Disclaimer: Not my characters, just my imaginings.
A.N.: I know this one is short. Sorry about that!
Logan watched her using the computer, her face a study in concentration, his magazine open on his lap. They'd fallen into the habit of spending even more time together now that her room was in the same wing. In fact, it was only one door down and across the hall from his. Several weeks ago saw the arrival of even more students than before, the start of the new year of classes, and the commencement of Marie's first semester of college, life was busy but everyone was finding their rhythm again now. A routine had quickly established itself for Marie and Logan and this little ritual was part of it. Each evening she would sit at the computer at about 8:00 and she'd stay there until she was satisfied with how much work she'd gotten done on her assignments. If she wasn't on the computer, she was reading her schoolbooks or doing research online or in the library downstairs.
Right now she was working on a paper that was due soon for one of her classes. Logan had been noticing how tired she seemed. Dark circles were starting to appear underneath lusterless eyes. Her steps dragged as she trudged the hallways and her performance in the danger room was slipping. In simple words, Logan was starting to worry about her. Seeing her delete an entire section for the third time, he decided she'd had enough. "Darlin', take a break." From her glare, he knew she was ready to argue with him. He'd braced for battle, but she only groaned and conceded, "You're right. I just know it could be better, but I'm out of ideas for now."
They both wandered downstairs. She headed to the kitchen for a drink while he stopped and stood in the doorway to the rec room. He was watching all the kids talking, playing, and watching TV when a soothing voice tinged with an exotic accent interrupted his study. "Logan, how are you this evening?" He turned to greet the elegant woman behind him. ""Ro. I'm good. How 'bout you?"
"I am well, thank you. And how is Rogue doing with her essay?"
"Okay, I guess. She's havin' a rough night."
Ororo nodded in understanding. "She's a very driven young woman. I believe she will do very well with her courses, but she may tend to overwork herself. She chose to take a very heavy course load for her first semester."
"Yeah. I tried to tell her, but she's tryin' to finish early." He watched the kids of all ages playing games and watching TV or just sitting and talking together. This was what Marie should be doing at her age. Not working, studying, and not much else.
"Logan, you are good for her. All of the students here are unique, but Rogue is something special. Feel no regrets. Follow your instincts and you will do the right thing for you both."
He admitted to being surprised by her candid remarks. They were friends, he guessed. He would, and did on a regular basis, trust her with his life and with Marie's. He'd trusted her with the basics of what he'd learned of his past. They regularly discussed the younger members' DR training and their progress as well as missions and stuff concerning the school. They'd never had the kind of relationship that lent itself to getting real personal, though. Her hand rested on his shoulder for a moment before she glided in the direction of the office.
"Hey, watcha lookin' at?"
"You need a little r and r, darlin'. Let's play some pool."
The two of them paired up to play against Spike and Bobby. After a huge win, she felt ready to finish her paper. Stopping off in her room first to change into some nightclothes, she padded in her socks to Logan's room where her work was waiting on his computer. He reclined on the bed, flipping through one of her school books. "You know, you ought to just stash some stuff in here to make it easier."
"You think?"
He didn't even look up. "Yeah. I don't have much junk anyway. There's plenty of room for some of your things." He waved a hand vaguely in the direction of his dresser. "Just pick a drawer and throw anything of mine somewhere else."
She stood indecisively for a minute, wondering what this was supposed to mean. Was there something more to his invitation? Then she decided that was nonsense. With Logan, things were pretty much exactly as they seemed. He liked to keep it simple. This was about efficiency and that was about it. "Sure, okay then. Thanks."
He grunted and encouraged her to get to work. "It's gettin' late and we've both got classes to teach in the morning. We don't want to be up too much longer."
Knowing he was right, she focused on her task and found it all came to her easily. The thoughts and words flowed readily and after only forty-five minutes work, her task was completed. She emailed the paper in and put the computer to sleep before turning to see Logan had drifted to sleep still reading her book. His head was tilted at what looked to be a very uncomfortable angle. She eased the book from him and set it on the nightstand. She knew from experience just how heavy that adamantium-coated frame of his was and knew she couldn't shift him herself.
One hand stroking his hair, she tried to rouse him. "Logan…. Sugar, lay down." He rumbled a low growl and turned his head, but that was all. "Come on, Sugar. It's time for lights out." She was now brushing against his sideburns.
"M'rie," he mumbled.
"Yeah, it's me," she whispered. He reached for her without ever opening his eyes or really waking. She tumbled onto the bed in his arms, thankful that she'd already turned out the lights. He spooned behind her and breathed deeply before his low, breathy, raspy snore started back up. It was so low she only heard it when she was right against him like this, but it had become her own personal lullaby. She drifted to sleep quickly.