Chapter 9: In the Still of the Night
Disclaimer: They're not mine…Unless Marvel is feeling especially giving this holiday season? Eh? Hm…(Oh, I guess I borrowed "Blow, Gabriel, Blow" and "In the Still of the Night" from Cole Porter…)
"You're doing the right thing." She squeezed his hand gently before looking up at him. What she saw nearly broke her heart. Peter looked absently at the door to the medlab, a deep sadness in his eyes. They glistened, tears beginning to well.
"I do not know, Katya. This is too much, perhaps too soon." He sniffed, blinking his eyes to dry them out.
She put her hands on his upper arms, turning him to face her. "Peter, look at me." They locked eyes. "I know this is hard. But you're strong. You can do this."
"This is why I left in the first place. I could not talk to anyone about…what happened."
"You told me."
He brought his hands up, sliding his fingers through her hair. "You are different. I can not bear to keep anything from you."
"Peter…" She wrapped her arms around his waist, pressed her body into his, nuzzling her head against his chest.
His arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer as he kissed the top of her head. They stood motionless in this embrace until the door to the medlab opened behind them.
"Oh!" Startled, Jeans hand immediately went to her chest. "I was just coming to find you. Ready?"
He pulled away from Kitty, taking her hands in his. "Stay with me."
"Of course."
Jean smiled sympathetically and held the door open for them to pass through.
Ororo opened the French doors, stepping out onto her balcony. She set the CD player on the ground gently before standing tall again, then stretched her arms high above her head. Letting them fall to her sides, she readjusted her t-shirt. Her eyes fell to the player, frowning. She couldn't believe it. She actually felt guilty – for being happy! But I deserve this.
She looked out across the landscape. The stars shone above, the first sign of winter. They're always brightest in the winter. Ororo remembered Logan telling her that a few months ago. She had been surprised at his knowledge. Her eyes closed as she breathed in deeply. The air was crisp. Another sign. Almost February. Almost a year. She opened her eyes and smiled, the thought making her giddy. Immediately, she bent to the CD player, hitting play.
The fanfare of trumpets broke the silence of the night. Ororo sang along, dancing unabashedly. Looking up to her right, "Do you hear that playing?" Down to her left, "Yes we hear that playing?" Up again to the right, "Do you know who's playing?" To the left again, "No, who's that playing?" Finally, she faced forward, punching the air to the beat. "Well it's Gabriel Gabriel playing! Gabriel Gabriel saying 'Will you be ready to go when I blow my hoooooooooorn?'"
"Once I was headed for Hell…"
He stopped dead in his tracks, his foot just hitting the middle step. What?
"But when I got to Satan's door…"
"Hmph." He climbed the rest of the way to the room he shared with Ororo, taking the steps two at a time.
"…Yes to fly higher and higher and higher!"
Logan stifled back a laugh as he watched Ororo rise off the ground, her actions mimicking the lyrics. He walked softly to the French doors and quietly leaned against the frame. He shoved his hands down his front pockets, a grin on his face as he watched her return to the ground, her back to him.
"So blow, Gabriel, blow! Blow, Gabriel, blow!" She danced around in dizzying circles, the wind whipping her hair across her face. "Blow, Gabriel, bloooooooo—" She screamed at the sight of him, nearly falling backwards off of the balcony.
"Lookin' good, darlin'"
She desperately tried to regain her composure, one hand clinging to the rail and the other clutching her shirt at the chest. Gasping for breath, her eyes widened. "Logan…Goddess…Don't…do that."
"Do what?" His lips curled in a mocking grin as he moved closer to her.
Narrowing her eyes, she put her hands up as if to ward him off. "Oh, no you don't. Stay away from me."
"Dunno if I can."
Ororo saw the subtle flicker in his eyes as he feigned menace. She bit her lip to keep from laughing. "You better."
Taking another step, "That a threat?"
Before she could respond, he jumped forward. She spun around quickly to run, forgetting the railing behind her.
Logan grabbed her from behind, his strong arms wrapping around her waist. She giggled uncontrollably, kicking and punching the air, as he lifted her off the ground and moved backwards. Her squirming knocked him off balance, causing him to fall onto the bench behind them, taking Ororo down with him.
Despite the wind being knocked out of them, the two continued laughing until their sides ached. Their laughter subsiding, Ororo slid off of Logan, lying next to him on the bench. He kept one arm around her to hold her tight, his opposite hand taking hold of her own. They each fixed their gaze on the entwined hands, one smooth and slender, the other large and rough. She smiled at the sound of his racing heart, his chest rising and falling beneath her head.
After some time, Ororo broke the silence. "Where've you been? I haven't seen you since lunch."
"Took the bike out for a ride. Just needed to get away for a while."
She frowned at that and lifted her face to look at him. "Get away? What's wrong?"
He let out a small, uncomfortable laugh. "You know me, darlin'"
"Logan. I'm serious."
"Jean said ya talked ta Hank."
She turned her hand away from him, returning her focus to their mingled hands. She said nothing.
"She told me what he said to ya."
"I see."
"Just pissed me off, I guess."
"That's why you ran off? You were angry?"
He pulled her closer to his body. "I don't like anyone hurtin' ya, 'Ro. I care for ya too much.
Carrying his hand with her, she draped her arm across his torso. She closed her eyes, inhaling slowly, the smell of smoke and wood filling her nose.
He kissed the top of her head, lingering just long enough to breath in her own scent – jasmine and vanilla.
Ororo lay motionless until Logan thought her asleep. The CD player began another track. With the first notes, Ororo stirred. "Mmm, I love this song."
Logan carefully slid out of her embrace and stood in front of her, his hand outstretched.
Ororo sat up, looking at him questioningly. "Yes?"
"Dance with me." His eyes flashed nervously. He suddenly looked so young, almost like a child.
"What?"
"I said…dance with me."
His expression softened as she stood up and easily moved into his embrace. His left hand moved around her waist and rested firmly on her lower back.
She wrapped her arms around his neck before allowing her left hand to slide down his arm and take hold of his right hand.
In the still of the night
As I gaze from my window
At the moon it its flight
My thoughts all stray to you.
Their feet moved slowly, Ororo following Logan's surprisingly graceful lead.
In the still of the night
While the world is in slumber
All the times without number
Darling when I say to you
He brought her hand up around his neck, bringing his own to her back. He pulled tight, as if molding their bodies together. Closing her eyes, she leaned her head against him, her muffled singing barely audible.
Do you love me
As I love you
Are you my life to be
My dream come true?
He closed his eyes, buried his face in her hair, willing this moment to last forever. "I love ya so much, 'Ro."
She sighed contentedly, "I love you, too, Logan."
Or will this dream of mine
Fade out of sight
Like the moon growing dim
On the rim of the hill
In the chill still of the night?
The front door of the mansion swung open, slamming against the wall. A few younger kids in the hallway remained motionless, stunned. They jumped slightly when two duffel bags hit the ground at his feet.
"'ave no fear, eve'yone. Da Gambit has returned!" The grin on his face faded quickly as he realized that he his only audience was a small group of twelve year old girls. They giggled at the stranger whose arms were still raised above his head.
"Well, Ah'll be damned. Look a' what the swamp dragged in." Rogue leaned against the frame of a nearby doorway, her arms folded across her chest.
He dropped one arm to his side, clutching his heart with the other, a look of defeat on his face. "Mon dieu, is dat an angel I see?"
Rogue smiled. She pushed herself off the wall and sauntered down the hallway, crossing in front of Remy. "Cool it, heartbreaker," She called behind her. "Ain't been back five minutes and y'already drivin' me nuts."
His lip curled up, forming a crooked grin. Leaving his bags, he followed after her. "Who ya callin' heartbreaker, chere?" He took one of her gloved hands, spinning her around to face him. His red on black eyes met her green ones for a second before he pressed his lips against hers.
Reacting quickly, she pushed him away. "The bog turnin' ya crazy, Remy? Ah coulda killed ya!"
With a cocky smirk, he replied, "What can I say? Remy loves to live on da edge."
She stared at him, desperately hoping her face conveyed the anger she wish she felt. Finally, she gave up, and turned on her heels, continuing her walk down the hall. "The professor's in his office. Ah'm sure he'd wanna see ya." To ensure the last word, she threw in, "Bayou bait."
His lopsided grin returned. "River rat."
She spun around angrily, only to watch the ends of his coat disappear around the corner.