I would like to thank everyone who has reviewed- hobbitsdoitbetter (I am actually rather angry with the writers, since in the comoics she was this badass chick that could kick some serious mutant butt. Just trying to get things back on track^^), 1sweetmoment, JohnPaulGeorgeandRingo (I still picture us stumbling around shitfaced trying to even FIND that damn safe LOL But we'll have a great tme in jail. Do you think they allow us intenet access?), Comic-cake (I see. And the Wolverine doesn't DO sweet, ya hear :P), Dragongirl of the Stars, SapphireMind (thanks for popping this storie's review cherry btw ;) ).
Another thank you and a cookie for those who put this on their alert list and/or their favorites. Every time that happens there's a Logan out there clutching his beer and growling, just for you. Now if you write a review for this chapter he might just take his shirt off and kick someone's ass. :p
There's nothing else to say I guess. It was raining outside today and so I couldn't cut the hedge, boo hoo. So I invested some time into the new chapter, gotta take advantage of the juices as long as they flow.
And before I forget, let me not-thank google and youtube. You guys are freaking bad for my motivation. With all your inspiring things that have me in a puddle on the floor. Tsk, you!
The next morning I find myself on the way to the floor-half of my body is dangling from the edge of the hideous green thing. I have tried to not analyze the odors penetrating my nose half of the night because aside from spilling half of their drinks, women sat here. And talked about guys I guess. Not that I would be interested in the fine details of a conversation like that, but... All I really want is to plug my nose. Those are kids damn it.
About half an hour after waking up to the lovely sight of the shaggy carpet I hear a moan. I was just getting ready to find something to eat, this makes me stop in my tracks and try to analyze the sound. It definitely had nothing to do with pleasure, I know those well enough. But is this just a hangover talking or an intruder skewering her? It sure did sound like the latter. She shouldn't drink that much but it's not like I haven't said that before. Not that I would know how a hangover feels like, thanks to my healing I have to work pretty hard to even get really drunk. I get the immediate effects but not the aftermath. Which is nice, especially judging by the very colorful descriptions I have received since picking up that kid so many years ago.
Marie stumbles out of her bedroom in a nightgown that makes me grin. I would laugh, but as I found out she's the violent type now-and she has a massive, punding headache from the looks of it. The thing is pretty short but there are little... are those dogs? Oh yeah, that Snoopy. With the little yellow bird. See. She's a kid. But she isn't. And that's the last time I will allow myself to think about that, I need to sink my teeth into some meat and have at least two coffee. Not that I really need that to wake me up but it's a habit I got into living at the mansion.
"You look stunning this morning."
Couldn't help that from slipping out. It would have eaten me from inside.
"Thank you Logan. Make your own breakfast, you know how to work a stove right. I need to go and buy some aspirin. Everything I can get my hands on."
I get up and walk towards the kitchen and when I pass her by in the narrow hall, I get an idea. This will not only help her get rid of her headache and that horrible mood of hers, but will also save me a lot of questions.
Without comment I take her hand in mine, but when I see her face I decide I have to comment after all. Apparently hangovers render her stupid too.
"Go ahead, switch it on already."
Slowly her face goes through different grimaces, she is obviously weighing pros and cons here. Less thinking more action would be nice, I spotted some nice bacon in the fridge last night that is calling my name.
"Okay."
I prepare myself for the unpleasant sensation of someone, well, her, sucking put my powers but all I feel is a slight pulling in my stomach. It actually tickles.
"Impressive."
"Yeah, I stopped draining people until they almost die, it's easier on the conscience."
As a nice side effect the black eye is gone, too.
"Good for you. Feel like some bacon and eggs now?"
"Not really but go knock yourself out. I can at least stand the smell without running yesterday's food through my head."
"I'll make yours extra greasy then."
With a groan she heads for the bathroom and I laugh. It takes a few moments for her system to clear out the bad hangover dwarfs, they are probably still tap dancing around in her head.
I dig around the cupboards on the hunt for some toast, I know I smelled that somewhere earlier but somehow can't seem to find it. The shower has long been turned off and I hear footsteps behind me. She's barefoot.
"What are you looking for down there?"
"Toast."
I pull my head out of the cupboard that I now know contains a few pots, kitchen towels, a few half dried onions and a mouse trap. A few toast crumbs too, but no toast. And I just noticed she has a towel wrapped around her. A short one too.
"It's up here."
She turns around and gets on her toes to try and reach up to get that damn bread and her towel... I better help her. And pry my eyes off her ass.
"Let me get that. You're too short."
She snorts and heads to her bedroom and I hope she will put some decent clothes on. Meanwhile I scramble some eggs and fry them with onions to go with the bacon and the toast I'm making simulataneously. The kitchen is small enough that I just have to stretch out an arm to catch the toast. Apparently she hasn't bothered to fix it, the first round I put in there went flying straight up.
When Marie comes back I am relieved that she is wearing jeans and a longsleeved shirt. That looks more like I remember her, just a little curvier in some places. And a little more in others.
"Some day you will make someone a fine wife."
"Don't push it kid."
"I'm sorry."
The tone of her voice tells me that she isn't at all, but the food is ready and I am starving. I came back to the mansion yesterday, after a few days of more or less driving and a little sleeping. Then I had to endure the whole "Welcome back home" ceremony I have had so often now it is like choreographed. Only this time, something;someone, was missing. And I hate to admit it, that beaming smile of hers always had been something I actually looked forward to. So after I had dealt with the fact that the Professor was very much alive I headed out for a night on the town to get a drink or two. And maybe stumble over her scent. I did. What are the chances.
"So, why did you come back now?"
"Took some time to sort things. I remember a few more things now. And why did you leave?"
"Wasn't much holding me back."
"And what are you doing now?"
"Working?"
Before I can get annoyed and hold her upside down by the feet until she gives me a proper answer something starts to beep in the living room. Seeing that Marie doesn't react and isntead stares at me helps me to remember the damn communicator Chuck forced on me before I left. I don't see why he can't just get into my head, but he probably doesn't want to. Can't blame him, I'm here 24/7 and it isn't nice most of the time. I wouldn't come for a visit either.
"Yeah."
"Logan, I don't care where you are and what you did but you promised to take over the danger room today."
"Don't worry, I'll be there in time."
"It's set to begin in half an hour."
"As I said. I will be there."
Damn those weather witches and their temper. I wouldn't be surprised if I would get struck by lightning out there if I happened to be ten minutes late. So I have only time for a quick shower now.
"They talked you into doing classes already?"
"Only training."
"You really missed being there, huh?"
"Don't you?"
"Not really."
"This conversation isn't over. It's just postponed."
With that I hurry into the shower, forgetting to ask her for a towel. I'm too used to life on the road with towels already waiting in the bathroom. And if you sleep in the ditch towels are the last thing you worry about. So I use hers, it's still wet and unfortunately, smells like her. There are a few things that have changed about her, one of it being the smell. I'm not sure why, maybe because she absorbed so many people's powers that she took on their personality and with that their smell. Or it's her mutation that she can control now. Whatever it is, it stirs something in me.
"Are you okay in there?"
"I'll be out in a minute."
I put my jeans back on and find out that I forgot a T-Shirt. So I just put the flannel shirt I wore last night back on, not bothering with the buttons for now. Heading back to the living room I gather my bag, the communicator and my leather jacket before putting on my boots. Marie watches me with a grin.
"Got any plans tonight?"
"Ladies night."
She ignores my arched eyebrow and gets up to get a piece of paper and a pen. After some fast scribbles she hands it over to me, I can barely make out the numbers.
"Here, that's my number. Call and we'll work something out."
"Okay."
She walks me to the door and I finally get the hug I was sort of waiting for since yesterday. Now the world is in order again, except for that baseball bat that stares at me when I reach for the door handle. It looks clean but I can smell blood-now I know why the smell of that guy has been so present. I also smell anger but I note that it isn't only his-it's hers too.
I also note her neighbor staring at me through the half opened door. We're still in half of a hug and I hear Marie chuckle. All I see on the other side of the hallway is a watery blue eye. I smell...prunes and a half mummified dog.
"Your neighbor is the nosy type, huh."
"Yes."
She lets go and I just know that the old lady next door will hurry to her window-to see me get on a motorcycle. I'm sure she loves that Marie moved in. A guy comes tracking her down, there's screaming and the fact that they beat each other up good, a constant stream of drunk chicks every night and now me. I should come here more often. And sure as hell, as I swing my leg over the bike and cast a casual glance upwards I see an old lady with an ugly little dog clutched to cher chest staring at me. I also see Marie two windows to the right and I give her a smile. She points in the direction of her neighbor and I give her a court nod. She rolls her eyes, I can see that even down here. Maybe I'll even come back tonight, who knows.
Back at the mansion I roll into the garage five minutes before I have to start my lesson. Don't know what Storm got so worked up about. Plenty of time. I briefly consider looking for a beer in the kitchen but make up my mind once I run into said wicked woman in the hall. She smiles up at me and puts a hand on my arm.
"So, you did find her."
I nod.
"She doing okay?"
I nod.
"Had fun last night?"
I can't help but grin and the lingering curiosity. She wants to know and she doesn't and she also think it would be very wrong if we had done anything htat involved taking our clothes off. Aside from the fact that Marie is an adult now and no longer a student, and Storm really has to get over that, I wouldn't. I mean, she is damn attractive but... No. I couldn't.
There's no need to spread that around though. Because I just saw the popsicle stomp away. Of course I know he had a front row seat for this little chit chat and I don't see why he shouldn't be a litle pissed off. He deserves far more than that for causing so much grief for a dear friend of mine. Yes, that's been a long time ago, but I never forget.
Unless someone tampers with my memory but let's ignore that bit for a while.
I think I'm gonna see if Marie is willing to send her girlfriends to an AA meeting tonight and do something with me instead. Maybe talk about why she needed to be stubborn and leave the mansion. And what she does for a living. And I sure hope it has nothing to do with her taking her clothes off because... I wouldn't like that.
And I know she doesn't really need me to protect her from let's say bad guys but I promised to look out for her. Maybe I'll find another way to do that. Maybe I'll drag her back here and have her teach needlepoint to a group of silly teenage mutants.
Speaking off, I can hear them buzzing about in the dressing rooms, a few guys boasting about their abilities. With a snort I grab the file with the students details someone has deposited for me in the teacher's room. Too bad for them the Wolverine is in a great mood today.
Because that is even worse than pissed off.