Once Logan settled his business with Charles, he got to work on remodeling the boathouse. He was like a man possessed, using every waking hour he wasn't busy with Jubilee and training, to make the depilated structure into a home. With the addition of the men from the construction firm Charles had hired and unsolicited help from Colossus and Gambit, everything was ahead of schedule and looked to be ready for him to move in before winter. At first, Logan was wary of the two X-Men who had volunteered their services and he had tried everything to discourage them, but after reluctantly accepting their help, even he had to admit that they made a great team.

It was an unseasonably warm afternoon in late October when Colossus left for a lunch date with Kitty, leaving Logan and Remy to wolf down the turkey and ham sandwiches and beer that was their lunch. An unspoken bond had developed between the Cajun and Canadian, especially after their exploits bringing down the hate group. Remy didn't want to admit it, but the older mutant had become more or less a friend. Of course this wasn't enough to guarantee that he'll still be alive by day's end if he was to go ahead and confront Logan about Ororo, but it was now or never. Remy lit a cigarette and took two hearty pulls before piercing Logan with a hard stare.

Feeling eyes on him, Logan grumbled, "Ya got a problem, Cajun?"

"Oui," Remy answered between pulls, "Remy got a problem."

Logan stuffed the remnants of their lunch in a plastic bag for the trash. He stood and began walking back towards the boathouse. "Well, I ain't no shrink, so can't help ya there."

"It's Ororo."

Logan faltered in his steps but didn't stop. Remy put out his cigarette, stood and followed. "Ya head too hard Logan."

Logan grunted. "I don't have time fer stupid talk."

"Nuttin' is stupid when it comes t' amour, mon ami," Remy tossed out casually. He grinned at Logan's slight pause. "Ya know Remy is right."

"Can it, Cajun."

"Non. Ya still love 'er, no?"

The young mutant continued when he received no reply, his empathic abilities letting him know that he had Logan's attention. "I know ya still love 'er. Amour like that don't jus' go away."

Logan looked up to the sky and took a few calming breaths, his patience with Remy and this nonsensical conversation was wearing extremely thin. He stood ramrod straight and swiftly turn to confront the young man who was quickly becoming a nuisance. "We got work ta finish. Either ya shut yer trap and work or ya can leave."

Remy knew he had struck a chord when the rough mutant stomped away angrily. He pressed on. "Tell me, Wolverine, did runnin' and tryin' t' forget work fo' ya?"

Logan growled harshly, anger flickering across his face. Remy didn't miss it. "It won't be the end of the world if ya jus' talk ta Stormy. Put e'rything out in the open and see where it takes the both 'o ya." When he saw Logan was about to spit out a stinging reply, he rushed out, "Amour is worth it, non?"

There was definitely something in the way the young man said his last words and Logan was silenced by them. He stared at the Louisianan man for a few moments. Sighing deeply, he remarked, "Shit ain't as easy as ya make it sound Cajun."

"Shit would be easy if the both of ya don't make it harder than it has ta be," Remy shot back immediately. "The both o' ya too stubborn. Think too much."

Unable to come back with a scathing reply, Logan simply groaned. "Between ya, Chuck and Jubes, ya'll ain't gonna let this go, huh?"

"No, mon ami. Ya and Stormy deserve t' be happy."

"Look, Cajun…"

"Non, you look, Wolverine. Stormy loves ya too. And when she loves, it ain't no overnight t'ing. She loves wid e'eryt'ng that makes her Stormy."

Logan said nothing, angrily grabbing his tool belt and slipping it on once they were back at the worksite. A young worker from the hired company was working on priming the walls of the living room, when he got a good look at Logan's thunderous mien. Deciding it would be wise to stay out of the dangerous man's way, he scampered away with a flimsy excuse.

Remy too gathered his tools and went back to work, knowing that what he had said had struck a nerve in the Canadian. He stared at the irate man for a few seconds and then shook his head sadly. All he can do now was hope that his words would spur the man into action.

As Logan went about his work, Remy's final words pounded through his brain like incessant drumbeats. Hell! Between the Cajun, the Professor and Jubilee he was near half crazy with all their unwelcome advice. As if he didn't have enough on his plate dealing with the damn feelings for the woman that refused to go away. Maybe sticking around was a mistake if this was what he was going to be dealing with. He sighed, knowing damn well that it was too late for him to turn back now. He was committed to staying and besides Jubes would have his head on a spike, not to mention he'll look like a coward if he ran again. He knew that something had to give, else he'll reach full blown crazy in no time. It was time for him to make some tough decisions and maybe have some tougher discussions. He knew what he wanted, knew what he needed. Maybe it was time for him to take his head out his ass and settle this thing once and for all. It was either settle it or end up in the loony bin.

After a few minutes of being unable to concentrate, Ororo tossed the pen she held down in frustration. She stood up and walked over to the floor to ceiling bay window that was the focal point of her office. She took a seat on the window's built in bench and clasp a decorative pillow to her chest. The conflicting emotions and thoughts warring inside of her were driving her insane.

She was sick and tired of living like this, so why was she overanalyzing this? She wanted the man, needed him actually, so it should be simple to approach him and force him into the long overdue conversation they needed to have. Who was she kidding? Nothing was ever as simple as it sound or planned, especially when one was dealing with the Wolverine. Doubts and fears of rejection held her back. But she knew she had to find a way to conquer those if she didn't want this opportunity to slip through her fingers.

She was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn't hear the knock on the door nor the door slowly opening. Hank stood in the doorway, watching their resident Goddess. Dr. McCoy had always maintained a neutral position in regards to his friends and their personal problems, trusting them to work through their issues and arrive at viable resolutions. Only did he step in when his humble opinion was sought. However, it was quite rare when he did take it upon himself to step in and offer his unsolicited opinion. He didn't know what was behind the constant need he felt to do something about the state of Ororo's and Logan's relationship, but here he was, trying to veer them on a path of healing and accepting the relationship that the two needed. He had sat back and did nothing while Forge annihilated her and had regretted his inaction ever since. But this time around, he had sensed the major difference in what Ororo and Logan could have, if they would both stop being so stupid and stubborn. So, yes, here he was taking matters into his own hands to get them to see what was right in front of them.

Taking a deep breath, he murmured loud enough not to startle her. "Must be some heavy thoughts if I can hear you thinking?"

Ororo started at the sound and turned swiftly to see their furry doctor standing in the doorway. "Are you now a telepath, Henry?" She asked, smiling warmly at her friend.

Taking that as an invitation, Hank went to join her at the window seat and got straight to the point of his visit. "Why are you doing this to yourself, my dear?"

Ororo's eyebrows shot up and her eyes widened. So much for not wasting time, she thought. She turned back to gaze out the window without answering, afraid to let Hank see the vulnerability swimming in her eyes.

Hank was no fool and knew what she was doing. "I have seen you at your worse my dear, so there is no need to hide from me."

'Ro sighed heavily and shifted her gaze to the gentle beast. "At times, it sounds so simple and at other times…" she trailed off, hoping he'll understand what she was trying to say.

"Matters of the heart are never simple, Ororo. I believe it was Madame de Stael that said 'in matters of the heart, nothing is true except the improbable'."

"So you believe that I am stressing over something that is unlikely to happen?" Ororo asked, curious as to what could have made him seek her out.

Hank reached out and took her hands into one paw. He studied the difference in their color and textures for a few moments. "Not at all, my dear. What I am saying is when it comes to love, the thing that seems impossible is what we should fight hard for."

Ororo bowed her head. Did she have the strength to fight? Did she even want to?

Hank reached out and tipped her chin up with his other paw, so she was facing him. "What do you want, Ororo?" Hank's voice was soft and soothing, making the question all the more loaded.

Closing her eyes, she sighed, before looking at Hank directly, allowing him to see her vulnerability. "I want him, Henry. I need him. I love him."

Hank smiled brightly. "So, go get him. I have never known you to back down from a fight."

"It is not as easy as it sounds, Henry. Especially when he looks at me as if I am the worse person in the world."

"Is that what you think?" Her obliviousness was endearing some times and frustrating at others, like now. "Our grouchy Wolverine is in love with you, Ororo…head over heels."

Ororo's eyes widened their bright blue turning a darker shade. "I see it is time for a lesson about ferals," Hank mumbled.

He dropped her hands and stood, gathering his thoughts. "When ferals believe they have found their mates, their lives revolve around that of their mates. Ferals breathe, eat, sleep and live for their mates. Once you have a feral's love, Ororo, it is forever. It is unlike any bond. It is unbreakable. A feral's desire is only for his mate. It is not with disgust he looks at you, but with unadulterated love."

Ororo nodded, unable to utter coherent words, but Hank continued, seemingly caught up in his explanation. "What do you think Logan's outburst at Thanksgiving was about? The possibility that his chosen mate wanted nothing to do with him was too much for him. Believing that there was a chance that he would have to live his life without his mate was beyond comprehension. So he did what he did best. He lashed out when he was cornered, then ran off to lick his wounds."

Hank finally looked at Ororo and saw the effect of his explanation. She was finally letting go of those doubts and fears. "From what I have seen, I believe our resident grouch needs you as much as you need him. He is yours for the taking Ororo. He could not have made it any clearer. Granted, he is as stubborn and ornery as they come, but he will come around."

"Oh Henry!" She sobbed. "There are so many layers to Logan, I do not think…"

"Yes, he is like an onion," Hank joked, forcing a giggle from her. He went to rejoin her at her window. "Stop thinking, Ororo. That is what got you both to where you are now. You both think too much."

Ororo laughed, knowing he was expressing some of her thoughts from earlier. She was very good at overanalyzing things, even to the point of her own detriment.

Hank smiled at the seeming light bulb that finally went off in her beautiful head. He stood, knowing he had accomplished what he wanted when he sought her out.

She stood too, wrapping her arms around him, welcoming the comfort of his soft fur. "Thank you, Henry. You knew exactly what I needed."

Hank returned her hug. "I think you already knew what you needed to do. You just needed the reassurance and support." They parted ways and he headed for the door. With his hands on the knob, he casually tossed out. "One more thing you should know about us ferals, Ororo…we do appreciate a bit of begging from time to time."

Her joyous laughter was a welcomed sound and Hank slipped out the room, knowing that she and the Wolverine will eventually be alright.

With a renewed sense of energy and purpose, Ororo whirled around the room in pure happiness. It was up to her to put an end to their stalemate and she would do it, even if she had to kidnap the bullheaded man to make him see reason.