Disclaimer: For the story, please see chapter one. For songs quoted in this chapter, "Goodies" belongs to Ciara, and "Wake Me Up Inside" belongs to Evanescence and their respective labels. Sorry, I didn't find that information. I'm not making anything off of this, it's just for fun and characterization practice, and the lyrics just fit with the sections in which they are used. Please don't sue. I have nothing of monetary value to take anyway.

Author's Note: Warning. Multiple and frequent point-of-view changes ahead. There is a clear reason why I split the chapter up in such a way, but I would suggest just skipping this chapter if such gets on your nerves.

Chapter 7: Night Out

Jaina was pleasantly surprised when she surveyed her appearance in the mirror most of an hour later, when Marie and Jean finally finished with her. She didn't know why Jean had purposely emphasized the waves toward the ends of her natural layers, making them turn out at odd intervals, but after thinking back on all the years of both her mother and Winter trying to keep her hair perfectly in place, Jania decided she rather liked the order in disorder look. Jean had insisted she wear at least a little bit of make-up saying she would stand out from any other girl her age if she didn't. Jaina had finally relented and allowed the older woman to apply a small amount of slightly glittery, dark green shadow to her eyes, curl and coat her eyelashes with some pasty black concoction, and apply a subdued red gloss to her lips. After seeing the route Jean was taking with Jaina's hair and make-up, Marie selected items for Jaina to wear she said would give her a "skater" look. How boots, low slung camouflage pants with far too many pockets, a form fitting black short sleeved shirt layered over an equally form fitting white top, and studded leather accessories equaled "skater" was beyond her, but the overall effect was striking.

"Now, ya look like an Earth girl," Rogue chirped as she came up behind Jaina. "A set of dogtags'd go great with that outfit, but I'm not about to go askin' Logan to borra his."

"Come on you two," Jean said chuckling quietly at Marie's remark as she gathered up her supplies. "I'm sure the boys are waiting."

"The boys?" Jaina asked.

"Oh yeah," Rogue answered. "I forgot to tell ya, Jean, Scott, and Logan 're comin' to make sure we keep outa trouble." She glanced toward C-3P0 recharging in the corner when Jaina started toward the door. "Should we just leave him like that?"

"Oh, he'll be charging for hours," Jaina answered, motioning for Rouge to follow Jean and herself in the hallway. "Is this world so dangerous? I haven't sensed danger nearby since I crashed."

"It can be for people like us," Marie answered before turning toward Jaina with a conspiratorial expression and continuing in a stage whisper. "But, I think they just don't trust Gambit with the both of us. Logan's just bored."

The mall reminded Jaina of the upper midlevel shopping districts on Choruscant minus the dizzying heights and crushing traffic flying by. But the overwhelming amount of humanity, or was it the complete and utter lack of non-human sentients, unnerved her. There were times when life on this world was too reminiscent of being in the Empire.

Jean and Rogue pulled Jaina into store after store with the men trailing behind, grumbling while they watched over the purchases or occasionally hazarding an opinion when they believed there wasn't a way in the universe the comment could be taken any other way than complementary. It seemed as if their time among the endless variations of the same articles of clothing lasted days, but when they immerged from the last store, only three hours had passed. With the thrill of searching for the best combinations at the lowest prices gone, Jean and Rogue finally agreed the rest of the group was right. It was time to get something to eat.

Somehow Rogue and Gambit managed to talk the Summers into visiting an all ages dance club for dinner. It seemed all the males had found shopping as unentertaining as Jaina had, and they all decided they deserved to have a little fun. So, food and dancing it was.

The food seemed perfectly acceptable if a bit unusual to Jaina. She had eaten far less appealing meals in her life, but the others didn't seem particularly impressed with its quality. Jaina put the difference down to the discrepancies in what they were used to given the present political situations in their respective countries.

The club resembled some of the rowdy clubs in the lower levels of some of the larger cities. Jaina smiled at the passing thought of her mother's reaction if she ever found out Mara had taken her to several such clubs during training as a way to teach her how to blend in with any crowd. The eternally proper politician and aristocrat side of Leia frowned on the unseemly behavior exhibited by the patrons, and she would have never allowed Jaina or her brothers anywhere near them. However, she was pretty sure her father had taken Jacen and Anakin to a few of the rougher clubs and cantinas on Choruscant in his own attempts to teach his sons how to blend in.

The Earth music had an intoxicatinginly prominent beat that begged to be danced to often absent from the majority of popular music styles back home, and Jaina unconsciously began moving with the pulsating sounds as she finished her meal. Movement just to her right followed by a whiff of masculine scent caught Jaina's attention, and she turned to find Gambit leaning into her and offering her his hand.

"Might Gambit have the pleasure of a dance, Cher?" he asked, garnet eyes dancing with mischief.

"I thought no one would ever ask," Jaina agreed laughingly as she took the offered hand and let him lead her onto the dance floor.

The song changed as they lay claim to an open spot on the floor, the music shifting from an intense pounding rhythm to a somewhat slower melody with a less prominent beat. Jaina saw Scott and Jean leave the table to join the other couples on the floor as she joined Gambit in the dance.

Logan watched Gambit pull Jaina onto the dance floor, oblivious to Jean and Scott's leaving the table with the excuse of keeping an eye on the young couple. Just his luck, the music slowed just a bit and the beat nearly fell behind the melody encouraging the dancers to switch from the jumping, jerking moves they'd employed before to more erotic ones. He tried to not watch the sway of her hips, but he just couldn't seem to help himself. "That settles it, I'm a dirty old man."

You may look at me and think that I'm
Just a young girl
But I'm not just a young girl.

"Looks like Gumbo's hit it off with soldier girl," Logan grumbled, throwing back the last of his whiskey to drown a growl as he watched the dancing pair. The Cajun's hands were all over her. Why wasn't she stopping him?

"I'm happy for them," Marie answered, partially pulling Logan out of his reverie. Her tone and the longing expression on her face told a completely different story. As they watched, Jaina turned in Gambit's arms. One of his hands to rested along the top of her low slung pants, and she held it there with her own as she brought her other hand up to caress the side of his face and rake her fingers through his short, dark hair. Gambit's hand followed, trailing slowly up her body to meet hers.

"He deserves the love of a woman he can touch," Marie continued, the sadness in her voice unmistakable.

"We'll find a way to help ya control yer powers, ya know that right?" Logan returned. Marie snorted and shrugged, clearly not believing a word he said but too polite to say so. Logan's jaw flexed as he gave up and turned his attention back to the dancers only to meet Jaina's eyes moments later. What he saw there made his throat go dry.

Questioning. Challenge.

The song's chorus began again, and Jaina responded by rolling her body and grinding herself against the entranced Cajun without taking her eyes from Logan's.

I bet you want my body
bet you thought about it

Logan swallowed, trying to moisten his impossibly dry throat as his breathing sped up almost imperceptibly, unable to pull his gaze away. His attention finally resulted in the inevitable – imagining himself in Gambit's place, and he flagged down a waitress to order a bottle of whiskey to wash the unwelcome thoughts away and stifle his body's reaction.

Got you all hot and bothered.
Mad 'cause I talk around it.
If you're lookin' for the goodies,
Keep on lookin' cuz they stay in the jar.

Jaina gladly followed the handsome young man onto the floor, reveling in the freedom of anonymity. No one knew her here. Well, they didn't know her as the daughter of Leia Organa-Solo, the youngest senator in Imperial history and former president of the New Republic. They didn't know her father was both a reformed smuggler and a war hero. They knew her uncle was the most powerful jedi in the galaxy but weren't overly impressed. All they saw was her, and she was finally free to just be who she was. The prospect was freeing, but it left her at a loss. Who was she anyway?

Taking a deep breath, Jaina gathered her uneasy feelings and the thoughts that caused them and buried them to be dealt with later as she began to move with the music. She'd come to this club to have fun. There was a good looking, charming young man offering her the chance to enjoy herself, and she had no intention of wasting the opportunity being distracted by introspection best reserved for meditation. Besides, it had been quite a while since a young man had looked at her the way Gambit was looking at her now, and none but Jagged Fel had ever dared touch her in such a way. They were always too intimidated by her family and the ever-looming presence of Chewie or her mother's Nogrhi guards.

A heat that had nothing to do with Remy's wondering hands began to fill her body, making Jaina intensely aware they were under the scrutiny of someone's watchful eye. She didn't have to turn around to look; she knew it was Logan. He always seemed to be nearby, watching with a mixture of protectiveness and something else she couldn't figure out. She could feel many emotions emanating from the burly mutant, but they were too muted to read. Then again, if she could sense him now, his defenses must have weakened during the evening. Perhaps this was her chance to get a little information.

Jaina swiveled in Gambit's embrace despite the hand on her lower back holding her flush against him. Her maneuver left his right hand laying above the too low waistband of her pants, and she quickly covered his hand with hers, trapping it there. His thumb found its way under the hems of her shirts to stroke her stomach. A ripple of energy flowed outward from the caress sending shivers up her spine and nearly driving her to distraction. She'd learned about Rogue and Gambit's abilities over breakfast and was well aware he was using impressive control, infusing her with just enough energy to stimulate nerve endings in ways previously unimaginable. Jaina brought her free hand up to return the favor along his neck's sensitive skin, hoping to break his concentration just enough for her to regain hers. However, she had underestimated Gambit's skill. He responded to her return of his gesture by tracing the line of her body with the fingertips of his left hand, leaving a trail of energy in his wake from her upper thigh to wrist.

You may talk slick
Try to hit
But I'm not dumb

With an effort, Jaina dulled her reaction to the power Gambit was exerting and centered herself. She was ashamed at having allowed such a thing to entrance her senses so thoroughly, and she had no intention of becoming putty in any man's hands so easily. Besides, her curiosity had yet to be sated.

Jaina looked up to meet Logan's eyes. What was it he saw when he looked at her? "Just try and keep me from finding out."

It was time to bait Logan and turn the tables on Gambit. She waited for the chorus to come back around again before sensually rolling her body from shoulders to ankles and back up, brushing her rear against her partner's upper thighs in the process. Her concentration was so centered on reading Logan's reaction, she was only marginally aware of Gambit's natural response as she continued to writhe and grind against him. What she found surprised her.

Jealousy. Raw attraction.

You're insinuating that I'm hot
Work these goodies boy are not
Just for any of the many men that's tryna get on top.

"I don't think that's love yer seein' out there," Logan half-growled, pouring himself another shot when his whiskey thankfully arrived.

No you can't call me later
Just respect the play I'm callin'

"What else is it supposed to be with 'em movin' like that?" Marie asked. Logan shook his head at her naiveté and downed his shot in one gulp before pouring himself another. "I bet she wouldn't dance like tha' with you."

Logan stopped his hand half way, sliding his eyes to the side to watch her as he asked, "What ya willin' to bet?"

And I don't want your number.
I'm not changin' stories.

"Three weeks movie night chaperone duty."

Logan sniffed, pausing a beat before inclining his shot glass toward Marie. "Deal," he grumbled and downed the shot before pushing away from the table.

Jaina turned back around to face Gambit, unable to meet Logan's eyes after her discovery, but she wasn't prepared for the heat simmering under the surface evident in Gambit's gaze. She'd been so absorbed in her attempts to uncover the motivation behind Logan's watchfulness, she hadn't given a thought to the way she'd mercilessly teased the young man. Did she really have such an affect on men? None had ever reacted this way to her before.

"You know this dance well, petite," he said, his voice thick and breathy.

"It's similar to the type done in some clubs back home," Jaina answered. "Though my mother would be horrified to discover I'd visited them."

"Why's that?"

"It's not seemly for a young woman of my standing," she groused.

"Your standin', cher?"

"Let's just say my family's rather well off and somewhat overly concerned with appearances."

"Gambit's glad he can help you forget abou' appearances for awhile."

Jaina started to convey her thanks when a meaty hand tapping Gambit's shoulder interrupted them. They turned to find Logan standing, expectantly looking from Gambit to her and back again, with one eyebrow cocked in question. Gambit gave a shallow nod before turning his attention back to her. He grinned apologetically before relinquishing her to Logan's embrace as the music changed once again.

Neither said a word as they settled into the rhythm of the haunting melody. It bordered on hypnotic and Jaina found a connection to the lyrics. They suited her earlier ruminations and mood perfectly. She became lost in them, the flow of their movements, the comforting touch of another force presence so close, and the protective and caring feel of Logan's touch lulled her into a half trance. She unconsciously fell unresisting into the Force: her movements becoming a prayer.

(Wake me up)
Wake me up inside.
(I can't wake up)
Wake me up inside.
(Save me)
Call my name and save me from the dark.
(Wake me up)
Bid my blood to run.
(I can't wake up)
Before I come undone.
(Save me)
Save me from the nothing I've become.

How can you see into my eyes
Like open doors?
Leading you down into my core,
Where I've become so numb.

He hadn't expected the Cajun to let him cut in so easily or Jaina to accept his attempt to dance with her for that matter, but he had no intention of complaining. She seemed to have the unnerving ability to sense exactly what he was thinking, but instead of grating on him as he would have expected, he wasn't bothered by the fact. Her presence was kinda soothing, and that was one thing Logan found he couldn't resist. He needed someone who could calm him, and he had the chance to hold the object of his hope, even if it was only for a moment.

Without a soul,
My spirit's sleeping somewhere cold,
Until you find it there and lead it back
Home.

He slid his hand to the small of her back and pulled her close. To his surprise, Jaina relaxed into his embrace, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and cradling her head against his chest. Her presence enveloped him. It wasn't a tenuous touch, a buzzing in his mind, like Jean or the professor had. It was an all encompassing warmth and energy he couldn't describe and never wanted to leave. Conscious thought fled, taking with it his pain and nightmares, leaving only contentment tinged with a hint of sadness.

"Has he no shame," Scott huffed.

"Who?" Jean asked, irritated by her husband's lack of attention to her. She had a pretty good idea who he was referring to, but had no intention of encouraging him by bringing up the name herself. Couldn't he leave his male posturing alone long enough to dance with her?

"Logan," he answered. "He's all over Jaina. He's old enough to be her grandfather for crying out loud!"

"So it's okay for Remy because he's closer to Jaina's age?"

"What are you talking about?" Scott asked. His eyebrows were drawn together above the rims of his glasses in confusion.

"She and Remy were doing far worse during the last song, and you didn't say a word then," Jean countered, fighting to keep from laughing at her husband's sudden impression of a guppy.

Now that I know what I'm without,
You can't just leave me.
Breathe into me and make me real.
Bring me to life.

Jaina turned away from him and acted as if she was going to leave. Logan felt the loss of her presence like physical pain. Unwilling for their moment to end so soon, he reached out and took her small hand in his large one and pulled her to him once again. She obeyed unresistingly, allowing her body to be caught in a tangle of arms and coming to rest with her back against his chest. Logan suppressed a low rumbling moan when she leaned into his embrace. He buried his face in her hair, feeling as if he was drowning in the closeness of her.

The tempo shifted again, and they responded in kind. Jaina pivoted, bringing her eyes up to meet his. The emotion, the pleading he found in her deep brown eyes held him transfixed. He was oblivious to anything else as their movements became more frantic, always searching, clinging to one another like a lifeline.

I've been living a lie.
There's nothing inside

"Dance with Remy?" Gambit asked when he returned to the table where Marie still sat, intensely watching Logan and Jaina. Her only response was to favor him with a look, which clearly said he was insane.

"Come on, cher," he coaxed. "You deserve ta have fun as much as any other petite." He smirked, enjoying the worried expression it brought to her face. "You got your protection. Remy have his," he said, pulling a pair of gloves out of his duster pockets and waving them slightly.

Sighing, Marie relented and allowed Gambit to pull her to the dance floor.

I've been sleeping a 1000 years it seems.
I've got to open my eyes to everything.

Jaina was lost. Lost to the music. Lost to the dance. Lost in the feeling of Logan's presence, both physical and in the Force. Something seemed to call to her, but she didn't know what it was. What had she found?

Without a thought
Without a voice
Without a soul
Don't let me die here.
There must be something more.

She felt empty, adrift. Understanding seemed to drift tantalizingly close, just barely out of her reach. Her very being yearned to grasp the elusive shadow, but it always slipped through her fingers.

Somewhere in the dance, Logan's eyes locked with hers. She found the same longing, the same plea there, and it was too much. Jaina turned away from him, but once again, he seemed unwilling to let her go. His left arm stretched out to circle her waist and pull her back to his side. She shivered involuntarily as he brought his right hand up to brush her cheek gently with one finger before spinning her back around. His hand cupped her jaw, bringing her eyes up to meet his again.

Bring me to life!

There was a feeling of falling though they were both frozen in place. Images flashed before Jaina's eyes, wracking her with emotions not her own. A beautiful woman dressed in rich robes stood under a tree in full blossom enjoying the warm spring breeze. A young couple stood on the porch of a small home in a cold landscape. The woman lay gasping her last breath in Logan's arms as he wept. Logan screamed in pain and fury while bound floating in a tank in some type of laboratory. Logan wondered aimlessly in a cold, barren wasteland.

Logan pulled Jaina back around to face him and raised her chin until she met his eyes. At that moment, he lost all ability to move as he watched memories of events he'd never lived through pass before him. Jaina was greeted by several men and women who clapped her on the back as she made her way toward a small fighter that looked incapable of flying. A man with unruly sandy hair stood at the alter and waited to be joined by a lovely woman with red gold hair. Jaina wove her ship through an asteroid belt with expert ease. A woman who looked like an older version of Jaina lay bound and bleeding before a disfigured humanoid creature as drums pulsed somewhere nearby. Jaina ejected from her fighter and into the black void of space only to be caught in the blinding flash of an exploding vessel.

This is my first attempt at a song fic. Let me know what you think.