A/N: I just wanted to let everyone know, there will be NO Joseph bashing, hating, or beating written in this fic! As for outside, feel free to join me in loathing him as much as I do, but for context he's actually going to do something really romantic with Rogue and that's all I'm gonna say :) Now on to the next chapter.
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Jubilee and Rogue had barely made it out of the mansion before they heard the tell tale whine of Logan's motorcycle coming down Greymalkin Lane. Still having a hold of her friend's hand Jubilee rushed across the driveway with a stumbling Rogue following to where the garages were. It only took a few seconds for the automated gate to open and for the wayward mutant to speed up to the mansion. He didn't even have a chance to get off his motorcycle before a jumping raven haired woman was in his lap hugging him.

"Oh, Wolvie, I missed you so much! Why did you stay away for so long?"

"Geez, kid. I missed you, too. Hey, Marie."

"Logan."

Logan looked over to Rogue as he spoke. His real reason for coming home wasn't the Asian bouncing around but the white streaked brunette standing behind her. As Jubilee prattled on about what had happened while he was away and just about anything else that popped into her mind he managed to get her off him and then himself off the bike. They all walked to the mansion, but before Jubilee could leap about any further he was able to extricate himself from his self-appointed sidekick.

"Listen, darlin', I'd love to catch up on all that's been going on around here, but I just rode three days straight to get here."

"Oh. Oh! You probably want to get a beer and chill, right? Okay, I'll check ya later."

"Thanks."

Jubilee started off down the corridor to the Rec Rooms as Rogue followed intending to make a left turn up the stairs to her room. She didn't get that far.

"Hey, Marie, where you going?"

"Ya said ya wanted ta relax, so Ah figured Ah'd leave ya alone."

"Just 'cause I don't want to listen to girl gossip and smell bubblegum right now doesn't mean I don't company."

They started to walk upstairs. She figured she would walk him to his room, which always stayed available for him, and then make a long deterred retreat to her own sanctuary.

"An' how d'ya know Ah won't girl gossip while chewin' on some gum?"

"Darlin,' the day you do any of that is the day that I'll let Jubilee dye my hair pink."

"Mmmm. That's awful temptin'. Big, bad Wolverine with pink hair."

Rogue giggled lightly. There were only a few people in the world that could make her completely forget all her troubles. Logan was one of them. He opened his door and threw the duffle he had untied from the back of his bike onto the bed. Turning to head out the door she gave him a quick goodbye.

"Well, looks lahke ya're all settled. Ah'll let ya ta yer beer."

"Hey, not so fast, Marie. I came back so I could talk to you."

With all his heightened senses Rogue had control her reaction. He would notice a tensing in her body; hear her let out the tiniest sigh; smell her annoyance at still not getting to her room. Stopping in her tracks she turned around to face yet another man that wanted to know why she was so depressed.

"And a telephone wouldn't work because…"

"You still with that Cajun?"

He completely avoided her question not ready to reveal anything until he had a better grasp of what he had missed. Knowing this would be a long conversation she moved over to take a seat next to him on the bed.

"No. Turns out he was married. He went back ta Louisiana right before Ah went away ta New York University. Or rather, the day after Ah found out. Only came back after he found out Ah was back at the mansion. He sure got a surprise when Ah came back with Joe."

"Always knew he was a-"

"-Logan."

Rogue was always giving him warnings about his language. He'd heard her little lecture about there being kids around at the mansion and he should keep his colorful phrases to himself so he wouldn't accidentally let one slip in front of the younger students.

"Marie, there ain't any kids in here. So who's Joe?"

"What's with the twenty questions?"

"Just trying to catch up. Find out what you've been up to."

Of all the strange conversations she'd had that day she'd had the opportunity to deeply contemplate exactly what her relationship with Joseph meant to her. She'd come to the conclusion that she really didn't care anymore.

"Uh-huh, sure. Ah met Joe thah beginnin' of mah Senior year at NYU. We had a lot in common an' Ah brought him here with meh after graduation. We've been together for a year an' a half now, but…"

"Yeah?"

"Ah don't know. Ah think it's just time for it ta be over."

"Good, 'cause I didn't come back for a visit."

"What?"

For the first time she noticed a bulge in his jacket pocket as his hand reached in to pull out a small, blue and white vintage 1940's ring box. Rogue's eyes went wide. She couldn't believe this was happening again. Was she putting off some kind of pheromone attracting all the guys she knew and making them want to commit to a lifelong relationship? She didn't have much time to think about anything else as Logan continued.

"I left last time because I couldn't stand the thought of you and Gumbo together, but while I was away I finally admitted to myself that I have never been happier in my life than when I was with you. I decided right then to come back and marry you before the swamp rat had a chance. So?"

Logan opened the box to reveal a vintage cushion cut diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds. She mulled over his words thinking about how much grace he had in a marriage proposal. Well, no one could ever claim Logan was suave. Then one thought kept playing over in her head. She stood up while heading for the door turning around before she reached the still open entrance.

"There was a time in mah life that Ah wanted nothing more from ya than what ya just asked meh. Ah quickly learned, however, that Jean was an' would always be thah woman of yahr dreams."

"I know. I was stupid back then. But give me credit, Marie, you were just a kid."

"Thank ya. Ah needed that. Ya've brightened mah day but really thah time for you an' meh passed a long time ago. Ah'm sorry."

Walking out of his room Rogue never took a look back at his dejected face. She knew he wouldn't bother to unpack and probably hop right back on that bike of his before the sun set. That alone was one reason why they would never succeed in nuptial vows. Stepping into the hall to head to her own room she had the eerie feeling that someone had been at the door listening in on their conversation. Whoever it was managed to duck into a dark shadow or one of the bedrooms before she could find out the eavesdropper's identity. Shrugging it off she decided the only way to get some peace and quiet would be to completely get away from the mansion. She entered her room to change for a meeting with the shopping mall.
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R/R: Thanks to everyone still finding this story interesting! If you'd like a special thanks just drop me a note! Speaking of Special Thanks:

Prexistence: Sorry, everyone's gonna play nice in this fic :) And I love the volcano idea, though I'd have to toss Joseph in there, too. Too bad it's not in the cards this time. Haha! I swear I didn't do that on purpose. Thanks for reviewing.

MJK: Oh, there are plenty more awkward moments to come. Thanks for reviewing!

ishandahalf: Yeah, Scott proposed, too. If you think her day is funky so far, just wait! As for everyone else, well, you know Logan now, the rest…hehehehe. And I wouldn't worry too much about hurt feelings. Well, there will be one person, but he doesn't count. I don't know about Remy, things aren't looking too good, yet! As you said, where's Joseph? But I know he doesn't have a problem with all this mess so far and he's not that surprised. Thanks for reviewing.

WolvGambit Le Diable Blanc: Glad you are interested and I hope I can keep it that way :) Thanks for reviewing!

Jade: Well, Rogue's decision is going to be a lot easier than you think ;) And I think the others may eventually make an appearance. Maybe. I'm sure Rogue will find someone to help her make her decision.