Gravel crunched under the tires as Marie brought her Jeep to a stop and turned off the engine. All the butterflies in her stomach seemed to take flight at once as she glanced up at the school. It was just as grand and impressive as it had been ten years ago, but it wasn't the last bastion of hope that it had once seemed. Now it was simply the home of her employer. Somehow, that thought wasn't as comforting as it should have been. Closing her eyes, Marie allowed herself a long moment to gather her courage before she pushed open the door and stepped out into the brisk spring afternoon.

Marie surveyed the amount of stuff in the back of her Jeep and sighed. She'd originally intended to arrive much earlier to give herself time to settle in leisurely, but the morning had gotten away from her as she was inundated with a barrage of last minute details.

It was nearly one o'clock before she managed to get away, and due to a traffic jam caused by a rather nasty rollover accident on the highway, it was already late afternoon when she arrived in Westchester. She was supposed to be having dinner with the staff this evening and she had wanted to be settled in beforehand so she could have a safe haven already prepared, in case things didn't go as smoothly as Charles had promised they would. Marie was all too aware there were some things beyond even his control.

Tugging a little self-consciously at her gloves, a nervous habit she'd thought she'd long ago conquered, Marie opened the back of the Jeep and was about to grab her bag when a blur of motion caught her eye. A piercing whistle rent the air and the blur of little boy skidded to a stop a few feet from her legs. Equally frozen for a brief second by the sharp whistle, Marie's body relaxed marginally as her eyes flew to the source of the sound, surprised to find Scott standing a short distance away, smiling apologetically.

"Sorry." This wasn't quite the welcome she'd expected. He grinned at her and Marie's heart turned over. There was no way she'd forget that smile. Both she and Kitty had been shamelessly infatuated with him ten years ago. At twenty-five, he'd been the fodder for most of her adolescent, schoolgirl fantasies. At thirty-five, his frame had filled out and he had a touch of gray at his temples that only made him seem more the unflappable, fearless leader than ever before. This was a man who would inspire loyalty and confidence in battle. No question about it.

Scott turned to address the small child curiously watching Marie with bright blue eyes and a petulant expression. Regardless of the fact that he knew Rogue - as covered as she was - couldn't hurt his son, Scott's heart had seized in his chest as he watched his child hurtling towards her. He used his best no-nonsense 'daddy voice'. "James, you know the rules." At five, his son was still young enough to want to crawl into everyone's lap, but while he and Jean hadn't wanted to discourage him from giving and receiving affection, they were careful to teach him that not everyone at the school was safe to touch without warning and he always had to ask before launching himself, especially at new people.

The little boy scuffed his toe in the gravel. "But, poppa, I wasn't gonna touch her!" Both Scott and Marie winced at little at that. While Scott wanted to make Rogue feel at home, his first responsibility was to his family. Their safety came before Rogue's feelings. The little boy looked from his father to Marie. "What's your name?"

Sensing some hesitation on her part, the fearless leader stepped in and answered smoothly, "This is Miss Rogue. She's going to live here for a little while and paint some things for Uncle Charles."

James' little brow furrowed. "I'm James." He gave Marie a hopeful look. "Hugs?"

Marie looked to Scott who nodded once at her. She was completely covered, jeans, boots, fitted black turtleneck sweater, and gloves. "I'd love a hug." She didn't get nearly enough, especially from people who were so accepting. Before she could crouch down, James bounded over and gave her legs a quick hug before he made his way around to the back of her car to see what cool things Miss Rogue had brought with her.

Scott smiled again. "Sorry about that." He ran a hand through his hair and as her eyes caught on the simple gold band on his finger, her heart lurched again. "I was hoping for a more normal greeting, you know, instead of one that blew out your eardrums."

Marie couldn't help but smile back even though she felt like her insides were spinning out of control. She'd tried not to have too many preconceived ideas about this place, but she hadn't expected to find Scott both a husband and a father. It wasn't that she was still interested in him. She was long past the days of schoolgirl crushes, but her heart ached all the same. It wasn't jealousy so much as it was a terrible longing for the same things he had. Love. Family. Happiness. Shoving a lid on her rioting emotions, she shouldered her bag, trying for a lightness she didn't really feel. "That's some whistle."

Scott looked to where his son was intently eyeing the pile of stuff in the back of her car and chuckled. "Aside from Jean's TK, it's the only thing that'll stop him in his tracks." Well, that and a full-on Wolverine growl, but Rogue probably didn't need to know that just yet.

Marie laughed. "I think there's a good chance that whistle of yours stopped the basketball game I saw going on the other side of the school when I drove in."

"Probably." Scott didn't look at all apologetic. "I've got to say, it comes in handy-"

Another blur emerged from behind her, this time making a beeline for Scott's legs. He caught the chubby bundle of pumping arms and legs and tossed the little girl in the air, chuckling as she squealed. He caught her tightly and grinned as she gave his cheek a loud, wet smack. "Hi, peanut. Where's mom?"

The little girl, who looked to be about three, stuck a finger in her mouth and lisped, "Lab." She removed the finger long enough to add, "Cwistopher too."

"So much for a quiet greeting." Scott shrugged and smoothed the rumpled jumper that was as red as the little girl's hair. "This is Lilia, my daughter. Lily, this is Miss Rogue. Lily's a twin. Her brother, Christopher-"

"Give it a rest already, Slim. It's bad enough you're subjectin' her to the rugrats straight off," Logan winked at James and Lily, who'd insisted he take her outside to see her poppa and the 'pwetty lady.' "You could at least let her unpack before ya go tellin' her 'bout how ya filled Jeannie up with two babies insteada one."

Scott chuckled. "I can't take the credit. Twins run in Jean's family." He bounced Lily on his arm and smiled. He nodded his head at the person Marie could hear approaching behind her. "Rogue, meet Logan, head of security, resident smart-mouth, and all-around pain in my ass."

James stopped poking around in the back of Marie's car at the sound of that. His head peeked around the corner of the car, eyes wide. "Poppa, you said 'ass'."

"Don't tell your mother." That from Logan and Scott-in stereo. Obviously not the first time the two of them had expressed that particular sentiment. Scott wondered for the thousandth time if his kids didn't have some heretofore, undiscovered mutant ability to hone in on cuss words, no matter how softly spoken. Logan, whose ears were still ringing from the piercing whistle, shot Scott a dirty look and fought the urge to rub his ear as he turned his attention back to Lily's 'pwetty lady.'

A full-throated laugh escaped from Marie before she could stifle it behind one gloved hand. Eyes still bright with laughter, she turned to greet Logan. "Hello."

As she turned to face him, Logan felt like he'd been sucker-punched. God, and he thought she'd looked good from the back. She was shorter than Jean and 'Ro and curvier too. Both Jean and 'Ro had amazing figures, fighter's bodies, carefully maintained to perform at peak condition in battle situations, but Logan preferred his women to look like women, not soldiers. Not fat, just soft and rounded in all the right places—breasts full enough to fill his large hands and hips built for holding on to when the ride got a little wild. Who wanted to lie on a bag of pointy bones for Christsakes? He spared Lily and James a glance. Heh. Well, maybe it worked for Slim, but he definitely preferred petite and curvaceous to lean and leggy.

His eyes traveled upwards. Rogue's face was just as attractive. Dark, glittering eyes and an absolutely amazing mouth. God, he loved women with full, red lips. She had a mouth built for sex and a throaty laugh to match. Her hair was swept up in a loose knot and it had two unusual white streaks in the front. He liked them. They gave her wholesome girl-next-door looks an exotic flair. He fought the urge to reach out and touch the white tendril that had escaped and was teasing her cheek as the wind blew. She smelled incredibly good and from her scent, he could tell she liked what she was seeing too.

"Hey, darlin'. Nice to meetcha."

Marie noticed he stuck out his hand without even the slightest hesitation, despite the fact he had to have known about her skin. Pretty gutsy move. Her opinion of him rose another notch. Not many adults were so accepting of her mutation and Marie's insides quivered at his husky voice and the strength in his large hand as he gripped her slender fingers firmly. God, what would it feel like to be held in this man's arms? He was masculinity personified. Tall and broad-shouldered with a heavy musculature that spoke of leashed strength and absolute authority. He had an incredibly powerful presence and she suddenly felt very small and feminine standing next him.

Despite his rough and imposing exterior — boots, jeans, belt buckle, t-shirt, flannel, muttonchops, and somewhat wild-looking hair — his warm hazel eyes were expressive and intelligent and as he smiled at her, they crinkled up at the corners. He was handsome in a rugged, primal sort of way — a way that probably would have frightened her ten years ago, but one she now found incredibly attractive.

This was a man who knew what to do with a woman. Marie was sure of it. He wore his confidence comfortably, a little cockily maybe, but in an attractive kind of way and it was clear he enjoyed baiting Scott, something she found highly amusing. She wondered if he gave Charles as much trouble. She secretly hoped so. Not enough people stood up to Charles, especially here.

Scott watched the silent exchange between Logan and Rogue as they shook hands. He might see in shades of red, but he wasn't blind. He swallowed a smile. Lily chose that moment to speak up. "She's pwetty, poppa."

Marie blushed, a look Logan very much liked and he winked at her. "A Summers with good taste. Hmph. Guess it was bound to happen eventually." Logan smirked at Scott. "Now let's say we getcha moved in, darlin'." He shot Scott a hard look for keeping Rogue standing there holding her bag throughout the lengthy introductions. "Slim here can ride herd over the rugrats and I'll get a couple of the older kids to help me get your gear upstairs before dinner. That alright?"

"Thanks for the offer, but I can get it later. I don't want to put anyone out." It would be nice to have help carrying it all to the third floor, but it wasn't necessary and she didn't want to impose on anyone. She wasn't too sure what Charles had told them, but she guessed that at least a few of them probably weren't going to be too keen on having her around, observing, even though she was perfectly capable of doing so without getting underfoot. No sense in wearing out her welcome sooner than she had to.

"You can do it that way if you wanna," Logan gave James a wink. "But then James and I don't get to satisfy our curiosity. Ain't that right, bub?"

"You got some real interesting boxes in there, Miss Rogue," James added helpfully.

"Oh, for goodness sake, James." Jean rolled her eyes at all of them as she walked over and kissed Lily on the cheek. "Rogue, it's nice to see you again. You look well."

"Thanks, Jean. You look good, as always." It was true. Jean's face, though a bit older, had a softness and warmth that she didn't remember it having before — especially when she looked at her children. Marie smiled. As an awkward teenager, she'd been so envious of Jean's poise and elegance, but now that Marie had grown into herself, Jean didn't seem quite so intimidatingly perfect anymore. Marie's eyes grew warm. "And your children are beautiful."

Jean smiled at the compliment. "That's kind of you to say." She harrumphed at Scott and Logan. "I came to rescue you before my family kept you on the quad indefinitely." Marie hid a smile. This was the Jean she remembered-a little bossy, but in a kindhearted sort of way. "Logan can show you upstairs and I'll follow with your things as soon as James and I have a little talk about manners."

"Awww, mom."

Jean silenced her son with a stern look before she turned her attention back to Rogue. "All this is going up to the studio, right?"

"Everything except for my two suitcases and this bag." Marie looked at Jean. "Really, I don't mind carrying it up. I don't want to intrude any more than I already have."

"Nonsense." Jean raised a hand and the pile of neatly stacked boxes floated out of the back of the Jeep in one solid block and came to hover effortlessly a foot off the ground. Marie was a little surprised. It was clear Jean's 'gifts', and her confidence in them, had grown considerably in the last ten years. "It's no trouble. You two go on ahead. We'll be up in a minute." She gave James a telling look. "Scott, I left Christopher in the lab with Hank. Would you mind-"

"Already going." He smiled warmly at his wife and playfully mouthed the words 'show off.' Jean's teasing mental retort rang in his head and he sincerely hoped that tonight, after their children were in bed, she'd carry out her naughty little threat. He blew her a kiss, told Rogue he'd see her later, and went off in search of his wayward child before the other one could tattle to his mother that he'd overhead his father use the word 'ass' in polite conversation.

Logan grabbed her two suitcases off the top of the hovering block of gear and turned to Rogue. "The way I figure it, if Summers and his brood haven't managed to scare you off, nothin' else around here will." He gave her a smile. "You ready to head up?"

Marie reached in the car and grabbed her leather jacket and her cell phone. "Yup, all set."

Logan closed his eyes briefly and gritted his teeth as his mind conjured up the image of Rogue wearing that buttery-soft black leather... and nothing else. The silky feel of her gloved hand had been bad enough. He could feel his body beginning to swell in response to both the image in his mind and the remembered feel of her small, cool fingers sliding against his warm palm. He wondered what it would feel like to have those silky gloves slide over the rest of his body as well. His eyes opened to find Jean smirking at him. Shit. Goddamn telepaths.

{I heard that, Logan.} Her scolding was spoiled by the mental giggle that followed it. {Sheesh... Gloves? And I thought Scott was kinky.}

Logan shot Jean the mental equivalent of 'the bird' and grinned as he turned to Rogue. "Chuck has ya on the third floor, first door on the left." He inclined his head toward the nearest set of doors. "After you, darlin'."

Up next: The Rogue. The Wolverine and The Rogue. Y'all knew I couldn't end this one up without a little taste of them together. (My LoganMuse would also like to point out that he's just met her and he's already on his way up to her room...) Heh.