Here you go: Another chapter! Yay! Now be warned, long-ass chapter is long! 4700 words before editing… So as promised, an interlude with Iceman, hence the chapter title. And really not much else, despite the fact that it's waaay down there. We have some interaction between Logan and Marie to start off with. And a decision is reached by the end of this chapter. Sorry but this chapter is epicly fluffy and uncharacteristic perhaps. I ask for your forgiveness in advance. Oh... I'm hoping to reach 100 reviews soon *hint-hint*

Thank you for all the wonderful reviews. I seriously don't think I could have stuck with this story without the encouragement. I read them all and I squee at every single one. I apologize if I haven't responded; just know that I love them. Thanks again to the guest reviewers that I can't reply to. This chapter is for all of you.

As always this story has no beta. But on that note, I'm actually looking for one. So anyone who is interested in beta'ing any of my Destiel, Rogan, or CapHill stories just send me a PM. I have never written lemons before and I've stalled in two stories in particular. (More like covers my eyes as I peek through my fingers, appalled at how horrible my writing is.)

Logan led Marie through the familiar halls of the X-mansion. His room was on the top floor and was mostly secluded. The rooms to his left and right were empty, as well as the room across from his. He needed the privacy with how loud he was at night. Of course that left a predicament. He was pretty sure he knew where this was leading. She still clung to him, and her scent was mingled with his own, proof that he had claimed her and she seemed willing enough. Of course making assumptions would only lead to misunderstandings. So he would have to talk to her, make it clear what he wanted. What the Wolverine wanted from her. Immediately assuming that she would want to share his room was wrong. Logan knew this, Wolverine didn't. Sometimes it was a bitch to have to fight against his baser instincts, especially since it felt like sometimes he was fighting a completely different person. Hank of all people would know how part of that felt, being feral himself. But Hank's feral side wasn't a completely different personality. The Wolverine was him and it wasn't. He was fucked up. He'd met a few ferals since he'd woken up with no memory. He'd even talked to a few of them about their instincts. He was unique. A freak among freaks. He wasn't sure if Hank knew and he had no desire to be a guinea pig again in the name of research. He had enough nightmares to last a few lifetimes. Maybe it was a result of the torture or a simple by-product of losing his memories but from what Logan could understand, it was like he had a split personality. Where most ferals had their instincts under control, he had lost his. Logan had pieces of Wolverine in his personality but Wolverine was something else. There was no rational thought, no thought to consequences, and no filter. Wolverine was ruled by pure instinct and nothing else. And when he came out to play, you really didn't want to get on his bad side. There was no right or wrong, no higher thought process that would allow him to think of consequences. He was the animal side of Logan uninhibited and until he'd met Marie he had no softer emotions, no mercy, and no pleasure without inflicting pain. Logan the man had barely any memories, but the Wolverine remembered the pain and it had left him full of rage.

At the thought of letting that part of himself loose on Marie, Logan was terrified. Scott and Jean thought he would take advantage of her and throw her aside? He could do a lot worse. Tear her to pieces when he claimed her completely if the Wolverine felt like it. The possessiveness he felt was strong and the Wolverine would not tolerate any competition, real or imagined. So if she let him in there would be no turning back. Wolverine was ready to be mated for life and he'd chosen Marie. MINE.

Marie wasn't very aware of her surroundings. She was still dealing with the residual effects of Logan's memories. Fractured images coursing through her mind, disjointed memories that didn't belong to her. Red hair, loud shouts, a single scream. Needless to say, her head hurt. The only thing keeping her grounded was Logan. His arm was warm and solid under hers and his scent was wrapped around her. She felt that as long as she held on to him the chaos in her mind wouldn't overtake her. She didn't pay attention to anything around her as he led her to his room. She should be concerned that he had told the white-haired woman that they didn't need separate rooms. She should be afraid even. But right now her main focus was on placing one foot ahead of the other and holding onto to Logan for dear life. She breathed in and out, closed her eyes and told herself she was safe. And she kept repeating that to herself until she believed it. The memories seemed to abate and she was finally able to look around herself without seeing an image overlaying the halls around her.

One glance at Logan had her concerned. His face was set in hard lines, a gleam of gold glowed in his eyes. The Wolverine was close to the surface. She marveled at the creature that was buried in his subconscious. By touching him she was slowly gaining an understanding of who he was, the man and the animal he kept chained. She looked down at her arms, encased in gloves to protect him. A contrast to his bare arm, bronze skin and dusted with hair. Mine, the Wolverine reassured her. And it should have been strange to hear his voice in her head, so guttural. Yet she thought she must be getting used to the voices. Logan's gruff reassurance and misplaced guilt and Wolverine's possessive certainty. David's voice was completely gone from her mind but she was okay with that. Logan and Wolverine were all she needed, despite the nightmarish memories they shared.

"You okay, Sugar?" She relished the surprise in his eyes at the unexpected endearment.

It was a surprise to her as well. Something her Aunt Irene used to call the man in her life, or those close to her. The memory of her aunt was actually a good one and Marie was glad for it.

Logan nodded but his face remained closed off. She let him stew; hoping he'd tell her about whatever was bothering him once they reached their room. Their room. Two simple words that held so much promise, which was both exhilarating and terrifying. She was more inclined to feel the latter emotion considering her lack of experience. By the way the woman at the fight bar had been cheering and throwing themselves at Logan, Marie was sure that he had more experience than she wanted to think about. She growled low at the thought and Logan glanced at her with a curious expression.

"You okay, Darlin'?" She beamed at him.

"Yep! No problems here." She wanted to shoot herself at the amused smile on his face. At least he'd stopped scowling.

Logan stopped at a closed door. She might have guessed it was his simply from the three parallel claw marks across the door. It probably worked better than any Keep Out sign ever could. Logan's heightened senses hadn't left her completely and she could smell the fear on the junior X-men earlier. It was an unpleasant smell that nonetheless gave her the insane urge to smirk at them and rub her body against Logan in some sort of claim. A split-instant urge that had been consumed immediately by her embarrassing breakdown.

He shoved the door open and pulled her inside. She looked around the room as Logan began to prowl around, inspecting the room and breathing in the scents deeply. She could pick up only their own scents and wondered if he could catch any others. The room sure looked as if no one had been in here recently. The air was musty and the bedside table was covered in a thin layer of dust. She went to the window and propped it open, sneezing at the irritating itch in her nose.

"Good. Don't smell anyone. I don't like anyone in my space."

Marie glanced at the door and back at Logan. Did people in his space include her? Maybe she should find another room, or at least find someone else who could find her another room. She hated the uncertainty she felt at one simple sentence on his part. Nineteen she might be but when it came to men she felt like a scared little girl. Logan seemed to pick up on her insecurity. He smiled at her but it came off as looking more like a grimace and it made her feel a hundred times worse.

"Uh, maybe Ah should…" She gestured to the door.

"No!" the vehemence in his voice surprised them both.

Logan started to prowl again. He stalked closer to her and she started to feel hunted. The intense concentration in his eyes was focused on her. "Logan?" She felt breathless staring into his golden eyes. Breathless, excited, and fearful all at once.

"Fuck, Marie. Do you realize what you do to me?" She shook her head, all thoughts lost.

His arms came up on either side of her, caging her in. It took her a second to realize that he'd somehow got her into the corner of the room. Her breaths were shorter and she had the sudden feeling she was going to hyperventilate. What was he doing? She should remind him about her skin. She thought of her skin and the memory of the dark veins that had pulsed under his skin when she touched him and shuddered. Marie brought her hands up to shove him away. She didn't want to hurt him again and she wasn't sure she was ready for the type of relationship this seemed to be leading to. If he even wanted a relationship. Jean had implied earlier that he was a womanizer. Hell, she'd flat out said he'd had his share of one night stands.

But the moment her gloved hands touched his chest they fisted his shirt and she couldn't bring herself to let go. Logan growled and the sound seemed to have a direct connection to between her legs. She throbbed and her thighs rubbed together unconsciously trying to relieve the ache.

"Fuck!" He rubbed against her and she almost came at the feeling of his hard body pressed against her. Starved for touch didn't cover it. She made a noise somewhere between a squeak and a moan. The growl turned into a pained groan as he rocked his hips against her stomach. "Marie! Mine!"

She was out of her mind from ecstasy. He was touching her, albeit through clothes. Her system was flooded with sensory overload. She'd never felt this good before. No one had dared to touch her, even briefly since the incident with David, unless they had been trying to hurt her. Two years without any form of simple affection had her body shaking.

One second he was pressed against her and growling her name and the next he was across the room, breathing heavily and glaring at the door. Her knees almost buckled and she searched blindly for a place to sit. Her hands touched the bench seat by the window a second before a knock sounded on the door. She tried to slow her breathing as she fell into the seat. Her gaze was still on Logan. He was running his hands through his hair and he shook himself. Their eyes locked and his expression mirrored hers, a mix of regret, frustration and maybe a little relief. Another louder knock sounded as someone called 'Wolverine' impatiently.

"Give me a minute, Dammit!"

Marie jumped at the outburst and he made the effort to calm himself and smile at her. It was a poor attempt but she relaxed. He wasn't angry at her. She smiled back in return and nodded towards the door.

Jubilee was chewing her gum and tapping her foot impatiently as she waited on the other side of the door. She was nervous enough having been sent to get the Wolverine all by herself. Of course, Bobby had made a half-hearted offer to come with her but she'd shot him down with a laugh. Just the thought had him paling in terror. Poor guy would probably wet his pants with one look at Wolverine's growly face. And what a fine face it was, even if it scared her too, just a little. But the girl was with him so he couldn't be in that bad of a mood, could he? She wondered at his relationship with the girl with the big brown eyes who was so oddly named Rogue. Course that wasn't her real name but a lot of mutants came here and chose to leave who they were far behind them. Sort of suited her though, being in the company of Wolverine, as solitary and fearsome as he was. The girl looked young, too young to be his lover, too old to be his kid. But then, no one really knew how old he was. Could be her grandfather for all Jubilee knew. And she was getting more than impatient now as she listened to the rustling behind the door. What the hell were they doing that was taking so long? She ignored the fact that it had only been seconds and knocked again.

"Wolverine!"

The response was growled at her and actually had her stepping back from the amount of anger his voice was laced with. Well there was no harm in waiting a little longer she told herself and then congratulated herself on her patience. Storm should check her out now, as much as that woman told her patience was a virtue. Almost instantly her foot was tapping again. Seriously, how long did it take to answer a door?

Finally the door was opened and Wolverine's growly face was glaring at her. She ignored him for the moment and craned her head to look at the girl who was sitting at the window across the room. Their eyes met and Jubilee's own widened at the glazed expression and flushed face. If she didn't know better she would have guessed that the girl had just got some Wolvie action. But hadn't she said she couldn't touch anyone?

"What do you want, Jubilee?" Attention was back instantly on Wolverine. No one messed with him when he was in a mood.

Jubilee's eyes narrowed in sudden suspicion. He looked irritated, and he was known to blow his head at the slightest provocation. Maybe the glazed eyes bit had more to do with supressed tears and hidden emotion.

"Hey! What did you do to the girl?"

His eyes widened and for possibly the only time in history, his cheeks held the faintest red from a blush. Jubilee's jaw dropped. Holy Fuck the girl had gotten something! And even more earth-shattering was Logan's reaction. She didn't think she could ever feel the same amount of fear of him again.

"Damn, Wolvie!" She grinned and blew out a bubble.

.His death glare and growl put a little fear back into her. So she got straight to the point. "The professor wants you guys to come down to dinner. Wants to introduce Rogue to the rest of the team properly, I guess." She stole one last glance at the girl and beat it out of there before she gave the Wolverine a real reason to want to kill her.

Logan seemed to only get more irritated once the brightly dressed Jubilee was gone. He shut the door harder than was necessary and started to mumble about stupid kids under his breath. Marie wanted to comfort him but she was dealing with her own scattered emotions. The almost-whatever she'd just experienced as well as the thought of facing the people who'd seen the embarrassing scene she'd made earlier was beginning to make her sick. Her nerves were jittery and she was starting to shake.

"Logan."

At his name he was next to her immediately. She couldn't tell him what she wanted because she didn't know. He seemed to though as he drew her into his arms and started to rub her back. He said words of comfort and rubbed his face against the top of her head. She breathed in his scent and relaxed. They should bottle that. Who knew the mix of cigar smoke, leather and pine could be so relaxing?

"I could tell them to go fu-…you're not up to it." Marie smiled at the fierce protectiveness in his tone.

"Ah'm okay Logan. Ah'd rather just get it over with."

They took a few more minutes to just sit there before getting up to go downstairs. Logan pulled her close and refused to let her go. Marie was grateful for the support. She could hear the noise coming from the dining hall when they were in the foyer. The amount of people it would take to make that much noise had her stomach dropping. After introductions she just wanted to return to their room. She wouldn't be able to eat a thing with how nervous she was. She hoped Logan would come with her.

When they entered the room everyone grew silent. She blushed scarlet and pressed even closer to Logan. Where was the feral side when she needed it? Thankfully he ignored the wave from the Professor and led her to a table alone in a corner. Another parallel set of three claw marks indicated he had claimed this as his as well. She breathed a sigh of relief. She had no desire to sit up on the dais in front of every student in the school. The whispers were already starting, speculation on who she was to Logan, on rumours of her arrival. Hell, even the incident with the Brotherhood was already circulating. Most of the information was wrong and it irritated her. Logan left her to go get them both a plate of food. Marie watched as Jean intercepted him and seemed to start arguing with him. She wanted to sink lower in her seat as Jean pointed at her and started waving her arms around. It brought all of the attention to her, sitting alone in the corner.

"I wouldn't worry about her; she's full of air sometimes."

Marie jumped and was on her feet instantly, her back to the wall. Her borrowed instincts chose that moment to surface and she barely resisted the urge to bare her teeth in warning. She held herself to her full height and glared at the intruder. It didn't matter that he was only a teen, maybe a couple years younger than her. He was a threat until he proved otherwise.

"What do yah want?" She eyed the boy warily. Blonde hair, earnest blue eyes and an easy smile. He reminded her of David and she relaxed just a little.

He held his hands up. "Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." He smiled uncertainly at her. "Umm…I'm Bobby. They also call me Iceman. I'm one of the students here. I just wanted to welcome you to Mutant High."

Marie managed a smile even if she just wanted the boy to disappear. Something told her that Logan wouldn't like that the boy had sought her out. He was attracted to her, if his racing heart and smile was any indication. "Thanks for the welcome. Mah name's Rogue. It was nice to meet you."

She hoped he would take the hint as she sat down at the chair farthest from him and focused once again on Logan, who was still arguing with Jean. He didn't and actually sat down across from her. Her feral instincts flared again and she was growling before she even realized it. This was Logan's table and now it was hers. But she couldn't help but feel a little sorry for Bobby, with his earnest smile and blue eyes.

"Look Bobby, it's nice of you to come and welcome me but Logan will be back soon. Ah don't think he'll like you being here."

He shrugged. "So we'll tell him to sit somewhere else if he has a problem with it." What the hell? Could this boy not take a hint? Tell Logan to leave? She resisted the urge to lay him out just because he was annoying her. Apparently in their few moments of interaction she had somehow given him the idea she was okay with him being here. Time to change tactics.

"Bobby, Ah've had a really rough day. Ah just want to eat and go to mah room and sleep." He nodded but made no move to leave. Her eyes rolled. "Just me and Logan."

That annoying smile stayed on his face. "Just you and Logan? Why would you want to sit here with Logan when you could be getting to know me? Don't get me wrong, Logan seems like an okay guy, in a completely scary and threatening way, but you can't really expect that he'll stay longer than to get you settled in a room. He never does." He nodded to himself. "I figured you'd need a friend to show you around."

Marie wanted to scream at him and tell him that Logan wouldn't leave her by herself. A tiny part of her thought maybe he was right, and that made her even angrier. Bobby was going on about the school and she nearly missed the demonstration of his mutation. She could care less at the moment. He could turn into a carbon copy of her and she wouldn't bat an eyelash. Well actually, she might scream thinking that Mystique was back to get her.

"Bobby…Bobby!" He just kept rambling on. " BOBBY!" The boy blinked at her. "Can you please just leave? Ah told you Ah was tired. Ah really can't handle anything but eating and sleeping right now." Her borrowed feral side wanted to tell him he was an idiot, that Logan was hers, and that he smelled of beef and cheese. Which was completely true. Apparently he'd had some tacos and it wasn't a pleasant smell. Marie was a little more lenient. Her southern manners still compelled her to shut him down as gently as she could. Especially since he was looking at her as if she'd just kicked a puppy in front of him. "Look, Ah'm sorry. Today's been rough. Ah don't really know anyone but Logan and Ah'm not up to making friends just yet. We could talk more sometime this week maybe if you want?"

The smile was back. He got up and apologized and told her he'd see her tomorrow. It was that moment that Logan chose to finally make a reappearance. She glared at him in annoyance as Bobby asked her where she was staying so he could come escort her to breakfast. He obviously didn't see Logan and found himself with his face pressed flat on the table at the suggestion. Marie smirked.

Logan leant close to his ear. "Listen, bub. You ain't escorting Rogue anywhere, got it?" Of course the sudden reaction had everyone staring at them, again. But this time she was too busy watching Logan to be embarrassed. Storm was heading their way with a tight-lipped smile. Uh-oh.

"Logan, let him go." His eyes moved to her and she could feel the angry hurt. He was protecting her in his possessive way. She couldn't help the feeling of heat as she stroked his face and nodded towards Storm. He was so sexy.

He stepped back from Bobby and pulled Marie against him, burying his face in her hair. Well if that didn't make it clear who she belonged to, she wasn't sure what would. She wanted to smile at Bobby and maybe apologize for Logan but she was too busy sighing as Logan nuzzled her.

"Is there a problem, Logan?" Storm's expression made it clear she was not pleased that he'd been manhandling a student.

Logan arched an eyebrow and smirked. "No, it's good. Just making sure Iceprick here keeps it in his pants."

Bobby was glaring at Logan with his hands clenched. "I was just asking Rogue to breakfast. Tell him Rogue."

She was really getting sick of all the scrutiny as all eyes were on her once again. Did Bobby seriously think she'd be on his side? Yeah Logan overreacted a little but she'd warned him. And she'd thoroughly enjoyed Logan's display of dominance. She was just about to tell them that when Jubilee spoke.

"Look Storm. Bobby was a little out of line. I mean, Roguey told him she just wanted to be alone. He was the one that invited himself right over. She even told him Wolverine wouldn't like him here. Signed his own death warrant by staying if you ask me." Rogue smiled in gratitude at the yellow-clad girl. Saved her from having to shut Bobby down in front of everyone. Jubilee winked back and walked away humming.

Storm couldn't help the amused smile. To see Bobby Drake put in his place was gratifying. He was a good kid but he also seemed to sometimes believe that he was God's gift to women. He already had Kitty Pryde following him around. But thank the Goddess she seemed to have a crush on Piotr now. Piotr and Kitty would be well-suited. He was older by four years but he was a gentleman. Bobby may have been out of line but violence against the student population could not be permitted.

"Logan, if you could resist the urge to…restrain Bobby in the future?"

Logan growled. "Just as long as he knows to stay away from Rogue. She's mine and I won't tell him again." His claws came out and pointed at Bobby. Bobby nodded vigorously and stepped back. Logan smirked. "Good. Now that that's done with, I think Rogue and I will be heading back to our room. A lecture from Jean and dealing with Iceprick has made me lose my appetite." He looked at Marie with a raised eyebrow. She nodded to show her support with a big smile.

"Logan, maybe you should introduce Rogue to the junior team at the very least?" Storm's voice was carefully neutral. She wanted what was best for Rogue and maybe some time away from the domineering Wolverine might be in order. The girl seemed content to follow his lead but by giving her a chance to make her own friends that could change.

"No!" Rogue was done with meeting people. She had a headache and she really just wanted to curl up in a blanket and sleep for the next two days. "Ah really just want to go back to our room if that's okay?"

Storm nodded with a smile. "Of course, whatever you want Rogue. No one is pressuring you."

Rogue smiled in relief and pulled Logan towards the door. He came willingly. As soon as they were out the door and out of sight she sighed. "Logan, why are we here? One day and Ah'm ready to be back on the road."

"My thoughts exactly Darlin. But you're safe here." He snarled at the thought that she was safer here than she would be on the road with him.

"Mmm…but we'd both be happier on the road." She blushed at the presumption and tried to cover it by teasing him. "You did promise to take me to your cabin, remember?"

"And I have no plans to break that promise."

She stared at him, wonder in her eyes. A moment suspended in time. He held out his hand, palm up and she took it with a smile.

So what did you think? Too fluffy? I kept trying to shorten it and I cut maybe 400 words. There wasn't much action going on in this chapter but the X-men and the students are now aware of their relationship and their ready to face whatever happens head on. I was so totally planning on ending it right there. I'd always envisioned this story having ten chapters, simply because I figured that would be a good number to shoot for on a first story and I also really just wanted a alternate beginning to the way they met which I feel I've accomplished. Hmmm….but I left so many loose ends so there is actually no way this was the last chapter. And I want to cover the events of the first movie at least.

Also, "Iceprick" was a nickname another author coined. For the life of me I can't remember which one so I can't give credit. Just know that I borrowed it.