Sorry for the LONG delay in updating. Hopefully will have next chapter out faster. I don't own Rogue, Wolverine, blah blah blah. Please review!

Fizzleup

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I couldn't believe it… I actually forgot for a full fifteen minutes what I did. I had constantly reminded myself about it last night. Every time I saw something red, it would bring up the images again.

But lying in that bed with someone holding me… I actually forgot for fifteen minutes after I woke up. I was yawning and enjoying the warmth coming from behind me. I found myself squeezing one of his arms and felt the arms tighten their hold on me. It was blissful and I was too sleepy still to remember how I ended up in this position. Then I saw the red curtains, and the color brought the memories back.

I don't know for sure if Logan was fully awake before me, but he was definitely awake when he felt my whole body grow stiff. He muttered something in my ear about relaxing and going back to sleep.

But I couldn't and what made it even more frustrating was that I really wanted to. I really wanted to close my eyes and just let sleep take away those worries and pains. But I knew within a minute that I wasn't going to be able to stay in that bed. I pulled away from Logan. He could have made me stay in place, kept me there with an iron grip. But he let go and I felt the reluctance as his hands almost grabbed me.

I slowly turned to him. As usual I couldn't figure out what he was thinking or even feeling as I looked at him. I used to be able to just tell from a flare of nostrils if he was bothered by something. Now I didn't have a single clue what he was feeling towards me.

"Logan, what were you planning to do with me? I need to know," I said and was rather proud that my voice wasn't as shaky as I felt.

"Alaska."

"Huh?"

It wasn't the most intelligent response I have ever made.

"We're going to Alaska. Got friends there and know a place where we can hide. Keep you safe until…"

He didn't finish the sentence so I guess its up to me to do that.

"Until the police are done looking for the murderer," I said. My voice did quiver a little on that word 'murderer'. Logan appeared annoyed that I used that word.

"Marie you're no-"

"What about the Professor? He'll soon find out about Jean and track us down with Cerebro," I said. No need to hear things that are just being said to make me feel better.

"Chuck mentioned one time that he can't track you with Cerebro. When you got Magneto and… my personality in that head, it caused him problems trying to find you."

Under normal circumstances I'd feel that the Professor should have let me in on that bit of info. Will I ever be living under 'normal circumstances' again?

"And you?"

" If he tracks me with Cerebro and sends his X-Men… I'll deal with it darling. Don't worry about it," said Logan with a low growl. It sounded so strange to hear him say 'his X-Men'. A few days ago he considered himself part of the X-Men. And now he was speaking like they were an enemy.

So now I knew the plan… of course the biggest question was never asked. Why? Why are you doing all this Logan? Are you blaming yourself for what happened? I'd love to be able to do that actually. Say its all your fault for cheating on me and that what happened was beyond my control….

But I was never good at being in denial. I think I can blame Magneto for that. The bastard tried to kill me with that machine of his. And you know what was truly unbelievable? He didn't think my death would be his fault. I learned his thoughts when he touched me and started up that death trap. He kept telling himself that he wasn't really murdering me. That it was the humans by making him do this. Having Magneto in my head wasn't pleasant, but it did teach me something. You have to step up when it comes to your own sins. Not blame them on someone else.

"Logan…. I find out yesterday that what we had didn't seem much to you. That it was Jean you really wanted," I said and my voice wasn't filled with anger saying it.

"Then when I end up killing the woman you obviously want more, you actually try to help me get away with it…."

He didn't say anything. Truth be told I don't think he knew what to say. He appeared to be looking for the right words, but I still had some more words I had to say.

"Logan… I think I get why you're doing this. Because you're one of those guys who will try to convince himself that this whole mess is his fault. That it all happened because you slept with Jean. But the truth is it isn't your fault. It's all mine, one hundred percent. I just want you to know that I'm going back and turning myself in-"

"Shut up Marie."

Ouch! Logan told a lot of people to shut up. He even tells the Professor on occasion. First time I got the 'shut up' growl, but can't stop now.

"No, I'm leaving Logan. And we both know you can't really stop me. All I have to do is let my mutant power loose a little and I can knock you out for a few hours. So I'm going to get dressed and then walk out that door," I said and the weird thing was, it felt good. Knowing that I was facing the consequences. Of course that could change once I got to prison, but that painful guilt wasn't as strong as I thought about what I was doing.

I could feel Logan's eyes move from my face down my body. I saw that look before… it's the look he has when gauging an opponent. What are their weaknesses? How should he strike them? He was trying to figure out if he could stop me with force.

He put both hands in front of himself and slowly pushed himself forward. He was testing me… seeing if I was bluffing. Or maybe intimidating me because suddenly I noticed how much bigger he was compared to me. And how those large muscles on his naked arms and chest seem to tense up. As if he was an animal about to jump me.

I knew what I had to do to make him realize I was serious. I had no pants on, just a t-shirt and my underwear. I put my hands behind my back and grabbed the shirt, then in a swift motion pulled it off. Logan seemed caught by surprise and leaned back when I almost threw the shirt at him. Now all I had on was my bra and panties.

"You're good Logan, a lot better than me when it comes to fighting. But we both know even you can't take me down without touching some skin," I said as I felt his eyes trail down my nearly naked figure. And if it wasn't for the situation, I think I'd actually feel good about the nod of respect he gave me. He knew I was serious and he knew that with this much skin showing, his chances of stopping me just got lower.

"Alright darling, you win," said Logan as he got up. He walked around me and opened the door. Before I could even respond he slammed the door behind me.

I found myself just sitting there, not quite sure I could believe this. He actually backed down… I was able to get mighty Wolverine to back down. Then I heard the truck outside start and my feeling of triumph soon turned to panic.

"Logan wait!" I shouted as I ran out. But the truck was already burning rubber as it hit the road. It wasn't that I had suddenly changed my mind, but… I did want to say good-bye first. I probably was never going to see him again after I went to prison.

It felt incredibly wrong that this was going to be my last memory of Logan. Riding away pissed at me without even a good-bye. Then I noticed the stares from a few people in the parking lot and realized that I still only had my underwear on. Girl wearing almost nothing shouting for a guy to come back at a cheap motel like this. I could kinda guess the assumptions they were making.

"Oh what are you looking at," I muttered as I walked back in and slammed the door behind me.

I got cleaned up in the bathroom, put my clothes on, and then used a pay phone to call a cab to take me to the nearest police station. I guess I could have just called 911 and have the police come pick me up. But something tells me I wouldn't have enjoyed the drive as much when the cops put me in the back of the car. Might as well enjoy what freedom I could have even if it was going to be for a short time.

The building wasn't as large as I expected, but then this was a small town. So small I couldn't even remember the name of it when Logan drove me here. The taxi driver stopped in front of the police station and I paid him the fee with a generous tip.

I hesitated, as I was about to go through the door. I suddenly thought how was this going to help anyone? How was me going to jail going to change anything? I could volunteer to do community work and devote my life to helping others. It wasn't like going to jail would bring Jean back.

And as I was thinking these thoughts, a redhead cop walked passed me. Lets face it… I was trying to make excuses. If someone shot me dead, I'd want that person to go to jail. I wouldn't want them going free with no punishment for it. With a deep breath I opened the door.

"Uh-hum."

"Yes," said the lady at the desk without looking up. She was scribbling something in a notebook.

"I'd like to turn myself in for a murder."

I have to admit I almost laughed when the lady almost fell off her chair. From there I went into detail about what I was talking about. She'd nod and then quickly have me talk to her boss. Who had me talk to his boss. I didn't tell them the whole truth. I mentioned Logan, but claimed to never see him after shooting Jean. That I made a run for it, but changed my mind later and decided to turn myself in. No need for him to get into trouble just for trying to help me.

Within a few hours, they had me in a police car driving south. They explained how I was being sent to speak with the detective who was covering the murder. The weird thing was, they didn't put me in the back like I expected. I was sitting in the front with just the driver watching. I just claimed to murder someone, doesn't that mean I'm a bit dangerous? I mean I know I don't look like Freddy Krueger, but that didn't mean I should be this trusted.

Also there was the way the policeman treated me as he drove the car. He was friendly and making jokes, jokes! Something wasn't right… I knew it, I just didn't know what. Until we went to speak with the detective.

Detective Sean Link was in his late twenties, nicely combed blonde hair, and a smile that put you at ease right away. Jubilee would probably be inquiring if he were single if she was around right now.

"Dete-"

"Call me Sean," said the detective as he shook my hand.

"Sean… what's going on? I just confessed to being a murderer, but you don't seem to be treating me like one. I expected to be handcuffed at least, not that I really want to be," I said. Listen to me, actually asking why I wasn't getting harsher treatment.

"I don't know how to say this… but someone already confessed to the murder. Turn themselves in about an hour before you did," said Sean. I knew my mouth was hanging open. This wasn't exactly something I saw coming.

"The man who confessed says his name is Logan, do you know him?"