A young buck draped over his shoulders Logan headed back down to camp feeling incredibly satisfied. His mission had been accomplished in record time, considering how out of practice he was. His cunning and skill only seemed to improve with age, and who was really sure what that even was. He had missed all of this. The wide open spaces, the freedom, living off the land. Whenever he came back part of him never wanted to leave, but he had adapted to society in his own way and knew that the likelihood he would ever live like he once had was pretty much non existence. This was so much easier then dealing with people.

The hunt had also taken his mind off Hannah for awhile. When he returned he slung the buck onto the ground just outside of camp knowing Hannah wouldn't care for him skinning and gutting it in front of her. Making his way around a clump of trees he caught the image of her asleep on the blankets he had laid out. Not wanting to disturb her he found his jeans down by the water's edge and slipped them on. All the while watching her sleep. He was so tempted to lie down beside her and catch some shut eye as well. Oh, who was he kidding? He wanted to hold her again in his arms. Was that such a bad thing to want? He had had his share of women but he could count on one hand how many had made him feel this way, but the temptation was to great, he went back to the buck and decided to get to work.

It was dark when Hannah finally awoke from her sleep. The fire raging in front of her, she could just barely make out a figure on the other side. Rubbing her eyes she sat up and now saw the figure clearly through the flames. Fairly disorientated she had no idea what time it was or how long she had slept. She couldn't take her eyes off Logan now squatting on the other side of the fire. His biceps glistened in the glow of the fire as he sliced a piece of meat with one of the blades on his hands. It was the first time she had seen his claws extended and it fascinated her. Everything about Logan fascinated her but she couldn't help but wonder if it was because she had never been around men of his type before. And he was just a curiosity, but even if that was the case, he was awfully nice to look at. She remembered the sight earlier in the day and smiled. Then her stomach let out a loud grumble. Logan looked up abruptly. Their eyes met and she felt awkward wondering if it was obvious what she was thinking seconds earlier. .

Logan looked at her curiously. A blush had appeared on her cheeks or was that just from the heat of the fire. Through the flames, her face lit up and she immediately looked down as his glare became too intense. He wondered what that was all about, but was to hungry to let it concern him, "Glad to see you awake, wouldn't want you to have missed out on the venison."

"Venison?" She slowly lifted her head and squinted her eyes at the plate he was holding up. "That doesn't look like any venison I've ever seen."

"Well, this isn't the Royal Palace, your highness. If you're hungry you'll eat it." he snarled, furrowing his brow.

"I'm hungry."

"Good." She watched as he laid the meat on a grill he made out of stones.

"You killed a deer?"

"A buck actually. You should've been there. Nothing like the thrill of a hunt. It didn't have a chance. "

She grimaced, "Lovely. Just lovely...you get a thrill out of killing defenseless animals. "

"When I'm hungry I like to eat. If you don't want any, fine. It's probably about a 30 mile hike to the nearest coffee shop; better start walking or maybe you'd prefer some nuts and berries. I might be able to forage around for some of those." He said sarcastically.

"I told you I was hungry. It's just..."

He cut her off, "Something you're not used to. Surprise surprise. Well, darlin' you wanted some life experiences and now you're getting them. Dinner… about half hour." He went over to his bag and pulled out a bottle of wine and two cups. "Wine?" He held the bottle up to her.

"I'd love some. Thank you." She shivered slightly, the night air cool on her bare arms.

As he popped the cork with one of his claws he noticed her rubbing her arms, "You cold?"

Nodding, she stood up and went to her backpack and pulled out a hooded sweatshirt slipping it over her head. Then joined him by the fire. He poured her a glass as she looked up into the night sky and was overwhelmed by the amount of stars. She had never been camping in her life. All of this was so new to her, "The stars are amazing. I've never seen anything like it."

"Yeah, it's a beaut. Nothing like it anywhere in the world. Kinda like you notice the sunrises in every city, I notice the stars and this sky beats them all."

She looked at him surprised, "I told you about the sunrises? I've never told anyone about the sunrises."

He felt a bit awkward especially when he remembered the circumstances in which she told him about the sunrises. "Think I just heard it in passing. You know from Storm or Rogue...something like that."

She could tell he was lying, "I can't imagine why I would have told them." She took a sip of the wine.

"You know how girls get to talking."

But Hannah couldn't imagine that. She had always been private and she couldn't imagine that the last few years that could have changed. Some things like her sunrises were sacred. But now that he knew she opened up on the subject, "The morning was the only time I had to myself. Brian always slept in. There were days I'd get only a few hours of sleep because I couldn't miss a sunrise. I guess it doesn't matter that you know. I am just really surprised. It was like I was someone else before the kidnapping. I didn't talk to anyone when I lived in England, when I was on tour. And all of a sudden I'm telling people I barely know about things I found incredibly private."

He wasn't ready for this conversation. All day he had avoided her questions and now it was coming up. Why had he opened his mouth about the damn sunrises? "Well, you know it could have been the shock of your parents' death. Traumatic things can always trigger abnormal behavior."

"So now you're saying I was abnormal?"

"No, not at all. A little bit scary, dealing with your newfound mutancy. You know when you got upset you'd get a bit freaky. But otherwise you were trying to fit in. You made the best of the situation. Now that is something I wouldn't have done in your shoes."

"I just don't feel I know how to act. Somethings just don't feel natural. You always just seem to be yourself."

"You just haven't seen all sides of me, darlin. And let's hope you don't have to witness any of those moments when I go a little bit berserk. When I found you in London was one of those moments and I'm glad you were out cold. You didn't need to see the mess I created."

Hannah saw the look in his eyes. She only had heard that he had moments of aggression and berserker rage. But it was pretty obvious it was something he wished he had more control over. "You may have created a mess but you saved me Logan. I am incredibly grateful. Storm mentioned you think it's your fault I was kidnapped, but that's not true."

"It was my fault."

"I only know that Brian Portman gets what he wants and nothing stands in his way. No matter what you did he would've found a way to get me back. I was like his property. He even manipulated my parents. It's all very twisted and sick and I only wish I knew what happened in the last 10 years. Just some recollection of what he did to them and what he held over them for so long. I know he was to blame for my father's death and the massacre in London at our townhouse, but I will never know what he was holding over him because those memories are gone."

"Along with Portman. He's gone too so it doesn't matter."

"Don't you think I knew something? Something connected to Brian that could expose him?"

"But what's the use of dwelling on that. He's dead."

"But you dwell on the kidnapping? Is that different?"

He circled the fire. That morning replayed in his mind over and over. The smile on her face, the happiness they both felt as they set off to explore the city...then it was taken away. Just like that, within seconds, she was gone. "You want to dwell on what information you might have held before he got a hold of you, and the reason you can't access those memories is because I let you out of my sight for a second. So you talking about it doesn't make me feel any better."

"I'm sorry. But Logan I think you need to let it go because it's eating away at you. I can see it in your eyes. I'm going to be okay. You're right it doesn't matter what happened in the last 10 years, maybe all that's important is what is going to happen from today onwards."

"And you know that's a bunch of crap. That's why you're here with me. You said you wanted answers."

"It doesn't matter." She walked away from the fire and looked back up at the stars, "This matters." She raised her hands up to the sky, "this beautiful peaceful place."

She turned back towards him and saw his face lit by the firelight, he looked up at the sky and then back down at her. "I won't put you on the spot anymore. I won't ask anymore questions."

"Somehow I doubt you can keep to that promise."

"I'll try and if you want to talk about anything, I'll let you instigate it."

"I don't want to talk about anything."

"I know you say that. But sometimes things come up." She moved back over to him and looked down at the venison, "I think it's done."

He was just glaring at her.

"Why are you looking at me that way?"

"This is one of your games."

"I don't play games."

"All women play games."

She smiled at him and picked up the bottle of wine pouring more into his cup, "Believe what you want, but what you see is what you get here. I've never had the opportunity of learning the tricks a lot of women use to mess with a man's head since I was so sheltered."

He took a sip of wine and then chuckled, "It's instinct, nothing learned."

"Is that what you think, really?"

"I don't think I know. And darlin, I've been around a helluva lot longer than you."

"So how old are you?"

"Ah, you've already broken the promise..a question. You said no questions."

"You brought it up."

"Too old for you." He said as he removed the venison from the fire and onto plates.

"But not to old for Jean."

"What?" She took a plate from his hand.

Hannah smirked as she settled herself next to the fire with her wine and dinner. "You like her, I can tell. So have you and Jean ever..."

"You can't even last a few minutes without the 20 questions can you? And no, we haven't. Maybe you hadn't noticed but Summers put his claim down on her a long time ago."

"I wouldn't think that would faze you. You seem to go after what you want. Did she turn you down?" Hannah didn't mean to be prying but she was curious. He was right she couldn't let up on the questions. "That was a stupid question I'm sorry. It's none of my business."

"Yeah, it definitely isn't. Just eat your damn dinner."

It was quiet for awhile. They both were much hungrier than they thought and thoroughly enjoyed the food. When they finished Hannah spoke up, "That was wonderful, Logan. I couldn't have had better in a 5 star restaurant."

"Thanks." He had seconds and was still eating.

"About Jean...I didn't mean to pry."

"Hey, I shouldn't have snapped. Everyone in the school knows the history why shouldn't you? Yeah, she turned me down on more than one occasion."

"I'm sorry. You must really care about her."

"She's a good friend. A wonderful woman. They don't make many like that, you know. I give Scott shit but he loves her more than I ever could. She deserves that kind of relationship" Once he said it he realized he had offered way to much information.

"Don't you believe that there is someone out there for everyone?"

"That's a fairy tale. You believe that kinda stuff and you just get your heartbroken."

"I believe it."

"So it wasn't Portman?" He teased.

"That wasn't funny."

"No your right it wasn't. But he thought you were it and look where that ended."

"I'm going to still believe. So don't you spoil it for me. "

"I wouldn't think about it." He took a deep breath and stood up and stretched. This talk was making him a bit uncomfortable. "You know I'm in need of some shut eye, I've been 3 days without."

"Oh, okay..."

He headed towards the blankets he had laid down under the tree and began to remove his clothes.

"Where am I supposed to sleep?"

"Wherever you like."

"I just thought..."

"There's plenty of room here for both of us. And I swear I will be a gentleman." He said this as he removed his trousers and wiped away some leaves off the blanket. She caught a decent look of his behind and she quickly averted her gaze.

"I think I'll sleep over there." She pointed to the otherside of the fire.

He lay down and threw her a few blankets, "Suit yourself, but it's not very flat and it could be a bit uncomfortable."

"I'm not sleeping with you." she said firmly.

"Yeah, I got that point already, Hannah."

He rolled over on his side and watched as she tried to clear some rocks and leaves from the area she had chosen. Laying down the blanket she then realized all she had to sleep in was a summer nightgown and it was way too chilly for that. She lay on the blanket in all of her clothes and pulled the other blanket over her. Struggling to get comfortable she moaned and groaned til she finally settled on her back.

"Are you going to be quiet now?" he asked

"Yes."

"Good."

But as she lay there the quiet didn't seem so quiet anymore. She heard a hooting sound; startled she sat up, "Logan, what's that?"

"An Owl. Nothing to worry about, now be quiet."

Her eyes wide open she began hearing rustling in the bushes and howling in the distant. She sat up again, "that isn't an owl. What is that?"

"Could be any small animal..wolverine, rabbit, fox. Won't bother you."

"And the howling?"

"Wolf pack. Now they can be trouble but they're far off. I doubt they'll come near."

"What do you mean you doubt? They could? They could attack us?"

"Nothing will attack you with me around. Got that?"

"But you're over there and by the time you get to me, I could be some wolf's midnight snack."

He let out a sigh and sat up, "Get your ass over here. I plan on sleeping tonight and the only way that is going to happen is if you're sleeping with me. Where nothing will happen to you. No wolves, no foxes, no owls."

"But..."

"No buts, this is an order. You play by my rules, remember."

"You're naked."

"And you're not. Now that we got that straight, can you get a move on?"

"I'm not used to naked men."

"Well, I'm under a blanket so unless you plan on peeking you aren't going to see a damn thing." He sounded agitated.

She slowly picked up the blankets and moved towards him. Laying them a few feet away. She shuffled around a bit and he turned over towards her, "So you situated? Things better?"

She nodded.

"Good. Maybe you want to have that peek and get it out of the way." he teased.

She reached for a pine cone that was lying next to her and threw it at his head, missing it, "Very funny."

He laughed as the pine cone landed a few feet away, "Sure? I may not offer again." He smiled at her.

"Yes, I'm sure." She turned to the other side, "Goodnight, Logan."

"Goodnight Hannah." He lay back onto his back and rested his arms behind his head looking up at the stars. Being a loner had always suited him but he had to admit he was enjoying the company. Hannah had hit the nail on the head earlier. This was what was important. This place, the stars and now the company. Maybe he needed to try and let someone in again. Maybe it could be alright. He closed his eyes and slept.

Hannah always awoke with the sun and this morning was no different. She wouldn't be able to catch the sun until it began to peak over the mountains but she would see it. After sleeping in her clothes, she felt dirty and and of course there was no shower but the lake beckoned in front of her as she stood up and stretched. Looking down at Logan, he was still snoozing soundly. He was different in this light, the light of the morning. He was peaceful and serene and relaxed. She still was a bit leary of him, but drawn to him as well and in this state she almost found looking at him more pleasing then the thought of the sun rising. She shook her head in disbelief at what she was thinking, but smiling at the same time. Had 10 years really turned her into a woman who had thoughts of a naked man? And not just any naked man, this particular one. She sighed and quietly made her way down to the shore.

She peeled off the layers of clothes. What was she thinking wearing all of this to bed? She made sure she was out of Logan's sight, just in case he woke up. The last thing she wanted was for him to joke about her pasty English skin and her unflattering figure. She stood in her underwear clutching her hands across her breast feeling the cool morning air. Contemplating what she should do. She didn't realize she was actually speaking her thoughts outloud.

"He says you're uptight, that's what he thinks. You are so self conscious of what you look like and what others think. Who cares? You've been without a bath for a few days and you can't go on like this. It's time to lighten up and just let go. Stop being the stuffy English woman. You can do it. You can be in control of who you are and not let others mold you into what they think you should be. Just take off the clothes and jump in. It's not that difficult. Don't do it for him. Do it for yourself. "

Logan awoke hearing talking coming from the lake. He could make out the words clear as a bell. Sometimes this enhanced hearing was annoying, but this morning hearing Hannah's lilting voice at this hour sounded pleasing to the ear. He stretched, pulled on his jeans and headed towards the lake, standing back watching. Standing in her underwear she looked so vulnerable. She had no idea how cold the water was at this hour, and the shock she was in for if she really did let go. But he stood back, knowing that it was just another step of her being in control and giving herself some identity. He'd been there and was all for getting whatever you needed to get out, out. He also was enjoying watching her. She wasn't perfect, but it was her flaws, her vulnerability, her fieriness, that flowing silky black hair and her back. She had an incredibly sexy back. Whoa, he definitely needed to step back. He literally took a step back without looking and stumbled into a bush.

The crackling of the branches startled her and she turned, clutching her hands over her breasts tightly, "Logan?"

He lifted his head from the bushes, feeling embarrassed, "Yeah, just thought I'd warn ya. It's like ice in the morning; wait til the afternoon when the sun's been on it awhile."

"How long have you been standing there?"

"Not long, you know do what you like. I think it's good you are trying new things." He started walking away.

"It's really cold?"

He nodded his back still towards her.

All of the confidence now had been squashed and she picked up her clothes in a huff, "I smell and feel disgusting."

He turned slowly feeling for her. She was trying to fit in and she just couldn't get there, "I can get you some hot water and you can have a sponge bath."

Hannah took this the wrong way instead of a kind gesture. She gave him a dirty look as she held the clothes up to her trying to cover her half naked body.

He smirked, "In privacy of course. I won't peek no matter how tempting the thought is."

She knew he was teasing and managed a coy smile, "That actually sounds lovely."

"Okay, consider it done." he headed back up to the fire. She quickly put her shirt back on and caught up to him.

"Thank you."

"For what? You know you thank me a lot and I haven't done anything." Squatting down near his bag, he found a pan.

She leaned over him, innocently pressing her body against his back and whispered into his ear sweetly, "You're putting up with me."

Why did she have to make everything so difficult? He quickly stood up and stepped away from her, trying to gather up his thoughts, "Yeah, well…" he hesitated looking down at his feet and then managed to look her way, "I guess I deserve something for that." Proud of himself for once again being in control of the situation he smiled.

Hannah was oblivious to his unsettling behavior, "And you protected me from the wild animals last night."

"You snoring kept them away, darlin'. Nothing to do with me." He headed back over to the fire.

She followed him, arguing, "I don't snore."

"I'm afraid you do. Even ladies such as you have their flaws."

"It sounds like you've been keeping track of them. My flaws."

" You don't have to worry, they're minimal. Money, talent…and you're a fine looking specimen of the female species...those things kinda overshadow you being English, pale, argumentative and a snorer…" He filled a pan with water and put it on the fire, stoking it with more logs.

"Okay, that's enough. I thought you said minimal." He chuckled as he poked a few logs into place, but Hannah was hardly finished, "You think I'm attractive?"

Logan thought that she had missed that comment, "Don't ask such stupid questions."

"I don't think it's stupid. You called me a pasty English woman yesterday."

"Never said ugly pasty English woman. There's a difference." He was a bit uncomfortable and continued prodding the wood.

"You just worded it strangely." She really didn't know when to stop.

He turned to her abruptly and snapped, "You're remarkably beautiful, is that better? Are those words you understand?"

Biting her lip, now she felt uncomfortable. She nodded slightly; her head bent and immediately stepped back. "Think I'll just go back down by the lake for a bit. Let me know when the water's ready. I'll get out of your way."

As she walked down to the lake, Logan looked after her. Why the hell had he snapped at her? She was beautiful and no one says those words to someone in the way he just did. Would he ever get this right? It was so much easier flirting with Jean or having a one night stand with one of the girls in the city. He didn't need this complication. This was exactly why he didn't want to get involved with anyone. What was he thinking, involved? He wasn't involved. He had no intention of getting involved.

Hannah reached the shoreline and picked up a twig. She dragged it across the wet dirt as she glanced briefly up at Logan by the fire. He turned away as soon as he caught her glance. Something strange was happening here. And she didn't know how to react. Feeling alone she only knew one way to find comfort and that was her music. Finding a place on a rock she closed her eyes and brought up a Chopin piece she had difficulty with. There was no piano but she could imagine it in her head. This mutancy did have some advantages. Sure it was an escape. When it came right down to it she was no better than Logan in avoiding what she was really feeling.