Chapter Three: Wolverine's Concubine
Logan had been seeing Hayley for six weeks, which was somewhat of a record for him as dating had never been high up on his 'to do' list. They'd done all the stereotypical dating rituals – movies, dinners, and walks around the lake. The only thing they hadn't done yet was sleep together – or technically, not actually sleep. Logan's time spent with attractive women usually involved the absence of clothes and plenty of moaning, panting and sweating on any available flat surface. Hayley brought out a side of him that only Marie had ever been capable of eliciting – the desire to tamp down the animal. To be more prince than frog.
During the whole courting phase he'd 'borrowed' Sara to take with him on other outings with Hayley and her young charge Joshua, besides just that day at the zoo, demonstrating to even his own astonishment, his domestic side. Sara always gave a full report to her mother, so he made sure to spend lots of time kissing Hayley and just being generally romantic. He wasn't exactly sure what kind of reaction he wanted to coax out of Marie – whether he wanted to show her that he'd finally moved on or if he wanted to arouse her jealousy. Marie and Hayley hadn't become best friends because Marie already had Jubilee and Kitty, but they were friendly to one another. Scott appeared relieved that Logan had given up pursuing his wife and openly welcomed Hayley to the 'family'.
The only problem with the situation was that in his effort to be a gentleman and not treat Hayley like some common bar slut, it also meant enduring a degree of sexual frustration that he'd never experienced before. He got so desperate that one morning he even had a chat with Scott about the whole thing – and wasn't terribly surprised when the advice included the suggestion that, for a change, Logan think with the head on his shoulders instead of the one between his legs.
"A woman likes to feel she's special, not 'today's special' at some whore-du-jour diner," Scott told him as he sipped at his coffee.
"I've been patient," Logan responded as he ran his fingers up and down the neck of his second bottle of Molson's.
"A month and a half?" Scott replied in amusement and then added, "Yeah, guess that is some kinda record for you. Bitch to me about it when it's been six months. Then I might have a bit more sympathy for you."
"That how long it take you to get into Marie's panties?" Logan asked with a smirk.
"Do me a favor and don't be crude when it comes to my wife," Scott reprimanded.
At the use of the term 'wife' Logan visibly blanched and shrunk back into his chair.
"Even now, I still like to do nice things for her and with her before I do anything to her – if you know what I mean?" Scott said teasingly.
Apparently it was okay if Scott was crass Logan thought bitterly. He pushed the saltshaker sitting on the table toward Scott then released an inch of one claw and poised it over his wrist.
"Lemme just slice myself open so that you can pour the salt in."
"Hey, you brought her into this conversation and it's not my fault you're still hung up on her," Scott replied calmly.
"I was just kidding, I got past that a long time ago," Logan said unconvincingly.
"Bullshit, Logan. I don't need enhanced olfactory senses to smell a lie."
"You know jackshit, Scooter," Logan bit back.
"Okay then – answer this. When you came home from your date with Hayley last night, who'd you think about when you inevitably jerked off?"
Logan's sudden interest in his boots, as he failed to meet Scott's glare coupled with the pronounced silence, was all the answer Scott needed.
"Yeah, I thought so," he said tightly.
Logan looked up in time to notice that Marie was standing there and from the look on her face she'd heard enough of their conversation. At that moment he wished that Storm had been there to fry him with an enormous bolt of lightning. Embarrassed and flustered he quickly excused himself and bolted from the kitchen. Scott merely shrugged his shoulders as Marie fumbled with what to say in response to Logan's unspoken confession. Sara's tugging on Marie's jean-clad leg requesting breakfast gave her just the welcome distraction she needed.
For the rest of the day Logan and Marie carefully avoided each other, both equally disturbed by the revelation. At dinnertime he was noticeably absent and she was relieved that they wouldn't have to face each other until the incident had at least had a chance to blow over a little. The idea that Logan still thought about her in that way was neither flattering nor disgusting, simply confusing. Later that night after she and Scott had made love and he'd gone to sleep she stole out of their room, walked down to the lake and finally released the tears she'd been holding back. She loved her husband she told herself, but that didn't stop the guilt she felt over the fact that tonight she'd fantasized he was Logan.
It was just past eleven thirty when Logan strolled into the kitchen where Jubilee was raiding the fudgesicle supply.
"You're home early. Whatsa matter – does Hayley turn into a pumpkin at midnight?" she asked in an only slightly sarcastic manner.
"Very funny," Logan growled as he stomped over to the refrigerator and pulled out a Molson's.
He slumped down in one of the chairs circling the large oak table, popped the top off the bottle and took a slug of the beer.
"So, is Hayley still refusing to put out?" Jubilee inquired nosily.
"I haven't even tried to get her in the sack yet, if you must know, miss nosy pants. I'm trying to be a gentleman this time."
"Whoa, let me turn on the Weather Channel and check the forecast for Hell – I bet there's a freeze warning."
"You don't think it's possible for me to restrain myself?"
"After the little show we put on for Kitty in the hallway the other day … 'er, no."
"You're gonna get fat," he grumbled, pointing at the fudgesicle in an effort to change the subject.
"Yeah, so what?" she replied, "Who've I got to be skinny for? I could parade around here stark-ass naked and nobody would notice." And Christ, isn't that the pathetic truth.
"I'd notice," Logan said and then gave her one of his infamous eyebrow quirks.
What the fuck? First the hallway the other day, and now this. Restrained – my ass.
"Well, you're not drunk, so did you get into a wreck and hit your head hard against the steering wheel or what?" Jubilee asked as she unwrapped the frozen treat and threw the wrapper in the trashcan.
"You put yourself down too much, Jubes. If you just toned it down a notch…. or ten, the guys would be duking it out in the driveway to go out with you."
"Who are you, and what have you done with the real jerk who loves to spar with me?"
"Just not in the mood to banter with ya, Jubes," he responded with a heavy sigh.
"Yeah, then what are you in the mood for?" she asked and then noticing the prominent bulge in his jeans, added, "Oh."
"No smart ass remarks," Logan warned.
Seriously believing that they might be able to finish what they started in the hallway, Jubilee tossed the fudgesicle into the trash and then did something that startled Logan – she walked over and casually straddled his lap.
"And just what do you think you're doing?" he asked when he'd finally recovered from the shock.
"You're trying to be a good little Wolverine with Mary Poppins and I haven't been laid since the last time your outfit was in style, so I'm proposing a deal," Jubilee said as she ground herself down onto his erection and began running her hands over his broad chest.
Logan didn't need things spelled out for him nor did he need any more than a fleeting moment to consider her offer. He stood up, lifting her up as he did, and she wrapped her legs around his waist.
"I hope you're prepared to walk sideways for the rest of your life, because I'm about to use all your up and downs," she said naughtily.
"You'll be the only one walking funny, darlin'."
"Promises, promises," Jubilee responded as she buried her face in his neck and licked his jugular.
They'd barely made it into Logan's room before the clothes started coming off fast and furiously –his ugly plaid shirt was the first casualty with buttons flying everywhere as Jubilee practically ripped it off of him. Jubilee's tank top was the next to go, tugged off in a blur of pale yellow. Muttering something about "too many damn layers" Jubilee helped Logan yank off his white t-shirt. Pajama bottoms and jeans hit the floor next and as Logan never bothered with underwear he had nothing left to remove, but Jubilee still had a pair of thong panties to take off. She went to hook her fingers into the waistband when Logan reached over and ripped them off of her. He tossed the ruined scrap of fabric in the air and it landed on a blade of the ceiling fan.
In a flash they pounced on each other and fell onto the bed in a tangled heap. Neither was interested in prolonged foreplay, this was gonna be fast and dirty with both of them needing a quick release. Logan splayed Jubilee's legs apart and moved to penetrate her when he suddenly remembered something and momentarily hesitated.
"Fuck, hang on. Needa condom."
"I'm on the pill," Jubilee panted, "Get in there already."
With one solid thrust Logan sheathed himself inside of her and began thrusting rhythmically. Jubilee went to wrap her legs around his torso, but he placed his hands on her knees and pushed them back towards her shoulders. Another solid lunge and he was embedded in her to the hilt.
"Oh yeah, fuck me hard, Wolvie," Jubilee whimpered.
Logan wasn't about to protest the use of that godawful nickname and with a low growl just pistoned into her harder. As overdue as they both were, it didn't take long for either of them to reach orgasm – with Jubilee screaming to the Lord as she splintered apart first and only mere seconds later Logan letting out a growl that was probably heard all over the mansion as he emptied himself into her.
Mindful not to crush her, Logan withdrew and rolled them over so that Jubilee was now sprawled out on top of him. Even over her own ragged breathing, she could hear the pounding of Logan's heart and then she felt his cock harden against her belly. Her eyes flickered up to his and she gave him a quizzical look.
Logan quirked an eyebrow and with a dirty grin said, "Healing factor."
"Damn, am I gonna make up for lost time tonight or what!" Jubilee said gleefully as she maneuvered to position herself over his renewed erection.
Logan smiled wolfishly ~ Jubilee. Who would've thought? ~ And then she lowered herself down onto him and began bouncing up and down enthusiastically. That's when he stopped thinking and gave himself over to what promised to be a very pleasurable night.
The next morning, after Jubilee had left, Logan was in the shower when Scott entered his room after getting no answer when he'd knocked.
"Hey, you're late for the staff meeting," Scott called out.
"Be right out," Logan shouted back.
"Speed up the jacking off will ya, everyone's waiting," Scott teased as he surveyed the wreckage that was Logan's normally orderly room.
That's when he noticed the panties – or what was left of them – dangling from the ceiling fan and smirked.
Just then the phone rang.
"Make yourself useful and grab that," Logan ordered.
"Hello, Logan's room – Scott speaking."
"Oh hi, Scott – it's Hayley, where's my little pooh bear?" Hayley asked.
Pooh bear? Hmmm, I gotta file that one away for future use.
"Prince Charming is still in the shower, but I'll tell him you called," Scott said before asking, "Hayley, by any chance did you stay over last night?"
"No, why?"
Scott was stuck for what to say, as obviously she wasn't the owner of the souvenir being spun around the room. Then he noticed the color of the scrap of fabric – pale yellow – and he was at an even greater loss for words.
"No reason, just being nosy," Scott replied deciding to cut Logan a break and make himself look bad instead of making Hayley suspicious.
"We haven't gone 'all the way' – but we're nicely rounding second base and heading for third, if you must know," Hayley confessed with a giggle.
"You must really be special to him, Hayley, 'cause I didn't think he even understood the concept of dating," Scott said, even as he watched the yellow panties fluttering like some kind of bizarre flag, and then he realized too late that maybe Logan hadn't shared that part of his sexual history with her.
"I know that Logan's definition of a relationship used to be one that lasted through breakfast the morning after – so yeah, I like to think I am special," she replied.
Well, at least she knew that much. By now the panties were beginning to mock him, so Scott decided to end what was rapidly becoming a very awkward conversation.
"I gotta go. I'll have him call you. Bye, Hayley," he said with finality and replaced the phone in its cradle.
At that moment Logan finally emerged from the bathroom with a towel knotted around his waist.
"Damn, I was hoping it was Marie who'd come to give me a wake-up call," he teased.
"Your deluded fantasies about my wife are starting to get on my last nerve. Besides, I think you've got more than enough trouble with all the women you're trying to juggle right now," Scott said pointing up at the ceiling fan.
Logan followed to where Scott was indicating and a wicked grin spread across his face as the memory of the previous evening's rambunctious activities flashed through his brain.
"You're beyond fucking dead if Hayley finds out," Scott warned as he turned to leave.
"And I'm sure you're gonna take immense pleasure in making sure she does, aren't you?" Logan snapped.
"As a matter of fact, and for the record, I have no intention of helping you blow it with her, because God forbid that should happen you might just embarrass my wife by publicly drooling all over her again."
And with that final statement, Scott scowled and left the room, slamming the door behind him.
Two months later …
Logan continued to do the courting romantic bit with Hayley while simultaneously having wild lusty sex with Jubilee, who put her skills as a gymnast to proficient use. From the noises emanating from Logan's room, it was a miracle that so far only Scott had found out about the pair's sudden 'closeness'. While Logan and Jubilee continued to banter in front of people, it was now in a much more teasing manner instead of the insults and threatening growls that used to be their standard exchanges. Most of the mansion's residents were accustomed to the pair pushing each other's buttons and had learned to simply ignore them when they went at it, so nobody even noticed any difference.
Hayley's boss, Daniel Abbott had managed to secure tickets to a Stanley Cup Playoff game that he wasn't going to use, so he'd offered them to her. Even though Hayley wasn't a hockey fan she decided to do something Logan enjoyed for a change. After all he'd even gone to the ballet for her – even if he had fallen asleep before the intermission – she'd at least gotten him to go in the first place and wear a tux to boot. Scott had the blackmail picture to prove it, too.
Wanting to see his face when she presented him with the prized tickets, Hayley drove over to the school to surprise him. Along with the tickets, she was going to give him a key to a suite at the Plaza – deciding if they were going to be in the city for the game that they'd just make a whole night of it – finally moving their relationship to the next level. She'd even gone to Victoria's Secret to purchase sexy new lingerie for the special occasion.
In her excitement to bestow the tickets and key on Logan, she opened the door to his room without bothering to knock first and was immediately sorry.
Logan was sitting on the chair by the desk – completely naked – with an equally naked Jubilee perched on his lap. Jubilee had her hands braced on his broad shoulders and his hands were on her back for support as she arched her body so that her breasts were thrust up toward him. He had his head bent down and currently had one of her nipples in his mouth and was sucking hungrily.
"You fucking bastard!" Hayley screamed as she threw the tickets and key to the floor.
"Oh shit!" Logan said in shock and momentarily froze in place.
Regaining his composure slightly, he moved to lift Jubilee off of him and that's when Hayley saw that the other woman had been firmly impaled on her boyfriend. Tears stung her eyes as she turned on her heels and marched out of the room. Logan got up and stumbled into the sweat pants he'd discarded only fifteen minutes earlier and chased her down the hall. He caught up with her just as she reached the main staircase, grabbed a hold of her arm and spun her around to face him.
"Let go of me, you asshole," she yelled as she tried to wrench out of his firm grip.
"Just let me explain," Logan started to say as he released her arm.
"Explain what, Logan? What the hell could you possible say to justify what you were doing in there?" Hayley asked as the tears rolled down her cheeks.
"It's not what you think between me and Jubilee. We don't have a relationship – we're just friends who have sex occasionally. You know, 'fuck buddies'," Logan stated matter-of-factly.
Hayley's eyes grew wide with disbelief at both the casual way he treated Jubilee and the fact that he apparently expected her to be fine with the whole depraved set up.
"Oh, like that's supposed to make it all okay - 'We're just fuck buddies'. Well, go back and fuck your fuck buddy's brains out and while you're at it - fuck off!" she snapped right in his face and then turned to walk away.
She turned back and calmly asked, "By the way, just out of curiosity, who was Jubilee substituting for – me or Marie?"
Logan's mouth fell open.
"Jean told me all about your deluded little obsession with Scott's wife," she said tightly.
There was no mistaking the biting emphasis she put on the word 'wife'.
"She also told me how you had your chance with Marie once, but blew it when she caught you with your dick somewhere it wasn't supposed to be. I guess some things never change where you're concerned."
"And in case nobody has been brave enough to say this to your face, Logan," she continued, "the reason Marie chose Scott and will never ditch him to be with you is because, despite the fact that you ooze sexuality from every open pore, Scott Summers is still twice the man you'll ever be."
That hurt.
"Oh, and a couple more things while I'm giving you a much needed reality check. Try shopping for clothes somewhere besides the lumberjack section of Wal-Mart and the muttonchops just scream 'Help me, I'm stuck in the 70's.' You might wanna introduce your face to Mr. Gillette sometime."
"I thought you liked the sideburns?" Logan said as he defensively touched his face.
"When we first met I thought you were one of those civil war re-enactors. I didn't realize that apart from the time that run-in with the donkey forced you to shave it was a permanent look. I didn't think I'd be stuck with Elvis."
And with that parting shot she turned and continued down the stairs.
"Hey, plenty of women happen to find this look appealing, ya know?" he shouted out over the railing.
"Well, good for you. Then go fuck all of them. That is, if you haven't already, " she yelled back as she walked out the front door and slammed it shut behind her.
Jubilee chose that moment to come up behind him and say, "Ooh, tough break. You really gotta learn to lock your door, Wolvie."
Logan turned to face her and she saw that he was practically feral.
"Did I say we were done yet?" he snarled.
Jubilee let out a surprised squeak as he picked her up, tossed her over his shoulder and stalked back to his room.
A couple of hours later Logan was in Charles' office, pacing the floor like a wild animal ready to escape at the first possible opportunity.
"I can't take this shit anymore, Chuck. First I blew it with Marie and now I've lost Hayley…"
Sensing that Charles was about to open his mouth to speak, Logan waved his hand to cut him off.
"I already know it's my own fucking fault … both times. So let me save you the effort of a lecture by admitting that obviously I haven't learned a God damn thing."
"I wasn't planning on lecturing you, Logan, because quite frankly I wouldn't waste my time," Charles replied evenly.
Logan stopped pacing and dropped into one of the chairs in front of Charles' large mahogany desk.
"What's wrong with me, Chuck? Why do I keep sabotaging my shots at happiness?"
"I think it could be attributed to several reasons – fear of the responsibility that a real relationship entails, not wanting to feel tied down – to be, in essence, trapped. But mostly I think it's your fear of intimacy, and I'm not talking about the physical kind, I'm talking about intimacy on an emotional level."
"Hey, I really tried with Hayley. I was doing all that 'behaving like a gentleman' crap to the point I was starting to turn into a better-looking version of Scott. All I needed to do was shop at the Gap and shove a pole up my ass to complete the transformation."
Charles tried in vain to suppress a smile as Logan ranted on.
"Treat her like a lady that dick told me. Take your time he said. So I did. Nearly four months of picnics, candlelight dinners, and even the fucking ballet – in a penguin suit! And where did that get me? Nowhere. You know if that idiot ever hands out one decent piece of advice, I'm calling those 'Believe It Or Not' people."
"I hardly think Scott's advice is to blame for the situation you put yourself in by bedding Jubilee while romancing another woman. You should've tried to control your urges or found another . . . outlet. "
"Well, Chuck, maybe you're satisfied with a sweetheart you have to inflate and comes with a patch kit, but I need the real thing."
"Those are just nasty rumors," Charles replied with a wry smile in an effort to lighten the somber mood.
"Damnit, I thought Hayley was the one – the one who could help me . . ." Logan stopped himself.
"Get over Marie?" Charles finished for him and then when Logan looked at him guiltily he added, "Well, I am psychic you know."
"So why'd I blow it?"
"Because subconsciously you don't want anyone to replace Marie in your affections, and Hayley was coming dangerously close. You'd rather live a fantasy with one woman, than the reality with another."
"I can't stay here watching Marie play 'house' with Scott. I thought if I had someone of my own I could at least tolerate it, but obviously that ain't gonna happen."
"I think I have a solution that may be the answer to everyone's problem."
"Does it involve cutting the brake line on Scott's car and then sending him to the store for a gallon of milk?" Logan asked jokingly.
Charles ignored him and continued, "I've been in contact with a group of mutants in England – they have the manpower, but not the financial resources or the proper training. I've agreed to provide both. Brian Braddock, code name Captain Britain has assembled a team known as Excalibur that I'd like you to combat train."
"And just who's gonna be the boss of this little operation?" Logan asked, "'Cause I ain't walking into another situation where I gotta take orders from the British version of Scott."
"Initially the team would be under your command – with the understanding that once the team is an effective fighting unit, Brian will then assume command. I estimate that to get everything in place and running smoothly will take two or three years – at which time we'll decide what happens next as far as you're concerned."
"Maybe by then I'll be married to some British babe and have my own family," Logan said optimistically.
The look of doubt that flickered across Charles' face made Logan add, "It could happen."
"Yes, by all means – keep that dream alive," Charles said with a small smile.
"Well, guess I need to go find Jubes for a good-bye boink," Logan said with a mischievous wink as he got up and casually strolled out of the office.
Later that afternoon…
Marie was sitting in the rocking chair in their suite nursing Ethan when Scott came in with a sleeping Sara in his arms. After putting Sara in her own room he returned to the living room and Marie noticed he looked decidedly agitated.
"You look like you're about to blast someone into the southern hemisphere," she noted.
"Logan," Scott bit out through clenched teeth.
"What did he do this time?"
"I found him lying on the couch in the rec room watching a Power Puff Girls cartoon with Sara sprawled across him," Scott replied as he paced back and forth in front of Marie.
She shrugged her shoulders. "So, tell him you think that cartoon's a little too violent for a three year-old, no big deal."
"It wasn't the cartoon that bothered me because Sara was asleep anyway…"
"It's that Logan was muscling in on your daddy territory again," Marie interrupted knowingly.
"No, that's not it. Well, okay, maybe a little," Scott admitted, "but it's more than that, Marie. He has a seriously unhealthy attachment to Sara."
The shock on Marie's face was plainly evident.
"If you're suggesting that Logan has some sort of pedophiliac designs on Sara you'd be way off base. He may be many things, but a potential baby molester isn't one of them, and quite frankly I'm horrified that you'd even contemplate such a thing."
"I don't think he's a child molester. I'm not talking about right now, but Sara's not gonna be a baby forever. One day she's gonna be a woman."
Scott continued, "He's still obsessed with you. I know it. You know it. The whole damn mansion knows it. And you have a daughter that looks like someone cloned you, who will grow up to look exactly like you do now. Think about what that could mean to Logan."
"I know you don't like it, but Logan acts like a second father to her. And because of that, I can't imagine him watching her grow up, thinking of her as a daughter all that time and then one day deciding he wants to be her lover."
"That's just it, Marie, he's not gonna be around watching her grow up."
"Well, sure he's always taking off for parts unknown, but eventually he returns like a homing pigeon."
"Not this time. Charles told me Logan's agreed to go to England to lead the Excalibur team. Supposedly it's only for a few years, but Charles doesn't really expect him back – at least not anytime in the near future. So chances are he'll be gone until Sara's a lot older," Scott clenched his fist and closed his eyes, "and I don't even wanna think about the ramifications of that."
"You know it's entirely possible that Logan could meet someone…"
"He won't," Scott interrupted, "Fifteen years is nothing to someone like him. Oh sure, he won't be lonely during that time, but he won't form a permanent attachment to anyone else. Then right around the time Sara's nice and legal he'll magically return, ready to lay his claim."
"Are you gonna spend the next fifteen years worrying about something that might never happen?"
"It will. I know him too well. If he can't have you, he'll have the next best thing …your daughter."
It wasn't the possibility that Logan would one day covet her daughter that bothered Marie so much as the fact that he was leaving now, perhaps even permanently. In the two years she'd spent in Alaska, even through the whole courtship with Scott, Logan had never strayed far from her thoughts. Her sudden quietness drew her husband's attention.
"Are you still in love with him?" he asked softly.
"I'm your wife and you're the father of my children," she replied.
"That's not exactly answering the question, Marie."
"I love you. Only you," she said, hoping her voice carried enough conviction.
Scott drew in a deep breath and then announced he was going to the Danger Room to work off some of his frustration and left Marie to contemplate what they'd discussed. She got up and went into the children's room to place Ethan in his crib. She glanced over at Sara curled up in a fetal position and sleeping peacefully. Scott was right, Sara did look like an exact replica of her and chances were good that that wouldn't change as she grew up. Marie didn't want to think about the possibility that Logan subconsciously had designs on Sara. She tried to comfort herself in the knowledge that Logan rarely thought about anything beyond the next day, let alone fifteen years into the future. Then something occurred to Marie that troubled even her. She felt a stab of jealousy that her daughter might one day have the life with Logan that she'd once dreamed of.
One week later . . .
The necessary arrangements were made and Logan was prepared to leave for England. He was walking across the hangar towards the Blackbird with Storm when he heard a familiar voice calling out to him.
"I'll go ahead and get the pre-flight check done while you say your goodbyes," Storm said.
Logan notoriously hated goodbyes and had hoped to avoid what he knew would be a heartbreaking moment by leaving before most of the mansion's residents were even awake. He'd left a doll dressed in an angel costume on the kitchen table with a note that read ~
An angel for my angelface.
Love always,
Logan
Sara came charging up to him, still in her footed pajamas, and wrapped herself around his legs. He reached down and lifted her up until she was eye level with him.
"I don't want you to go," she said softly as her eyes filled with tears.
He looked across the hangar to where Marie stood by the entranceway and saw that her eyes also glistened with tears that threatened to spill over at any moment. She dropped her head and stared at the floor. Logan pulled Sara into a tight hug, fighting back his own tears. He glanced back over to Marie who chose that moment to look up and their eyes locked.
Damnit, no one's eyes should be that beautiful.
Logan just continued to stare at Marie and inhaled deeply, trying to commit both her image and scent to memory. He fought the urge to go over there and take her in his arms, if only for a firm hug and a chaste kiss on the cheek, because he knew if he did, he'd never find the strength to get on the Blackbird and walk away from her.
"Logan, we have to leave," Storm interrupted.
"You'll always be my angelface," he murmured against Sara's cheek before kissing it, giving her a final squeeze, and then reluctantly putting her back down.
He fingered the dogtag around his neck. Marie had left it on her bed the night she'd run off to Alaska. She didn't need to leave him a note; the return of his most prized possession conveyed the message loud and clear. He remembered thinking how lonely it looked lying there – the chain and tag in a small puddle of adamantium. Removing it as he had done once before, he slipped it over Sara's head.
"I'll be back for this."
And then with a final hug and a kiss on her forehead, and one last lingering wistful look at Marie, he turned and slowly walked away.
THE END