Aw, now only two reviewers! Where did everyone else go? But Blix and Racetrack's Goil, thanks very much. At least some people are sticking with me!

- CHAPTER THREE -

Time is Precious

Upon returning to the mansion, Storm, Siren and Gambit had immediately gone to the Professor in his office to discuss the occurrences at Alkali Lake. Logan, refusing point blank, had stalked off the minute he was out of uniform. He knew they could tell Charles everything without him being there. Plus he wasn't in the mood to sit in the Professor's office and talk for an hour. Logan had a lot of thoughts to be brooding over, including those of his latest trip to Alkali Lake. For some reason, he didn't feel compelled to tell Charles or the other X-Men his thoughts on the possible connections. It probably wouldn't make much difference if he did. And if he did tell, he'd have to retell it several times to the others who missed out on certain points, and Logan wasn't one to put himself up for such hassle.

He was so deep in this ongoing thoughts he didn't realise he was about to bump, quite literally, into Aurora who was walking the other way, also appearing consumed by thoughts. Just as they were a few feet from each other, the bell chimed through the corridors to signal the end of class, and instantly, echoes of scraping chairs and chatters started, with footfalls beginning to rumble. Both Logan and Aurora looked up, each sharing a look of surprise to find themselves stood in front of each other. Aurora opened her mouth to say something, but a door on the other side of the corridor had just opened and a throng of students was milling out.

Before Logan realised what was happening, Aurora had grabbed him by the upper arm, wrenched open a door besides her and steered him in with the door slamming behind their entry. Wherever she had brought him, they were stood in blackness. He heard her shuffle around in the darkness for a moment before something clicked and a light came on above them. It was only a bare bulb, and the light was so weak it was only a small improvement. But at least they could see better now. The light revealed that they were stood in a small narrow storage cupboard, with shelves of textbooks and other classroom equipment. With the room windowless, and a solid door the only entry, the room was naturally dark without the light.

Logan, who did not approve of being dragged into storage cupboards, cast a surly glare down at the woman. Surprisingly, Aurora gave him an equal glare back, as though it was her who had just been snatched out of the corridor. Outside the door, the rumbling of passing crowds was still active.

"I want to talk to you," said Aurora, placing her hands on her hips as she held her head high.

"In a storage cupboard," replied Logan dully.

"Well I didn't think it was a conversation everyone else should hear."

Logan gave a rough grunt and folded his arms, leaning back on the shelf behind him. He hadn't spoken alone with Aurora since he saw her suspiciously exiting Gambit's bedroom a few weeks ago and their conversation then had left bitterness in both even though they had not been together at the time. "Talk, then," snapped Logan grouchily.

Aurora stood quiet for a moment, watching Logan with careful eyes, "I've been wondering what has been happening about our relationship.. after all the trouble we've had." Logan's eyed were burning through her now. "You were right before, none of this would have happened if it wasn't for Gambit." There was a certain tone of dissent as she spoke the Cajun's name. Logan still hadn't spoken or moved to interrupt her, so Aurora continued on, "He was purposely trying to split us up Logan, trying to drive us apart. He thought it was some game! And when he knew it had worked, he just left me." Slowly her head bowed as she stared down at her hands, "I just think it's stupid to waste what we had because of what he did to us. And you more than anyone should realise how precious time is." Slowly she looked up at him, "To have watched people you cared for fade away as you outgrow them. Some of us haven't got all the time in the world Logan, that's why I'm asking you.. Time is precious.."

Slowly, Logan pulled his eyes from her, looking down also as he took in her words. He still harboured a certain dislike for Gambit after he took Aurora from him, but Aurora had been willing, although she said it was only because herself and Logan had been drifting apart for a while..

Her voice gently broke the silence, "Logan, do you still love me, or not?"

Logan finally found his voice and shook his head gently, "No. Not any more." His words were quiet and strained, difficult to be said.

"Prove it." He raised his eyes upon her to find her intently staring up at him. She stepped closer to him, her pale gentle eyes fixated upon his. "Prove it," she said again in a quieter voice. She closed the gap between them, the space between the bodies melting away as she rested up against him and pressed her lips against his. It was a fiery spark of emotion between them that reignited his passion as memories as to why he fell for her in the first place drowned his brain void of rational thought.

But more up to date memories settled in place, and the smirking face of Gambit passed over his mind's eye. With a gasp he pulled back from her, his fingers drifting out of her hair and his hand at her hip pushing her back. "No.." he said as he glared down at her.

She stared up at him with searching eyes, "No?"

"You were right. Time is precious. That's why I won't be wasting any more of it on you." He pushed past her roughly, barging the door open as he stalked out onto the corridor. The door fell shut, leaving Aurora to stand alone in the dim lighting. Slowly her hands rose to her face as she descended to sit upon an upturned crate. Her soft sobs being her only company..

Logan stood out in the corridor, his own hands rubbing over his face as though he was trying to wake up from drowsiness. He sighed quietly to himself, letting his hands fall as he shook his head dejectedly.

The sound of footsteps caught his attention and he turned his head to see Madeline passing the corridor ahead. She stopped as she noticed him and stared in silence. He turned to walk towards her, but faltered as he saw a large bag slung over a shoulder and her coat over an arm..

Now, come on. If you read this chapter please review it for me.I know there are some people out there.. with the hits being higher than the reviews! You're doing a great deed. Don't make me beg, lol.

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