Chapter 3: Where Logan gets some southern comfort.

Rogue had eighty-sixed the peach and left Logan munching on some apple slices. He hadn't explained why he'd freaked out over the peach, and Rogue hadn't asked. With a past like Logan's, sometimes questions were better left unanswered.

Checking the kitchen was deserted, Rogue went over to the fridge to see what she could find.

Ginger ale - perfect.

Snagging the ginger ale and a plastic Pocahontas tumbler, Rogue made sure the coast was clear, then legged it to the stairs. Another quick glance, and she took the stairs two at a time. She sprinted down the corridor to Logan's door and rapped softly, then let herself in with Logan's key that she'd pilfered. She really didn't want to have to lift Logan into bed again. As tight as his buns were, that guy was heavy.

"Whatcha bring me?" asked Logan, sounding more stuffed up than ever.

"Ginger ale. It settles your stomach, helps dispel the nausea," replied Rogue, pouring some out and handing it to him.

"Who's this chick?" he asked, "She's kinda hot."

"Pocahontas, and she's a cartoon. You can't fancy a cartoon."

"Why not?"

"Cus she's not real."

"Neither are most actresses. Probably made of more plastic than this cup," said Logan, smugly.

Rogue just rolled her eyes and sighed.

"Drink your ginger ale."

Leaning over, she took Logan's washcloth off his forehead and went to the bathroom to re-wet it. Coming back in, she gently placed the cloth back on Logan's head.

"Can you do that again?" asked Logan.

"Do what?"

"Lean over me like that - it's a great view, " Logan replied with as much of a grin as he could muster.

Rogue looked down. Well, her top was kind of low. Why not show him what he was missing out on? He was probably delirious anyway.

"Here, lean forward."

She helped Logan sit up, making sure he got a good look down her cleavage. He couldn't miss it, considering his face was all of three inches away.

Reaching around him, Rogue plumped up the pillows (making sure to jiggle a little), and lowered Logan back down.

"Now we're even for me seeing your butt," she said with a grin.

"What if I flash you something else?" asked Logan from behind a handful of tissues.

"Sorry, it doesn't work like that. You're volunteering your body to be ogled."

"What happened to 'I'll show you mine if you show me yours'?"

"I told you, it doesn't work like that."

Logan's face was the picture of disappointment. Rogue pretended not to notice.

"Now, do you want to talk or sleep? Or I'll go if you want…?"

Logan shook his head emphatically.

"Ow. Hurts."

"Aww, poor thing."

Rogue went and sat on the bed next to Logan. She started stroking his head, running her fingers through his hair.

"Mmm, nice," muttered Logan, a blissful little smile on his stubbly face.

Rogue was happy. She was stroking Logan! Okay, just his hair, but beggars can't be choosers. And it was so soft!

Rogue decided to be a little more daring. If Logan got funny about it later, she'd just say he must have been hallucinating. Slowly, so as not to startle him, Rogue lay down next to Logan. She laid her hand across his bare chest and crossed one of her legs over one of his.

Logan's reaction was a little unexpected. With a happy sigh he snuggled closer towards her, laying his head just above her breast and resting his hand on her hip.

Rogue didn't know whether Logan was aware of what he was doing, but quite frankly she couldn't give a damn. She and Logan were cuddled up in bed together! Granted he was sweaty and snotty, but she'd take it just the same.

Rogue suppressed a yawn. All this nursemaid stuff sure took it out of you. Maybe she'd just close her eyes for a second…

Several hours later…

"Mmph."

Rogue opened her eyes a slit. Registered the warm body entwined with hers.

"Hey sleepyhead."

Rogue sat up suddenly. Of course, she'd snuggled up with Logan. She must have fallen asleep.

"I thought I was the one supposed to get lots of rest," said Logan with a sly grin.

"I… I guess… I just closed my eyes for a bit…"

"Obviously," said Logan, still grinning.

"Anyway, you're apparently feeling better," said Rogue, defensively.

"Mmm," agreed Logan. "Still not great, but my head doesn't fell like a bomb went off in there."

"Well, that's good," Rogue said encouragingly. "Now, I have a question."

Logan looked at her suspiciously.

"Go on."

"What's the deal with you and peaches?"

"Nuthin'."

"Tell me."

"You'll laugh."

"No I won't."

Logan sighed.

"Yesterday, when you weren't here, I had a nightmare," he began hesitantly.

"Was it… the lab?"

"No, worse."

"Worse!"

Logan sighed again, deeper this time.

"An enormous peach was chasin' me an' it had sharp pointy teeth an' big-" Logan broke off to glare at Rogue, who was biting down on her lower lip in an attempt to rein in her laughter. After a minute she managed to control it. Then she caught sight of Logan's face.

"Oh Logan, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to laugh, but it sounds ridiculous. I'm sure it was very scary though."

Logan didn't respond.

"Logan?"

Nothing.

"Well fine, if you're gonna be like that…"

Rogue turned to slide off the bed, but Logan reached over and grabbed her around the waist.

"Don't go," he said, his brown eyes gazing into hers, "I want you to stay."

"Why?" asked Rogue. This was it. How he answered determined whether they would be friends… or something more. After all, he'd been flirting with her a lot. But maybe that's all it was - simple flirting.

"Because you're warm and you smell nice and you lean over me in low-cut tops and you care about me and I lo-" Logan stopped suddenly, as if he'd said too much.

"Because you…?"

Logan swallowed. It had to be said. Time to lay his cards on the table. If she freaked he could always pretend he was delirious.

"Because I love you Marie. You know, in that way."

Rogue's mind whirled. Logan loved her! In that way! And he looked so damn cute, with that apprehensive look on his face. Rogue's face split into an enormous grin. At the sight of it, Logan couldn't help grinning back.

"Come here you!" he said, pulling her back down and snuggling into her side. Giggling, Rogue rested her cheek on Logan's broad chest. She splayed her fingers through his and let out a contented sigh.

"So darlin', you an' me?"

"You and me," affirmed Rogue.

"Now about that 'I'll show you mine if you show me yours'…"