A/N: Sorry for the delay! Hope you guys forgive me and enjoy this chapter

"You and I fell apart like a rag doll torn at the seams Then he came in. Stitched up the pieces like some kind of hero."

-"Mannequin" The Summer Set

Logan sank onto his bed with a low groan of sheer disappointment. He ran his hands over his face tiredly, his thoughts consumed with a certain brunette mutant.

He had woken up to the sight of her watching over him. Taking care of him. For a single, disbelieving second he thought she was a creation of his imagination. That he was still locked away in Magneto's lair. Even when he was held captive there he was unable to banish the lingering, intoxicating thoughts of Marie.

He wasn't sure how to handle the amount of emotion the dark eyed girl aroused in him. He found himself saying things just to get a glimpse of her smile. To hear her husky laughter. To see her eyes sparkling with mischief.

The feral mutant growled lowly in anger at himself. He could not, would not, think about Marie like this. She trusted him to take care of her and here he was feeling these things.; and when he wasn't around to lust after her he was disappearing for months on end. She tried to hide the damage and pain his leaving caused, but the emotion was clear in her deep eyes. In Logan's mind his not being around at all was better than staying and watching the one person he couldn't have. It was better than sticking around and enduring the torture of being just within reach of what he wanted…no needed, and being unable to take it.

The moment he saw Marie he felt inexplicably drawn to her. He found himself unable to understand the raw, intense surge of protectiveness and passion that one young girl inspired in him. Then…she touched him. The moment she laid her slender, white hand on his face he knew. The wolverine had claimed her as his mate.

Even acknowledging this fact now caused the human in him to cringe. How could he accept that he felt so strongly for someone so young? So innocent? She deserved so much better. Someone who could promise her security, normalcy, and provide for her. So Logan did the only thing he could think of…he threw himself into distractions. His past. Booze. Women. But somehow he always ended back at the mansion. Back to her.

So now Logan found himself moping inside his room after being unable to find Marie. She had quickly retreated after Jean's untimely appearance and he had been unable to scare any of the underclassmen into unveiling her location.

Resolving to find her tomorrow, the clawed mutant retired for the night. His dreams were filled with platinum streaked hair and a pair of piercing brown eyes.

Marie tilted her head back against the wall and closed her eyes tightly, trying to gain some semblance of control over her emotions.

Logan had finally woken up and the first thing she did was get jealous and run away. God, no wonder her love was an unrequited one. Every time something bad happens she runs away in the opposite direction. Maybe she and Logan were more alike than they realized.

He was probably cozying up to Jean right now. No. Stop torturing yourself. Marie ran her hands through her unkempt hair in distress.

"Marie? What are you doing here?" A sleep-filled voice questioned.

The girl turned to face the speaker and could barely hold back her tears of exhaustion. From trying to outrun her feelings for Logan. From realizing that every time she thought she just might be able to get over him, he came waltzing back into the mansion all feral and growly.

"I'm…I'm sorry." She sighed, moving to sit on the bed.

Piotr Rasputin sat up, trying to blink the sleep from his cobalt blue eyes. It wasn't unusual for the two teens to seek each other's company, but he was surprised at the intensity of her distress.

Everyone knew that the girl next to him had formed a unique bond with Logan. Every time he decided to flee the mansion for whatever inconsequential reason he left a broken girl behind him. Piotr hadn't known this about Marie until he found her in the library one night months ago. She was standing in front of the fireplace, her fists clenched.

"Excuse me? Are you alright?" The tall brunette had questioned, concern clear in his voice.

Upon receiving no answer he turned to leave with a sigh, when the girl graced him with her voice.

"He…He left again."

Piotr waited.

"I don't know why I'm surprised every time I see him standing by the door with his bags. You'd think I'd be used to it by now." She murmured sardonically, ducking her head low and allowing her long hair to obscure her face from him like a curtain.

The shadows from the flames danced across the room, giving her face an unearthly glow. She looked hauntingly beautiful.

His light eyes were drawn to a flash of silver in Marie's hand.

"I know there's no chance he'll ever want me, but I can't seem to keep myself from hoping…" The slender brunette trailed off, her voice soft and resigned.

Her fist opened to reveal a gray chain with a pair of dog tags attached. A slight shudder seemed to go through her as her eyes flashed from the crackling fire to the token in her hand.

Was she going to throw them in…?

Suddenly she whirled around angrily, throwing the dog tags across the room. They hit the wall and fell onto the hardwood floors. The sharp sound reverberated throughout the room.

"Look at me. This is pathetic." Marie said, swallowing back her tears embarrassedly. "I'm sorry. I wasn't expecting anyone to be here…"

Her brown eyes met a pair of azure blue ones from across the room.

"Don't apologize. It was me who intruded." Piotr assured the girl, not wanting to make matters worse.

The two stood there awkwardly for a moment. Marie tucked a loose strand of platinum hair behind her ear nervously and moved to leave.

"Wait."

She stopped.

"I…I mean I didn't mind listening. If you ever need someone to talk to…" The boy trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck uncomfortably.

Marie stared at him in disbelief.

What? He just watched her cry about her issues and throw stuff…and here he was being nice. She wanted to laugh at the sheer surprise his kindness evoked in her.

A small smile formed on the brunette's face.

"I might just take you up on that offer."

Since that night they had grown closer and nightly trips to the fireplace became a ritual. This is why Piotr was caught off guard upon finding Marie in his room in the middle of the night. They usually met in the library. Being in the other's individual room was uncharted territory.

"What's wrong?" He asked, patting the seat next to him.

Marie scooted next him, her back against the dark wood headboard.

"Logan came back today."

The name caused a fiery surge of anger to overcome Piotr. He didn't know the other man personally, but the pain he caused Marie made Piotr have an automatic dislike of him.

"Oh."

"Yeah that was pretty much my reaction too." She quipped, grinning up at her friend.

Piotr hesitated, about to question on whether Logan was staying for good, but knew better. Of course not. He always stayed just long enough to endear Marie to him before taking off again. Sometimes for months on end.

Marie reached across Piotr and grabbed a pack of her favorite candy that was on the table.

"Is this for me?" She asked jokingly, a smile overcoming her face as she ripped into the bag.

"Well I was planning on saving them for movie night but since you've helped yourself…"He replied teasingly, enjoying the pink flush that spread across her cheeks and neck.

"Shut up." She growled around a mouthful of red licorice.

He rolled his eyes and threw an arm around her shoulders, hugging her to his chest.

"You're my best friend you know."

"I know."

They sat in a comfortable silence until Marie's eyes started to slide shut and she had to focus to keep her eyes from closing.

Half asleep from pure exhaustion, the untouchable girl sleepily requested to stay the night there. One reason was because she was dead tired and was pretty sure she wouldn't be able to move, even if she really wanted to. But mostly because she feared Logan would find her more easily in her room.

She received a low, unintelligible mumble back and took that as a confirmation.

So she stayed.

Back at his room Logan awoke with a tortured howl. He flew into an upright position, his adamantium claws poised for an invisible enemy. Perspiration plastered dark hair to tan skin. It was another nightmare.

With a frustrated growl the angered mutant moved to his bathroom and splashed cold water on his face. He placed both hands on either side of the small, pristine sink and hung his head; tiny drops of water slipped from his dark hair onto the tile floor.

With a sudden snarl his claws emerged and he slashed them across the mirror, shattering it instantly. He glanced up at his broken reflection in the wrecked mirror and turned away in disgust. He tried to do what was best, but somehow everything always turned out wrong.

Marie didn't want anything to do with him, and actually ran from the room he was in. And he just knew the professor would call him into his office and attempt to rope him into becoming a more permanent member of the x-men. But Logan's answer would be the same as it always was: no. Then he would feel like an even bigger ass for living in the mansion when he always took off. Why the hell did he live in a school full of obnoxious kids anyways? Mentally swearing at himself for thinking about Marie again he returned to his room.

Logan saw the sun coming up through the window in his room and wondered how long he had been lost in thought. Not bothering to clean the shards of glass, he just walked over the mess- his skin would heal- and threw on a white shirt. He couldn't sleep now. After a quick danger room session he would try and find Marie. And make things right. She still had his dog tags after all. He could use that as a reason for searching her out. He mentally groaned at his juvenile thoughts. Why did he need an excuse to talk to her? She was his friend for christsakes.

With that last determined thought the despairing man made his way to the danger room, completely unaware that the woman consuming his every thought was already there.

A/N: let me know what you guys think! I love getting feedback and tips! Also, if anyone has any suggestions for any good rogue/wolverine or logan/marie stories let me know!