesture. The boy then turned his attention to Serena, and he noticed a tear slipping down her sunken cheek. 'So you did hear her. I knew you weren't that far gone.' He thought as one large hand came up to wipe the wetness away. He took the womans chin between his thumb and index finger and used firm pressure to turn her head until his coffee brown eyes met the whiskey coloured orbs that seemed to have lost all the sparkle that made them beautiful.
"Hey 'Rena. I know you can hear me; you haven't disconnected that far yet. We're all worried about you, you know. Your friends are upstairs right now trying to figure out how to bring you back to us. You might as well come back, because you're not doing Logan any good with this vigil. You heard Faith, she's been where he is now and she remembers the things that happened around her. It's been four days 'Rena, he's probably taking some comfort in you holding his hand, but I doubt he's enjoying the smell anymore, you're getting a little rank."
The small woman winced a tiny bit at his half joke and Xander knew he was getting through to her, so he kept pressing. "You're also not doing the one thing that might give him the will to come back. That voice of yours has been a curse for ten years, why don't you turn it into a blessing now? Use it, talk to him, make him want to come back to you."
"Did you hear what I said earlier? I've sat where you're sitting 'Rena. When those vamps put Willow in a coma I was right there beside her through the whole thing. They had to set my broken arm while I held her hand with my good one. I talked to her all that night, told her everything I should've said while she was awake." Xander closed his eyes and remembered how terrible he'd felt that night, holding Willows pale, bruised hand and babbling worse than she'd ever done, hoping that something would make her wake up.
"You know what finally brought her back? I told her that I loved her. She'd loved me in secret for years and when I finally realized how much she meant to me and told her, she woke up. Too bad for me the first thing she did was call for her boyfriend, she thought it was him talking. I doubt Logan will do that to you though, he'll probably wake up growling for you to bring him a steak or something." Xander smiled at the thought of the big, gruff man opening his eyes and growling for his dinner.
He saw Serenas' lips twitch and a brief twinkle in her eyes. "Ah ha, I saw that. So bad jokes are the way to get through to you huh? Well then, this man walked into a doctor's office.No, I'm kidding, I won't torture any of you with my frightening sense of humour. Faith and I will leave you two alone; I think you might have a few things to say to each other."
Xander stood and placed a kiss on Serenas' hair before holding a hand out to Faith. The brunette came forward and swatted at the appendage, telling the boy that his girlfriend would rip her to shreds if she happened to see them holding hands. The two friends walked out the swinging doors and their laughter echoed through the sterile room where Logan lay sleeping and Serena still sat in silence, holding his large hand. But the sparkle was coming back to her eyes, and a tiny smile tilted the corners of her mouth up.
When she heard the elevator at the end of the hall start up, Serena pressed her lips to Logan's hand. "Is what they said true Wolvie? Can you hear me, wherever you are? I hope you can; Xander's right, I do have a few things to say to you. But first, I think a shower is in order, otherwise I'll never know if it was my words or my stench that got through to you. I'll be back soon."
With renewed hope in her heart, Serena walked out of the hospital room quickly, intent on having herself a shower and changing into some clean clothing. In the elevator, she heard and felt her stomach complaining. 'Maybe I'll stop by the kitchen and get something to eat too.' She mused.
Logan was floating, or so it felt to his mind. He was in a dark place, not the nightmarish dark of his worst dreams; this dark was warm and comfortable. As Faith had described, he still had some of his senses; he could hear his friends talking, and feel when they touched him. When he inhaled, he could detect the scents of those around him. But he couldn't see or move and it angered him. He'd tried, so many times, to squeeze his Chatterbox's hand, to give her some sign that he was there with her.
Through his remaining senses, he'd known the small woman was always near, and he'd heard the people who visited the room talking about how she was making herself sick with worry for him. That knowledge had made him fight the undetectable, but rock solid barrier that held him captive. The problem was energy; he couldn't find enough will power to break out of the cage in his mind.
He didn't know how much time passed between Serena leaving and her reappearance, but he could feel the difference in her by the pressure of her hand. She took his limp hand in hers and climbed up beside him on the bed. Her free hand traced the contours of his face, smoothed the whiskers at his jaw line, tickled across his closed eyelids, and her lips pressed gently against his.
"Hey there Wolvie, told you I wouldn't be gone long. I did some thinking while I cleaned myself up. I wonder, did you feel anything after you were stabbed? I felt that you know, your pain hit me like, well like a skewer through the gut. I started screaming like a banshee, it scared the hell out of poor Kurt and Lance. I put everything I had into that sound, and I sent it straight to you. I heard third hand that it might have gotten to you, but I don't know for sure." She started, explaining things she didn't quite understand herself.
With a sigh, Serena leaned in close, and her amber eyes focused on his face. "So here's what I'm going to do. Everything I feel, everything I want you to know, I'm going to sing. Right here, right now, I'm going to throw myself out there and hope what I have to say will bring you back home to me. So you listen Logan, and you hold on to these words, they aren't easy for me to say."
"I don't need a lot of things,
I can get by with nothing
Of all the blessings life can bring,
I've always needed something
But I've got all I want
When it comes to loving you
You're my only reason,
You're my only truth."
In Logan's darkness, Serenas' voice was like a bolt of lightning. Her words of love cut a path through the blackness and when the light reached his consciousness, he grabbed onto it like a lifeline.
"I need you like water Like breath, like rain I need you like mercy From Heaven's gate There's a freedom in your arms That carries me through I need you."
Once again, Serena opened her mind and heart and poured everything she had into the words she sang. She felt the connection with her love and increased the volume of her song, putting as much pure energy into the sound as possible. She felt it leave her body, using her voice its method of transportation. With it she sent all the love she had in her heart for the one she was singing to.
"You're the hope that moves me To courage again You're the love that rescues me When the cold winds rage And it's so amazing 'Cause that's just how you are And I can't turn back now 'Cause you've brought me too far."
Upstairs in the common room where the large group was still discussing Serenas' declining physical and mental state, several people jumped in surprise when the amazing voice of their friend came to them, singing words of love and need that they knew instantly were meant for Logan. Professor Xavier reached with his mind, thinking to make contact with the shields she kept around her thoughts.
He was surprised to find the barriers down, though he could only hear an echo of her thoughts; it seemed to him that she was purposely directing her message to someone, and from the words and images, the telepath knew it was his old friend. He pulled his powerful mind back, not willing to invade her privacy more than he already had.
Sitting across the room from each other, Xander and Faith shared a smile. At the very least, the young people were glad that they'd brought one friend back with their words, and they hoped that the beautiful song she was singing would bring the other home.
"I need you like water Like breath, like rain I need you like mercy From Heaven's gate There's a freedom in your arms That carries me through I need you."
Logan climbed; he could feel himself rising, following the line of light out of the dark void. His beautiful Sirens' energy was pouring into him, giving him the strength he needed to reach her. As her voice faded on the last note, a sudden rush overcame him and he was pulled completely out of the dark. Sapphire blue eyes opened just in time to see tear filled gold ones closing as Serena collapsed in complete and utter exhaustion.
"Oh Darlin, I need you too. You brought me back Baby, sleep now." The big man whispered hoarsely. Serena had fallen across his chest when she lost consciousness and he was able to wrap his arms around her sleeping form. He clasped her tightly to him and was pressing a kiss into her damp black curls when the first of his friends arrived.
The residents arrived in what was becoming an expected order. Kurt and Willow appeared first via teleportation and were almost knocked over by Pietro as the speedster bolted into the room. Spike was mere seconds behind the teens, having run down the stairs at top speed.
The blond vampire was the first to take in the situation. "Well, it looks like she's done it again. Welcome back Wolf, been a bit boring around here without you." Spike greeted as he came forward to clasp his friends shoulder. He gave the feral man one of his beatific smiles to indicate how pleased he was with the big mans recovery.
Kurt and Willow approached to make their own greetings before Logan could reply, "It's good to see you awake mien friend. You have had us all worried about you. But what is wrong with Mama, she should be jumping for joy now." The blue teen's heavy accent belied his happiness, as well as his concern for Serena.
"I think she must have done the same thing she did in Sunnyhell. She gave all her energy to Logan so the lazy bloke would wake up. She just needs to sleep for a while now, get some strength back." Spike replied, stroking a hand over the womans' hair. He arched his scarred brow when Logan growled at him for touching the Nymph.
Before any more could be said, a large group of people came through the doors. They'd crowded into the elevator to come down and see their friends. Greetings were exchanged along with handshakes from the men and hugs or kisses from the ladies that made Logan growl at having too much affection showered on him.
Everyone expressed concern over Serenas' unconsciousness, but were reassured when the professor probed her mind and explained, "She is just extremely tired, even her mental shields are down. I can sense her sleeping thoughts, so she is not comatose. She will wake up when she's regained her strength. Come now; let's leave Logan and Serena to rest a while."
The group began to leave, but was halted a moment later by a vicious growl coming from the man on the bed. Spike had approached the couple, thinking that both of his friends would be more comfortable if he moved Serena to the bed a few feet away. Logan was now growling threateningly at the vampire, warning him to keep away from the sleeping woman. "Mine. She stays right here." The big man informed his undead friend.
"Don't get your knickers in a twist Logan, it was just an offer. If you want to keep her there it's fine with me. We'll come down and check on you later." The blond placated. He could've kicked himself for not realizing that the feral man would be overly protective of Serena right now. Logan was acting mostly on instinct and had taken the vampires gesture as a threat to his woman.
Logan shook himself a little, regaining control of his emotions, and said, "Yeah, later. Sorry bout that Blondie." Spike nodded understanding and left the room, shooing the spectators in front of him. As he entered the elevator with an arm around Rogues shoulder he mused, 'So, the big brute's going to lay claim to my Nymph huh? 'Bout bloody time.'
Left alone in the large room again, Logan turned onto his side and cuddled the soft, warm, sleeping woman beside him. He leaned back after a moment to gaze at her lovely, delicate face. 'She looks so damn young when she's sleepin. Too young to be doin the things she does. Fightin to save the world, fightin harder to save her friends. The Elf called her Mama earlier; she's a mama to every kid in this house.' He reflected, memories coming forth at random.
He smoothed her hair back and placed his lips against her brow for a moment, "Not a mother to me though are ya Chatty? The animal inside me, that part is real specific about what you are. You're mine, my mate. I'm not quite sure what the other side calls you. More than girlfriend, more than lover even though we haven't got that far yet. Love will do I suppose; you are my love and damn near everythin else I can think of."
"I'm not real good with words like you are. I don't always know just what to say, and I sure as hell couldn't sing it if I did. But I do love you Serena, and I need ya. You rest now, get back all that strength you gave me, and when you wake up I'll tell ya again." Logan closed his eyes and tightened his hold on the small beauty, breathing in her scent. A smile softened his chiseled features as he drifted off to sleep beside the woman who'd given her heart to bring him back.
* * * * * * * * * *
The mansion was suffused with happiness all evening. It banished the tension that had loomed over the house since the teams' return. Homework was finished quickly so that the teens could gather in the rec room for activities that matched their exuberant moods. Kitty filled the room with music and an impromptu party got under way. Scott and Lance were in front of the television playing a video game in friendly competition. Jean was reading a book on the couch. Xander and Spike played pool with their girlfriends. Kurt, Evan, and Pietro were quite happy to dance with Willow, Kitty, and Faith. Todd and Freddy were expected to come over after they finished detention at six and join the fun.
Even Charles, Ororo, and Giles joined in when the loud music and sounds of laughter drew them to the rec room. It was quite a sight when Kitty took hold of the austere professors' wheelchair and began dancing around the room with the telepath. Ororo was dragged onto the make shift dance floor by her nephew, protesting all the way. When Willow and Faith started glancing at Giles, the librarian quickly escaped to join Spike and Xander at the pool table.
At a quarter past six, the doorbell was heard, and Ororo excused herself to go answer it. A minute later she came back with Todd and Freddy. The two boys hadn't been able to come to the meeting earlier, or even to the mansion since the mission. On Monday Mystique had found her car suspiciously dented and slimy, and the pair were given three days detention. They hadn't met the Sunnydale group yet, and were looking forward to it since Pietro and Lance had had only good things to say about them. Once they were informed the crisis with Wolverine and Siren was over, they were in even better spirits.
Lance and Pietro took their team mates around the room and introduced Xander, Anya, and Faith. They were in the middle of greeting Giles when Todd absently flicked out his tongue to catch a fly that was buzzing above the bright red hair of a girl on the couch, who the boy assumed was Jean.
Willow was talking with her boyfriend and waiting to be introduced to the new boys when she saw the long, slimy tongue flick near her face. 'FROG!!!' her mind screamed as she jumped up off the couch and ran a few feet away. Mimicking her thoughts she squeaked, "Ack, Frog! Oh Goddess, Frog!"
"Naw, it's Toad, yo. Or Todd; you must be the tree girl right? Willow?" The amphibian-esque teen replied, wondering what had startled the girl so bad. He took a few steps forward with a hand outstretched in greeting. Willow backed away from him in panic, her mind still taken over by the phobia everyone had forgotten.
Todd started to turn away in dejection when the girl kept acting afraid of him. He'd seen the reaction to his mutation many times, but it still hurt his feelings. He was stopped by Xanders hand coming down on his shoulder. "Just give her a minute Todd. No one told her about what your power is, so she wasn't expecting that tongue of yours. She's afraid of frogs, has been since we were little kids."
The greenish skinned teen looked back at the redhead, who was beginning to calm down as her boyfriend hugged her. Kurt gestured for Todd to come over, and the boy obeyed, though he moved slowly so he wouldn't accidentally scare the pretty girl again. "Willow, this is my friend Todd." The dark haired teen said as his girlfriend pulled away to greet the boy.
"Umm, hi Todd, it's nice to meet you. Sorry I wigged a minute ago, no one told me about your mutation. I kinda have frog fear, but don't worry I won't freak on you again." The redhead said brightly, extending her hand and smiling at the boy. She reminded herself to do something nasty to the others for not warning her.
Todd took the offered hand in his and shrugged off the incident with a smile. "It's ok yo. It happens sometimes. I only flicked my tongue out because I thought you were Jean, it grosses her out, and I love pissing her off. So you're Blues' girlfriend yo? You do know he's got blue fur and stuff under that holo-thingy right?"
Willow nodded and lifted Kurts hand to turn off the image inducer, "Yeah I know, I think he's cute." She kissed a fuzzy cheek happily and watched the navy coloured fur darken as her boyfriend blushed. Past her fright now, the redheads' cheerful personality came forward and before long she and Todd were chatting like old friends. When Freddy joined them and shyly introduced himself, the redhead had tilted her head as far back as she could to look at him and said, "I wish Serena would wake up, she's must be the only person in this town who's shorter than me!"
While the group was laughing at Todds' story about the shortest resident having to be picked up to hug his super strong friend, the object of their humour was just awakening in the med bay. Serena opened bleary golden eyes and wondered where she was for a minute before remembering her attempts to wake Logan. She tried to push herself up, but settled again when a familiar, strong arm clutched at her waist.
An elfin face tilted upwards from its place against a muscular chest, and whiskey hued eyes met twinkling midnight blue. Logan had woken from his light sleep when his bed partner shifted and when his eyes took in her tired, disbelieving expression a deeply tanned, callused hand lifted to brush against the silken skin of her cheek. "Hey there Darlin, I was beginnin to wonder if ya were gonna sleep as long as I did." He greeted, his rumbling voice like the sweetest music to the small woman.
A lone tear of happiness drifted down Serenas' face to be caught on the big mans fingertip. He brought it to his lips and kissed the moisture away before pulling the stunned woman up onto his chest for a deep kiss. A soft sob was muffled against Logan's lips as the small woman kissed him feverishly, small hands coming up to roam over his face and clutch as his wild black hair.
It was a long while before the lion eyed woman pulled back for breath. As she gasped in much needed oxygen her eyes traced his features, followed closely by gentle fingertips. "You're alright. Thank the Gods, you're alright." She whispered in her native Ukrainian, too emotional to do the mental translation and speak English. She pressed light kisses over the roughly whiskered cheeks, over her loves forehead, nose, and eyes; before settling back on his lips in a kiss that was gentler than the last, but no less passionate.
When she released Logan to take another breath the big man chuckled, amused by her fierce welcome. He pulled himself into a sitting position and relocated Serena to his lap before wrapping her small frame in his arms and hugging her tightly. "Not the Gods Sweetheart, you. You were screechin too loud for me to stay asleep, had to wake up so you'd be quiet."
"Screeching? You wait Wolvie, I'll show you screeching. It would've served you right if I did." She replied, laughing softly and smacking him gently on the back of the head. After holding him in her embrace for a long while she pulled herself back and met his eyes, "You scared me Logan, so badly. I don't know how, or why, but I felt that piece of bone go through you. I could see, through your eyes, what had happened. I thought I was going to lose you. Don't ever do that to me again Logan, don't let me lose you." The last sentences were choked out on a sob or remembered fear and pain.
Choking up himself, Logan drew her back into his embrace and held her tightly, almost too tightly. He rubbed her back as she cried out her fear into his shoulder, her tears soaking through the thin cotton hospital gown that covered him. He murmured reassurances in her ear, words about never letting go and always being by her side. When she quieted again he gripped her shoulders and pulled her back until he could gaze into the watery, bloodshot, amber eyes. "I mean it Chatty, I aint never lettin ya go. What was it you sang to me?"
He remembered the words and gave them back, "'I need you like water, like breath, like rain. I need you like mercy from Heavens gate.' It goes both ways Serena, I need you, and.I love you." The raven haired, golden eyed, angel faced creature in his arms was the first in his memory to hear the declaration from his lips, and he swore that she'd be the only woman to hear it ever.
It took a great effort not to burst into tears again. Serena knew that Logan cared for her, but she hadn't expected to hear the words before she'd given them herself. Her Wolvie guarded his thoughts and feelings like a dragon over his hoarded treasure, and now it appeared that the dragon was handing her the loveliest jewel in his trove. "I love you too Logan, so much."
Suddenly she remembered a sheet of paper she'd been looking at before the hurried trip to California, and the name printed on it. She placed her small hands on his cheeks and stared into his eyes as she spoke clearly, "I love you, Logan Gabriel Chapman."
The big man shuddered when he heard the name she'd given him along with her love. It settled into him with a warm sense of belonging. It was right, it fit on him like a favorite piece of clothing, shoved into a closet and forgotten for years, just waiting to be pulled out again. Just to be sure, he asked, "Is that my name Chatty? That vampire found it for you?"
Serena smiled brightly and nodded, "That's your name. Logan Gabriel Chapman, I like it. There wasn't much else to be found, at least not in the demon world. They had a long, detailed list of demons and famous vampires you'd killed, going from your sudden appearance in the northern untied states in '44 to your 'death' at the hands of William the Bloody in Canada in '59. Fifteen years is a long career for a demon hunter, According to Raphael, several contacts he spoke with actually winced when they heard the name Hunter."
Logan took in the information and mulled it over in his brain. He figured he could learn his history through the military, now that he had a name to search for besides Logan. Willow and Kitty wouldn't have much trouble hacking into their records if he asked them to. But he wasn't as exited as he'd always thought he'd be when he had his missing past back.
He realized that the past wasn't as important as the present and future, which was cuddled in his lap and running around upstairs. He'd still have the girls work their computer magic, he'd searched too long to just let it lie now that he had the key, but his life was here with Serena and the Xmen, and he was quite happy to put the past to rest once it had been found.
He said as much to Serena after he thanked her with a scorching kiss and tight hug. They spoke for a long while about it, and about the future. They were still talking quietly when the professor came to check on them two hours later. Charles gave his friends both a clean bill of health, though he suggested that they try to take it easy for a while, knowing they wouldn't. As he left the room he invited them to come upstairs and join the impromptu celebration being held in their honor.
"What'cha say Chatty? Want to go up there and get mauled by the rug rats?" Logan asked as he threw back the thin blanket and stood, a bit shakily. He steadied himself and grinned, feeling content and happy with the world in general. He started toward the door when Serena nodded and stopped again when her laughter rang out. He turned around to face her and asked what she was laughing at.
A long, slender finger pointed at him while she tried to control her giggles. "You might.you might want to get dressed first Wolvie.Unless you're feeling happy enough to give the kids a free show." She started giggling again, imagining the fiercely blushing faces of their female charges should they happen to see Logan in his current state. The thin hospital gown did little to cover her boyfriends' well formed, tightly muscled derriere.
Logan looked down at himself, felt the breeze of air conditioning on his rear, and started cursing. He'd been too preoccupied with thoughts of spending a pleasant evening with his friends that he hadn't noticed his state of undress. "Where the hell're my clothes and whose idea was it to put me in a damned dress?" he growled, reaching back to undo the ties on the garment before realizing that if he did he'd be standing there naked in front of his woman. After a split second pause he continued to untie the strings, a wicked gleam in his eyes.
Serena rooted around in the bedside dresser to find the clothes she vaguely remembered someone bringing down in anticipation of Logans' awakening. She came up with a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt as well as boxers and socks. When she turned and held the items out to him, she gasped.
********** NC 17 description of Logan naked has been edited out. To read it go to the adult fan fiction dot net site and look for Sirens Song there.***********
Quick reflexes saved him from getting a face full of cloth and he hurriedly dressed, cursing silently that the jeans were uncomfortably tight. When he had the pants fastened he quickly threw the shirt on and walked stiffly to where Serena was sitting in her rocker, eyes tightly shut and breathing deeply to calm down. He crouched beside her and threaded his fingers into her hair, pulling her head down for a kiss that expressed all his love, lust, and anticipation which she returned whole heartedly.
"You're evil Wolvie, the most beautiful man I've ever seen sure, but still evil. Luckily, I have a thing for evil, gorgeous men. Now, let's get to that party before I give in and attack you." Serena said once she'd caught her breath.
Logan chuckled at her, though he was sorely tempted to let her try. 'Very sorely' he mused when his cock twitched to add its opinion. Aloud he said, "Beautiful, my ass. Come on Chatty, let's go up and see the brats." He took her hand and led her toward the door.
Serena gave in to her own evil thoughts and pinched the previously mentioned rear, "That too." When Logan growled and slung his arm around her shoulders she smiled happily and snuggled in, her arm coming to rest at his waist, a thumb hooked through one of his belt loops.
* * * * * * * * * *
It was just past ten when the four teenagers that comprised the Brotherhood of Mutants opened the front door of their boarding house. Lance Alvers, their leader, nearly punched the wall when the door fell off its hinges. "You know, I hate this place more and more every day. I should just shake it down and make Mystique find us somewhere else to live. This is worse than any of the damn foster homes I've lived in." He grumbled, taking hold of the door to try and fix it for the third time in as many weeks.
His three friends could only agree with the sentiment. Todd had done the foster home circuit himself, Fred had lived with that travelling truck show, and Pietro had lived all over the world. None of them knew why Mystique had chosen to place them in an old boarding house that was literally falling down around their heads. "Maybe if she actually lived here with us it wouldn't be so bad, but she never uses that room she keeps locked upstairs." Fred intoned as he pounded the door back onto its hinges while Lance held it up.
"And it sucks having to ask her for shit all the time, yo. She won't even give us grocery money until we ask for it and she laughed in our faces when we gave her that list of repairs for the place." Todd said when they'd plopped down in their usual spots. Fred in the ratty recliner, Lance and Pietro sprawled on the lumpy couch and the greenish skinned teen crouching on a straight backed kitchen chair with a broken rail.
Again, the others nodded agreement. They'd been brought here, supposedly 'taken in' by Mystique, and each felt that the shape shifter should be caring for them, at least financially. Fred turned on the television and they stared blankly at some sitcom through the static.
Pietro flicked his blue grey eyes around the room at his friends. He wanted to bring up the subject of switching sides, becoming Xmen, but he didn't want to upset any of the guys. It was harder each time for the snowy haired boy to leave the mansion after a training session or visit, to say casual goodbyes to the group, including his boyfriend. At least Serena never let any of them cross the threshold without a hug and kiss of farewell. The motherly affection did wonders for his friends' moods, since none of them had really been given that kind of attention before.
If the boy had been gifted with telepathy rather than sonic speed, his fears about speaking against Mystique would've been greatly eased. Lance, Todd, and Freddy had the same thoughts of desertion in their minds. Lances' foremost reason was Kitty, and running a close second was his new found friendship with Scott. Todd had the same type of friendship with Kurt and now Willow. He couldn't remember having as much fun as he'd had with them earlier in a long time. For Freddy, it was the adults whose companionship he craved. He'd never felt as proud of himself as he did when Wolverine and Spike praised him for throwing them across the room in the last training session.
Each boy knew he'd be welcomed to the Xmen team with open arms; all they had to do was knock on the door. They never pushed or tried to manipulate the teens into joining them, but the message came through clearly. Though they wanted to leave, they felt they owed Mystique and Magneto for the things they'd done for the boys. So they waited for something to happen, something that would decide their loyalties once and for all. They knew it wouldn't be long before one of their leaders gave an order they weren't willing to follow.
* * * * * * * * * *
The next two weeks seemed to fly by in a blur, no one having a spare moment. Professor Xavier had been called away to consult with the warden of his brothers penitentiary on different types of security measures and cells made specifically to house mutant criminals. Ororo was attending a conference for meteorologists to discuss the latest weather technology and the effects El Nino was having around the world. That left Logan, Serena, and Spike in charge of their rambunctious teenagers.
Someone had sabotaged the cars in their garage one night and Logan was in a fury. He spent all his time in the garage trying to repair the damage, starting just after breakfast and finishing when he was simply too tired to work any longer. Mystique and Magneto were the main suspects, but there was no proof, not even a scent that Logan could detect under the fumes of spilled engine fluids.
With Logan busy from sun up to sun down, it was up to Spike to put the teens through their daily training and make modifications to the Danger Room to prepare it for the weekend sessions. After school Rogue would join him there to give what help she could and just be in his company. The vampire also started doing post curfew patrols to stop any of the kids from going out. He'd caught Evan coming back in at two a.m. one morning and that added a week of early morning workouts with the boy to his list of duties.
Serena spent most of her days helping people move. Xander and Anya had quickly decided that while they enjoyed being around their young friends, living with them was not an option. The teens had agreed after three days of listening to the symphony of bangs, creaks, moans, and screams coming from the couples' room. The raven haired woman had found them an apartment in the city, and Xander got a job with a local construction company. Serena had gone shopping more times than she could stand with Anya, who was ecstatic about decorating her new home.
Giles had also moved out of the mansion and settled into a small townhouse near the high school. With the professors recommendation added to his amazing credentials the British man once again found himself ensconced in a library. He'd been swept up by the city library and offered the position of head librarian. Once his books had arrived, courtesy of Angel, he'd settled into his new home quite comfortably. Serena had used her shopping trips with Anya to also help the older man decorate his townhouse.
Things had finally started to calm down by the Friday two weeks after the mini celebration two weeks earlier. At least Serena thought they had, until Evan approached her in her bedroom where she was working secretly on Rogues' surprise. She had closed and locked her door, which was highly unusual since the teens were normally allowed to visit her there whenever they liked.
The door opened after a flurry of activity to hide the half made clothing, and Serena ushered the dark skinned boy in. "Hello Evan, come to ask me when I'm going to cook dinner?" she asked, smiling brightly. That was the boys' usual question, if he hadn't gotten the answer from Kurt. Her smile faded when he shook his blond head and his eyes met hers seriously.
"I think something is wrong over at Pietros' house 'Rena. He nearly fainted on me today at lunch, told me he skipped breakfast because he was running late and was just hungry. 'Tro is never late, not with his powers. Scott and Kurt both mentioned that the other guys didn't look right, and Kitty was running on about how Blob hadn't eaten lunch today. That's weird right; I'm not just over reacting am I?" Evan blurted out, wanting some reassurance that his boyfriend and the others were okay.
Serena pondered the information and asked, "Do you think Mystique is doing something to them that's making them sick? If it was just one of them I'd pass it off, but with all four of them ill then I have to say that you're not over reacting." Her voice didn't betray the anger she felt rising, though her whiskey shaded eyes began to whirl and darken at the thought of someone harming her friends.
Evan was quick to answer, "Man, I haven't seen Ms. Darkholme at school since the day after Logan woke up. I figured she was on vacation or something. Would she really do something to hurt 'Tro and the guys?" Worried brown eyes met Serenas' equally worried gaze.
"She hasn't been to work in two weeks? That's strange, and it worries me more than the boys' health. I've got an idea what's wrong with them and I'll see it gets fixed right now. You did very good letting me know about this Evan, thank you. I'm going to check things out with Logan. You go down to Spikes' room and tell him to order pizza for dinner, double our usual order. Don't worry about Ptichka and the boys, Logan and I will make sure they're ok." Serena replied, gathering her purse and stepping into a pair of shoes.
Evan gave her a confused but trusting glance as he went down the hall to follow her directions. He took notice of her inky black eyes and the gleam of fangs when she smiled at him. 'Uh oh, she's pissed. Man, I wouldn't want to be Mystique right now.' He thought, also wondering what the woman knew that he didn't.
* * * * * * * * * *
Logan had just finished washing the grease off his hands when a small bundle of anger stalked into the garage. He groaned as he took in his loves' partially changed face and the tense, predatory movements. Without a word, she unlocked her van and tossed him the keys. He climbed behind the wheel and started the engine before asking, "Where are we goin and who's gonna die when we get there Darlin?"
"The brotherhoods' house; and Mystique if she's stupid enough to be there." Came the answer, hissed out through clenched teeth. Not known for being a voice of reason, or passing up a damn good idea, Logan pressed the accelerator and drove towards the boarding house.
When they were underway, Serena began to calm down. She recounted her conversation with Evan and then explained what she believed was going on. "Two weeks is a lot of time off for a principal, they take their vacations in the summer like the teachers and students. What Evan told me, combined with the destruction of our cars, makes me think she's gone to join Magneto somewhere and abandoned the boys to fend for themselves until she needs them for something."
The big man growled and gripped the steering wheel so hard his knuckles were white. "What are you gonna do when we get there Chatty? Much as I'd like to we can't just storm in and drag 'em back to the mansion."
Serena answered in a calm voice, "We're going to knock on the door and go inside. Then I plan to walk through the house and take a look around. If I don't like what I see I plan to give the boys twenty minutes to pack their things and get in the van. Then I'm going to tear it apart. Sound good to you?"
"I love your mind Darlin', you think just like I do. I'm gonna have a lot of fun rippin that place apart." He replied, his grin just as menacing as that of the woman beside him. As far as the big man was concerned, the time for passivity was over. They'd all tried hard not to pressure the four boys into joining their team, but if Mystique had abandoned them to survive as best they could he was fully prepared to take them back to the mansion kicking and screaming.
He stopped the van in the litter strewn driveway in front of the house. They walked up the steps and Logan fumed when he saw the door hanging half off its hinges. Serena knocked on the door frame and they waited for one of the boys to come out. When Todd hopped down the stairs he was clearly shocked to see the adults standing there. No one ever came to the boarding house to visit them.
Todd blushed with embarrassment as he pulled the falling down door completely open. "Umm hey 'Rena, Logan. Is something wrong, yo?" He asked, gesturing timidly for the pair to come in. Logan stepped inside first and stood against the wall, waiting to see what his companion would do.
Before Serena could reply Lance and Freddy appeared from different places in the house. Pietro bounded down the steps a second later and skidded to a halt when he realized the people were friends rather than the bill collectors he'd been half expecting. The four boys looked at each other, confused by the presence of their friends, and embarrassed to have the older couple see their home.
"I heard a rumour that some of my boys weren't feeling well. I would've brought chicken soup, but I figured you might prefer pizza at the mansion instead." Serena was smiling as she spoke but her eyes were darkening again. She came into the small foyer to bestow hugs and cheek kisses to the boys. "You know, I've never actually been in here before. Mind if I take a look around?"
Without waiting for permission, Serena wandered into the living room. She took in the dirty floor and broken furniture, saying nothing. When she walked back across the hall to the kitchen, she found herself hard pressed not to voice her anger. The place was filthy; the open cabinet doors revealed empty shelves, a peek into the refrigerator confirmed her suspicion that the boys hadn't been left with groceries or money to buy them. She waded through the garbage and tried to turn on the faucet in the sink, but nothing came out.
The boys could see the anger written clearly on her face when she came out of the kitchen. They didn't know what to do or say to explain the situation. If it had just been one thing, they might have said Mystique was out having it fixed right now, but there were just too many things wrong. When she attempted to go upstairs Lance stood in her way, making noises about there being nothing up there and how about that pizza. She'd kissed his bright red cheek and gently pushed him out of her way.
Upstairs, Serena poked her head into each small bedroom. She found that these four were as messy with their things as most teenage boys, but the clutter was not what pissed her off. There were holes in the floor, water stains and mildew on the walls, and when she tried to turn on the lights she found that there was no electricity. At the end of the hall she found one door solidly locked and pulled out her leather pouch of lock picking tools to get it open.
The uncomfortable silence downstairs was broken when Serenas' loud voiced, multilingual curses came down to their ears. Amongst the foreign sounds they clearly heard, "Logan, boys, get your asses up here NOW!" With frightened looks passed between them, the boys followed a growling Logan up the stairs.
They found Serena standing in the center of a huge, opulently decorated bedroom. Her black eyes focused on the boys and she said, "Explain to me this. You live in this house; it is falling down around you. You have no lights, no water, no food in sight. I pick a lock, and I find royal palace bedroom. You tell me now why you allow this. You tell me where Mystique is, why she has left you in such conditions. You explain to me why four beautiful, intelligent boys let themselves be treated in such a way."
Four sets of eyes gazed around Mystiques' bedroom. They hadn't known what was behind the locked door. The things they saw, the luxury of the huge room, the expensive decorations, made them as angry as Serena and Logan obviously were. When they finally met the small womans onyx eyes, they didn't need to say anything.
"Get your things packed and your asses into that van." Logan growled in a low voice. The order was closely followed by the *snickt* sound of his claws coming out. Four heads nodded agreement and before they turned to leave they saw Serena pick up one of the knick knacks from the bureau and heave it across the room to smash against the wall.
The sounds of destruction made excellent moving out music as the boys went into their rooms and gathered their clothes and personal belongings. None of them had much and it didn't take long for them to finish their packing and put their bags in the jeep and van. Though they were extremely curious to see what kind of damage the adults were doing around the house, they stayed outside and continued to listen.
Siren and Wolverine left the boarding house almost unrecognizable. Fists were put through walls, knickknacks were shattered and left in broken pieces, and claw marks from both were evident on the walls, doors and in Mystiques mattress. Growls and hisses of satisfaction lingered even after the pair had left a room. Logan had etched a message for Mystique into the headboard of her bed, a large S and W to indicate that Siren and Wolverine were the ones to blame for the ruination. When they walked out of the house they wore twin smiles that sent shivers down the boys' spines.
When the pair approached, Logan spoke to the boys. "You boys know what loyalty is, and that's a good thing, but misplaced loyalty isn't. You shoulda come to us when the blue bitch left ya on your own. You might think you owe her somethin for bringin ya here and puttin ya up, but you don't. You don't owe shit to a woman who'd bring you here and then leave ya to do whatever you had to, to survive."
"You pay attention to him boys; and now you listen to me. You deserve to have a safe place to live, food to eat every day, and adults to love and care for you. We've tried to be patient and let you make your own decisions about where you wanted to be. The powers know how many times I've had to force myself not to hold onto you and make you stay with us at the mansion. What I saw in there was the last straw. You're coming home with us now." Serena stated, meeting each boys eyes. Love, friendship, and honesty were clear in her now golden gaze and left each of the four wondering why they hadn't come to her earlier.
Todd and Pietro climbed into the van with most of their belongings, while Freddy and Lance took the jeep. Logan and Serena took their original places, the petite woman happy to let her love drive them home so that she could talk quietly with the boys. She reassured them of their acceptance among the residents, and their worth on the Xmen team; doing her best to soothe their fears and Logan drove them away from the hell hole they'd called home.
* * * * * * * * * *
There had been a huge bustle of activity when Logan and Serena came home with the former Brotherhood boys. Wolverines' loud roar for the Xmen to get their butts into the foyer had teenagers literally coming out of the woodwork. With a wide, cheeky grin on her face Serena had announced that Mama and Daddy had brought their new brothers home. Kurt had been the first to start laughing at her joke, closely followed by the rest of the group.
When Spike and Willow got back with the huge stack of pizza boxes a few minutes later, Logan dragged Serena away from the dining room where the teens were stuffing their faces and arguing good naturedly over who was eating all the best pizzas. He led the confused woman upstairs to their bedroom and shut the door behind her. "What's wrong Wolvie? We should be celebrating down there with the kids." Serena asked, curious as to her boyfriends' odd behaviour.
"Nothin's wrong Chatty. We're just gonna do some celebratin alone tonight. We haven't had any time alone together for two weeks and I'm gonna fix that right now. You put on one of those fancy dresses you never wear and do whatever it is women do that takes an hour to get prettied up. I'm takin you out for dinner and dancin." The big man replied only after he'd lifted Serena off her feet and kissed her senseless.
Serena let out a happy sigh. She hadn't been out on a date in ages, and never with Logan. Since she'd moved to Bayville and become the mansions house mother the only time she went out was to shop for groceries and other odds and ends that the kids needed. Dinner and dancing with Logan sounded better than a hot bubble bath and chocolates at the moment. "How fancy are we talking about Sweetie? Champagne and violins or whiskey and a jukebox?"
Logan bit back a groan at the mention of champagne and violins. He hated places like those with a passion, but if his woman wanted them, so be it. "Your choice Darlin'." He hoped she wouldn't choose the uptight classy place, but since she was a classy woman, he prepared himself to put on the monkey suit that was stored in his bedroom closet.
'Hmm, proper behaviour, too much silverware, and waiters that look down their noses to gape at my tits; or relaxed manners, not enough silverware, and waitresses who are more interested in him than me. As the kids would say.No brainer.' Serena mused before replying, "I'll take the whiskey and a good honky tonk jukebox any day. Go on and get ready while I make myself pretty. I promise it won't take an hour."
The big man gave her a relieved kiss and patted her rear on his way out the door. "Wear somethin red Chatty, it looks good on ya. I'll meet ya downstairs as soon as you're ready." He called over his shoulder.
He was sitting in the rec room with the teens half an hour later, freshly shaved and dressed in his favourite black jeans and red button down with the sleeves rolled up over his massive biceps, and his Stetson fitted comfortably on his head. He'd had just about enough ogling and teasing from his charges when a vision in red entered the room.
Serena waltzed into the rec room and gave a little spin for her gaping audience. She was no ones mother tonight, but a beautiful woman dressed up for a night on the town with her beau. Her glorious mane of raven black hair was left loose to curl and wave its way down to her bare waist. She'd used a light hand with her makeup, and the natural beauty of her face shone like a beacon.
As ordered, she'd picked an outfit of scarlet red. The top was snug fitting and cropped to bare her midriff. Held together only by a knot between her generous breasts, it left an enticing amount of pale flesh visible between the bottom of the blouse and the top of the skirt. Long sleeves flared out at the elbow and covered the armband computer strapped to her forearm. When she whirled, the calf length, airy cotton skirt flared out and gave a mouth watering peek at curvaceous, lightly tanned, bare legs. Strappy leather sandals with four inch stiletto heels and a few pieces of gold jewellery completed the stunning ensemble.
She took the chorus of assorted 'wow', 'damn', and 'holy cow' expressions as the compliments they were meant to be and grinned widely when they were overshadowed by a "Mien Gott" from Kurt, a "Bloody gorgeous, Nymph" from Spike, and especially a "Christ on crutches!" from Logan as he stood and crossed the room to take her in his arms.
"See there, thirty minutes and I'm ready to go. I believe I was promised dinner and dancing?" Serena teased after pecking Logan's cheek. The big man growled and pulled her close for a more passionate greeting.
When he finally removed his tongue from her mouth, Logan took a step back to get another look at her outfit. "I don't think I want to take ya out anymore, I'm gonna end up kickin the ass of every man in the place. You're just too damned beautiful Darlin." He praised, grinning down at his striking girlfriend.
Before Serena could return the compliment Pietro was beside them and backing away with an arm around the womans waist. "Sounds good to me. Stay here and you can try to steal her back from us all night." He took Serenas' hand and used the arm around her waist to spin her off into another pair of arms, "Catch Ev!"
It wasn't long before a full fledged game of 'keep away' erupted in the rec room using Serena as the object to keep, and Logan as the one to keep her away from. The girls were laughing uproariously as their male friends spun the older woman around the room from boy to boy, trying to keep Logan from catching her.
The adults were having as much fun as the teens. Logan was caught between fits of laughter and mock growling at the boys while he chased the flash of crimson and black. Serenas tinkling laughter spread around the room as she was passed from one teen to another. She kept calling for Logan to hurry up and catch her, but cooperated with her young friends by spinning and running with them.
Eventually Logan caught his woman, but only because Todd misjudged a pass and spun Serena into a chair rather than Scotts' waiting arms. Logan had pounced on the opportunity and had the laughing, dizzy woman over his shoulder and out the front door before she could be whisked away by yet another boy.
With their game ended, the boys sank back down into chairs or onto the floor in laughter. "Man that was fun! I didn't know Logan could relax enough to play games, I thought he was gonna kill you 'Tro." Evan sighed from his place on the floor next to the snowy haired boy.
"So did I, but you know me. I couldn't resist!" Pietro replied, grinning widely. The speedster was well known for playing practical jokes on people, especially people who didn't normally take well to being played with. He'd been as surprised as the rest when Logan began laughing and gamely chasing Serena around.
Spike stood in the doorway and watched the teens settle down for a Friday night at home. On the couch, Kurt watched television with one arm and a tail curled around Willow, who was studying a book of protection spells. Beside the redhead was Faith, talking animatedly with Scott, who had an arm on the back of the couch and was toying with the slayers' hair. Jean was watching the laser eyed boys' actions from her place in the recliner, though she pretended to be reading every time someone tried to include her in the general conversation.
Todd and Freddy were playing ping pong at the other end of the room, and the vampire chuckled when the ball bounced off the larger teen's chest and onto the pool table, ruining Lances shot. The rock tumbler was trying to teach Kitty how to play the game without much success since the little brunette was more interested in getting the boys' arms around her. Pietro and Evan were lying on the floor, hands clasped behind the dark skinned teens' back as they watched television.
Slender hands, freed from their usual covered state, pulled the vampires t- shirt out of his jeans and rubbed against the bare skin of his back. Spike turned slightly and pulled Rogue into his arms with a teasing smirk. "'Ello Luv, where have you been? You missed the keep away game."
"Keep away game Sugar? I was upstairs finishing that essay for history class; I didn't want to have to worry about it over the weekend. It looks like everyone's staying in tonight, why don't you and I go on outside and have a cigarette?" Her emerald eyes gazed upward into icy blue, and expanded the sentence to include some quiet make out time.
Spike answered with a low pitched laugh and led his little spitfire out of the mansion, calling back to the rest of the teens, "Behave yourselves happy meals! This place had better still be standing when I get back!" In a softer voice he told Rogue, "I can't believe I just said that. If the demon world saw me now, I'd be a laughingstock until the day I turned to dust. William the Bloody, the Slayer of Slayers, babysitting a bunch of human teenagers and telling them to behave instead of teaching them how to take over the world." He shook his blond head and gave a self depreciating smile to his girlfriend.
Rogue snuggled into the vampires' chest and squeezed with the arm she had wrapped around his waist. "Are you really unhappy here Sugar? I know it isn't the way you used to live, but it isn't that bad is it?" Her pretty face turned up to meet the clear blue eyes, uncertainty written in her features.
Sighing unnecessarily, Spike turned his head and softly kissed Rogues' wine coloured lips. "No Spitfire, I'm not unhappy here. This isn't what I'm used to, but it's better in a lot of ways. I have you and the Nymph, an actual friend in Logan; the niblets never cease to amaze me, and I have all the bagged blood and sparring partners I want. Sure, I still have this chip in my head, but it doesn't bother me as much now. If it's possible for a demon to be happy, then that's what I am."
His softly spoken words reassured the young redhead, and she leaned up to kiss him passionately. Spike obliged her ardour, returning her kiss with equal passion as he walked them to the nearest tree. He leaned back against the bark and pulled Rogue up against his chest, then ran his hands down her sides to cup her rear end. 'Oh yeah, life is bloody good these days.' He mused when she inadvertently rubbed against his crotch. When she did it again, he ceased to think at all, and groaned instead.
* * * * * * * * * *
Logan and Serena were still suffering from occasional fits of the giggles when they arrived at a nondescript roadhouse fifteen minutes after leaving the mansion. The place was a favourite of the big mans; serving huge steak dinners and good beer as country music filtered through the room from a jukebox beside the bar. The couple were lead to a booth in a quiet corner by a college age waitress named Bonnie who lived up to Serenas' expectations, the girl was unable to remove her gaze from Logans behind until he sat down.
The girl took their drink order, which consisted of a beer for Logan and a straight scotch for Serena, and disappeared, leaving the couple alone. Serena flipped back the loose sleeve of her blouse and tapped on her armband, "This is nice, we should've started going out months ago. Look, not a teenager in sight!"
The big man chuckled a little before replying, "You adore those kids and you know it Chatty. I give it half an hour until you want to call home and check on the brats. I gotta agree though, it's nice to sit down for dinner with a pretty woman and not have to worry about someone coming along to interrupt us."
Bonnie came back with their drinks after a few moments and left again after taking their dinner orders. They talked quietly for a while, sipping at their drinks and holding hands across the table. By the time the waitress brought their dinners out the pair had relaxed and let the company and the alcohol soothe away the tension of the day. Conversation was paused while they ate, except to comment on the delicious food. Another round of drinks came midway through the meal, and were pushed aside to be enjoyed after dinner.
When their plates had been taken away, and an ashtray brought over at Logans' request, the couple leaned back to enjoy their second drinks with a cigarette taken from the pack Serena had confiscated from Rogues' room that day. "You know Chatty, if we're ever gonna get that girl to quit; Spike's gotta do it too. Damned vampire gives the things to her now."
"Yes I know, I've told him not to, but he can't resist her. He's always been a big softie when it comes to the women he loves, he'll give us whatever we want. You should have him tell you about the time be broke into a wizards' fortress to get a pendant that Dru wanted. I swear, it took months for the burns to heal!" Serena replied, laughing lightly at the memory.
The jukebox came to life before Logan could comment, and after he heard the soft strains of a country ballad, he stood and held a hand out for Serena. As he led her out onto the small dance floor, he listened to the lyrics and smiled. With a gentle spin, she was in his arms, and they swayed gracefully as Kenny Rogers crooned about his Lady.
The old bartender watched the lone couple on the dance floor. He and Logan were fairly good friends, and Bill had never once seen the stoic loner come in with a woman, let alone come in and dance with her. He wandered over to the juke and popped in a few quarters, choosing some old ballads that would allow his friend to keep the little beauty close to him.
Now, Bill was a betting man, and he remembered a bet he'd made with Logan one night when the big man came in for a few drinks. He recalled his words from that night, "One day Logan, you're gonna come in here and get blind drunk. I'm bettin when that day comes I'll see you out on the dance floor twirlin and two steppin like a born and raised Texan." Logan had scoffed at the idea, going so far as to laugh at the thought, and the bet was on.
With the grin of a man who knew he was about to win, Bill put two more quarters in and chose Mary Chapin Carpenters' 'Twist and Shout' and Garth Brooks' 'Aint Going Down'. He went back to the bar and started pouring drinks again, silently counting down the songs while his victim danced on; deaf, blind, and dumb to everything but the woman in his arms.
Serena was having the time of her life, held fast in Logans embrace, swaying gently to the music. The last strains of a song she vaguely recognized as something by Vince Gill faded out, and she was caught between disappointment and excitement as the next song started at a faster pace. Disappointment that she was leaving her comfortable place in Logans' arms, and excitement because the big man was not leading her off the dance floor.
Rather, he'd grinned and spun her away from him, making her skirt float out to the tops of her thighs. Keeping a hold on her hand, he brought her back in the same way, so that she landed with her back to his chest. She laughed aloud as he started dancing her around the room in a perfect two step. "Logan, I didn't know you could dance like this! You're not even drunk!"
They executed a complicated series of steps and turns before he replied, "There's a lot of things you don't know about me Darlin, this being the least of 'em. Go round the world now." He pushed her away from him and held on to the tips of her fingers as she spun in tight circles around his body, heels clicking and skirt flaring. When she completed the step he held her tightly and continued dancing.
Serena and Logan were both excellent dancers, and the other people in the roadhouse stopped to watch the couple as they danced, the graceful way they moved together, executing complicated turns and lifts with ease. When the last song ended there was scattered applause for the dancers, who paid them no heed.
The raven haired couple walked off the dance floor and sat back in their booth. The waitress came by and asked if they wanted another round of drinks, but Logan ordered coffee instead. He was sitting next to Serena now, rather than across from her, and had the woman pleasantly cuddled into his chest, one thickly muscled arm draped around her.
"I haven't danced like that in months, thank you Wolvie; this whole night has been wonderful. I love you." Serena said, looking up into the deep blue of Logans eyes.
Deeply tanned fingers came up to caress her flushed cheek, "I love ya too Chatty. It's been a long time since I had fun like this. But you're never wearin that skirt out in public again, especially if we're goin dancin." Her laughter was caught by Logans' mouth as he leaned down to kiss her. She responded immediately and parted her lips to allow his tongue inside, where she twined hers around it in a lazy duel.
So involved were the couple in their embrace, that not even Logan noticed when they were joined by Bill, who had brought their coffee. "So, someone's finally tamed the lone wolf eh? Quit sparkin your girl there and introduce an old man Logan." The bartender ordered as he sat down on the opposite side of the booth.
Logan growled menacingly at the man, who wasn't fazed in the least by the sound. "You gettin senile in your old age Bill? Seems you oughta know better'n to interrupt me when I'm busy." A tilt of his lips suggested that the big man was teasing the newcomer, and that it was an old joke between them.
Bill grinned widely and jested back, "Oh, were you busy? I couldn't hardly see that tiny little thing you got buried under ya, thought she mighta left you all on your lonesome. Now pretend to be a gentleman and introduce me to the lady."
"Damned old coot. This is Serena. Chatty, this naggin pain in the ass is Bill; he owns the joint and works the bar. We go back a ways, which is why I aint shreddin him for interruptin" Logan made the introductions with mock disgruntlement.
Serena took her arms from around Logan and flipped up her sleeve to type a greeting, "Hello Bill, it's nice to meet you. I'd apologize for the big grump, but if you've known him a while you must be used to his lack of manners." She extended her hand, which was taken and a flirtatious kiss pressed to the knuckles before being released again.
Bill laughed loudly at her gentle chastisement of his friend and replied, "That I am little missy. If I had a nickel for every time he's threatened to gut me, I could close down the bar and retire in style. So where'd you pick up the stray dog anyway? In the years I've known him, this boy aint never come in with a lady. Shocked the hell outta me when I saw him doin the two step with ya."
The small woman turned her face up to Logan, silently asking whether she could tell the truth or not. The man apparently knew about her boyfriends' claws, hence his mutant status, but she was unsure if he knew about the other mutants in Bayville. He gave her a reassuring smile and answered for her, "She's one of the Xmen Bill. I brought her up from Louisiana bout eight or nine months ago."
"And ya haven't seen fit to bring her in here before now? Shame on you Logan, the one place in town where she could let loose without worryin about keepin her secret and it takes ya eight months to bring her out." Bill chastised, shaking an arthritic finger at the big man.
Logan shrugged and replied, "We've been busy up at the mansion. Got a vampire and a witch livin with us now, and the Brotherhood boys moved in tonight. This was the first chance we've had to get away for a while."
A grey eyebrow rose at the news, "A vampire and a witch you say? Huh, well how bout that. You don't go waitin for months to bring em in here to say Hey. Now, we've been ignorin the pretty lady here, and she's givin us some real confused looks." Bill turned his eyes to Serena and explained, "Ya don't have to worry about bein a mutant in here little missy. I've known Charles Xavier for years now, and I know about what goes on up at the mansion. You feel free to come in here whenever ya like, you won't get no guff from anyone cause a your powers."
"Thank you Bill. I don't get out of the mansion very often because of the kids, but I'll keep the offer in mind. Maybe I can talk Wolvie into bringing me back once in a while." Serena replied through her armband. She noticed that Bill was giving the computer curious glances and explained the details of her mutation. Conversation flowed easily between the three after that, until Bill took his leave of the couple a while later.
Logan and Serena finished their coffee in companionable silence, and danced to a few more ballads before paying the bill and leaving the roadhouse. The night was warm, but the wind coming off the ocean was a little chilly and Logan kept Serena cuddled in the protective warmth of his embrace for the ride home in Scotts' flashy red convertible. Though he drove slowly, it only took twenty minutes to reach the mansion.
The big man parked the car next to his motorcycle in the garage and the pair got out. Serena circled around the convertible and took Logans' hand. Rather than leading him towards the house, she turned towards the back of the property, taking him to a destination as yet unknown to her companion.
"Where we goin Darlin'?" Logan asked after they'd been walking in the sparse woods for a while.
Serena smiled up into his handsome face and replied, "Nowhere in particular; I just don't want the night to end. It's been so wonderful, getting out of the house, spending an evening alone with you. I guess I never really noticed before how little time we get to ourselves in this place, until I started going crazy from wanting to be completely alone with you."
Logan smiled gently and squeezed the small woman around the shoulders. "I know how ya feel Chatty. These last few weeks have been hard; hell by the time we got the kids to bed at night even I was too tired to do much besides crawl into bed and sleep. There's a clearing up ahead a little, why don't we head there and just sit awhile before we head back." He replied, and received a nod in answer.
* * * * * * * * * *
They entered the small glade a few minutes later, and settled down on the grass. Logan lay on his side, propped up on one elbow, and looked down at the woman beside him. Serena had sprawled herself out on the grass, not caring about what it might do to her hair or clothing. Her pale skin was glowing in the moonlight, and the inky dark hair was tinted with blue highlights. A soft smile curved her lips as she gazed back up at him.
One slender arm reached up, and soft fingertips traced the bold planes of Logans face. A scarlet tipped thumb rubbed over his full bottom lip and then joined the fingers in threading through his unruly hair. A gentle press was all the urging he needed to lean down and kiss the crimson shaded lips.
Serena revelled in the sensations the big man was creating in her with his kiss. Her arms came up to wrap around his neck, and she tugged gently, encouraging him to move so that his upper body hovered over hers, covering her slight frame with his. A work roughened hand skimmed over her side, stopping to rub gently at the bare skin of her waist before moving upwards to curve around the generous swell of her breast.
She arched up in response, wanting more of the touch. Her own hands weren't idle, massaging the heavy muscles of his shoulders and back, making their way around to his chest and arms. Time seemed to have no meaning in this place, and they could have been kissing for minutes or hours before parting for breath. Hands wandered, exploring each others bodies at first shyly, and then with more confidence when each new touch was rewarded with soft noises of pleasure.
When the arm that was supporting his weight started to go numb Logan wrapped his free arm around Serenas' small waist and rolled onto his back, carrying her with him so that she ended up stretched out on top of him. It was a small shock to his system when he felt the naked skin of her breasts against his equally bare chest. He hadn't realized they'd been undressing each other as they kissed. The knowledge brought his already half erect cock to full attention, and he growled lustily as his hands came up around the womans back and under her open blouse to free the catch on her bra.
********** NC 17 sex scene between Serena and Logan has been edited out. To read it go To read it go to the adult fan fiction dot net site and look for Sirens Song there. ***********
They lay pressed together for a long while, trembling in the aftermath of their love making. Very slowly, their minds fell back to earth, and they separated reluctantly. Logan rolled off of the small woman, and cuddled her close against his side. One of her arms came to rest on his chest, and she bent her leg to rest over his thighs. She placed a soft kiss against his chest and tilted her head up. "I love you Logan." She said quietly.
He brushed his knuckles over her flushed cheek and replied, "I love you too Serena. I love you too." He turned onto his side and wrapped both of his large arms around the small woman. His lips met hers in a gentle, lingering kiss that spoke more than the simple spoken words could.
* * * * * * * * * *
A long time passed as they lay entwined, looking up at the stars, but eventually they parted and gathered their clothing to return to the mansion. The walk back was quiet and peaceful, and they held each other close for the entire trip. At the front door, Serena turned to face her lover and said, "I want one more kiss before we go in and the chaos erupts around us."
Logan smiled and bent his head, touching his lips to hers at first gently, then with more passion as her arms came up around his neck and her lips parted to welcome his tongue. Suddenly, the door swung open and a flash went off. The startled pair jumped apart like guilty teenagers and Logans claws emerged with a familiar 'snickt' sound.
Lance was standing partially behind the door, and Kitty was holding a camera to her eye. Both were wearing wide grins, and before the adults could react, the camera went off again, its flash making them blink. Serena turned to her lover and said in a slightly menacing tone, "See, chaos. You take her, I'll get him."
The big man growled and an evil grin twisted his lips as he eyed the little brunette that had just become prey. Kitty gulped dramatically and ran for it, barely taking time to grab Lances' vest and drag him along with her. The adults gave their quarry about two seconds head start before they chased after them.
It didn't take long to corner the pair in the rec room where they were hiding behind Freddy, giggling madly. As they'd agreed, Logan grabbed Kitty and threw her over his shoulder, walking with her to the couch which quickly emptied of its occupants and dropping her on it before leaning in to start tickling her.
Serena, being unable to throw the tall boy over her shoulder, simply tackled Lance to the floor and mercilessly attacking his ribs. Only when both teens were crying from laughter and begging for mercy did the adults let them go. Logan was the first to notice that it was two hours past curfew/bedtime and all the teens were still lounging around in the rec room. "Anyone wanna explain why there're a dozen rug rats and one passed out vampire sittin in here instead of bein upstairs in bed where they belong at one in the morning?"
"It's all Spikes' fault! He wanted to watch Interview with the Vampire and made all of us watch it with him." Willow replied, pointing a dainty finger at the bleached blond who was currently sleeping in the recliner with a tired looking Rogue in his lap. The other teens were quick to agree with the redhead, nodding their heads and pointing.
Serena smirked and shook her head indulgently, "You mean you conned him, or bribed him with alcohol, to let you stay up past curfew. It's a good thing for you we had a wonderful night, otherwise you'd all be participating in a five a.m. Danger Room session."
Logan nodded his head in agreement and added, "You've got ten minutes to get this mess cleaned up and get your asses in bed. Or there will be a five a.m. workout, no matter how good a night Chatty and I had. And if it was my liquor stash you bribed Spike with you'll be in the Danger Room all day."
The teens quailed at the threat and began cleaning up the scattered bowls and glasses that had previously held snack food and sodas. Spike was shaken awake by his girlfriend and he groaned at the sight of his friends standing before him. "It's all your bloody fault. You left me alone to deal with twelve teenagers while you went out on a nice quiet date! Never again, not even if you beg me on hands and knees will I ever baby sit for this lot again."
The vampire looked around him to see the last of the teens heading upstairs and the messy rec room free of clutter. There was a hint of awe in his voice when he said, "How did you manage that? I tried for a sodding hour to get them to go to bed."
"You're dating one of them Spikey, it undermines your authority. All we had to do was say the words 'five a.m. danger room session' and they got down to business. You do know they're blaming you for being up after curfew right?" Serena answered, amusement in her voice and her lips forming a smile.
Spike cursed under his breath for a while, muttering threats against the teens and plotting to get back at them. Serena placed a kiss on one of his blade like cheekbones in consolation and left the room to say goodnight to the kids, kissing Logan on her way out the door.
The big man sat down on the couch, only half listening to Spike's ranting. Seeing his undead friend had brought several questions to the forefront of his mind, and seeing his lover kiss the blonds cheek with such familiarity sent a rush of jealousy through him. He brought one of his hands up to rub at the spot on his neck where Serena had laid her claiming mark.
'She claimed me, even if I won't show the scar, it was still a claim. But does she know that? Or did she just bite me because she wanted to? She was so good, so wild; she might've just bitten me in the heat of the moment. Damn she was tight, but she wasn't a virgin! She's been with someone else. Was it Spike? Did he take her first? Did he put his mark on her while he fucked her? Did she claim him too? How long ago would it have been? Not since she came here, but before that?' His thoughts whirled, jealousy over an unknown past, confusion about the future.
He said goodnight to the vampire and went upstairs to the room he shared with Serena. He stripped off his clothing and climbed into the bed after a quick stop in the bathroom. His thoughts continued to plague him with questions he had no answers for as he waited for his mate to come to bed.
* * * * * * * * * *
Serena stopped in each room to say goodnight to the teens, but she kept her visits short, wanting to get to bed where Logan was waiting for her. Lance, Todd, and Freddy were all surprised when she came into their rooms. The boys couldn't remember the last time someone had stopped in to wish them a good night, let alone bestow hugs and kisses. They took the mothering with half hearted protests and wide grins as the door shut behind her.
She had to separate several couples during her rounds. She found Lance kissing Kitty in the hallway, Willow in Kurts' room, and surprisingly, Faith in Scotts' room. Her last visit was to Pietros' room, where she found Evan, who had evidently thought she'd already been and gone, and was currently curled up behind the snowy haired teen. After she'd lectured them about the brand new 'no bed hopping' rule and escorted him back to his own room, she came back to visit with her Ptichka.
Pietro looked like an over grown two year old as he lay propped up in his bed. Wiry muscled arms were crossed over his chest and his angelic face was twisted into a scowl, cupids bow lips pouting as he glared at the older woman. Serena couldn't help but laugh lightly at the expression which was very familiar to her. Her little bird looked as if someone had taken his favourite toy away. "You quit pouting at me Ptichka, I am immune to it."
The snowy haired teen tried to keep his petulant expression, but when Serena sat down on the bed beside him and opened her arms for a hug he smiled and leaned forward to embrace her. He rested his head on her shoulder and held her tightly around the waist, feeling happy and safe in her motherly embrace. He felt her hand petting his hair and sighed deeply.
Serena felt the tension in the boys shoulders and back ease as she held and petted him. She'd noticed his wariness when they'd first gotten back to the mansion, but hadn't had a chance to ask about it. She did now, "What is wrong Ptichka? Something has been bothering you since we left that awful boarding house."
The tension immediately returned to his slight frame and he pulled back from the embrace to look into her concerned eyes. Pietro wasn't used to talking about his problems, but he desperately wanted to share this burden with Serena and have her reassure him. He took her hand and held it tightly as he spoke, "'Rena, I can't stay here. They'll kick me out if they find out who my father is. You remember him right? You know who he is?"
She did indeed remember. She remembered fear and unbearable pain of body and soul. Her mind cringed at the memories that threatened to overwhelm her. The humiliation and anger, and the black hatred she felt for the man. She forced the memories down, back into their cage of promised vengeance, and looked into the lovely silver blue eyes of the child she'd given everything for. "Yes, I know who he is. Charles showed me his picture not long after I came here."
"Then you know that they won't let me stay here. The Xmen will never trust Magnetos' son, even though I hate him as much as they do." The boy replied, his voice both fearful and angry.
Slender arms reached out to embrace him again, and pulled until he was sitting on her lap the way he'd sat countless times as a child. "My baby, my little Ptichka. You think these people are so shallow that they would hold you responsible for your fathers' actions? No, Magnetos' crimes are his own, and he will pay for them eventually. You watch, tell them tomorrow and you will see. You're a good boy and they know that, and they won't turn you away because of your father."
Pietro held on tightly, wanting to believe the woman, "Are you sure? I like it here, I don't want to leave. I.I'm afraid they'll hate me, that Ev will hate me."
Serena tilted his chin up and made him look at her. She wiped the stray tears from his face and kissed his forehead, "You listen to me. No one will hate you. They might be shocked at first, but they won't turn against you. Anyone who speaks a word about making you leave will deal with me. I lost you once, though the gods and goddesses know how hard I fought to keep you, I will not lose you again. I love you Pietro, as if you were my own son, and nothing will take you from me."
The seriousness of her tone gave the teen the reassurance he needed. No matter what happened, she would stand by him. "I love you too.Mama. I'll tell them tomorrow like you said, if you'll talk to them with me."
"Of course I will Ptichka, we'll tell them together. Now, you need to get some sleep. Back under the covers." She replied, smiling at the boy. She watched as he scrambled back under the thick blankets and laid down on his side with one hand curled beside his face. She pushed a lock of snowy hair out of his eyes and kissed his forehead. He turned his face up and kissed her cheek, then closed his eyes. "Goodnight Ptichka, sweet dreams." She whispered, getting up to leave.
"G'night 'Rena." He replied sleepily. Serena paused and turned to look at the boy, holding the half closed door. She smiled when she noted that he had his thumb pressed against his lips, reminding her of all the times she'd had to stop him from sucking his thumb as a child. 'Some things never change.' She mused, closing the door.
She walked down the hall and into her room, her smile widening when she saw Logan already in bed. He was dozing off, but his eyes opened as she closed the door behind her. "Where ya been Darlin?" he asked, the words slurred slightly from tiredness. Serena told him about having to kick a few people out of the wrong rooms, and that she'd stayed in Pietros' room talking with the boy for a while.
When she'd undressed and finished her nightly routine she crawled into bed and curled up against him. The couple kissed and petted for a while with lazy passion that became less lazy and more passionate as they continued. After a long while, Logan moved over his lover, and Serena opened her legs to receive him. They made love slowly, holding each other close and whispering words of love and devotion. When they climaxed together, they muffled their sounds of completion in each others necks, biting down over marks the marks they'd made earlier.
Afterwards, they lay entwined listening to the quiet stillness of the mansion. As they drifted off to sleep, each tried to put aside their worries for the moment, and basked in the love they shared. Tomorrow would take care of itself, and tonight they would sleep contentedly in the arms of the one they loved.
