A/N: I have a longer AN at the end of this chapter, but this is just a reminder that these stories are just vignettes into our character's lives, and that the time span between chapters can vary between days, weeks, and months. Enjoy!

It was summer and the Institute was empty of its children until school started for the fall. Ororo always told them how proud she was of all the things they accomplished throughout the year before sending them off, and it touched her heart when some of them hugged and thanked her. All the professors were giving warm smiles and waves as the students were picked up, while Logan watched very nearby, leaned against a tree. He sighed a bit as he watched on, until everyone went inside.

Later that evening, he traveled up the stairs to Ororo's room. He refused to take the elevators unless he had to. When he arrived, he knocked on the door slowly three times. He worried a little when she didn't answer as usual, but stayed calmed, as he sensed her in the room.

"'Ro? You gonna open up for me?"

"It is unlocked."

He opened the door not knowing what to expect, and what he found was a vision. There she was, laid across her chaise lounge in a lavender gown so long that it touched the ground where it piled up a bit. It was almost completely dark in the room except for where she left a crack open in the curtains behind the chair. What was left of the setting sun was shining on her face. She looked solemn as she stared out of the window. Ororo looked like she had been crying and it almost broke his heart, especially since he had no idea why. He caught something shimmering near her, and realized that she had been cradling an empty glass. He looked to the right of the lounge chair and saw an empty bottle of brandy that he knew was full just the previous night.

I've never seen her like this, he thought. When she still didn't acknowledge his presence, he slowly walked towards her, and moved her feet at the end of the chair so he could sit, and propped them in his lap.

He was never the comforting type. He could talk sense into anyone if he needed to, and he could slap the shit out of anyone who became erratic, just to calm them down. But this? This calm despair was something he'd never encountered, probably because he tried to avoid it at all costs. If he didn't know he loved her, he knew then because he cared enough to make her feel better. How he was going to do that was the issue. He wished she still has some brandy left.

As the last of the light left her face, he stared, still being able to see her beauty perfectly.

"How?" It was all he could say. He had so much running through his mind.

She knew he wasn't one for words, but the question was confusing. But if it would distract her from her thoughts, then she would respond.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean so much." He looked out towards the window through the space between the curtains. He could see the outline of the trees against the darkening sky, wishing he could be out there. He closed his eyes and said what was on his mind.

"How long have you been up here like this? How are you still so flawlessly beautiful while you're obviously hurting? How come you haven't spoken to me all day? How can I help you? How, 'Ro."

He sat closer to her as he said all this. She sat up and out of his lap, and looked down. Logan put a finger under her chin to lift it up, but she turned her head. She whispered, but he heard it as clear as day; "You are leaving".

"Sorry, darlin', I'm a little lost. You're gonna need to explain that to me." He sat patiently trying to figure out what the hell was going on with the woman in front of him. For the first time, she looked ahead at where she assumed his face would be.

"Every year you leave once the children have left, and no one knows when you will come back. You weren't supposed to see me like this, Logan. I am so sorry that you had to." She looked ashamed. He wasn't having any of that.

"Is this what you do when I leave?" She looked away towards her bedroom door, as if she wanted to escape the conversation. "I'm not leaving." Ororo turned quickly to look at him with wide eyes.

"You have to know, Logan, that this was not my intention. Do not stay for my sake. I understand you nature." She touched his face, and gave a soft smile, but he wasn't convinced.

"I know you understand me, 'Ro, and that's what I...admire about you. I'm staying for both of our sakes. There are things that need tending to in this tired building, and it would be nice to spend time together without those damn kids running around everywhere." She gave a small laugh, as he took her hand in his. He used the other to reach over to turn a standing lamp on so that she could see his face.

"Ororo, I can't promise you that I'll always stay, but I can promise you that you'll know when I'm coming back. I'll make sure I'll work on writing you. But I'm not leaving this summer." He held both of her hands, hoping that his words and his touch would help her feel better.

"Okay, Logan", she said with a genuine smile. "Can you do one more thing for me?"

He raised and eyebrow.

"And what would that be darlin'?"

"Could you tell me how 'flawlessly beautiful' I am again?" She smiled, teasing him about earlier. He gave a gravelly chuckle.

"Hmm. Well I could tell you, sure. Or I could show you how you are."

He didn't give her a chance to answer before he was on top of her. She laughed at being taken by surprise, but stopped when he started touching her and whispering sweet nothings in her ear.

A/N: I just wanted to give a quick shout out to those of you who have been following this story for so long, even though I'm doing the worst job at updating. I will try to work on it, I promise! I'm finding more inspiration/motivation to write. Seeing all of your reviews, favorites, and follows makes me feel so nice. Please if there's anything I can improve on let me know! I'm always working to become a better writer.