Snuff-Chapter 5

Logan spent the next few days trying to work out his emotions and anger. He never expected to spot Marie in the conference hall that doubled over as a mess hall for the new incoming students.
She was next in line to pay for her breakfast when he rushed over and instructed the student cashier to put her food on his tab he kept for himself and under age classmen.
At first Marie objected, stating that she could pay with her on money, but Logan ignored her and the cashier took his card instead.

"Would you care for some company?" He asked, choosing a beverage.

"It's a free world…" Marie replied, gathering utensils and napkins before deciding where to sit.
She spotted a booth that was next to a wall length window that gave view to a small follow garden.
Logan followed and sat across from her. The last thing he wanted was to startle an already skittish Marie.

"Attending the banquet tonight?" Logan's attempt at small talk was lame at best, but he needed something to break the silence and tension between them. He knew she was looking forward the
pre semester banquet, which was mostly used for the new incoming classes and students.

"I don't think I am." Marie answered as she began to nibble on a piece of breakfast meat. She had originally planned to attend. She had a gown hand tailored to her liking and even spent money saved up from working at the Mansion on an entire ensemble.
Logan reached to gently touch her free hand which was lying by her tray. She instinctively retracted.

"Marie, please…" His voice was barely above a whisper and Marie avoided eye contact.

Marie was very unsure about his intentions. Up until now she assumed everything between them was strictly platonic, but ever since her attack…she was unsure about most things, especially when it came to Logan.
Her thoughts were a whirlwind set ablaze.
"I'm sorry…" she said, finally looking up at him. Marie found nothing but concern and a hint of something else in his eyes
"Don't be."
Marie inched her hand back and Logan took the hint to cover it with his.
If he was going to help her overcome her demons, he had to be honest with Marie and himself. Logan studied her face for few moments. He noted that her slender face was sunken back and her exhaustion caused her to appear older than her actual age. He was fully aware of what post-traumatic stress could do to a person's body and spirit. He had personal suffered from the aftermath of such things.

"When's the last time you slept?"
"I got a couple of hours last night."
"Why don't you take the sick leave that was offered?" A few top mutant officials, pushed by Dr. Hank McCoy and at the suggestion of Storm, had made special exceptions for Marie. She was allowed as much time as needed, plus paid sick leave.
"It's because I belong here, Logan. Are we going to play 20 questions all morning?"
"We don't have to talk about anything you're not—"
"I don't want to talk at all, Logan." Her face hardened for a second as she began to gather her tray and the small pack back she always seemed to carry. "I have to go, I'll think about tonight."
"Get some rest, Marie."
"Sure." She murmured as she hurried away.

After completing various tasks that day, Logan headed back to this room. He showered and picked out simple, yet dashing dinner attire.
Through the entire morning his thoughts remained on Marie as he tried to make heads and tails of their conversation, or lack thereof, earlier that morning.
He came to the conclusion that she chose to stay away from him, her friends, and other obligations so she wouldn't have to face her issues. That would be bad. The post-traumatic stress would destroy her inside and outward. Logan also understood he couldn't press the issue. She had to talk when she was ready and he had prepared himself for the inevitable conversation. Even though Marie tried to hide it at breakfast earlier, it was plainly obvious she was frightened of him.
Logan had imagined it over and over again. Marie's attacker had stripped her mutant powers, rendering her helpless. The video from one of the Mansion's security post had showed Marie being knocked out just out of camera range. Marie had been pinned, with her arms under her and her legs tied at the ankles with some sort of metal bonding material. The imagines that flashed over the video made his blood boil. He didn't care to watch, but duties to other co-gender mutants made it his responsibility.
Marie was aware that a strict few had to view it in hopes of catching her assailant, but he didn't know if Marie knew Logan was one of them or not.
The delicate string that held their bond was severed and the trust he had worked so hard to earn was gone.
Someone had hurt Marie and Logan made a silent vow to kill him if they ever crossed paths.
He composed himself in hopes of seeing Marie. There was no cause to upset her anymore today.

Marie must have tried on several dresses before she went back to her original gown. It was a little revealing and she felt slightly uncomfortable, but she had to admit once she donned on a pair of earrings and a touch of makeup, she didn't look too terrible. She wasn't trying to intentional impress anyone, she even told Logan she wasn't sure she was attending.
She slipped on the finishing touches of her ensemble, which was a pair of opened toe; flat heal dancing shoes that matched her dresses color perfectly.
Marie turned to get a better view in her mirror. She rarely wore dresses, much less attended such functions.
The combs in her hair off set the pinned back colored white strands.
She closed her eye as an image of Logan flashed.
Logan. She wasn't sure where he fit in just yet. The older mutant always held a natural attraction to her, and at one point, she thought the feelings were mutual. That was before someone decided to take her dignity. Marie braced herself against her dresser as pieces of broken memories came forth. She choked them down. Now isn't the time. She fumbled to control herself, double checked her appearance and left her room.

The first thing Logan noticed when he was ushered by the posted guards into the banquet hall was that the music was too loud for a dinner of this type. He studied the crowd of faces. He recognized several guest; some were few mutant friends and acquaintances he worked with at one point or another.
The banquet hall itself was lovely with colored banners of deep maroon that lined each dipping arch and a large buffet of food that ranged from drinks, entrees, side dishes, desserts and exotic pastries.
That's where he saw her; Marie looked marvelous!
"May I ask a Rogue to dance?" Marie heard Logan ask somewhere behind her. His hand was extended to take hers in hopes of not being shot down.
Oh my God…the man cleans up good! Marie took note of his dark suit. It was simple, yet handsome.
 "Yes, you may." She took Logan's hand and he led her to the center of the banquet hall.
Marie's dress swirled around her feet as Logan positioned one hand around her waist line and the other intertwining with her slender fingers.
She was beautiful. The low cut, lavender shaded thinly strapped dress was perfect on her form.
The bottom hem of the gown fanned and whirled with each move. The low key cut of the material left little to the imagination and Logan could sense she was uncomfortable from all the stares, particularly by men, she had received that evening.
Logan began to sing the lyrics to a familiar song that Marie and he both knew. His voice soothing her nerves, she cautiously pressed closer to him and laid her head in the warm place between his shoulder and neck.
Logan held her tighter.
Marie's nerves wanted her to run, cry and even scream.
Logan's scent begged her to stay.
He must have left her breathe upon his skin as he moved his hand from the tiny of her waist and titled her chin, locking his gaze with hers.
"Logan…" She whispered. His name sent electric jolts throughout his entire being. With the tip of his thumb tracing over the softness of his lips, he searched her eyes for permission before capturing her mouth with his. Logan let his hands travel to her nearly bare shoulders, rubbing her arms in a slow warming motion as to protect her from unseen forces.
Marie pressed even closer, deepening the kiss, relishing every moment.
Then suddenly memories of her attacker struck like a flash of lightening. Marie yanked away, turning to run. Logan managed to grasp her wrist.
"Marie, please…"
She turned and he saw pain mixed with a flood of sadness and confusion.
Logan knew he had frightened her.
"Marie….come by later…all I want to do is talk…please…" Logan's pleading eyes showed only sincere honesty and concern.
"I'll consider it." Marie replied as an escaped tear fell. She ran away from him, the other couples stares and Logan watched helpless as she drew back into herself.