A/N: I was trying to keep this at updating once a week, but this last chapter kind of kicked my butt. I tried to make it as satisfying an ending as possible. Hopefully I succeeded, even though it's a little short.

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. Over the past three months, I've come to the conclusion that what it really does is make the heart realize what it wants. In my case, I want what I so carelessly let slip through my fingers.

I've tried to go on with life as normal. In some ways, I succeeded. I'm closer with Kitty and Jubilee than I have been in years. My students are doing well and seem to be enjoying my classes.

But I keep thinking of Logan at random moments. We'll have his favorite meal for dinner, or one of the kids will do something ridiculous that I want to share with him. The few missions we've gone on have been low key at best, but I always wish he was there to make sarcastic comments to Scott or huff at how slow it's going.

Basically, although my life is full, I feel empty. Incomplete. I only wish I'd come to this conclusion months ago, that I could have given him a different answer when we talked in my room.

It's another evening where I've said good night to my friends and pretended to go to bed. However, like just about every other night I slip out of my window after the mansion quiets around me and head to the lake. I fly circles around it and then hover, taking in the way the water reflects the moon above.

I'm wallowing. I know it. My friends have been giving me worried glances they hide with smiles when I turn to look at them, so I know they know it, too.

But the self-pity is better than the anger that's trying to creep up on me, like it sometimes does. Anger at myself for making stupid choices for far too long. Anger at Logan for leaving when I asked him not to, although I know that was selfishness on my part more than it was thinking about him.

I huff out a breath as the anger builds with my spiraling thoughts. Flying isn't doing any good, so it's time for my next-best option. I head towards a point in the woods that should be far enough away that most of the mansion's inhabitants won't hear me.

I land in a small clearing and look around for a good target. A half-dead tree stands a few feet away, looking as if it was torn in two by high winds or simply deteriorated and fell apart. Kind of like me, I think.

I stalk over to the tree and smash a fist into it. That feels good, so I keep going. Splinters and bark fly into the air around me as I take out my frustration. Soon, all that's left is a pile of broken wood and sawdust.

"Well, that was impressive."

The words cause me to spin around. Logan is standing across the small clearing, arms crossed and leaning against a tree. The moonlight backlights him, so it's difficult to see his expression, but I hear the laughter in his voice.

"What'd that tree do to you, darlin'?"

For several long seconds all I can do is stare. Then I'm dashing across the space between us and throwing my arms around his neck. His arms wrap around me, holding me close.

"I am so mad at you." My voice is muffled against his shoulder, which is shaking with laughter.

"I can tell."

I pull back and hit him on the arm, but I don't try to break free.

"No, I am! I told you I didn't want to drive you away from the mansion, and you left anyway."

His sigh ruffles my hair, and one hand rubs soothing circles on my back.

"It was better that way, trust me."

I glare up at him, but I can't hold it for long. He's back, and I want to let myself be happy for once. I let my forehead drop back onto his shoulder.

"I missed you," I tell him.

"Me, too." His arms tighten around me. I can't help clinging to him, a little afraid that I'm going to wake up and discover I dreamed this.

Eventually, he sighs again. "Rogue, we should get back to the mansion. I haven't checked in yet, and—"

I lift a hand off his shoulder and cover his mouth.

"Nope."

"No?" he asks against my fingers, and I can feel him smiling.

"No. I'm staying right here like this, so you are, too."

Now he's laughing again, not loud but enough that I can feel it. It makes me laugh too because I know I'm being ridiculous, but I can't help myself. I'm getting sawdust and sweat all over him, and I should feel bad, but I don't. Instead, I snuggle closer, although I do the considerate thing and uncover his mouth, letting my hand drop back to his shoulder.

He indulges me, although I'm sure I'm confusing him as much as I confused myself months ago. But I know I want this now, and he's not pulling away so I think he still does, too.

Eventually I pull back enough to look up at him. He's still smiling, although yeah, there's confusion in his eyes. Maybe hope, too.

"I really did miss you, Logan," I tell him. I lift my hand and trace his jaw with fingers that are trembling a little, and his eyes widen.

"Rogue—"

I cut him off with a kiss. I mean to keep it light, but when he starts to return it, the kiss deepens.

We'll need to talk, in the days to come, but for right now we have this. It's perfect.

A/N #2: Aaaaaand that's a wrap. I know it took...far too many years to complete this. For anyone who stuck with it until now, thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed!