A/N: I'm sorry it took me a while to update this and I'm sorry this is so short! These past few days have been crazy – damn college classes interfering with my stories! Anyways, here's chapter 4…

Disclaimer: Same shit, different day…

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Part 4: It Came Upon a Midnight Clear…

          Despite his best efforts to duck out of singing, everyone managed to convince him to sing about six or seven more carols before everyone started singing together. Logan's ears were just beginning to hurt from the noise level when the majority of his friends crawled upstairs to their beds.

By midnight, Ororo had dragged Logan outside on the terrace in the foot deep snow. With a flick of her wrists, she had made a large clearing for them on the patio and she pulled at his hands. Despite the cold, she was still wearing her deep red Christmas dress. It ended above her knees and had a deep v-neck cut. She looked stunning, as always. Logan, on the other hand, was wearing his ever-present jeans, white t-shirt and red flannel shirt. He had on his cowboy boots but had decided against the Stetson. The dusty old hat remained in his room.

"Dance with me!" Ororo said, the alcohol still having an effect as she giggled.

"There's no music, darlin'." He said, amused.

"Then we'll have to make some." She decided after a brief pause. He looked at her for a moment and she blushed.

"I guess we can do that." He finally said, his low voice causing shivers to travel up her spine.

Stepping forward, Logan pulled her close and began humming Silent Night quietly. Ororo could barely hear him, but it was just loud enough. Sighing in contentment, she leaned into his strong body and let him lead her around the patio in a slow, graceful dance. The faint scent of vanilla mingled with fresh snow as Logan carefully dipped her. He could also smell pine and the faint scent of two deer from the other side of the property. However, the Wolverine wasn't hunting deer tonight so he chose to ignore them. The vanilla caught his attention and he realized it was from her shampoo. She had changed it recently, he noted, but it wasn't too strong. He really hated strong artificial scents. They drove his senses crazy since he could detect most of their components. The vanilla was natural, much to his approval.

"I like yer new shampoo." He said softly as he continued to slowly dance with the goddess.

Ororo laughed. "Only you would notice that."

He took her comment as a compliment and continued to hum Silent Night. A mischievous smile crossed Ororo's features and her eyes turned white. Before Logan could ask, he found himself high above the mansion grounds, swirling on a gentle breeze with the Windrider.

It had been a long time since she had pulled him off of the ground without any notice and he let out a short gasp.

"Do not worry." She soothed. "I won't let you fall."

Logan looked at her and, among other thoughts, questioned if she was still drunk. They didn't speak for a long time after that. They simply held on to each other, slowly swirling together under the stars.

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One o'clock rolled around and only a few people were left in the den. Remy and Rogue were sitting together, talking in hushed tones, and Logan was carefully picking up a passed out Windrider. After coming inside, they had sat down for only mere moments and, before Logan could think of something to say, she was zonked out on his shoulder. If he didn't know any better, he'd say she was just about to start snoring before he picked her up. For whatever reason, he found the thought very amusing and he stifled a laugh.

          With a nod to his teammates, he hefted Ororo into his arms and she draped her arms around his neck, half-asleep. A second or two later, she passed out completely and Logan smiled as he began the long walk to her room. He had almost tripped on the top stair and her foot hit the banister, but she didn't wake up. After carefully avoiding the grandfather clock and random tables littering the hallway, he arrived at her door.

          Soon he was pulling the covers up to Ororo's stomach and that's when she stirred. Her eyes fluttered open and a large smile lit up her face when she saw him.

          "Logan…" She trailed off, reaching out to touch his face.

          "Hey darlin'." He replied, removing her hand. "Get t'sleep now."

          "Stay with me." Ororo whispered.

          Logan looked at her and decided he heard her wrong. He started to get up when she spoke again.

          "Please, stay."

          He felt his heart skip as he looked at her. She was lonely, he could see that in her eyes, and she wanted him to stay. But Logan couldn't shake the feeling that it would be wrong to stay with her. After all, she was drunk…at least that's what he told himself.

          "Darlin', you should try'n get to sleep. You've had a long night."

          Ororo's grip tightened on his hands and she looked like she was fighting back tears. Again, Logan felt his heart skip and he knew he couldn't say no to her like this. He freed his hand and pulled off his boots, for once scared of spending the night with a beautiful woman.

          "Ok, darlin', I'll stay."

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So, what'd you guys think??? Again, I'm sorry it's sooooo short – I'll try to make the next chapter longer!! Anyways, please R&R!!

~*PAF*~

Jubes