Disclaimer: Not my characters, just my imaginings.
"You're such a chicken, Logan."
He didn't even honor that with one of his grunts. She huffed her frustration, something she seemed to do a lot with him, and wondered out loud, "Why am I being forced into this then? If one teacher has to participate, shouldn't they all?"
"Teacher's assistant, Marie. And you can cut it out. You're singing tonight. I'm sittin' in the audience and that's that."
He left before she could even think of a comeback for his arrogance. Snapping her gum, Jubilee brought her attention back to the task at hand. "Come on, chica! You don't have a lot of time to get ready." Seeing the nervousness descend on her friend, Jubilee tried to reassure her. "You sounded great in rehearsal and you are going to look sexy as sin in the dress I got you. Trust me… it's going to be a great night!" Marie was too worked up to notice the sly look exchanged by Jubes and Kitty. If she had caught it, she would have been immediately suspicious. She was far too busy changing and doing her face and hair to pay much attention to any subtle or even not-so-subtle undertones. She was still totally frazzled when they led her backstage and hovered in the wings watching some of the other acts.
"Why are we doing this anyway? What kind of man arranges something like a school talent show for the parents, alumni, and supporters? Wouldn't some kind of ball or fundraising dinner be more appropriate?"
Kitty sighed and Jubilee snapped her gum in frustration. "Professor X already told you a million times that this is more personal. The parents and alumni get to see people they care about doing things they're good at and the supporters have faces and personalities to think back on as they write out those lovely big checks. Now quit whining, already." If she weren't so nervous, Marie would be offended by that but right now fear definitely had top priority.
She heard them begin her introduction and immediately turned to flee. Kitty and Jubilee flanked her on each side, preventing her escape. "Rogue, you'll be fine. You look amazing and this song was practically written for your voice." At the sound of her name being called out and the polite applause beckoning her to center stage she tried to turn and bolt for safe anonymity. "Ah can't do this! Really, Ah can't. Mebbe I shoulda picked a different song. And this dress… Jubes ya' hate meh, dontcha!" I can't believe I'm doing this and in front of Logan, too! She was practically hyperventilating at this point, her pulse racing and her hands shaking.
"Uh-uh, babe. You're not getting out of this now. It's too late. Knock 'em dead," and with a forceful shove Jubilee, her soon-to-be former friend, thrust her into the waiting spotlight.
She couldn't breathe, couldn't see because of that stupid blinding light, and practically whimpered when her continuous prayers for a sudden sinkhole to open directly beneath her to save her from public humiliation went unheeded by a God she was certain was laughing at her expense presently. The music started and she heard Jubes and Kitty whispering encouraging suggestions from the curtains. "Just shut your eyes and pretend no one's out there," came from Kitty. Sweet, but totally impractical. "Pretend you're seducing Logan, girl!" Jubilee's urging made Marie's eyes shoot wide in shock, then they narrowed as plots for revenge tore through her scattered thoughts.
She went with Kitty's idea and closed her eyes, the beat thrumming through her as she began to verbally slink her way through Mary Chapin Carpenter's 'Shut Up and Kiss Me'. Before she completed the first chorus, she'd lost herself in the lyrics and rhythm, her hips swaying in sultry time with the background music as she swung her way down almost 'til her rear hit the floor and back up again. Thank goodness the too revealing dress Jubilee had chosen for her was slit almost to her hips on each side or that little maneuver wouldn't even have been possible. All that training in the Danger Room had certainly helped with her balance and flexibility. She wasn't thinking about that right now, though. She was simply focused on the song from a CD she'd listened to for years. It used to be a favorite of one of her aunts and she figured this song would be fun to sing tonight. It reminded her of the fun she and her aunt used to share and of the carefree life she used to enjoy. Okay, so it also summarized pretty succinctly what she'd love to be able to say to a certain man in her life. Awash in the sultry meaning behind the words of the song she smiled in pleasure and gave herself up to the song completely. She was belting it out now and dancing with an utter lack of inhibition that she'd never shown in public before. The loss of modesty, the inability to care what anyone thought was liberating and she reveled in it.
The audience was mesmerized and one hulking form that had been tamping down joking remarks all evening was completely immobilized except for the clenching of a fist against his thigh and the heaving of his wide chest. Jubilee nudged Kitty and tilted her head towards the spot where the mighty, frightening, irascible Wolverine sat like a statue. The slight baring of his teeth and the predatory glint in his eye gave him a feral appearance that was not lost on the two giggling compatriots. Jubilee practically rubbed her palms together in glee. It was just so very satisfying when a plan came together.
Logan glanced around him at the heated, lusty leers almost all the males in the audience were giving Marie. She really loosened up and started smirking in a way that made a guy just want to grind up against her and drink from those lush, pouty lips that shone in the spotlight's glare. She ran one hand slowly down her side, grazing her full breast, slithering along her ribs, caressing the sleek indent of her waist and skidding along her curved hip before rubbing her firm thigh as she exhaled the song's key phrase in a breathy moan that had him ready to leap onto the stage and cart her off to some isolated place and give in to all those lecherous thoughts he'd fought for years.
He rubbed his face with one broad hand, barely keeping his claws sheathed when he heard one guy behind him actually groan. His gaze returned to the siren casting her spell over the crowd from the stage. Where had she gotten that dress? Its plunging neckline showcased aspects of her generous anatomy that hadn't seen the light of day in the entire time he'd known her. The burgundy lace lined with flesh-toned fabric clung to her in a way that left almost nothing to the imagination. The fact that the spaghetti straps even managed to hold up her generous chest defied all logic. Her only other adornments were opera length satin gloves in a matching shade of deep red and a pair of very strappy black stilettos that made her already impressive legs seem to go on forever. Logan was well-aware of what a natural beauty she was and their many shared nights together had made him all too conscious of her sumptuous figure. Sometimes painfully conscious of it, in fact. To see it like this, and in a room packed with other appreciative males, was tearing at him. The Wolverine in him was raging to be let out. He was on the rampage and it took almost all of Logan's energy to keep the beast within under control.
With a snarl, he recognized the looming end of the song. Before the last note ended he was out of his seat and making his less-than-subtle way to the side doors that would lead him backstage. Marie was just glad it was over, although it hadn't been so bad once she'd gotten started. She smiled at the appreciative clapping and dipped a slight curtsey before quickly making her way to where her two friends waited in the wings. One hand rested on her still fluttery stomach as she let out a shaky breath. "That was worse than facing the Acolytes!" They all shared a giggle and turned to head upstairs so she could change into normal clothes when their path was blocked by a fierce-looking Logan. He snarled at her which shattered her hope that she'd pulled off the performance all right. Assuming he was furious that she'd humiliated herself publicly she quickly begged for information. Had she just lowered herself in the eyes of all her friends?
"Logan! What's wrong?" Marie suddenly felt all her insecurity flooding forth again. She almost wanted to cry at the thought of the mortification she'd just opened herself up to. Her hands began to shake with uncertainty. "Was it that bad?"
He grabbed her by her lace-clad waist and was yanking her close. His only thought was that he must mark her as his. True, wild wolverines mated with whatever female they could find during mating season. The females would later bear several offspring who may all be from different males. He was not truly an animal, though. While he'd never chosen one particular mate in his remembrance, he'd long known that when he did sharing would not be an option. Just as he was about to spin her and pin her to the wall leaving her vulnerable neck more open to submitting to his biting mark, Xavier's voice resounded in all their heads. We have a situation. Suit up, team. Marie stared wide-eyed at Logan as he let loose with a string of curses that shocked Kitty, amazed Marie, and left Jubilee frankly impressed. There were phrases in there that the three young women had never even heard before. In mere seconds they were all racing down in the elevator to head out for another fight.
In a way Logan figured the intervention was a blessing. The fight would give the Wolverine a way to vent some of his energy and he may get out of this without taking Marie against the nearest wall. He watched her curvy hips swing from side to side as she stalked down the corridors ahead of him in a hurry to take on this latest challenge and thought that it was definitely only a maybe. She was too much woman for him to resist indefinitely. Actually, he couldn't believe he'd held out this long. When she smiled at him over her creamy shoulder while entering the locker room, he knew with the clenching of his gut that the wait was about to be over. It was time to test the waters and see if she felt anything beyond friendship for him.
Rogue returned from their latest brush with the Acolytes exhausted and sore. Somehow she'd again wound up squared off against Gambit again. Why she was constantly stuck battling the smooth-talking Cajun was beyond her, but at least she knew she could hold her own with him. The two of them had been trading blows and insults while circling around and found themselves backed around a corner into an alley where they were blocked from the others by a dumpster and stacks of crates.
She'd just dropped to swing her leg against his ankles, dropping him to the ground. Hearing the distinctive sound of the Blackbird descending, she knew it was time to go. She quickly popped up, but the momentary flicker in her concentration gave Gambit the opening he needed. The next thing she knew, he had her pinned to the brick wall, her feet dangling just above the pavement below. One of his knees insinuated between her thighs and he leaned to whisper near her ear, "So, belle chere, we finally be alone, huh?"
Her wriggling didn't loosen his hold at all and only amused him. The red on black eyes sparked in appreciation as he felt her body writhe against his. Before she could toss back a scathing remark, a menacing rumble reached the pair. Feet slamming hard against the top of the dumpster followed the growl and Rogue thought she'd never seen Wolverine looking quite so fierce, which was really saying something. "You wanna get away from her, Bub."
"Easy dere mon ami," Gambit said soothingly. His smirk had Wolverine ready to gut him on the spot.
The two men exchanging glares were too distracted to see that Rogue had gotten one glove off. She raised her lily-white hand and grasped the exposed wrist of her captor. Within seconds she released him and felt Wolverine's brawny arms lift her and run for the ramp. A brief look over his shoulder showed that although Gambit had fallen to the ground, he was already groaning and shifting.
Now all she wanted was a hot shower, a hot drink, and a soft bed. She lumbered tiredly up the stairs only to be halted by John, who was lounging halfway up. "Hey. Congratulations, by the way."
"Huh?" she was too weary to be any more coherent.
"You were the favorite act tonight." She had forgotten all about that stupid performance. Now her cheeks heated with shame, remembering Logan's expression as he towered over her backstage. She had trouble meeting John's eyes. It was so like the old John she used to know to tease her this way. She'd really thought he was past some of this now, though. It was disappointing and embarrassing to see how wrong she was about him. "I was impressed, Rogue. I knew you had it in you, but wasn't sure you'd ever let it show quite like that." When she only stared at him with a dumbfounded expression, he winked. "It was pretty hot!"
Furious that he was making fun of her, she stalked off without a word. The only acknowledgement she offered him was a glare hot enough to singe which left him wondering how the hell he'd managed to piss her off while complimenting her. John rolled his eyes deciding that trying to understand the reactions of a woman was nothing more than a waste of time since it was obviously beyond his capabilities.
The fresh adrenaline rush from her anger carried her swiftly to her own door. Before she could throw it open, a familiar voice reached her. "Marie, just a minute." Logan saw her stiff back and knew she was worked up about something. She's probably pissed as hell at your caveman act earlier.
"How bad was it?" she wanted to know. If anyone would tell her the truth, it would be Logan. "Will I ever be able to show my face again?"
He now remembered her response to him when he all but attacked her as she left the stage. On silent feet he crossed to her and settled his hands on her waist from behind. Her head hung low waiting for his judgment. He was amazed all over again by her miniscule waist. His fingers on each hand were almost touching where they circled around her.
"You were amazing. I've never seen anything quite like it." Still she didn't move. He lowered his head to speak in a low tone scant centimeters from her ear. "You sounded and looked sexy as hell, darlin', and I am so proud of you for goin' through with it even though you didn't think you could." He breathed deeply smelling remnants of her lotion, the scent of battle and sweat, and the sweetness that was hers alone. He asserted one more time, "You were amazing, Marie."
Now she turned to look at him over her shoulder, almost afraid to believe him. Seeing the deep sincerity in his eyes she sniffled and let a small smile flicker across her full lips. "Sexy, huh?" She spun in his hands to face him. "Ya' think?"
"No doubt about it. I sure as hell wasn't the only one who thought so, either," he almost growled thinking about the lust he'd smelt all around him and the way so many male eyes had been totally fixed on her every movement.
She rested her head on his broad chest for a moment. "As long as you thought it was okay." Her head tilted in thought. "I think I owe John an apology." Logan wasn't sure he wanted to know.
He tilted her face up. "It was beyond 'okay', Marie. And I hope you never do anything like that again." When her whole face filled with confusion he took one step back. "I don't think I could take all those guys reacting that way to you again." His hands ran down her sides as he dropped them. "Maybe we should stick to private shows only in the future, darlin'." He leered and backed away before recommending they both get cleaned up.
Marie's mouth gaped as she stood there trying to comprehend that Logan had just blatantly flirted with her. He had, hadn't he? She shook her head vigorously to get rid of her stupor and absent-mindedly went in her room. Still in shock she stripped and got in the shower. Not until the water was beating down on her did she finally begin to think in actual sentences again. That man should be declared illegal. No one that tempting should come without some kind of warning label.
In bed later she decided that no matter how much she dwelt on it, picked it apart, and analyzed it for other interpretations, Logan had flirted and she… feeling her pulse race all over again, she freely admitted to herself she absolutely loved it.