MORNINGS

"But Ah still love ya, come back home, come back ta me...please Marie come back."

"Cody Ah'm sorry Ah didn't mean ta, Ah'm sorry. Cody Ah'm so sorry."

"It's ok Marie, everything will be fahne, Ah promise."

"Ah have to go Cody, Ah have to get up."

"Whay, Whay can't you just come home?"

"Ah'm sorry."

"No, you're not gonna leave meh 'gain. 'specially not fer him."

"Whose him?"

"Wolverine, he's here too ya know."

"Cody what's goin' on?"

"Everybody ya ever touched is here Marie. Some of them want ta take over, some just wanna help ya, but Ah just want ya."

"Cody?"

"Wake up Marie, it's fine. You'll beh with meh soon 'nough."

"Cody? Cody!" Everythang just went black and then Ah woke up. Oh good, it was just a dream, wasn't it? Ah sure hope so. What was that anyhow?

"You ok?"

"Huh, oh fine John."

"Good, I brought you breakfast."

"Thanks. How long ya'll been there?"

"Not too long. The lil sheila needed to be checked on so the resident doctor's doing it."

"Who she with John?"

"Jean." He said while makin' a face and scootin' back waitin' for meh ta explode.

"Is that all sugah?"

"No, Beast is too."

"Beast? Hank's here too!"

"Yeah, ya know him?"

"Definitely."

"You feeling ok?"

"Yeah, why?"

"You were calling out for some guy?"

"Ah was?"

"Yep, now if it were me you were calling-" There's that maniacal grin.

"Get ovah yahself John." Ah say with a grin.

"Ya know ya love me, all the sheila's do."

"Whatevah John. If'n ya'll beatin' the girls off with a stick, whay ya'll here, flamer?"

"I resent that. And you know it's Pyro. You're the lady of the hour."

"Oh whay thank ya. Ah am so overwhelmed, how could ya'll choose meh over all the other women who are beatin' down mah door ta get ta ya'll. Ah may have ta release mah title just so that Ah can keep mah door." Ah drawl out.

"You know you could whip all their hydes."

"That ain't the point."

"What is, that Wolverine's a moran for ever wanting her over you?"

"That's none of ya'll business."

"I know, but it's true."

"Well, ya'll better get outta here so Ah can change."

"Go ahead, I don't mind." That crazy grin of his may scare some people, but Ah'm startin' ta hate it as much as a man decided ta smirk.

"John!"

"I'm goin' I'm goin'. Don't get your panties in a bunch. Or maybe-"

"John!" Ah yelled at him as he walked out the door.

Ah ain't got much clothes, but Ah figure if'n Ah'm leavin' today, Ah might as well put the kevlar back on. Might come in handy. Don't exactly trust drivin' anywhere near Canada without 'xpectin' some sentinels and Ah'm not endangerin' Anna. So Ah change and finish the oatmeal and coffee that John brought meh and head on out.

"Ya'll got a peep hole or somethin'?" Ah say ta John as Ah walk out the door. He is just sittin' there leanin' 'gainst mah cabin like he used ta do when we lived with momma. Sometimes he would wait for meh at mah door, but Ah always knew he was there.

"No, but from this angle, I sure wish I did. Where did you get that outfit from sheila?"

"It's protective."

"I would be too if I was huggin' your curves like that."

"John!"

"Shuttin' up."

"Good, now where's mah baby?"

"Straight down to business."

"Always."

"Over there." He pointed ta a large cabin at the end of the settlement.

"Don't know if you really want to do that right now."

"Whay? Ah ain't afraid of Jean."

"Wolverine's in there too."

"So, ya'll afraid they doin' somethin' together?"

"No, just sayin'."

"If'n ya'll so afraid, whay don't ya'll come and protect meh?" And then Ah bat mah eyes at him.

"Don't know if I can be that much help but sure." Then we start walkin' in that direction.

"But I will never see what he sees in her compared to you."

"Thanks sugah." Ah put mah arm 'round him, then he does the same.

"But don't even think 'bout puttin' that arm any lower, or else ya'll gonna lose it."

"I can live with that."

"Not after Ah break all ya'll lighters."

"Ah sheila, you don't play fair."

"Nope."

Ah paused when Ah was gonna open the door, and John just smiled as he past meh, and opened the door for meh. Ah smiled back. Ah get inside, and there's just the cutest thing, a big blue furry teddy bear playin' peak-a-boo with Anna.

"Hank." He turns and as soon as he sees meh, he gives meh the biggest grin Ah've evah seen him muster and the next thang Ah know he's huggin' meh.

"It's been a long time sugah."

"That it definitely has. I hope everything has been good for you."

"Good 'nough, better since Ah had her."

"Ah yes, she is adorable, and in imbecile health too."

"That's great ta hear sugah."

"I hear that you will not be staying with us, my dear."

"Yeah, Ah don't think that it would beh a good idea."

"I understand. But you do know that you are always welcome."

"Ah know."

"When will you be off then?"

"This afternoon. Ah would like ta get goin' after lunch if'n Ah can. Don't wanna get stuck drivin' 'round in the dark and that's 'nough time ta get outta Canada."

"That is understandable."

"Are ya'll done with her."

"No, but I will be soon. You can stay here if you like and wait. It won't be much longer."

"Naw, it's alright sugah. Ah gotta get our stuff together. Ah wish Ah could, but Ah trust her in ya'll capable hands."

"Thank you Rogue, that means a lot."

Ah head back outside with John.

"Sorry, guess he sniffed you out before you got here."

"Probably, better for meh Ah guess. John, could ya'll give meh sometime ta beh alone? Just a lil while."

"So the sheila don't like my company?"

"Ah just hate ta keep ya'll from those women who want ta beh hangin' all over ya'll. Ah think mah hours 'bout up."

"Ha ha. Sure not a problem. I understand."

"Good, see ya later sugah."

"Sure Rogue."

Ah enter mah cabin and somethin's not right, Ah turn 'round and it's Logan leanin' 'gainst the wall.

"We need to talk."