Okay Y'all this'll be a bit longer than most 'cause I combined Chapter 3 and 4 with each other, 'cause I Chapter three was really long and boring and I couldn't find how to edit it, and Chapter 4 I think has a bit more action in it. But still it's long. Apologies if you will.
Chapter 3
Anna woke to the movement of someone around her. She sat up yawning. Getting her bearings, she looked around to see Jean shuffling around adjusting monitors. Anna tilted her head. Jean turned to face her.
"Morning, looks like it was just really a dream." She smiled.
"No, they're real. More real than anything else."
"You know, I've never seen Logan like he was last night."
"I scared the living hell outta him." Anna looked to the ceiling.
"I wonder why?"
"Oh, it's the dreams, they haunt me. I don't like to talk about it." Anna brushed off the subject.
"Well there must be a reason." Jean pushed. Anna sighed.
"I'm getting real close to my breaking point."
"Meaning?"
"I'm on the verge of insanity the dreams, they're just so real." Jean nodded making notes on a clip board.
"I see."
"I'm constantly on the verge of insanity." Anna laughed. "Last time I did something like this I ended up slaughtering a lot of people. That's why I'm wary of being here, these dreams scare me."
"Well, I was talking with Xavier, he believes in you. He believes he can help you overcome all of this. H-"
"I really am grateful you're willing to help me, but…six months ago. It's been a while. The nightmares are trying to persuade me into it. And SHEILD. They'll want me back. All these things…Logan just sees this. He loves me, I love him. He's in a position to help me, and he's not letting me go. He doesn't understand, no one understands." Anna held her head in shame. Jean bit her lip.
"Anna, this is a place for mutants and their abilities, you have an ability, you also need help on something you can't do on your own, and Logan sees that, he also sees no matter how much he loves you, you can't do this alone, and that's why he kept you here. Xavier is quite taken with you himself. He sees you as a charming person. A person he knows holds an important place in one of his closets friends' life. That's why he wants to help, he knows he can. But you need to have faith; things will turn for the better, I know." Jean smiled. "Oh, your shirt," She passed Anna the tank top.
"Thanks. Not many people would be willing to try. I myself gave up years ago. Since then I've tried to live with it. I can't." Anna took off the shirt she was wearing and replaced it with her freshly laundered tank top. "But when you've lived a life like mine you tend to only trust a few people. To me, that's my god father, my brothers, and Logan. But here, I feel like I can trust just about anyone. But Jean just ask Logan, an' he'll tell you, once you gain my trust you can get to know me, lose it and that's it, no second chances." Anna stood. "Its times like these I hate SHEILD more than anything." She turned her back to Jean, "But it's the only life I've ever known." She turned to leave. "Oh almost forgot; thanks about last night." Anna closed the door behind her.
Logan stood alone in the kitchen reading a newspaper leaning on the counter. He sipped on his coffee. He stood straighter and looked behind him.
"Love you Stranger." Anna said.
"Love you too Red." He smoothed his paper on the counter and placed his cup beside it. She walked into his strong arms forcing herself not to cry. He kissed her gently and ran a hand through her hair. She held him tighter, Logan let go of her.
"Coffee?"
"Sure," Anna sat at the table crossing her arms over her chest biting her lip.
"The worst is over you know that." Logan whispered gently sitting beside her; Anna leaned on him putting his arm around her.
"I don't know."
"How long?"
"Six months."
"That's a record." He kissed her hair softly holding up his paper.
"I know, but it won't last much longer."
"Yes, it will you need to have faith, Red."
"I know."
"What did you see?"
"Hell, you know that."
"Are they trying?"
"I hate them. Why did they do this to me?" Anna cried into his shoulders.
"That's what I thought too, Red, don't blame yourself. It's not your fault." Logan said soothingly kissing her cheek.
"You're right, but the things I've had to do because of it…" Anna pressed her face into his shoulders. He put down his paper and wrapped his free arm around her.
"You're right, but I won't let them, we'll find how to cure you Anna we will. I promise." The door burst open and Scott strolled in.
"This coffee still good?"
"Yeah." Logan nodded. "Sleep well?"
"How is she?"
"Better, damn nightmares." Scott filled his mug and sat across from them.
"Nice tattoo." He nodded to Anna's shoulder. She sat up and shook her head letting longer brown hair cover her shoulder.
"Logan talked me into it. Guess you could say it's a make shift ring."
"So you kept it?"
"Hell yeah. What? Do you really think I'm crazy?"
"I did." Logan laughed.
"You watch your mouth Stranger or I might cut out your tongue." Anna laughed.
"Hell, Red, you need to get out more." Logan sniggered.
"Hey, duty calls."
"Um pardon my interruption but what exactly are you two talking about?" Scott asked bewildered.
"See this," She pulled her hair off her shoulders. "This is why the entire agency was holding wagers." Anna sniggered drinking her coffee. Logan laughed, rubbing her shoulders.
"You two act like a married couple." Scott declared leaning back drinking his own. Logan turned to look at Anna, she shrugged.
"Do we really?"
"Heaven knows we've been together long enough."
"Oh so we have." Anna fell silent against Logan when the door swung opened. Jubilee closely followed by Kitty walked in arguing passionately about some shirt. Anna looked up. Jubilee was wearing a t-shirt with jeans and Kitty was wearing the same thing except she had on a hoodie.
Anna shook her head so her hair became a bright bubblegum pink. Logan looked to her crossly. She smirked. He shrugged picking up the newspaper Anna reading over his shoulders about the Patriots latest winnings. The story talked of their potential to go to the super bowl if they kept it up. That's nothing new. Logan turned the page and on to hockey. Anna groaned.
"Where's the rest of the paper?" She asked. Logan grinned.
"On the counter," He pointed to the stack of the New York Times. Anna got up and shuffled through it pulling out the section on politics. Scott raised his eyebrows. Logan looked away distastefully when she sat next to him.
"I can't live on football and baseball statistics forever." Anna elbowed him. Logan shook his head. "Oh look the polls are up."
"How much?"
"Point five percent." Anna laughed. "Strange really, how it was only a few years ago everyone seemed to be a warmonger. Save for all those anti-war idiots." She commented. Jubilee and Kitty turned their heads form their argument at the remark.
"So you believe in the war on Terror?"
"Don't get her started on war." Logan whispered under his breath. She elbowed him. "That hurts." He turned to her.
"I'm sure it did." She grinned playfully.
"You're lucky."
"How so?"
"You got me."
"See, this is one of those rare moments we see Logan's ego." Anna leaned over the table whispering under her breath shielding one side of her mouth. Scott burst into a fit of laughter.
"I didn't know he had one."
"Oh he has his days, just when no one's looking. OW!" She turned to him rubbing her shin. "Yeah, and a Merry Christmas to you too!"
"Happy New Year." He smirked.
"I hate the holidays." Anna glowered slumping in her seat retreating back to her newspaper.
"Why?" Jubilee asked.
"Oh, every time around this year my brothers hold a Christmas party at some fine dining restaurant for the family. Caesar, and all of my nieces and nephews, and married brothers- hint, hint! - will be there. Along with Cutler and Maverick, and Saber, and-"
"I get the point."
"Well thank you,"
"I hate commitment."
"Oh for the love of God! I wasn't referring to commitment! I was referring to the fact that I'll have all these ex-boyfriends there practically throwing themselves upon me, and I'm not alone!" Anna folded her newspaper.
"Well then who are you going to take? I don't think Scott would like to meet your brothers." Logan scoffed. She took in a deep breath.
"No. No. No. No. You are not avoiding my family this year. Think of it this way. Cutler's soft brown eyes, strong arms, and lush lips." Anna raised her eyebrows. "Think of this. His eyes locked with mine his strong arms around me, and his lush lips glued to mine." Anna smirked seeing Logan's grin turn to a frown. She crossed her arms.
"Each of those men can easily be considered more attractive and more-"
"I get the idea."
"Besides if you were to come with me, the lesser chance I end up being drawn out of the room with one of them whispering sweet nothings in my ear."
"I hate you."
"Love you too Stranger." Anna laughed.
"When is it?"
"Same date every year the 24th."
"But that's the-"
"Save it rookie, your coming."
"Yeah but that's the Christmas party for the X-men. I'm one of them."
"I'm sure Xavier would understand. But I can't go alone." Anna grabbed the collar of his shirt. "Cutler is obsessed! You hear me? Obsessed!" Anna emphasized the obsessed part. Logan laughed.
"I remember your dating days. Those were funny."
"Oh yeah when I dumped Cutler? Don't tell me that was funny that was outright scary."
"Two years he worked to get you back, course you dumped him for me was that right?"
"Yep. And god how he hated you."
"Why dose that not surprise me?"
"Ah…you were always competing for one thing or another. Rank, women, missions, me; did I leave anything out?" Anna counted them off on her hand looking thoughtful. "Oh yeah, weapons, cars, books, most mission logs, brownie points with the boss."
"Since when did you pay us any attention?"
"Oh please, I was right in the middle of the mess between you and Silver Fox."
"Don't go there, Red."
"Oh I won't but I'm just saying that's a mess if I've ever seen one." Anna snickered she drained her cup returning to her paper. She yawned and folded her section reading the ad's on the back of Logan's. She examined a particularly colorful one advertising an antiques shop. She looked above it. This one advertised a sale.
"Well before Jean starts nagging on me; Love you wanna go get your things from your hotel room?" He turned to her folding his newly finished paper. Anna smiled.
"Sure."
"You'll need shoes, hey Jubilee you got any she can borrow?" Logan asked. Anna rolled her eyes.
"Sure. Here let me go get her a pair." Jubilee strolled out of the kitchen. Anna smiled.
"Thanks."
"Oh it's no problem," Jubilee laughed closing the door behind her. Anna stood and looked at her reflection in the dishwasher enamel. She shook her head. Her hair melted from bubble gum to pink to amethyst. Logan wrinkled his nose.
"Alright we'll do it your way." Anna said shrugging her shoulders. She shook her head and let the purple color fade into a jet black. Logan nodded his approval.
"Better,"
"If only they could see you now." Anna laughed brightly. Jubilee burst through the door, brightly shining and smiling.
"Here you go Anna," She passed Anna a pair of shoes. Anna stood smiling.
"Thanks I owe you." Anna took the shoes. She sat near Logan and put them on tying up the laces. She stood. "Ready, Stranger?" She smiled sweetly. Logan grinned.
"Just like old times eh?" he took her hand. The door banged open again. And in came Jean. Logan's mannerism changed completely when she graced them. He nodded to her.
"Hey Jean, morning," Anna gleamed brightly. Jean returned the greeting.
"Is this coffee still good?" She asked heading to the pot.
"Yeah," Logan answered her. He got up and put his cup in the sink. He turned to face Anna leaning against the sink. She shook her head. He shrugged. Anna stood and put away her cup and took his hand.
"You ready?" She asked.
"Yeah Red letmmie get my coat." He grinned she pulled him out the door.
"Hey where are you guys going?"
"My hotel room," Anna called over her shoulders; then realized how that must've sounded. She put on her coat and handed Logan his. He opened the door. Anna smiled seeing the bright beauty of somewhat early winter. The trees were leafless as they circled the front lawn and constricted into an avenue of oaks. The grass was barren a harsh brown but still slightly green and the concrete pathways and drives darted here and there. Students were already out in the warm winter sunshine gathered in groups of friends, talking laughing, even throwing Frisbees.
The fire engine red disc landed near Anna's feet. She picked it up and looked for its owner. He came hopping up out of breath.
"May I have my Frisbee back please?" His eyes seemed to be ice, and his hair impeccably blonde. His body seemed to be giving off cold, not heat. Anna smiled.
"Bobby right? You gave us Canadian authorities a run for our money one time." Anna laughed. "Tell you what. It gave Cutler a kick in the gut when you evaded their capture." She grinned passing him the toy.
"You mean you were one of them?" Bobby tilted his head.
"Ever so slightly I turn in my resignation next Monday,"
"Um…I need to go my friends are waiting; thanks!" He turned on him. Anna chuckled. Logan looked at her oddly. Anna shrugged; she knew he was a bit worried that SHEILD had been after one of the younger X-men.
"SHEILD went after him?"
"Who the heck did you think that young girl was that Bobby was after?" Anna flipped her hair, Logan frowned. He took her hand and led her away from the front lawn.
"What do you mean that was SHEILD?" He asked her. Anna shrugged.
"Hey I wasn't too big on seducing him myself. Heck if hadn't been for me and that misstep I purposefully took he would've been locked up. It's not the first time SHEILD has sent out its agents for mutants. I swear I had no idea what was going on." Anna added. Logan shrugged.
"We can take Scott's bike, or my jeep you decide." Logan opened the garage door.
"Or we can walk. I took my bike with me this time." Anna added looking at the gray sky.
"Then Scott's bike it is." He moved to the sleek motorcycle sitting near the back. Logan grinned mischievously to her. Anna ran her hand over the chrome finish. She let her delicate fingers slip through the handlebars.
"Nice bike."
"Scott figures he can get out here in time to stop me by putting it in the back." Logan explained. Anna nodded.
"Yeah, I'll bet." She leaned the bike on its side and wheeled it to the front. She steadied it upright and waved for Logan to ride with her. He mounted first, and then placed Anna behind him.
"Care to do the honors?" He smirked. Anna released one of her claws and shoved it through the ignition and turned the engine came on. Logan grinned and pulled out. He shot up the drive and onto the avenue of oaks. Gaining speed Anna laughed and kissed Logan's neck.
Scott stood on the front porch with Jean. He watched them ride off.
"I just hope he gets thrown." He took a sip from his second cup.
Anna dismounted when they pulled into the hotel parking lot. She flipped her hair.
"Nice bike most definitely." Anna patted the hot bike smiling.
"Too bad it's not mine." Logan said remorsefully. Anna nodded.
"Too bad," Logan dismounted and hugged her kissing her lightly. He took her hand in his and led her inside the building. Anna darted with him up the stairs. He followed her down the halls and into a room. Anna stopped before a door with the number A8. She grinned, and released one of her claws and unlocked the door.
She waved her hand watching the curtains draw back letting light flood into the room. She walked across to the dresser; she opened the drawer pulling out a stack of shirts and a few jeans. Some ripped, some dark wash, others faded. She looked around under the bed for her suitcase and pulled out a duffle bag the color of black. She unzipped it and crammed her clothes all but a set into the bag. She zipped it up and took the clothes she had left out and headed to the bathroom. Logan sighed watching her walk. His daydream was broken, when she slammed the door. He blinked away the images of her soft skin, waiting leaning back on his hands.
The door reopened and she walked out. Her jeans were ripped and faded and sexily they clung to her legs and curves. Her shirt a sexy tank, that clung to her and left a space revealing her navel. Logan looked at her shocked his eyes darting to her pierced navel which was a sun and moon.
"When did that a happen?"
"It was my birthday present from Cutler; he offered to pay for it down at my brother's tattoo parlor. They do body pricings now." She said taking her pjs and shoving them in her duffle.
"Who cares it looks sexy." Logan grinned.
"Cool." She opened a drawer and layered on necklace after necklace and put on bangles that rang. She slipped a pair of chandelier earring on and shook her head so her hair became a lushly wavy. Logan looked at her. She shrugged and dung deeper pulling out makeup. She swiped on some powder pink blush blending it in with a darker shade of pink, and rubbing shades of green and black on her eyelids smudging her eyeliner a little to make her eyes smoky, and finished off with mascara. She turned to him applying a clear shining layer of lip-gloss. The look worked for her.
"You look like a goddess."
"That's the point." She smiled turning back to pile jewelry on the vanity, she neatly put away her make up in a cosmetic bag, and carefully put away her jewelry and put them away into her duffle.
"I'm only afraid what Xavier will think of the midriff." Logan said.
"Yeah, I hear the language teacher is on the brink of retirement." She glimmered pulling him up off the bed. She took Jubilee's shoes off and placed them in another bag. She pulled out a pair of stilettos and strapped them on. "Ready?" She asked.
"You look like you're going on a date."
"Surprisingly enough I always dress like this." Anna tilted her head. Logan looked at her oddly standing up. She pulled on a coat and took her bags with her and led him out the door and into the lobby. She went up to the front desk and smiled.
"Um excuse me." She said. The clerk looked up to her.
"Yes?"
"I'd like to checkout."
"Sure. I'll need some ID, and your room key and a form of payment." Anna passed up her driver's license and room key. He typed into his computer and put away the key. "Oh yes two nights and no room service. Hmm, that's forty dollars plus tax." He looked up to her smiling. Anna nodded and pulled out a fifty from one of her bags and passed it up.
"Your change," he passed her a five.
"Thank you." Anna turned out the door and looked around the parking lot for her bike. Logan grinned to her. She passed him the bag with her shoes.
"Here you take this, I'll take my clothes." She pressed the bag to his chest and mounted her bike and pulled around Logan's. He strapped her bag on the back and saw she had already done the same.
"Ready Red?" He asked mounting his own.
"Ready Stranger," She smiled, "Show me the way," He kicked started the bike and pulled out with her in tow.
Anna and Logan stopped at the gate.
"How bout a race?" She asked him, Logan grinned.
"This bike could beat yours."
"Maybe so, but we'll never know if we don't see." She grinned pressing the throttle. Logan did the same as they waited for the gates to open which in time they did.
Anna released and surged ahead of Logan speeding up the avenue with ease. She cut him off gaining speed. She knew he would be calm and wait for her to slow. And she would feed his ego.
They came up to the drive the finish line (a few feet from the garage) she slackened wanting him to take the bait. He did. Anna laughed.
"Big mistake Stranger." She called and took on a surge of speed until she was riding his tail she hit the brakes and maneuvered her bike, so she was not only cutting him off but she was spinning, a sharp squeal came from her tires, finishing her ride facing the opposite way she had come. She had all eyes on her.
"You're such a show off Red." Logan shook his head. She had lost the race.
"Better to finish last with style than to win." Anna grinned. "You took the bait."
"What ever." He opened the garage door just as a few students came up to her. He turned around.
"Hey cool bike." One of them said. Anna kicked up the kick stand, and wheeled her bike into the garage.
"Tell you what, admire my bike all you want, but don't touch. And don't even try to do the little stunt I just pulled." Anna said.
"Why can't we touch it?"
"Because, the people who gave me this bike had it custom made for me, I'm a highly trained assassin. This bike was made for just that; an assassin." Anna raised her eyebrows. "Make a wrong move on it and you could send a dart into some nearby pedestrian's neck."
"You're lying."
"Oh really?" She motioned to the gas tank. "See this? This is supposed to be the gas tank right?" They all nodded. "No it's not. The gas tank is somewhere behind the seat, this is a false tank, half the time it's filled with cyanide. Authorities never find it." She emphasized. "But it's all empty mind you this is a school." Anna grinned evilly. Logan pulled her away.
"Cyanide?" He raised his eyebrows. "That's a bit barbaric."
"Hey but the cause of death is obvious ain't it?" She grinned mischievously. She turned back to the kids. "I'm not kidding, scoot! Go do your homework or something; I'm not going to be held responsible for your deaths." She waved her hands. The kids laughed. Logan stepped into view, they shut up.
"Hey kid. Aren't you in my training class on Monday?" He asked. The kid nodded. "If I were you I'd leave and apologize." The kid poured out his sorrows and scattered off. Anna laughed.
"You always did have a way with kids." She kissed his cheek. "And in any matter…" She grinned. "What now?"
"Well now you return the shoes to Jubilee, put away your things in my room and we go down to see Xavier." He took her bag off Scott's bike and tossed it to her, she caught it and slung it over her shoulder and took out her other one. She led him up to the porch receiving stares and complements from the male students. Logan glowered.
"Yeah next time I'll wear long sleeves." She laughed opening the door. Jean was walking in between pillars when she noticed Logan.
"Hey Logan you seen Anna?" She asked.
"We just got back." He pointed to her.
"Wow, Anna you look-"
"Like a teenager, I know."
"No, actually nice,"
"Thanks."
"Anyways, Xavier wants to see you his office after you put away your things." Jean smiled and left Logan looked after her.
"Funny, Logan I always thought I was the only one for you." She closed his jaw for him. "Lead the way tiger." She shoved him forward and he showed her up the stairs. He led her down a corridor where children were busy talking with each other.
"Here love just put your bags over here. We'll get to them shortly." He ushered her out the door and down to the main floor and around a few corners before opening a mahogany door. It led into an office decorated with a sophisticated feel.
Xavier sat behind his desk grading a few papers he looked up and smiled warmly at Logan.
"Hello, please sit. I hope you are feeling better Anna." He waved for them to have a seat.
"Thank you sir I feel much better." Anna returned his smile sitting delicately in a plush leather chair Logan sat beside her.
"So tell me, what exactly can you do?" He folded his hands in his lap. Anna tilted her head.
"Almost identical to Logan sir; save for the fact I can change my hair to any type I like, color included, and I can change my eye color at will." Anna explained politely.
"Is that all?" Xavier pushed on.
"No sir. I can break into any kind of mind I want." Anna looked away.
"Is that so?" He leaned forward, Logan edged further to the edge of his seat nervously.
"Yes,"
"Well could you?"
"Um…I suppose." Anna said calmly, but no sooner did she finish than Xavier doubled over in pain. She released him. He straightened himself out, regaining his bearings. He looked to her.
"Amazing and you are able to do this?"
"I was trained." Anna explained to him. He looked her over fascinated. Logan began to sweat lightly nervous she'd do something. "I have these to." And for the first time since coming here she released her six andamantium claws. They were more slender and curved more gracefully than Logan's; more feminine than his own. Xavier examined them closely.
"Extraordinary. And you have the healing factor?"
"Of course," Anna answered him; she retracted her claws letting them slip back in slowly. "To be honest I have a fair amount of control over my addiction, but that doesn't mean I'm immune to a relapse. But that doesn't scare me." Anna said truthfully.
"But last n-"
"You're right I did say I was afraid of a relapse I still am, but not as afraid as I am of my dreams. They're more real to me, than my surroundings. I see things, things I can't talk of. They scare me, that's all I can say." Anna explained. Xavier leaned back in his seat thinking. The pain he had just experienced was a reflection of the pain she had dealt with in her life.
"Well, Anna I see no way we can't help, but you said you have some control over your addiction that does cut down our work drastically, but these dreams do pose a problem, Well I can assure you even though the task will be lengthy we can find away to overcome them. However, if you're like Logan you won't like sitting around all day…" He trailed off in thought. "Logan mentioned to me that you were fond of languages is that not true?" He asked Anna nodded.
"I can speak Latin, Spanish, and French." Anna answered him.
"Well then, that settles it. You start tomorrow." He smiled.
"Excuse me?"
"We are in need of a new linguist here at the school, you more than qualify." He eased back in his chair.
"Sir, I know many languages, but I'm more fond of creating stories, forming words to my will, speaking is merely the beginning." Anna smiled.
"I see, so you would prefer a class on writing?"
"Yes,"
"Well, there is a period on electives; you can dedicate that to your writings, the class periods you will be teaching Spanish, French, or Latin, depending on which day." He smiled. "The position is up for grabs." Anna thought.
"Alright, I'll teach." She agreed. Logan smiled to her.
"Well you start tomorrow, understood?" He asked her. Anna nodded her respect.
"Thank you."
"Oh and Anna," Xavier added
"Yes?" She asked.
"I would like for you to meet the X-men in the danger room tomorrow after your classes, I want to see just how powerful you are." Xavier waved for her to stand. "I think I have feeling just how much." Anna stood with Logan. She turned to leave with him ushering her out the door.
Logan led her to the front porch. He opened the door and she sat on the stoop with him next to her. He took out a pack of cigarettes.
"You still smoke?"
"Can't seem to quit," She took one from him; he leaned over and lit it for her. She took a drag from it and leaned on him. "Thought this was a school," She said.
"It is, Xavier don't care so long as I don't give it to anyone who ain't supposed to smoke." He wrapped an arm around her.
"Remember that time you caught me with heroine." She asked.
"Yeah," He exhaled a long stream of white.
"Thank God you did."
"You're welcome darlin' call it a favor why don't ya?"
"Sure, a pretty big one,"
"Love you Red."
"Love you too Stranger." She stamped out her cigarette and threw the extinguished stub into the grass and fell asleep on his shoulder. He shoved her awake.
"What?" She asked him.
"Don't go fallin' asleep on me now." He grinned.
"What ever Stranger," She yawned. "I'm tired,"
"I'll bet."
The winter day was down right cold; Anna clung to her jacket snuggling up close to Logan to keep warm. The wind whistled through the barren trees. Gray clouds swarmed overhead blocking out view of the sun. The grass was straw brown; hard to believe it would spring back to life in the spring. Anna sniffed the air smelled like snow, damn climate was too much like Canada, hell this is New York go ahead and call it Canada. The fountain was off for the winter to prevent freezing. She saw no birds and no squirrels were scampering about the trees. Even the ground cats were to be found sleeping.
"You think there might be snow tomorrow?"
"Possibly tonight," he answered her. Anna sighed. Today had been eventful, even promising. She liked it here. It was soothing to her war harden heart, it was indeed easy to see why Logan had settled down here. She thought of closing her eyes, she wouldn't fall asleep only….
"Hey, Wolvie!" Jubilee called out brightly waving wearing tight fitting jeans and hugging a coat. Logan shoved her awake.
"Hey, Jubes. You already meet Anna right?" Logan asked Anna looked groggily at him.
"I hear ya, hi Jubilee." Anna smiled faintly sliding away from Logan hunched over clutching at her coat.
"What's wrong with you?" Jubilee tilted her head.
"Cold, just ask Mister Scrooge." Anna said restraining from giggling. Logan rolled his eyes stamping out his cigarette.
"Sure that's it; I'm Mister Scrooge. Aren't always this time of year?" He asked. Anna laughed.
"Yeah remember when I took you to the company Christmas party?" Anna asked sitting up brightly. Logan shook his head.
"I'd rather bring up Canada."
"What happened?"
"We got caught making out underneath the mistletoe."
"No way?" Jubilee sat on the stoop with her in disbelief. She put her chin on her hands and her elbows on her knees with her eyes growing wider.
"Yup, now see Wolvie turn red." Anna pointed to an embarrassed Wolverine. He shook his head.
"Don't get used to it. I'm going in; it's starting to get real cold out here." He stood straightening himself out. He bent down and kissed her softly. "Missed you." He whispered in her ear, he turned back to the door and left a very stunned Jubilee.
Anna nearly fell over laughing until her sides ached. "Don't tell me he doesn't do that?" Jubilee looked up and shook her head.
"Heck no! Logan never shows any emotion except anger, rage, and hatred. Even frustration. But never have I seen him be so, so, so…"
"So what? Tender? Heartfelt?" Anna grinned. "These are the things Logan prefers to express in private." She smiled softly to herself. "Reminds me what I used to do to him back when I was younger."
"Don't you dare tell her that, Red, I'm warnin' ya!" Logan roared coming out the door.
"Nice to know you respect private conversations Stranger." Anna raised her eyebrows trying not to laugh. "But he's right; it is time to come in." she stood stretching her legs, turning to Jubilee. "Shall we?" Anna tilted her head offering her arm. Logan went inside ignoring the gesture. Jubilee looked at her oddly.
Dinner was no different. Anna sat next to Logan with touched up make-up, earning her looks of attraction from Scott and Hank. Friendly conversation flowed easily between Jean, Rouge, and Jubilee. Anna delicately ate her meal with graceful and fluid movements. Xavier was constantly trying to stir the conversation to flow to her relationship in the past with Logan. Oh and speaking of Logan he refused to address her, in fact now that I think of it he practically ignored her.
"Say, Anna, what's wrong with Logan" Rouge asked wavering her fork towards Logan, he glowered even more, and Anna only laughed.
"I'm in the dog house." She said taking a bite of her dinner. Rouge looked to her quizzically.
"Now correct me if I'm wrong, but ain't that a bad thing?"
"He's just a bit sore from when I mentioned something to Jubilee about what I did to annoy him." Anna said sipping her soda. Logan flashed her, a hostile look. Anna shrugged it off. Jubilee leaned over some. Scott craned his neck to listen closer.
"What did you do that was so bad?" Rouge asked waver her fork more. Anna leaned back looking at Logan grinning.
"I don't think it was bad so much as all the crap the men gave him, I was notorious of getting even, and after what I did Logan never tried to get one over one me."
"What did he do?" Scott asked?
"He tampered with my bow, so that when I pulled back on the rawhide it snapped, and he unsettled the balance of my arrows. They never did shoot straight after that and it takes hours to get a perfect balance. Needless to say I was mad." Logan shrugged his shoulders as Anna told the tale.
"You tell them and I'll…"
"Right, well when I found out who it was I broke into the men's showers and wrote all over the tiling Logan loves Anna, Anna Loves Logan. I love Anna, stupid stuff like that; I think I rewrote some poems that sounded stupid. The men were laughing at him for weeks. I still remember writing on wide rubber bands Logan and Anna forever and giving them out to everyone." Anna giggled. Scott couldn't help but laugh. Rouge raised her eyebrows, Jubilee looked at her weird and Hank didn't say anything.
"That's what has him so sore? You wrote sixth grade girl stuff on the bathroom walls?" Jean asked. Scott was laughing nearly choking on his food.
"It was something you have to see to find funny."
"Funny? That was beyond funny that was cruel."
"Oh? And tampering with that bow and unbalancing my arrows that I worked on for weeks so that they would be accurate? Wasn't? Oh, please Stranger don't tell me you weren't hoodwinked." Anna raised her eyebrows. "Besides it was innocent humor. There has to be something I did that you thought funny." Logan thought for a moment.
"Red, now that I think of it, yeah there was that one time when I caught you with Ace."
"I had to open my mouth." More quizzical looks and Logan launched onto his story. Scott quit his laughing and straightened himself out. Jean rolled her eyes.
"Oh when was it? New Years?" He turned to Anna.
"My birthday,"
"Whenever that is; I walk in to the armory, turn on the lights and in the middle of the-"
"Holy mother of god, that's not right." Anna clamped her hands over his mouth. Logan fought them off laughing.
"And what is?"
"I might tell things that are potentially embarrassing, but never sick. That's just not right. This is a school not a spy organization where you'll find some one who'd find that amusing."
"Italy"
"Canada"
"Oh for
God's sake what happened in Canada?" Jean asked.
"The loss
of innocence," Anna giggled. Logan growled.
"What is with you? Can't you tell a good war story?" Logan asked ticked off over her odd sense of humor.
"Which one would you have me tell? The ones where I slaughter men or the ones where I get involved with the wrong guy? Or how about the mafia?" Anna asked.
"Hey, tell them all about Ace."
"What about him?"
"How did you meet?" Logan had a nasty glimmer in his eyes. Anna shrugged. He leaned closer in a lighter mood.
"What's there to tell?"
"The first time?"
"Oh, I don't think so."
"Maybe I should?"
"Oh for god's sake setting large and bestial dogs on a guy who makes a move on you is not a bad thing." Blank looks of confusion washed over everyone's face. Anna shrugged. "I loved those dogs, and then Cutler shot them. Oh well too bad, now I have my brothers." Anna stood pushing in her chair. "If you're all finished with your plates I'll clear the table." She offered picking up her own and taking Logan's plate with her into the kitchen.
Rouge stood. "Come on Jubilee we need to get your math done."
"Well it's been nice but Scott and I really should be finishing up those papers we need to get graded." Jean got up with Scott.
"Hang on Rouge I'm coming." Jubilee got up following her friend. Hank and the others followed. Logan took up their plates.
"I'll help Anna in the kitchen." He said joining her in the kitchen. She had her hands in the sink washing her plate. She laughed softly to herself. Logan placed the plates in her reach he stood by her laying out a towel to place the wet dishes on as he dried them. She shook her head her hair became shorter past her ears.
"Hey," he placed his hands on her shoulders softly kissing her neck. She smiled softly.
"Oh so washing the dishes is all of uh sudden sexy?" She asked. Logan chuckled.
"Maybe, I was thinking of our first kiss."
"Oh, I nearly drowned and you were giving CPR, I guess that counts as a kiss, if you're that desperate." Anna placed a plate on the towel, she reached for another.
"No, Love, I mean that night in Caribbean," He corrected her. Anna nearly dropped the plate she held. She gulped and continued on with her chore.
"What about it?"
"Do you remember?"
"Well I can't forget if that's what you want to know." She said turning to look into his hard blue eyes. He leaned lower, closer to her face. She stepped closer.
"He- oh," Jubilee entered the kitchen with the glasses in her hands. Logan stepped quickly away from Anna, Anna returned to her chores not looking at Jubilee. "I'll just leave these here." She placed the cups by the plates. "Night, Logan, Anna." She turned and left as fast as she could.
"Love you too Stranger." Anna giggled embarrassed. Logan sighed, it'd been forever.
"Love you too Red." He settled with taking his place to help her with the dishes.
