I can't figure out how to show a change of scene so any suggestions? won't let me do much so someone help me out. Either that or ya'll can figure out a change of scene on your own! lol

Chapter 3 "Rogue and Marie"

"A dance Charles? Are you sure?" Storm shook her head, surprised by the Professors suggestion.

"Quite," Said Charles cheerfully. "It's the beginning of spring and we've had beautiful weather and I think it would be a splendid idea. We've never had a dance before and I think it would give the students a chance to mingle and have a little fun."

"Maybe it'll be fun." Scott mumbled from the chair he was sitting in front of Charles' desk.

Since Jean's death Scott had somewhat pulled himself away from the other X-Men. His role as leader had more or less been taken over by Storm, but due to Logan's return to the mansion almost three weeks ago, Scott had somewhat returned to the land of the living. "I have to make sure that idiot in sideburns doesn't cause any trouble." He'd said.

"Yes," Storm sighed. "Or maybe we'll be pulling hormone driven teenagers off one another all evening." Charles chuckled.

"I think we can handle it." He said.

"Handle what?" Logan asked, somewhat jogging into Charles' office. "Sorry I'm late." He added.

In the weeks Logan had been back at the mansion he'd become a full member of the X-Men again and was also added onto the staff there at the mansion. He now was a sub for any of the teachers that were unable to make it to class and helped Scott out teaching Shop everyday.

Rogue had just about avoided Logan like the plague. He'd done almost everything he could think of to get her to talk to him but to no avail. He'd sometimes smell her out and find her in the kitchen sneaking a midnight snack and try to strike up a conversation. The last time he tried this he got a piece of cake smashed into his chest and a slur of curse words from her all the way back to her room.

And there she was standing next to the window, arms crossed over her chest, and a hard look on her face.

"A dance. They want to have a spring dance." Rogue said her voice cold and emotionless like always. In three weeks Logan had only heard her laugh while walking by her room late at night while she was talking to her friends Jubilee and Kitty.

"Let me know what day so I can make sure I'm not here." Logan said wide eyed. "I'm not gonna' be anywhere near this fiasco."

"Oh yes you are!" Storm snapped. "If we have to chaperone this thing then you will suffer right along with us."

"Says who? You?" Logan growled, cocking an eyebrow at Storm.

"Says me." Charles said, his voice definite and eyes on Logan. "Now, I thought about having it outside…"

The group discussed the idea of a dance for the next hour. They decided the dance would be a week from that day, on a Friday evening. Logan just about went out of his mind, so he preoccupied himself by studying Marie as covertly as possible.

She was now leaning against the wall, all of her weight on her shoulder, looking interested. The more they discussed the dance the softer her face grew and the more eager she looked.

A dance? Rogue actually wanted to go to a dance? Logan was pondering this for a moment when he heard someone saying his name.

"Huh? Oh sorry, um, what?" Logan cleared his throat.

"I said," Charles repeated. "If you do not want to attend the dance as a chaperone then that should be fine. We should have enough."

"No!" Logan jumped forward a little too quickly. "No, I think I'll stick around for this. Might be fun scaring the shit outta some kids tryin to feel up on each other." He said, trying to regain his composure.

"Logan!" Storm exclaimed but then just shook her head and laughed.

"So does that mean I don't have to go?" Rogue asked. Logan's head jerked toward Charles and he sent him every single mental plea he could think of to try to convince Charles to make Rogue go to this dance.

"I think it will be good for you to get out Rogue." Charles said, carefully weighing his words. "Besides, I'm going to get Jubilee and Kitty to help with the decorations and I am sure they won't let you miss the dance." He chucked. Rogue sighed.

"Alright, I'll be there." She said with her twangy Southern draw.

Logan wanted to jump for joy at this, but of course, he kept his composure. If anything he didn't want Marie to know that he was even the tiniest bit excited about this dance.

Charles cleared his throat and his expression changed. Everyone knew that there were more important matters to discuss now and it was time to get serious.

"Now that the idea of a dance is settled, let's get on with other business." He said seriously. "The Brotherhood is planning another attack. I'm not quite sure what, but I have reason to believe that they have possibly kidnapped a mutant by the name of Remy, also known as Gambit."

"What do they want with this Gambit?" Storm asked.

"He is a trained thief and has an ability similar to Scott's, only his heat rays do not come from his eyes, but can be transported into random objects. His weapon of choice is a deck of cards. He would be a great asset to The Brotherhood." Charles explained.

"Has he sided with The Brotherhood?" Scott asked. He was already formulating a plan on a possible rescue in his mind.

"No, I believe not." Charles explained. "I feel that he is resentful for being taken from his home down South by force so he is refusing to cooperate."

"He's Southern?" Rogue asked intently, her eyes momentarily lighting up. Logan frowned and Charles chuckled in Logan's direction, no doubt hearing his jealous thoughts.

"Yes Rogue, he's from Louisiana. He's Cajun." Charles replied.

"So, are we gonna go rescue the Cajun?" Logan asked gruffly. Charles simply smiled.

"Tomorrow morning, before dawn." Charles nodded.

The rest of that day went by slowly for Logan. Shop class felt like it went on forever. One kid cut his hand wide open on a sharp piece of metal and Logan had to take him to the infirmary where Dr. Hank McCoy had to put a few stitches in. Logan thanked his lucky stars that he had his mutation.

That night, close to midnight, Logan found himself wide awake and full of energy so he went down to the Danger Room to have a bit of a work out.

He smelled her before he got down to the lower levels. Her scent only became stronger as he got closer to his destination. A mixture of lavender, tears, sweat, and hatred hung in the air. Rogue was angry. Whoever Rogue was fighting in the Danger Room, she hated with almost every inch of her being.

Logan had never felt anger and hatred in waves such as this, not even coming from himself. When the Wolverine took over, Logan could feel some very strong emotions, but not even he felt this much hatred coming from one person.

Logan made his way to the observation deck, hoping Rogue wouldn't sense his presence. When he got to the observation deck Logan was shocked at what he saw unfolding in the room below.

Rogue was fighting a simulation of herself and she looked as if she was fighting to the death. Both simulation and real Rogue were covered in blood. The only way Logan could tell which was the real Rogue was by her panting. She looked exhausted, as if they had been sparring for hours. Logan knew there was no way Rogue could last much longer.

He hesitated before running down to the Danger Room. If he just stormed in on her during an apparent very personal moment, she'd simply hate him even more than she did already. Then he saw simulation Rogue land a hard right to real Rogue's face, sending her straight to her knees. Logan's mind was made up.

When the Danger Room doors swung open Logan turned off the simulation. The simulation of Rogue disappeared almost instantly, right before striking Rogue again. Rogue remained on her knees, hands on the ground, and panting as if gasping for breath.

Logan ran to her but didn't touch her. Instead, he knelt beside her and stayed there until she was ready to move. Logan listened to her heavy breathing, which turned into hard sobs.

"Marie…" Logan whispered.

"Don't!" Rogue screamed. "Just don't…" She said softer.

"Come on; let's get you to the infirmary." Logan stood up and offered her hand. She glanced up at him, her hair soaked with blood and sweat. She nodded and stood up, not taking his hand.

Rogue was shaky on her feet but Logan knew she would accept no help from him. Her pride was already hurt by him helping her in the Danger Room and taking her to get patched up.

"I hope Dr. McCoy isn't there." Logan heard her mutter.

"I understand." Logan replied. She simply glanced at him. "I'll just help you clean some of those scratches and we'll just keep it between us." Rogue nodded.

When they reached the infirmary Logan instructed Rogue to sit down on a table and try to relax. He found some bandages and alcohol and began cleaning some of the scratches and cuts.

"Are any of the deep?" Logan asked her gently. She lifted up her right arm, exposing a somewhat deep gash on her shoulder. "It doesn't look like it need stitches." He mumbled.

"You don't have to do this." Rogue said, her voice a little shaky.

"I don't do things because I have to." Logan replied.

"Still…" Rogue just shook her head as Logan wiped off some of the dry blood.

"Why were you fighting yourself?" Logan asked suddenly. He hadn't meant to ask, the words just sort of spilled out.

"Why do you care?" She snapped.

"I don't!" He snapped back. She winced as he pressed down a little harder on one of the scrapes on her arm. "I'm sorry Rogue…"

"No, it's fine. You're helping me, I shouldn't of snapped."

They were silent until Logan was finished bandaging her up.

"How are you gonna explain this?" Logan asked, cocking an eyebrow at her as they walked up to their rooms. Rogue didn't sleep in the staff wing of the mansion because she liked being with her friends, so Logan walked her to her room.

Rogue shrugged. "I won't. If anyone asks, I'll ignore them."

"Fair enough." Logan nodded. He was going to suggest that she touch him, even if only for a second, and absorbs some of his powers, but he knew she would refuse and possibly become angry.

They stopped in front of her door and they both stood there a moment too long, looking around awkwardly.

"Thank you Logan." Rogue whispered.

"Marie…" Logan's voice was low but not quite a whisper.

"Goodnight." Rogue cleared her throat and forced her voice to be strong. Logan nodded, knowing that this was as far as the conversation was going to go.

"Goodnight Marie." He said gently and left her at the door.

When he laid down for sleep he smiled to himself, realizing that for the first time since he had been back, she had allowed him to call her Marie.

Authors Note: Sorry this took so long! I'm in college and I don't have a lot of time on my hands soooo just expect it to be further between and whatnot. Thank you to all my reviewers! Please enjoy!