A/N: I thought I'd attempt to be cute and just have a little fun…

OOOOOOOOOOOO

Scarlet blew her breath out in a hiss and felt the rocks cut more into her palms. She could smell her blood as it bubbled to the surface and then faded and repeated. She didn't change her position though.

Weathered boots entered her line of sight and stopped mere feet from her. Scarlet rolled her eyes and pretended not to notice her body's instant awareness of her boyfriend.

"Darling," Logan said, watching her. "What are you doing?"

"Plotting world domination," Scarlet answered, shifting her weight. "Solving world hunger and poverty. Y'know, the usual. Why?"

"Because you're standing the wrong way." Logan commented, poking her leg which was closest to his face. "Most people stand on their feet, not their hands."

"I'm not most people," Scarlet reminded him, kicking at him with her right foot in response. "And Chuck decided that I needed to try to chill out and center myself. Let the Thing Inside settle down and focus."

"And the handstand?"

Scarlet shrugged. "I got bored."

Logan chuckled. "Of course you did, princess." He scanned the scenery around them. :The place has really regrown nicely."

"I did try this time."

"And the fish?"

Scarlet frowned. "I'll get to them at some point. But I really don't like having fish around me when I'm naked in that water."

"Shy?"

"No!"

"Maria."

Scarlet flipped onto her feet and crossed her arms. "I have more sensitive areas that they can get at. You boys don't have to worry about very much."

Logan arched a brow. "Boys?"

"Yup."

"Maria, I'm not a boy. I'm a man."

Scarlet examined her nails like they were fascinating. "So you say…"

Logan growled and lunged for her. Scarlet laughed and dodged him. She smiled prettily and danced backwards, kicking up grass and small pebbles.

"Come on, hon. I know you're better than that," she teased, side stepping him when he lunged at her again.

"I'm going to put you in the fish water!" Logan swore, moving towards her.

"No! Not the fish water!" Scarlet laughed.

She danced out onto the water, not breaking the surface. Logan splashed after her, a tinge of black in his eyes. Scarlet felt a familiar sharp twinge hit her hard and she cried out as the pain went through her. Her powers fluctuated as the Thing Inside moved and stretched.

I hate it.

Logan caught her before she fully submerged in the water. Scarlet's body trembled against his solid one. Logan's arms instinctively tightened on her, holding her close. The copy mutant leaned heavily into him despite her desire to always be strong.

"Breathe, Maria," Logan whispered, his fingers in her hair. "Breathe easy."

Scarlet listened for his heartbeat. She focused on it. The slow, strong beat. The familiar beat that jumped at her touch, her laugh.

Why don't I laugh more and mean it?

Scarlet's body slowly relaxed and stilled. This wasn't one of the big surges that hurt for hours afterwards. That needed her to focus her energy in pure carnal ways right then and there. She was grateful for that. But almost a little disappointed that she didn't get to tear Logan's clothes off.

Easy girl.

"You okay, darling?" Logan asked, still holding her close.

Scarlet nodded. "Yeah…" She blinked against an unexpected wave of tears. "I hate this."

"I know, darling. I know." Logan pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "I wish that I could make it easier for you."

"You help a lot more than you give yourself credit for, Logan." Scarlet played with his dog tags absently. "I'd probably be gone if it weren't for you."

Logan's arms tightened around her. She got a glimpse of him picturing a world without her and how awful it made him feel. She let go of the dog tags and smoothed her hand up his neck. Logan's pulse jumped at her touch.

"I'm not going anywhere as long as you don't," she promised, gently running her thumb over his bottom lip.

Logan's eyes darkened. "I won't go without you, princess."

Scarlet smiled and leaned up to kiss him. His lips molded against hers and she craved more. Scarlet pulled herself closer to him. It was Logan that had them resurface for air.

"What about your lessons in calm and focus from Chuck?" he asked, sounding like he really didn't care but wanted to try for the sake of Charles.

Scarlet shook her head. "It's been a lesson to be rescheduled for a later date. An impromptu field trip has taken precedence."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. A trip to your bedroom." Scarlet's eyes danced with mischief. "We're going to learn anatomy, physical education, and whatever else is attached to the pamphlet."

Logan chuckled. "Pamphlet?"

"To be handed out later," Scarlet said with a shrug.

"You're an unusual woman, Maria. I thank God every day that he broke the mold when he made you. Especially since I am lucky enough to have you."

Scarlet's heart raced. "Ditto. Now hurry. I feel a pop quiz coming on."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO

A/N: Did it work?