I would like to thank all of you who have given me the great reviews and words of encouragement. Thanks to all of you who have decided to follow and favor this story. I hope as it moves along, it doesn't disappoint.


Logan hoisted his solid frame off of his bed, swinging his legs to the floor. Yawning, he absently scratched his chest and stretched lazily, enjoying the sound of his bones cracking. He had forgotten to draw the curtains last night and the rays of the late May sun was streaming through the window, illumining his room, making a late morning sleep on this Saturday impossible. He glanced at the digital clock on the nightstand, 6:39 am. Hell, he might as well get up and get some running and maybe meditation in. Not like he had much to do anyway. He had spent most of the past week avoiding everyone when he didn't have any classes to see too, running through the woods, meditating by the lake, brooding in his room or unleashing his aggravations on hologramed enemies in the Danger Room. He longed to return to the pristine outdoors of his native Canada, but unfortunately, in addition to his responsibilities to these geeks and their circus, Xavier had grounded the team for the foreseeable future. The Friends of Humanity's recent outbreak of attacks against mutants had prompted Charles to implement a rule many at the mansion saw as unnecessary. All X-Men could not leave the premises unless they were in groups of two or more. Although it was temporary, Logan was the most vocal against it. He thought that it was a stupid rule because as some of the most powerful mutants, they were very much capable of taking care of themselves. But Xavier wasn't taking any chances. He had lost too many of his children over the years, and he would do his best to ensure the safety of his family.

He meandered to the adjoining bathroom to relieve his bladder and brush his teeth. Quickly downing his workout shorts, a sleeveless T-Shirt and sneakers, he opened the bedroom door and trotted down the hall. He made a beeline for the kitchen, intent on having some of the coffee whose fragrance was serenading his nostrils. By the scent of it, it was a Vietnamese brew. He grinned thinking about mixing it with a generous splash of his Masterson's rye whisky. Hopefully no one was in the kitchen to get on his case about his choice of drink. Tramping through the kitchen's entrance, he wasn't surprised to see Ororo already awake and seated at the table, calmly sipping on what he knew to be her favorite tea, Kenya ajiri. She was the only early riser in the mansion besides himself. She was dressed in a pretty baby blue silk bathrobe that was tied securely around her trimmed waist and her cloud-colored hair was knotted at the top of her head in a messy bun. The table she was seated at was littered with what he assumed to be exams she was grading. Her brow was wrinkled as she leaned over a sheet of paper, attempting to read the illegible writing of one of her students. She looked stunning, but then again, when does she not look stunning to him.

Dammit! His decision to avoid her was having the opposite effect on him. The more he stayed away, the more he wanted her. His lust for her was only increasing at an alarming rate. He was at a lost at what to do. All his thoughts, his very being, were becoming absorbed by this woman. He couldn't go on ignoring her forever and he was surprised to realize at that moment that he had no desire to continue to do so. Maybe her idea to start over again wasn't so bad after all.

"Mornin'," he grumbled.

Ororo started, a delicate hand immediately flying to clutch the material at her chest. "Logan!" She gasped. "You startled me. Good morning." She took in his workout attire and caught herself before she sighed in appreciation. Goddess! The man was the sexiest thing this side of the world.

He grunted and made his way to the coffee maker. He reached into the overhead cabinet and took out his mug. "Didn't mean ta interrupt ya."

"You did not." She groaned and chewed on the end of the pen. "I am just grading these final exams for my History class."

He poured some coffee into his mug halfway, then rummaged through the cabinet beneath the sink for the whisky he had hidden away behind the cleaning supplies. He poured the whisky into the coffee, eventually filling the cup.

Ororo wrinkled her nose as the alcohol's scent wafted to her. She turned to him and lifted her eyebrows delicately. "So early in the morning?" She asked.

He leaned against the kitchen island counter and took a large sip of the liquid, enjoying the sting of the alcohol. He grimaced. "What's it ta ya?"

She sighed. "You do not think it is a bit too much?"

"And ya point is?" He turned, grabbed the bottle of whisky, unscrewed the cover and poured a generous amount into the mug to emphasize his point.

"Nothing. Nothing at all. You are the one with the regenerative abilities." She gave him a quizzical look before refocusing her attention on the exams before her.

Silence reigned for a few minutes, the only sound was Ororo's pen moving against paper. Ororo was pretending to be engrossed in grading the exams, all the while very much aware of Logan's presence. She sighed softly. Go ahead and ask him, the nagging voice in her head screamed at her. What better way to spend time with him? She sighed softly. She had plans to visit the nursery later on in the day and due to the implementation of Charles' new rule, she needed someone to accompany her. So far, everyone she had asked was occupied. That is everyone, except Logan. She dreaded asking him, knowing that she wasn't his favorite person in the world right now. But she knew she had too, especially if her plan to make him hers was going to be successful. Besides, who knows, he may surprise her and say yes.

Logan allowed his senses to concentrate on Ororo for the first time since he entered the room. Her hallucinogenic scent tickled his nose and he took a deeper whiff to get his fix. Underneath that, he picked up another scent. An odd, but strong mixture of anxiety and anticipation. Very odd indeed. He then closed his eyes to give his sense of smell a clearer path. His eyes sprang opened at the recognition of a fainter but unmistakable scent of arousal. If he had any doubts before about being wrong about his senses and her desire, then he sure didn't have any now. He leaned forward slightly and examined her more closely. He noticed the secretive side smile had on her face. His knees buckled a bit, that smile seriously affecting him. Curious as to the cause of that smile and without thinking, he walked over to the table where she sat and took the seat opposite hers. He sipped the remnants of his drink, leisurely perusing her.

Ororo felt the weight of his gaze. She lifted her head and looked directly at him. Bright Lady! Those eyes of his! "What?" She asked self-consciously, beginning to wilt under his intensity.

"Why ya always on my case, Goddess?" He grinned briefly when she gave him a nasty look.

"Logan, please. I do not want to argue with you."

"I ain't arguin'. I just ask ya a question."

Ororo gave him a tight smile. "Goddess. You are not at your best in the morning, are you?"

He grunted. No kidding about that. "What tipped ya off?"

She managed a little laugh then smiled at him, before scribbling a C on the top of the exam she was looking at.

Logan shrugged and drained the remnants of his mug. He released a sound that can only be deemed one of satisfaction. That was some very good coffee. He got up and made his way over to the sink to rinse the cup out.

Ororo saw him walking towards the back door and panic gripped her. "Logan! Wait!"

He stopped in his tracks and turned towards her. He cocked a bushy eyebrow at her.

She came around to stand before him. She stared at him, smiled then lowered her head.

He smirked. She was embarrassed. "What is it?" He asked, his voice curt and impatient.

He started for the door when he ran out of patience waiting for her to say something. She was eating up his valuable time. He started for the door again, but Ororo quickly reached out and caught his arm. "Logan…I…" She released a sigh. It was now or never. "I…I need a favor."

Logan's eyes narrowed a bit. The feel of her delicate fingers on his bare arm was a little piece of heaven. "What?" He growled.

She looked up at him, a hopeful look in her eyes. "Would you please accompany me to the nursery?" She rushed out. "I need to get a few things for the greenhouse."

He stared at her as if she was nuts, then chuckled, a deep, rich sound to her ears. "Ya're kiddin', right? Ya want me ta go wid ya?"

Ororo nodded.

"Sorry, but I've got better things ta do." He attempted to pull away from her, but she gripped him tighter and her eyes went from hopeful to pleading.

"Please Logan? You know Charles said we are to leave the premises in groups of two or more. And everyone I have asked is otherwise occupied."

He pulled his arm free of her viselike grip. "Can't help ya out, 'Ro."

"You cannot or you would not?" She asked, suddenly angry. "You know what? Fine. I am sorry I thought that you would have gotten over your animosity towards me by now. My mistake for thinking that maybe you are tired of playing these childish games."

She turned to leave, but he in turn reached out and pulled her flushed against him. She couldn't help but groan at the contact. Logan scowled. He was always a sucker for helping out beautiful women. Her look of indignation was his undoing and he growled in resignation. "Ok. Fine. I'll take ya ta the damn plant place."

"Thank you, Logan!" She shrieked, throwing her arms around his neck and embracing him.

Dammit! He grew hard at the feel of her supple body clinging to his. He made a low rumbling sound, causing her to release him. She stared at the floor mortified.

He folded his arms across his chest and grumbled. "Yeah, whatever. When do ya wanna leave?"

Ororo smiled brightly at him. "Is one o'clock good for you?"

"Fine."

"Thank you again. Logan. I will let Charles know."

He turned on his sneakered heel and hightailed it out of the kitchen, mumbling incoherently and hoping that after feeling her against him with barely anything on under her robe, he could focus on his workout.

Ororo grinned at his retreating back, looking appreciatively at his muscular frame. She laughed inwardly, walking over to the table to gather up her things. It was a good step in the right direction in her quest to conquer the Wolverine.


It turned out to be a gorgeous spring afternoon. The weather was a bit warm for this time of year, but no one was complaining. He relaxed a bit when he sensed her approaching, where he stood outside the garage. He took a puff of his stogie and blew the smoke out, letting the scent of tobacco comfort him. For the second time in less than a month, he had given in to Ororo without much of a fight. The woman was clearly a witch. Yeah right. Face it bub, ya wanted ta go wid her, his beast taunted.

"Ya ready?" Logan asked around the almost burnt out stogie that was wedged in the corner of his mouth.

Ororo greeted him with an enchanting smile. Dressed in tight dark blue high rise skinny jeans, a white v-neck tee with the graphic design of a peace sign on it and classic black ballet flats, she looked downright sinful to him. His chest tightened and his mouth immediately began watering. It was going to be one helluva long afternoon. She had no clue how delectable she looked at that given moment.

"Yes. I am ready."

Ororo's pulse quickened as she took in his usual simple attire of worn jeans, a wife beater top and boots.

"Well don't just stand there. Let's get this over and done wid," he muttered.

She rolled her eyes. "Let us take one of the SUVs. I am getting a few items."

Logan grunted. "Range Rover it is." He was about to walk into the garage, when he felt the familiar, annoying tingle in his head, indicating the Professor's attempt to reach him telepathically. He growled. He wasn't in the mood to listen to anything Charles had to say. He was in a hurry to get this shit with Storm and her plants over with, before he cajoled her into going with him to have a drink at Harry's.

*What d'ya want, Chuck?*

*This would not take long, Logan.*

Logan grunted.

*Ororo told me that you will be escorting her outside the premises to complete her errands.*

*Yeah. So?*

*Well, I do not have to tell you to be careful.*

*No, ya don't. Don't worry, the Goddess is in safe hands.*

Logan heard Charles mental chuckle. *I am quite sure she is.*

*Sorry, Chuck, I gotta go. She's givin' me the look.*

*Enjoy your beer, Logan. And let me reiterate, please be careful.*

Logan grumbled as he felt the Professor leave his mind. He glanced over to Ororo, taking the end of the cigar, tossing it on the ground and outing it with his booted heel. "Sorry, Chuck was in my head."

"Is everything alright?"

"Yeah. Good ole Chuck wants us ta be careful."

Ororo smiled, nodding her head as she walked up to the Range Rover and opened the passenger door. "You know Logan, if I did not know any better, I would say you are anxious to get away from here. Is there a reason?" Without waiting for his response, she opened the door and slid into the comfortable leather seats of the sports utility vehicle, securing her seatbelt.

He scowled as he hopped into the driver's seat and buckled the seatbelt. "Just know ya owe me."

"Oh? Is that so?"

He started the vehicle. "Yeah, that's so. We're gettin' a damn beer when we're done at yer plant place."

Ororo turned to look out the passenger window, hiding the soft smile that came over her face. "You want my companionship that much?" She teased.

Logan grunted, hiding his own smirk. He had to admit, albeit to himself, he was beginning to enjoy her company.


It was just about dusk when they returned to the mansion. Ororo was very happy, the afternoon turning out much better than she had anticipated and Logan was relaxed, although he was hard pressed to admit it. The outing had proven to Ororo that she was taking the right path in working to make the Wolverine hers. Oh, she knew he enjoyed their little excursion, but he would never admit. After taking her to the nursery, they had spend the rest of the afternoon eating the best veggie burger and seasoned fries she had ever tasted at a local diner she had no idea existed. Then, in dire need of his beer, he had driven them to a brewery in nearby Connecticut that served beers from all over the world. To say Logan was in heaven would be the understatement of the year. When she had asked him how he had come to know about these places, he had warily told her that when he was away from the mansion and he wasn't back in Canada, he would just ride around from county to county or state to state, exploring and trying new things.

She found herself opening up to him bit by bit as the afternoon progressed and surprisingly, he revealed a few things about himself that had her relatively surprised. She found out that contrary to popular belief, Logan was a very intelligent man, seemingly having studied Eastern Philosophy extensively. She knew he was a martial arts expert, but didn't know that he was adept in ten different styles of the practice. They also had a few things in common. Chief among them was the fact that their mutant abilities were linked to their emotions, so they both had to maintain a tight grip on their control. Also, he enjoyed being in and in tuned to nature as much as she did. It was by far a successful day out and she couldn't wait to do it again. There was so much layers to Logan to unearth and she was going to take great pleasure in revealing them. She smiled at him as he parked the SUV in the driveway nearest the greenhouse and hurried out to help unload her purchases.

"Where ya want me ta put these?" He grunted.

Ororo hid a small smile, as she exited the vehicle. He was such a gentleman…when he wanted to be. "If you do not mind following me, I will show you where I want them."

He lifted three large sacks of soil at the same time onto his shoulders, causing Ororo to look at him in awe. His strength has always been astounding to her. Quickly, she grabbed the tray with her new seedlings and began walking towards her sanctuary. She carefully laid the tray on the ground, opened the door to the greenhouse and turned on the lights, indicating for him to enter before her. A variety of scents assaulted his nose as he stepped into the greenhouse. A sudden thought occurred to him then. It was the first time he had ever set foot into her sanctuary.

Carefully, she retrieved the tray and followed him. "You can put the soil over there, under that table," she said with a jerk of her head to indicate the table.

He stood there for a few seconds admiring the many different species of flora she had taken the time to cultivate before he moved off.

Ororo looked at him quizzically. "Are you alright?" She moved to lay the tray with her newest babies on the same table.

"Yeah. Just realize that this is the first time, I've been in here."

Her eyes widened a bit, realizing that he spoke the truth. "Would you like the grand tour?"

He turned to her after laying the sacks of soil under the table she specified. Christ! But she was a sight, despite the bit of dishevelment she sported from their afternoon out. He had already admitted to himself that he had enjoyed Ororo's company immensely. With her, he learned that she was more than meets the eye. The woman was a puzzle, one that a person would have to dedicate a lifetime to figuring out and maybe even after that lifetime was over, she would still remain a puzzle. He came to learn that she was a shy woman who had to maintain constant control over her emotions, as they were linked to her mutant powers. She was not the ice queen he had pegged her as. Her love of nature was very evident when he saw her in her element oohing and ahhing at various plants and other items. She was like a kid in a candy store and he couldn't help but grin at her excitement. He enjoyed her enthusiasm, enjoyed seeing her smile. She was a great traveling buddy and he found himself seriously entertaining her idea for them to start over, as the day advanced.

"Nah. No grand tour fer me. I'm goin' ta finish bring in the rest of yer things," he replied.

She gave him that sweet side smile that turned his insides to mush. Hell! He needed to wreak havoc in the Danger Room to get this woman and her deliciousness off his mind. "Thank you, Logan."

Without another word, he left only to return a few minutes later carrying more sacks of soil. Silently, he made two more trips to finish unloading the vehicle, grunting as she directed him as to where she wanted the items.

"Well, I'm all done here. I'm goin' ta take the SUV back ta the garage," he said, moving his head side to side to relieve some of the tension that had settled in his neck.

"I enjoyed the afternoon, Logan. Thank you," she replied, her cerulean eyes sparkling with something so intense, that he was unable to identify at the moment. "I will walk out with you."

"Yeah, well…" he muttered, "That's good." He moved to hold the door open for her.

Ororo flicked the lights off and then walked ahead of him. "I will let Charles know that we made it back safely."

"Ya had doubts 'bout me gettin' ya back safely?"

"No doubts at all, Logan. I knew that I was in good hands the entire time."

Logan muttered indecipherably. All she heard as they left the greenhouse was good hands…more like deadly hands. Oh Logan, she thought, when will you stop the self-depreciation? Goddess! She had her work cut out for her showing him that he deserve good things in his life. Without thinking, their bodies drifted close to each other as they walked back together to where he parked the vehicle earlier. Anyone who was looking at them at that very instant would think that they were lovers, sharing an intimate moment.

At the same time, someone was indeed taking a closer look at them through the windows of the second floor library that provided an unrestricted view of the grounds housing the greenhouse. The look on the redheaded telepath's face was one of bewilderment as she took in the entire interaction between Logan and Ororo since they had arrived. The familiarity of their communication with each other stumped her, to say the least. Could they be? Were they? What was going on between them? The questions swirled inside her head, prompting her to decide that it would be in her best interests to keep a closer eye on the pair. Because there was no way he couldn't be interested in Ororo like that. No way at all.