Blix: You'll find out now! XD

Calandra: I agree, there's something about Gambit that makes him likeable, no matter how he acts. And yes, I shall be doing a site. I have the pictures ready. It should be done by next week, certainly before Christmas.

Sych: Lol, Gambit's making his way down the list, no? Indeed the love circles grow, squares, pentagons, hexagons, whatever it may be, lol.

Chapter 10

Charles sat watching Logan with a very careful gaze. His hands had gently fell from Logan's temples, and now rested on the arms of his chair. Logan had sat silently in a relaxed and unconscious state for a good number of seconds since Charles relaxed his mental grip. But Logan's face had consorted confusedly and painfully, such a state causing him to voice out his suffering. He had jerked awake in the chair with a terrified cry, roughened to that of a roar. Logan threw his hands out, as if to push something away, but his hands met nothing but thin air. Eventually they shakily grasped the arms of his chair, breathing escalated to a rasp, and his widened eyes stared at Charles who nodded sombrely at him.

"I did not expect the process to be so simple," he commented softly, "You have some very raw memories Logan, undoubtedly each one as emotional as the next. The pain you suffered was an overload of emotions, varying in mood."

But Logan didn't speak, he just lowered his head and rubbed his eyes slowly, blinking, "I feel like I've been shot in the head.." he said groggily.

"Yes, the over stimulation will have caused temporary pain. And as I said, bring up raw memories that the brain cannot deal with all at once. But at least now this will not happen when you are in the middle of an every day activity. I did it myself and controlled its effects."

Logan lifted his head gently, "What do you mean, what is it that happened?"

"It was a mental breakdown.." said Charles gently, "If it had happened outside my control it would have sent your emotions in overdrive and reduced you to a depressed wreck of a man before making you ecstatic with unknown joy. Eventually, it could have shut your brain down. It's a major release for mental stress." Charles watched Logan carefully, checking he was all right, "But you are now fine, and I can safely let you meet Madeline."

"I don't even know if I can.." moaned Logan as he rubbed at his head again, "God Charles.."

"It will clear," said Charles with an apologetic bow of his head, "Perhaps a walk in the cool air with freshen yourself up." But as Logan raised to a stand, Charles added one more thing, "Oh, and perhaps for the next ten minutes or so you may experience odd drives of emotion.. so it may be best to avoid others since they may anger or even demoralize you."

"I'll head into the garage," decided Logan quietly as he walked slowly to the door of the office, "Take a look at the Cadillac.."

"Alright. Take care, Logan," Charles said gently with a smile as he watched the mutant leave the room.

Logan pushed the doors apart as he strode into the garage with slow and echoing footsteps. He walked slowly through the darkness, sniffing gently at the cold air. He flicked a nearby light switch and a warm glow of light overtook the dim shadows. Since Logan had travelled into the garage via the school he did not notice Rogue running up the pathway, desperately hurrying to the Professor's office.

With a soft sigh Logan had his hands across his forehead, as if trying to press out the continuous throb that pulsed around his brow. His eyes squeezed shut and he shook his head again, but it made no use. Exhaling a long sigh Logan turned to where the battered black vehicle sat in the corner, as if it had backed away and pressed itself up in retreat. Logan came upon it slowly, running his hand across the scarred ebony bodywork of the Cadillac. He sighed once more before turning his eyes to look over the cream painted room. Various other vehicles sat neatly in their designated parking spaces, ranging from a fine beast of a Harley, to a sleek craftsmanship of a Rolls Royce.

But eventually he turned his eyes back upon the Cadillac. Since it's destructive trip up North, Logan had expect it to be written off. But the engine apparently was satisfactory, and Charles was happy to pay for materials for the car to be mended. With a tender motion Logan brushed his bare hand across wicked stains of deep crimson on the car doors. The jagged glass where the window had been shot was tipped in the same scarlet stains, glistening eerily in the light. But as Logan cupped his hand lightly upon the smashed wing mirror, he already tender head received a screenplay of a memory.

Soapy suds glistened cheerfully in the sunlight as a large yellow sponge smeared bubbling water across the silver surface of the car's bonnet. Logan rubbed at the few dirty flecks, quickly relieving his car of the marks. His surroundings were pleasant, a clean gravel driveway curved down from a large red-bricked house. The familiar sandy pavements ran down the quiet residential street. The range of scantily leaved trees of scarlet swayed gently in the mildly bitter winds. The above sky however remained perfectly clear, a glowing sun bore down upon the earth, but it's heat was limited.

Logan dipped his hands into a small black bucket at his feet, freshening up the sponge before he crouched to scrub at the headlights of the car. The lather flowed across the gleaming headlights sparklingly, running water dripping down and dotted flecks of water on the knees of Logan's jeans. He was so absorbed in washing his car, that he missed the front door of the house opening, and the footsteps coming towards him. Of course, the lack of animalistic senses proved him to miss any form of scent.

"Are you gonna come in soon, James? The sun will be going down in a few hours."

Logan blinked as he heard the voice. He was still crouched in front of his car, and when he turned his gaze upon the visitor, his head craned upwards at the standing person, "Sure, Rox." He said with a wide smile, "Just gotta rinse it over then I'll be coming in."

Roxanne smiled down to him, "Alright. I got some steaks in the oven cooking." Her silver hair sat rolled up gently in a bun, curled strands dancing delicately in the bitter wind. Her eyes were bright, cheeks aglow as she stood out in the cooler weather.

"Sounds wonderful," he said with a grin, rising out of his crouch and straightening, "Though you be careful, huh? Don't want you running around after me, I should be doing that for you," he nodded lightly, putting a gentle hand on her arm.

"James, putting our meal in the oven isn't a laborious task.. for you maybe," she answered with a soft laugh.

"Hey!" he replied with a hurt expression in jest. He chuckled gently dropping the sponge into his bucket. He outstretched his hand to her face, his index finger planting a blob of soap foam on her nose, "I'm useful for other things."

Roxanne giggled gently, wiping the foam off her nose, "I know you are," she replied softly, planting a kiss on his own nose.

"Good," he growled playfully as he snatched her smiling mouth in a passionate and sudden kiss of affection before releasing her with lingering tender touch of his lips, "I'll be in soon," he whispered gently, closing the gap between him and Roxanne, resting his abdomen gently upon her specially rounded stomach. "You go inside, it's cold out here."

Roxanne gently rested her head beside his as she hugged him, "It's cold in there too if you aren't with me."

With a smile Logan lightly kissed her lips in a simpler peck, "I'll be in soon, Roxanne."

"Ok," she said defeatedly, her hands reluctantly releasing him, "It's cold for you too.. your hands are freezing.." she gently brushed at his fingers before looking to him with a smile, "Don't be long.."

Logan smiled as he watched her walk back up the driveway, "I won't.." he called to her, eyes drifting to the sky noticing how the sky had dullened incredibly in those few minutes. Winter was certainly here.

Logan lifted his head slowly, eyes focusing upon the Cadillac in front of him. His eyes were alight with a returning happiness, mouth curved into a richly warm smile. But as the cold harsh truth was realised, Logan slumped up against the car, feeling his insides melt amongst the ice. He heaved a sigh, his eyes closing.

However, it didn't take long for his silence to be disturbed. From the door he originally entered he saw Aurora arrive. She slipped in gently, face alighting with a smile when she found who she had been looking for, "There you are," she said gently, moving over to him, "Are you alright?" Of course, only Charles and Storm realised the intensity of his findings. No one else yet knew how important Roxanne had been to him, nor did they know who Madeline was.

"Yeah, I'm good," said Logan with a faint smile, though he bitterly deflated at her arrival. After everything he'd gone through with Aurora, he felt like pushing her away, he needed some space to get his head round these constant memories.

Aurora smiled to him as she stopped by his side, gently placing a kiss on his cheek, "Not seen you for a while," she commented, she was about to continue when the door once more opened and Storm peered her head in.

"Ah, Logan, Aurora," she said, nodding her head apologetically as she gently spoke, "Sorry to disturb. Could I please speak with you for a moment Logan?"

"Yeah, of course," Logan readily accepted. His head was still hurting, and now his heart was tearing some more at the latest memory, eyes stinging as they yearned to release tears. He wished he could be happier for Aurora's sake.. but Charles's words were probably true, the mental happenings could have just made him very emotional. As Logan came through the door he smiled gently to Aurora, "I'll be back in a minute," and he shut the door gently to disappear down the corridor with Storm.

With a nod of her head, Aurora watched Logan leave, smilingsoftly to him. She sighed gently as she leant back on the Cadillac, her arms folding gently as she made a gentle shiver. It wasn't all that warm in the garage, but she'd wait for Logan. It didn't seem all that long, for the door suddenly opened. Aurora looked up with a smile, "That was quick!" she said with a soft chuckle, but she faltered and faded away, "Oh.."

It wasn't Logan. It infact was Gambit, who slithered in smoothly, shutting the door softly behind him, "Afternoon, chere," he greeted.

Aurora allowed a faint grin at Gambit, "Hello," she said, resuming her lean back on the car, "What are you in here for?"

"I noticed you in here as I passed, wondered what ya be doin' all alone in here."

Softly, Aurora cleared her throat in a gentle cough, "Oh, I'm not alone. Logan's just gone to talk to Storm. He'll be back soon."

"Will he now?" asked Gambit in a soft voice, tone seemingly mischievous. "I'm sure that gives me enough time," he then added with his silky accent.

However, Aurora quickly looked apprehensive, "Enough time to what?" she asked, straightening off the car. But Gambit was closing in on her with long but slow steps.

Gambit softly stood in front of her, continuing to move closer until a rustle of fabric was heard as their clothes touched each other, "Enough time to keep you company.."

"Oh.." said Aurora softly, giving a sheepish grin. Her eyes shyly averted as she felt him come extremely close.

"Mon chere," whispered Gambit softly as he rested a hand upon her upper arm, "Can you not look Gambit in de eye?"

Slowly Aurora returned her eyes to him, eyes meeting. She smiled sheepishly once more, "Sorry.. it's just that Logan will be – "

"Hush," whispered Gambit gently as he placed his fingers upon her lips softly, "Don't fret, girl. Gambit only came to apologise for his earlier endeavours.."

"Oh, it's alright," murmured Aurora, "I'm sure it was an accident.."

"Perhaps," considered Gambit, "But when one is around such a sweet fille as yourself it is hard to resist."

Aurora couldn't help but smile bashfully, chuckling softly, "Maybe you need more control over yourself?"

Perhaps," repeated Gambit in his silky voiced whisper, "But right now I have no wish to restrain myself." At each word Gambit had moved his head closer to hers, right up until his last word, for now he had edged his head forward gently, canting his face to her as he softly placed his lips upon hers, swiftly swooping her into his arms as he leant her back upon the car door. Aurora's eyes had widened slightly, eyelids suddenly fluttering as she blinked in surprise. But after the first few startling seconds, she relaxed gently, her gasps ceasing, and then accepting his kiss with a warm tug of her lips.

That was until she heard the distinctive footsteps of Logan coming closer to the door as he walked down the corridor. Aurora gasped and pushed Gambit from her.

Gambit stared at her a moment before he heard the handle of the door turning and he suddenly spun on the spot, running out of the garage by a small door to the other side of the room, exiting out into the snow. Aurora watched him go with a shocked and rather breathless expression on her face. She gasped once more as she saw Logan look across to her with a small smile,

"Told you I wouldn't be long," he trod down the few steps from the corridor doorway, going by her side. He then frowned as he watched her, "You alright Aurora, you look.. scared,"

Aurora swallowed before she leant back gently, "Oh.. I was just thinking back on things," she murmured untruthfully. Oh, how she hated lying to Logan. Why had Gambit had to do that to her? And that was a thing, why didn't she push him away instantly! What would have happened if Logan hadn't have come back? Would she have kept kissing him, enjoying it?

However Logan nodded his head regretfully, "I'm sorry about making everyone think those.. things about me," he sighed softly as he leant back on the car beside her, "I didn't realise.."

Inside Aurora felt guilt swirling its ominous hole in the pit of her stomach. Logan was apologising to her.. how could she stand there and listen to him think her current uneasiness was his fault? "It's alright," she quickly said, "Please don't dwell on it Logan, let's move on from that.."

"Of course," he whispered gently as he rested his eyes upon Aurora, "Sorry," he repeated, giving a small smile as he leant his arms gracefully around her before giving her a tight hug. Aurora too smiled, resting her head on his shoulder, herself being reminded of just how much she liked Logan as she swiftly inhaled his unique scent. However, Logan too buried his head into her warm neck, temporary breathing in her feminine aroma. But as Logan brushed his nose lightly against her neck, he froze, suddenly giving a quick sniff. Once more he inhaled before he leant back off her, straightening and staring down at her with a rather surprised and also disbelieving expression.

Aurora studied him unsurely, "Logan?" she asked, her mind quickly fearing the worse. But Logan merely raised his hand to her face, brushing his thumb along the bottom of her lower lip, running along the line of glistening saliva and smudged pale lipstick. It was barely noticeable, but to such a trained and wary eye, it stood out painfully.

Logan only sniffed one more time before he turned from her in one sudden move, exiting from the garage and stalking away down the corridor before Aurora could even have chance to call his name.

Uh oh!

Please review this chapter for me!