Part XI

Once Phoenix told everyone of her plans, their mouths practically dropped to the floor. She'd rendered them speechless…yet again. Most of them had to sit down, unable to really answer her. They figured that this man who had come through the time rip only a day ago had put the crazy idea into her head.

"What do you mean you're going back?" Sage asked. It was the first time that they had heard her raise her voice since Phoenix had first arrived. Sage had never really acknowledged the fact that Phoenix was her daughter, unlike her ex-cop friend, but now that she was willing to go back to that hellhole she had told them about, Sage was going to put her foot down.

Bishop nodded. He agreed with Sage. After having patched up things up between them though, it seemed like they agreed on everything. Jean thought it was cute.

"Aidan and I talked it over and we think that we should go back to our own dimension. I know that you all don't understand but it's something that I have to do," Phoenix explained, tucking a piece of ebony hair behind her ear. She was nervous.

"Why?" Logan asked. They didn't really spoken much, but he felt that if she had to leave, he deserved to know. He wasn't about to stop her because God knows how many times he left the mansion unexplained, but he was going to do all that he could to convince her that she was needed in this time as well.

Phoenix looked away. His voice was till able to send chills down her spine and goosebumps across her flesh. "My-my father died Logan. I have to go back."

Jean's gasped along with almost everyone else. Aidan stepped closer and touched Phoenix's arm. Beast walked over and hugged her close. "I'll call Forge. I'm sure he'll be able to think of something," he said leaving the room.

"Thank you," she whispered.

Forge came a week later without hesitation. Xavier told him everything that he needed to know, excluding the parts about Sage and Bishop having a child, and Forge went to work. It didn't take him that long to think up some elaborate plan with blueprints and formulas. The professor helped where he could but some things were only things that scientists could understand. Beast was there, his eyes shining bright. He understood.

Sage and Bishop spent as much as they could with Phoenix. They knew why she had to leave, but they were disappointed to find out that it was going to be so soon.

"You know kid, I have to admit that I'll miss you," Bishop said hugging his daughter. "I kind of got used to having you around. I kind of got used to thinking of you as my daughter," he whispered the last part, kissing the top of her head. That made Phoenix smile; her real father used to do that too. But then again, they were the same person.

Sage smiled too. She took off her glasses, her blue eyes shining in the sunlight. "You know I haven't been as welcoming as Bishop but I want you to know that I do think of you as my daughter Phoenix. I always will," she said hugging her. "Maybe one day I'll have a little Phoenix of my own," she whispered, letting her go. Putting her red glasses back on, Sage walked back up to the mansion but not before she touched Bishop's shoulder who still had his head cast down.

That afternoon, Phoenix spent most of her time shopping with the girls and playing a game of foosball with Piotr for old times sake. She smiled all day long.

Phoenix was cleaning up the delicious dinner they had just finished, placing the dirty dishes in the dishwasher while she sent the others into the living room to watch a late night movie. She could hear them from the kitchen, laughing and talking. When Phoenix turned around to get the rest of the things off of the table, she ran into something hard. She knew who it was before she even looked up. It was Logan.

"Need some help darlin'?" he asked in a casual way.

Phoenix hadn't heard him say that in a long time. "Yes, please." Deciding to make the best of her time here, she figured that she should just make peace with Logan.

"So you're really goin' huh?" he asked putting the food away in the refrigerator. Phoenix nodded. She didn't know what else to say or do. "Listen Phoenix, I've been meanin' to talk to you about something," Logan said resting his arms on the refrigerator door.

Phoenix busied herself with her with putting the last of the dishes in the dishwasher. She closed the door, after putting soap in the right compartment, and started it. "You're going to spoil the food," she pointed out. Logan quickly closed the door and instead walked towards her. "Logan, please, you know why I'm doing this."

Phoenix had her eyes closed and started rubbing her temples. Logan took this as his chance to advance on her. He quickly closed the gap between them, trapping her between the kitchen counter and his hard body. He tilted her head up to him so that she was staring into his eyes. Phoenix gasped. "I know why you're going back, but there are also reasons for you to stay here. You're looking at one of them. You know that Kaitlyn's also formed a certain bond with ya and she'd be very sad ta see you go."

Phoenix diverted her eyes, looking past Logan's shoulders. She'd almost forgotten about Kaitlyn, the little girl she saved the night when the mansion was attacked. Logan knew he was talking some sense into her. "I know that you have a family in another dimension, but you've also got one here. You can't help one without abandoning the other."

"What are you saying?"

Logan grinned down at her, their gaze unfaltering. "Remember that night when you first came here? You asked me if I wanted you to stay at the mansion." Phoenix was surprised that he still remembered that. It was months ago. "I want you to stay."

Phoenix began to shake. Logan suddenly pulled away from her, leaving her standing there, gripping the counter to make sure that she didn't fall because her knees were so weak. Logan stuffed his hands in the pockets of his worn leather jacket as Aidan walked into the kitchen. Phoenix realized that he'd heard him coming. "I came to see if you needed help," Aidan said, eyeing Wolverine.

"No thanks. I've just finished. I was about to join you and the others in the living room," Phoenix explained. She looked towards Logan, desperation apparent in her gray eyes. She hoped Aidan didn't pick up on it. "Will you come with us?"

"No, gotta do some things. Go ahead," Logan said exiting the kitchen like he usually did.

Aidan put his arms around Phoenix's back, guiding her to the living room. He suddenly caught a glimpse of the shining moon through the small kitchen window. "Would you look at that?" he asked. Phoenix smiled remembering the first time she actually noticed the moon as well. "C'mon let's go see it outside. I'm sure we could get a better view."

Before she knew it, Phoenix was being dragged from the warm kitchen to the nippy outdoors. She wasn't wearing a jacket, her long-sleeved shirt and jeans the only things keeping her warm. Those and Aidan. They walked around the grounds, through the plush green grass and the tall trees. Things had grown back wonderfully since the attack on the mansion. Aidan kept watching the full moon until they came to a small clearing where there was a little pond with lily pads.

Unfortunately for Logan, it was right below his terrace.

Aidan slipped behind Phoenix, wrapping his arms around her waist. Logan strained his ears to listen to what they were saying. He was trying to be extra careful, especially with someone like Aidan who practically had the same mutant powers as him.

"Isn't this place wonderful?" Phoenix asked, her soft voice cutting through the silence.

"Having doubts Pip?" Aidan asked, one of his hands straying from her waist. Phoenix gasped as she figured out what he was doing. Aidan's hand was moving down her waist, lingering on her jean-clad hip. It moved to her front, his hand splayed out. It covered her lower abdomen before following the path up her stomach again. Phoenix let out the breath she didn't know she was holding.

"Aidan don't."

"What's wrong? You know you want it," Aidan answered moving his head down and placing his warm lips on the part of her shoulder that was exposed. He started kissing his way up her neck, the light touches of his lips against her skin sending small tremors throughout her body…but it was nothing compared to what Logan did to her without even touching her. Speaking of Logan, he waited on his balcony, his claws itching to come out. He couldn't believe that this guy Aidan was trying to seduce Phoenix right before his eyes. Or maybe that's what he wanted to do.

"Stop, please. Aidan," Phoenix exclaimed, her voice drifting off. Her eyes slowly closed, her body responding to his persistent touch. Suddenly coming to her senses she pushed away from Aidan and turned around, her hair whipping around her.

"What's the matter? Nervous?"

"Aidan I love you," Phoenix said touching his arm. She recoiled though and backed away, trying not to give him the wrong idea. "But I'm not in love with you."

"It's Logan isn't it?" he asked, gritting his teeth. "What are you thinking? In our time-"

"We're not in our time Aidan," Phoenix said, raising her voice for the first time in his presence. "I'm not going back. I have a family here too, and I can't leave them either. My mother sent me here for a reason Aidan. To have a better life than she did, I'm just doing what she asked. Returning there would only cause her to suffer more."

"I can't believe this. You're going to back out now?" Aidan stormed off, not returning to the mansion but instead walking in the opposite direction.

"Aidan! Aidan wait!" Phoenix called. He didn't stop at the sound of her voice.

Logan watched from his corner on the balcony. So Phoenix didn't love him. Then who did she love? Turning back inside his room, he closed the doors to the terrace without a sound, leaving Phoenix alone on the mansion grounds.

No more talk of darkness

Forget these wide-eyed fears

I'm here, nothing can harm you

My words will warm and calm you

She turned her head up to look at the gigantic mansion standing before her. Phoenix then turned her head away to look in the direction that Aidan had left. She made up her mind about leaving, and she made sure that Aidan knew it. Now, the only thoughts that were running through her head were ones of Logan. She had to tell him. Even though she wasn't going to leave anymore, she had to let him know the way she felt about him. Turning her head back up to look at the mansion, she smiled.

Let me be your freedom

Let daylight dry your tears

I'm here, with you, beside you

To guard you and to guide you

Phoenix ran back inside the mansion, through the kitchen. She was out of breath but she was determined to find what she was looking for. "Logan!" she called into the air. Some people in the living room looked up, one of the popcorn bowls hitting the floor with a soft thud. Jean shook her head, placing her hand on Scott's arm.

Say you'll love me every waking moment

Turn my head with talk of summertime

Say you need me with you now and always

Promise me that all you say is true

That's all I ask of you

Phoenix knew he wasn't in the living room. She bounded up the stairs, trying to take in two or three at a time. Her heart was racing, her blood pounding in her ears. She couldn't hear anything except her own heartbeat, and with each passing second, she was becoming more and more anxious. Phoenix had to stop and hold onto the wall for the fear of falling because her legs were giving out on her. "Logan," she whispered to herself.

Let me be your shelter

Let me be your light

You're safe, no one will find you

Your fears are far behind you

Starting her journey again, Phoenix turned down the hall towards the dorm rooms. "Logan!" she called eagerly. Many of the students in that wing were opening their doors to see what all the commotion was about. Jubilee was standing there in her pajamas, her hair all disheveled. She rubbed her eyes, wondering what was going on. Phoenix looked from side to side as more of the students came out of their dorm rooms. It was then that she saw Logan standing at the end of the hallway; only a pair of sweat pants lingering on his hips, the drawstring the only thing holding them there. Phoenix smiled.

All I want is freedom

A world with no more night

And you, always beside me

To hold me and to hide me

Taking off at super speed, Phoenix ran down the hallway, all the students watching with strange looks on their faces. Logan stood still but his legs were longing to move, to run and meet Phoenix as she sped towards him. His pride made him stay planted to the floor where he stood. Launching herself at Logan, Phoenix gripped at his neck, her legs instinctively wrapping themselves around his waist. He wasn't protesting as his arms wound around her body, his hands coming to cradle her head to his shoulder.

Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime

Let me lead you from your solitude

Say you need me with you here, beside you

Anywhere you go let me go too

That's all I ask of you

Not able to wait any longer, Phoenix moved. She wiggled out of his grasp, her legs still wrapped securely around his waist. She took Logan's head in her hands and kissed him with all the passion she could muster. Air wasn't a priority this time as she held his bottom lip between her teeth. She opened her eyes and stared at him with a sultry look in her now smoky, gray eyes. Phoenix almost grinned as she gently nipped at his lip. Logan couldn't take the teasing anymore and crushed her back to him, demanding entrance like the first time they had kissed. Phoenix gladly obliged.

Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime

Say the word and I will follow you

Share each day with me, each night, each morning

Finally out of breath, Phoenix broke the kiss, resting her forehead against Logan's. He was breathing hard, his eyes still closed. Phoenix licked her lips before moving her mouth to Logan's ear to suck and nip lightly at his earlobe. "I don't care," she whispered in a rushed voice. Logan opened his eyes abruptly, his senses tuning into hers. "I don't care," Phoenix repeated again. "I'll take you any way that I can."

Logan knew what she was talking about. Pulling her head back to look him in the face, Logan stared at Phoenix his eyes running over every one of her features. Neither of them realized the audience that had gathered. "I don't think of you as Jean, Phoenix. I never will. I don't love Jean anymore," he whispered back. "I lo-"

Phoenix put her delicate finger to his lips. "Don't," she replied smiling. "I already know."

Say you love me

You know I do

After sharing another quick kiss, Phoenix turned her head to look around at the students watching them. Jubilee started clapping and yelling, throwing her hands up in the air. Some of the others joined her cheering. "Guess we had an audience," Logan muttered, Phoenix laughing in his arms. "Now get to bed, all of you!" he growled sending most of the children running back into their rooms. The older students sighed. Their little confession of love would keep them dreaming about romance all night long.

Love me, that's all I ask of you

Anywhere you go, let me go too

Phoenix grinned, wrapping her arms around Logan's neck. "So now what are we supposed to do?" she asked, raising her eyebrows up and down. Logan just laughed, throwing his head back. Not responding to her little invitation, he opened the door to his room and strutted inside, slamming the door shut with his foot.

Love me, that's all I ask of you

"All I Ask of You"- Taken from The Phantom of the Opera