Over two years passed since he left the X-men…fall was settling in on the land. Leaves turning colors and cooler air flowing.  Away from the mansion was Logan's adventures.  Running to find something he didn't even know what it was.  Logan was tracing down yet another name on the list he found.  All have lead to dead ends, empty files and abandoned buildings.  One disappointment after another.  He got out of a truck and thanked the driver.  He seemed to be going in circles.  He stopped to eat at this small dinner and
crashed at the hotel across the street. Tomorrow he'd have to hitch a ride again towards Alberta. Sitting with his cup of coffee he wondered where he was going in this search for his missing life. They only thing that gave him comfort was thinking about the X-
Men.He hoped Rogue received his letters and was doing ok. He forgot to write sometimes or got to busy.  He missed hearing her voice.  Her smile, holding her in his arms.  He felt her inside of him.  She was his friend, no more then that.  He loved the kid.  She got inside of him like no one's ever done before.  It felt weird but comforting.  He was use to running his own life and was an animal on the inside until this girl came into his life.  She changed him some how when they touched. No one has been able to get him like she could.  He laughed at he thought… tough, military Wolverine the fighting machine turned puppy for a 16 year old girl. No, over 18/19 now, somewhere in there.  She was a woman not a girl.  He wondered about all the boys fighting over her at school.  He actually hated that thought.  None of them would ever be good enough for her.  He didn’t think he was good enough for her.He missed Jean.  The places he goes, no one looked that good.  He knew she loved Scott, but it was nice to have someone to flirt with.  It was a friendly meaningless infatuation.  Yet he could still feel her hands on his chest, the gaze of her eyes into his…eye…Cyclopes.
He even missed one-eye.  Though he'd never tell him so.  He had no one to insult and pick on, no friendly rival.  Wonder what the prick was doing with the X-Men as their fearless leader?

Those thoughts kept him happy.   They made his life complete. He didn’t know these people for that long but when he was there at the mansion it was the only time his life has a meaning, purpose, a goal.  What was he doing out here? Oh yeah, his past.  Questions that just won’t rest in his mind until answered. He paid his bill and headed to bed…. Tomorrow, he'll head west.

Months of debate and excellent persuasion stopped the mutant laws from being passed in the Senate.  It would only be a matter of time before other laws are created against the mutants.  Dr. Grey and Xavier were working hard to prevent such things.  Rogue learned a lot of the political world under Jean and Professor X.  But unlike Jean she felt it would take more than words to stop prejudices and there would always be those out there who would want to fight or believe, as Magneto did, normal humans were the problem and must be dealt with.  With him in her mind, she understood his point of view.  To him, his childhood was being repeated.
This time not Nazi against Jew but humans against the mutants.  These prejudices needed to be stopped before things got out of control.  If not, history would indeed repeat itself.

Rogue started planning for the winter holidays, even though they were over a month away.  She still enjoyed her weekly rituals of reading Logan's letters if one came at all and requesting her song for him. She would one day be an X-Men and she wanted to be able to fight on all levels, physical and mental.  After her morning boxing lessons in town, she ran to catch a late breakfast in the kitchen.  Scott was there doing the same and reading the paper.

"Hey Rogue, how was boxing?"

"I'll give you a free sample."  Rogue had to laugh that sounded like something Wolverine would say.

"No thanks, I think I've had my fill for this week," he replied.  She looked at Scott as he read the paper. Her and Scott duke it out about once a week, teaching and learning from each other.

"You mind if I ask you a personal question?" she hooked up a bar seat to the counter.

Scott didn't know what this would be about but decided to go with it, "Sure fire away."

"Your eyes, how…how do they… work, I guess is the question I wan to ask."

That question came from left field, but Scott answered truthfully.

"Well at first I saw like most people. Then when it happened, my eyes grew red and it felt like fire was heating up inside my head and it burst out through my eyes.  I can't see anything when the heat comes out, but thanks to the Professor he help make these lasses
and the visor to control it.  Otherwise when I close my eyes, pressure builds up till I feel like my head will explode if I don’t let it out."

"So what do you see with them?"

"I see normally.  Everything's in red though. After a while I've been able to distinguish what colors are what in the various shades of reds I see. If that makes any sense at all."

"Yeah it does.  So, what’s your favorite color?”

“I’d have to say it was blue.”

“That’s mine as well.” She chugged her orange juice and grabbed her duffel bag.

"I have to go do some research. Thanks professor."

"Quite all right." He went pack to reading the paper a bit confused.

Rogue showered, changed and ran to find Professor Xavier.  She knocked quietly so as not to disturb him if he was busy.  But he was not.

"Come in."

Rogue entered the study room.

"Nice to see you this afternoon, I’ll answer your question."

It was silly to think he'd not know why she'd come to his office.

"I want to do something special for Scott this Christmas and I was wondering if it was at all possible to get your assistance."

"I'd be delighted, it can be done and I think it is a wonderful idea. I don’t know why I never thought of it myself."

Xavier smiled from behind his desk.  He enjoyed seeing the Rogue getting more involved with life again.  I guess time needed to heal old wounds.

Rogue realized it must not be hard for him to read what she was spilling out anyway in her mind.  She smiled. She’d give him the perfect gift.

Logan met up with a driver the next morning at the diner who was willing to take him towards Winnipeg. He'd then have to hitch another ride on to Alberta.  It was like a pleasant Sunday afternoon drive.  The driver was a big, heavy-set man, gray bread and cowboy hat.

Logan was paying attention to the countryside; deep in thought over the information he had so far collected on his quest.  His attention was distracted when the driver turned up the radio very loudly.

"Hope you don't mind. I listen to this every week. It's gotten to be my favorite song."

Announcer:      "For those of you first time listeners lets recap this story for you.  A young woman calls me every week to request this song with the same message and song request.  I ask her why…<Rogues voice>…He's a friend of mine traveling, I don't know how to get a hold of him but I hope one day he'll here this… I swear my show is started to sound more like the damn Young and the Restless.  I told her to drop the ass but she said he was a part of her she couldn’t get ride of.  That’s why I stay away from the love stuff, just give me straight sex and leave early in the morning. No attachment is what I like.  Sounds like this Logan thinks the same way I do.  Way to go buddy. Anyway, this next song goes out to Logan from Marie, she just wants to say she misses you, wishes you well on your journey and a safe return home. You want my opinion, Logan, if you out there listening, I don't know what the hell your doin'!"

"Damn strait, that guys a bastard." The driver added. Logan looked at him in surprise.

Announcer:      "You're on this journey but the best part of your life you left behind. I mean this Marie girl must be somethin' special, after about 8 months or so of constant phone-in requests.  Hell, she’s even startin’ to get to me.  She says she'll only stop when
you come home.  GO HOME!  I don’t want to hear this song every week!  The most important part of any persons life is the here and now.  Now determines your future, live for the moment is my philosophy.  Seems to me this guy Logan is wasting it.  If you ever want a future with this friend of yours, go back other wise, once you start down the road, you can't ever go back. Things change, she’ll move on.  So listen up Logan, turn around be with your friends and take this song’s words to heart.  That Marie seems to be pretty special to me….Now a little Savage Garden for the asshole…

When you feel alone
And the world has turned its back on you
Give me a moment please to tame your wild wild heart
I know that you feel like the walls are closing in on you
It's hard to find relief and people can be so cold
When darkness is upon your door and you feel like you
can't take it anymore

Let me be the one you call
If you jump I'll break your fall
Lift you up and fly away with you into the night
If you need to fall apart
I can mend a broken heart
If you need to crash then crash and burn
You're not alone
 

When you feel all alone
And a loyal friend is hard to find
You're caught in a one way street
With the monsters in your head
When hopes and dreams are far away and
You feel you can't face the day

Let me be the one you call
If you jump I'll break your fall
Lift you up and fly away with you into the night
If you need to fall apart
I can mend a broken heart
If you need to crash then crash and burn
You're not alone

Because there has always been heartache and pain
And when it's over you'll breathe again
You'll breathe again

When you feel all alone
And the world has turned its back on you
Give me a moment please
To tame your wild wild heart

Let me be the one you call
If you jump I'll break your fall
Lift you up and fly away with you into the night
If you need to fall apart
I can mend a broken heart
If you need to crash then crash and burn
You're not alone

Logan couldn't believe himself. The DJ was right, though he’d like to deck him for the ass comment.  His past made him and he can't change it but he can change the future and live in his present.  He couldn't live the lonely life forever.  Tuff man Wolverine changed by
shock jock moron.  Marie must have done something to him.  He never would have though like this before.After the song was over the driver turned down the radio and added in his 2 cents.

"That guys a creep.  Poor girl.  How could anyone just pack-up and leave his friends.  That's what defines a person.  You want to know who you are, look at who you know.  That's what they say.  I don't know what could be so important.  I always make it home after every run to my wife and kids.  Don’t know what I’d do with out them."  He pointed to the picture of his family on the visor.

Logan then made a change of heart.  His answers would have to remain questions.  There were more important things to do in his life.

"I agree with you there.  Can you drop me off at next station?  I just remembered, I'm headin' in the wrong direction."

At the next stop he got out and took the first available ride going east.

A week past and he was almost there.  Just in time for Thanksgiving.  He didn't know what he'd find after two years outside of those doors, but he was willing to take it over the way he's spent his life in the past. Caged animal, drifter… no more. He looked forward to seeing Rogue.  He hadn't told her he was coming.  He wanted it to be a surprise.

Rogue helped out like everyone else in holiday preparations for Thanksgiving.  Her and St. John were assigned to the cooking duties of the feast.  Scott was nice enough to let them borrow the car to go shopping for groceries.   So far no disaster hit and everything
was going smoothly.  Menu was selected and shopping complete.  The younger kids were in charge of decorations and the rest had set-up and clean-up for dinner.

Three days till the big feast but the only thing Rogue could think about was Storm’s homework assignment. Yep, she gave it to everyone, even Professor Xavier. During supper they were to all go around and say what they were most thankful for having and how our mutant powers can help others.  That second part had her stumped.  Her powers didn’t help anyone, only hurt them.  She felt like Storm picked this especially for her to challenge her to find an answer.  Rogue sat dazed in Professor Summers’ class, doodling on her notepad and being the middle man between Gambit and Bobby’s note passing.

Jean was in the halls when she was hit with a mental shock.  She felt it.  A presence she hadn’t felt in so long.  Xavier wheeled up behind her.

“He’s back,” was all she said to him.

“I was on my way to meet him.  Care to join me?”  He asked.

She followed to greet the returning Logan.  They walked down and opened the doors as he was about to enter himself.  A stranger yet a friend stood in the doorway before them.

“How did I know you two would be the welcoming committee.  You can’t exactly surprise a telepath.”

“Welcome home Logan,” Xavier warmly greeted him.  “It’s good to have you back.”  Xavier knew the X-men needed him.  Now all he had to do was convince him to stay.He turned to Jean looking at her from head to toe with his eyes, still beautiful as ever.

“We’ve missed you around here,” she said.

“We or you…” Logan grinned.

She flashes her engagement ring at him.

“So psyco-clopse got up the guts to ask you.”

“He didn’t exactly have any competition.”

“It’s not binding yet.”

“Oh, yes it is…”

“So how is one-eye? I don’t think he really missed me, but his bike.” Jean didn’t respond to his remark.

“Rogue will be happy to see you.” Xavier added.

“Yeah I missed the kid.” <More then anyone could ever imagine> he thought to himself.

“Well, don’t just stand there, come inside.” Xavier advised.  As they walked down the hall to his office, Xavier decided not to pry but asked verbally, “Did you find the answers you were looking for?”

“No, but I did find others.”

Jean left the two to discuss Logan’s journey into the past.  Xavier invited him to join the X-men and to stay on here at the school as a teacher.  Not in academics, but in athletics and training.

“I’ll have to think about it,” was his only reply.  It wasn’t a very strong feeling Xavier picked up from those words but only uncertainty.
Xavier knew he was distracted and waned to see Rogue.

“She’s in Scott’s class now.  Room 18, down the hall on the left.  Go she her.  She has changed you know.”

“Yeah, what is she 18/19 now.”

“Not just into an adult but a lot has happened with her.  She’d want to talk to you.  I’ll keep you no longer.”

“Thanks,” he exited to find his connected friend.  He was worried over what Xavier said.  Hopefully nothing too terrible happened.  He didn’t know if he could forgive himself if he wasn’t there when she needed him.  Logan ran into Storm on his way to class.

“I knew you’d be back.”

Logan looked at her, “I’ve found my side.”

Storm smiled as she remembered that she asked him once, which side he was on. She knew he’d returned to stay. Logan found the class and looked in through the window to the back of Rogue’s cape, hiding her body’s frame. She passed notes between two guys with her white gloves still on.  Scott turned around and caught Logan at this window.  All he did was acknowledge him with a nod.
Scott then could only think about his bike, his baby was back to him.  He would want to inspect the damage and correct the muscle brute’s abuse he knew Logan had given it.

Logan gave Scott the ever so kindly middle claw, causing him to smirk and nod.

Scott thought he had not changed a bit.

“Rogue?”

She jumped in her seat being shaken back to reality. Giggles went around the classroom.

“What, I was paying attention.”

“You have a visitor.”

Rogue turned to face the window.  She thought she was seeing an illusion, a ghost but he was real.  She dreamed of this day and the only thing she could do was freeze for a moment taking in his face and overall mere sight of him again in her life.  Then her body went into action without any thought.  She jumped up from the chair and ran out to give her friend a long, big hug and a welcome home.

All the other kids turned to stare at this man.

“Who’s that? He’s kind of cute.” Jubilee asked.

“That’s Wolverine. “ Bobby cleared up any confusion.

“So that’s the wolf man of her dreams…” Gambit just laughed.

Scott tried to reorganize class and gain the student’s attention back.

“Katherine, could you please take Rogue’s books for her. She won’t be back.”

“What you mean she won’t be back… ever?”

“No, she won’t be back to class today.”

“Oh,” she felt stupid for the outburst.  She was always a bit dramatic.

Rogue didn’t care what anyone thought, she hugged Logan with all her might.  She felt if she’d let go, he would vanish again.   He moved away from the window with her and accepted her embrace.

“Hey kid, got your message.”

“Her face lit up.  It really worked?!  “You actually heard it?”

“Yeah, got me thinkin’.  Past you can’t change so might as well make the best of the here and now.” Rogue wanted to tell him so many things and had so many questions for him.

“Can we go for a walk?” She asked.

“Sure, love too.”

When they were out side Logan notice the sun in her reddish hair and the eyes, how sad they were and old far beyond her years.  Her face was one with turmoil, a few smiles here and there but not as many a teenage kid should have.

They walked around school ground and she asked a million questions about all the letters he had written her.  She wanted to know every detail of his trips.

After a while he ended the one way conversation.  “Woah, I’ve missed out on two years of your life.   I want to know what you’ve been up to. Staying out of trouble I hope.”

“Trying. I guess I have so much to say I don’t know where to start.  School’s been ok.  I’ve taken martial arts and kick boxing essons.  Scott and I practice once a week at least in the training rooms.  It’s a real workout.”

“Laser face?  That must be an easy target.”

“Be nice. He’s not all that bad.  He thinks I have potential to be an X-men and stay on.”

“So you’re going to join the club, be and X-ka-teer.”

“If they want me. Let’s face it, there’s not much else in the real world I could do.”

“Xavier offered me a job today.”

“Are you going to take it?  Please say yes!”

“I told him I’d think about it…”

“Oh.”

“So what else have you done while I was gone?”

“We’ve gotten a few new students.   We got into trouble one night.   Scott, Jean, Storm and Xavier were furious.  We went out clubbing, got drunk and into a bar fight.  We were severely punished for it.  Serves me right though.  I wound up having two guys touch me that night.  Creeps me out what was in their heads.”

“What do you mean?”

“One guy I danced with it was a fraction of a touch and I just got all his disgusting male hormonal thoughts about what he’d love to do with me.  It made me sick to my stomach and all…dirty.”

“If you ever point that punk kid out to me, I’ll kill him for ya.”

He was serious but she just smiled and said

“The other was a guy who tried to drag me out of the fight.   I put him into a coma for about a month.  I feel terrible for that.  His thoughts were sad, wife left him, kids moved on, he felt so alone. I could sympathize with him. It’s over and done with. You’re
skills came in handy though.”

“So am I still up there.”

“Yep… you always will be.  You can’t hide from me.  I can truly say I know you, thoughts emotions…your nightmares I could have been able to live without though, they get to be real intense.”

“What?!”

He realized she had his memories but never those nightmares he had.  No one should have to live through that night after night, especially not her.  He would rip his own heart out if it meant that she wouldn’t have to deal with them.  He didn’t want her to have his pain, his worry, his uncertainties.

Rogue starts to cry and shake.  “It gets really confusing some times.  I have lots of people’s thoughts running around up here.  I don’t… I sometimes don’t know who I am, If it’s me or someone else thinking my thoughts or feeling these emotions.”

He gives her a loving hug, “I’m sorry, so sorry I gave you my life, you shouldn’t have… you shouldn’t have to feel that, live it or dream about it.”

“It hurts sometimes but it was also comforting.  It let me know you were still there.”

She looked at her necklace that she had him close to her for so long.  She finally took it off and handed it back to him. It was like ripping a piece of him away forever.

“Here…” he covers her hands with his and shoves it back.

“No. I want you to keep it.”  He took it and put it back around her neck.

She smiled, extremely grateful.

“Who else is running around up there in that head of yours?”

“Magneto.  You know, I understand why he feels the way he does.  It’s strange.  When we did World War II in history class, I lived it.  I knew exactly what it felt like, I saw the images and feelings from his memories. It chills me to think about it.”

They had been out for a while and Rogue was getting hungry as they walked for awhile.  She knew there was more to tell but not now.  She didn’t want to plague him with all her problems.  Her stomach growled again.

“Let’s go get some dinner.”

Logan knew there was more but didn’t push it for one day.  “Sounds great, I’m starved.”

“Oh, random thought.  Be careful, I never told Scott your trashed his bike.”

“That’s ok, I can handle that prick.  He’ll be pissed but he’ll have to get over it.”

They went inside and scavenged the kitchen.

Logan rummaged through the fridge and took out some food.  Rogue ran over to stop him.

“Hey, no!” and smacked his hand.

“What was that for?”

“St. John and I are responsible for cooking Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. Don’t eat anything that’s labeled.”

“Ok,” Logan thought <psyco chef woman>. He’d forgotten all about Thanksgiving.  It was an American holiday and he spent most of his trip up there in Canada.  They devoured the munchies in the kitchen until a thunderous yelling was over heard.

“Where is it!……Logan!……Where’s my bike!”

“You’re dead,” Rogue couldn’t help but laugh at him. She was kind of excited to see how the sparks would fly in this situation but hoping neither would get too out of control.  Yes they would, she realized. Logan and Rogue exited the kitchen into the dinning
area as Scott came in the other way blocking his exit.

The two men stood defiant in the center of the room, staring each other down.

Scott changed his voice to a more subtle tone.  “What happened to my bike?”

Several of the students came in to watch this spectacle as well.  Logan just started and said nothing so Rogue stepped in.

“It had a slight accident.  I forgot to mention it.”

She tried to sound apologetic.

“You forgot…you just happened to leave out that detail and not tell me about it! I don’t understand how you could forget to tell me about my bike!” Scott’s voice got louder and louder.

Rogue new he was blowing off steam and didn’t care he was yelling at her but Wolverine did.  His claws retracted as his protective instincts kicked in.

Gambit saw those claws, “Wow, those have got to hurt!”

“Don’t you dare yell at her dick head.  It was my fault, you can blame me, not her.   Bad weather and bad attitude don’t mix.  Sorry ‘bout that.  Why don’t you just make a new one.”

Logan was sarcastic in that last remark.

“I’m sorry?  Make a new one?  That bike took me over a year to build with my modifications!”

It was getting close to the brink before blood would fly.  Jean finally came running in and got between the two.

She tried to be diplomatic about it, “Listen guys. It’s not worth fighting over. Cool down that testosterone.”

Scott, still not breaking his gaze with the enemy warned, “Stay out of this please, Jean.”

“No, I will not!”

Rogue stepped in as well to try and cool heads.  She just yelled right back at the two.

“The way I figure it your both at fault.” And shoved them farther apart.

“What!” Scott yelled at Rogue.  He didn’t understand that he did anything wrong at all.

Rogue turned to Logan, ”Logan, you stole his bike out of spite not necessity, but,” she turned to Scott, ”it was an accident that the bike got destroyed.” She turned her voice lower to a whisper so the other students wouldn’t hear.

”Scott, you are a leader and you should lead by example.  Outburst of rage and fighting with a teammate solves nothing, only working together.  You taught me that.  You dish it, can you take it.” She snapped.

Logan had to smile at Rogue as she told off laser-eye.

Rogue added, “Accidents happen.  Forgive…”Scott and everyone else, but Logan, knew what she was referring to her own experience.

Jean was happy, Rogue had managed to shut both of them up.  Scott removed his hand from his visor and Wolverine retracted his claws back.  Logan always wanted the last bit of satisfaction and flicked him off with his claw again.  Rogue smacked him for it.
Jean came into the cooler atmosphere, “Both of you separate and breath.”  Jean took Scott and walked out and Rogue took Logan.
He turned to Rogue, “Can you believe that ass?”

“You both were acting like children.  And you call me a kid?”

Later that night Rogue felt so much better knowing that on the other side of that wall laid Logan he was sleeping and she swears she could hear him breathing. He was sleeping well.  She faded off herself only to be awoken with a start.  Hands shaking and tears down her eye.  She dreamed about Aaron.  She hadn’t had one of those dreams in while.  She guessed with Logan back, she was reminded of all the things that she wanted to tell him.  All these thoughts resurfaced in her head. She felt she had to talk to him.  She got up and walked over next door.  His room was unlocked and she went in.  He laid there without a shirt.  She noticed his
refined muscles and his overall peaceful state.  She knew he didn’t sleep this soundly often.  She didn’t want to wake him from it.  He stirred a bit and she decided to leave before she woke him.  Her confessions would have to wait till later.  She turned to leave,
her body still shaking a bit when he awoke. “Leaving already?”  He smiled sitting up. Rogue was slightly embarrassed about him waking to finding her in his room, watching him in the middle of the night. He didn’t seem to care and patted the bed, “Come on sit
down.”

She wasn’t protected by anything so she sat a distance away.  Logan reached over his nightstand for a long sleeve shirt he had and put it on.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“I don’t mind.”

She watched him as he put on the shirt and added, “Do…do you think I am a monster?”

Logan thought she was referring to him putting on some protection.

“No...no, I just thought I’d be ready in case you need some arms to hold on to.”

She smiled.  “No, not that.”  She didn’t know how to say it so she just blurted it out.

“I killed a man… am I bad person, a monster?” her tears swelled up again at the remembrance of the accident. Logan was stunned.  He couldn’t picture his Marie doing anything of the sort with viciously intent. “No.” was his only reply.

“I listen all the time about what they say about mutants and I’m what they picture, what they fear.”

“No, your not.”

“I still see his face, feel his life, reminded every day by the power I took from him.”  She was balling and Logan moved in closer and wrapped her up, being careful of his hands.

He then whispered softly by her ear, “How did it happen?”

“He was new here.  I went one day out for a walk and he wanted to come.  I didn’t want to be rude.  I went to change out a book from an old shack that I found.  I got up on a stool to reach the top shelf and my glove kept slipping on the book.  I took it off, he bumped
into me, I fell on him, the bookcase fell on me and then the shack came down on everything else.  I couldn’t move, my arm was broke, I couldn’t move.  All I felt was his skin on mine and the look in his face. I couldn’t move, I tried but I couldn’t move! I watched
his face as I took his life.  I couldn’t move.  I don’t want it any more.”

She was crying so hard she could barely breath and started coughing as well.  Logan just held her wishing he could take it all away.
After a bit Logan began talking to try and ease her pain.

“Sounds more like an accident then a vicious monster.” He let go and faced her.  He wanted to wipe away the tears with his hands but had no gloves to protect himself.  “Remember when I hurt you.  I was helpless. I couldn’t do anything but watch your face, watch you bleed.  It tore me apart what I did.  I felt so much guilt and pain.  I wanted to undo it all.  I thought what an animal you though I was.  Not till later, after I woke up and you where up here,” he pointed to his head, ”did I realize you didn’t blame me at all.  Still
hurts, I still feel guilty but you didn’t blame me.  I can tell you now, for a fact, he didn’t blame you.  You know it too, he’s up there telling you.  You just don’t want to listen to him.  He wouldn’t want you to sulk over it, no.  Use what you have of him inside of you
and let him live through there.”

She fell into his arms, so weak and tired. Everyone said those exact words but she didn’t believe them until now, until Logan told her it was ok, and it wasn’t her fault.

Logan added, “So to answer your question, are you a monster…no, more like a fallen angel on earth.” She cried not for the pain but for her joy relief and the weight that had been holding her down was partially lifted, easing her strain.

“I’m still scared of the accidents I cause, I’m afraid to take off my gloves anymore. Only when I sleep wrapped up in my covers do I feel safe.“

“You don’t have to worry about that around me.  You’ll be ok.  You got me.  Gloves or not, I’ll be here.”Logan decided not to let go, only if she’d want to go. He held her for over an hour and then Rogue realized she couldn’t stay here forever and had to get some
sleep.

“Thank you Logan.”

He looked at her and was going to say…anytime kid, anytime, but as he looked up and watched her leave, the blue silk boxers and tank top hung from her body, falling from all her curves, she was beautiful, mature, not a kid anymore.  “Anytime Marie, anytime.”  And both went back to peaceful sleep.

The next day she got up early and drowned in coffee. Last night left her drained but there was greater peace within herself.  She liked this new feeling of release.  It helped her enjoy the day as her and St. John had a lot of cooking to do.  She never had spent
any quality friendship bonding time with him and looked forward to it.

In the kitchen with aprons on they got started. St. John even got into the act with a huge chef hat and brought out some fish hand pads to wear for removing hot items from the oven.  He looked like a clown.

“So where do we start?” Rogue asked.

“Our agenda includes two turkeys, two hams, mashed potatoes, stuffing, salad, bread, we’ve got already, green beans, squash, cranberry sauce, corn and for dessert… 4 pumpkin, 2 apple, 2 pecan, and 2 mince meat pies.”

“How many people are we feeding!  We are such pigs!” Rogue exclaimed.St. John got out the turkeys and pretended they were
running away from being burned alive, begging to be saved.  It was stupid but Rogue couldn’t help but laugh at it.

“Quit playing with the food, we have to cook it.” Rogue finally getting back on track.

“OK, spoil sport.  In the ovens you go, since they’ll take all day to cook.”

It was a good thing the kitchen was industrial size. They had a lot to do.  They pealed the potatoes quickly with no damaged fingers.  St. John put the in two big pots to boil before mashing them up.  Stove Top was their cheat for stuffing and would be made later.  They started to husk the corn on the cob.  Rogue loved this job.  Rough green outside to smooth yellow and white corn silk then the sweet corn itself, hidden on the inside through all that wrapping.  Kind of remind her of herself.

While they were husking the corn Rogue decided to ask St. John a question she’d asked most of her other friends and was curious about.

“John, when did you first know you were…different?”

John smiled.  He was always one to think of things on the bright side and always had a lot of faith and hope in life.  His story was typical with rejection and a catastrophe of some sorts but looking back all he could do was laugh about it.

“You can say it Rogue, when did I know I was a mutant. Picture this, my sophomore year in high school, Mr. Wrigley’s chemistry class.  I had on white lab coat with the big green safety goggles.  We had a bunsen burner experiment and we had to test different
chemicals when burned or heated.  Guess who lit the fire.  BOOM!” his arms went flying for exaggeration,” I burned down the lab, Suzy Metter’s golden hair and three lab coats that my partners where wearing.  School kicked me out for it, blaming it all on me.  My parents weren’t too happy about paying the damage bill and shipped me away.  At the time it wasn’t funny, but now.  I will always remember the look on Suzy’s face as she ran around the lab, head on fire with the teacher trying to calm her down and stop her to put it out.” John was laughing and it so hard tears were coming to his eye.  Rogue had to laugh with him on that one.  It was better then her first experience. Finally corn and beans were over as well to cook and they mashed up all the potatoes, flinging them
everywhere.

Finally noon hit and the hams were put in the ovens and it was time to cook all the desserts.  They decided to do it all from scratch, it would be more work but more fun.  All the other kids were decorating the halls. St. John saw his chance.  He took a handful of flour from the mix and threw it at Rogue, so unsuspecting. That started the kitchen war and the two were covered head to tow in flour and other food substances they could get their hands on as amo. Jubilee heard all the noise with curiosity from the dinning area and entered in to find them on the floor, covering each other in flour.With a raised eyebrow Jubilee said, “What are you two doing?  Last time I checked cooking wasn’t a contact sport.”

As if St. John and Rogue were telepathic they grabbed flour and threw it at her.  She screeched as her new blouse was now white instead of red.

Logan came in wondering if there was any help he could do for the festivities.  He was bored.  He stayed clear of the old guys to avoid Scott and hung out with the students.  He had helped Katherine earlier with hanging the streamers and dangling objects that where suppose to be turkeys and other thanksgiving items on the ceiling.  Now he wanted to see what Rogue was up to. He heard Jubilee’s screech and saw her exit the kitchen.  Bobby and Gambit burst out laughing.

“It’s not funny!” She snapped trying to wipe it all off of her.

Logan had to laugh a bit himself and he headed into the kitchen.

“I wouldn’t go in there if I was you,” she warned to him.

“I’ll be careful.”

He ignored it and braved the dangers.  Upon entering he saw two white bodies covered head to toe like ghosts. “I should learn to cook, looks more fun then I thought it would be.”

“We just got a bit carried away.” St. John added, hoping not to get into trouble.

“You don’t have to explain anything to me kid.” Logan went to the fridge and pulled out something to eat. “See no label!”  He said sarcastically to Rogue. “You ok, flower child.”

Rogue looked at him, “Yeah.”

“Wait a minute, don’t move.”  Rogue froze wondering what he was talking about and then another puff of flour hit her.

“There, you missed a spot,” and with that Logan left the kitchen.

Logan went up to talk to Professor Xavier finally and told him if he was to work here and join the X-men, everyone would have to want him here, including Cyclopes.  Professor called everyone in and Logan looked to him waiting for a response.  Scott never said a word but stuck out his hand again for Logan to take. This time he did.  If they were working together now, he might as well be civil.  Besides Logan thought it made him look like a better person to Jean anyway.

As evening approached he went looking for Rogue.  He wanted to spend some quality time with her for a bit since her day was taken up with St. John and cooking. He searched her room and then the dinning area and kitchen.  It was all clean and ready for tomorrow but no Rogue.  He pumped into Scott in the hallways.

“Sorry,” was Scott’s response.

“Have you seen Rogue?”

“Try the roof, it’s one of her favorite spots.”

“How do I get up there?”

“Climb up.”

“She climbs up?”

“No… she didn’t tell you?”

“What?”

“I don’t think it’s my place to say the whole story but she has the power to defy gravity or fly.  So she tries to find spots that no one else can get to, to be by herself.”

So that was it, Logan thought.  “So that was Aaron’s mutation.”

“She did tell you, yes.”

He goes and heads for the roof, Scott turns around from the other direction, “Logan, I’m glad your on the team.”

They part again and Scott yells down the hall “I’ll be needed your help later to fix my new bike!”

“Like hell bug eye!”

Logan smiled and headed outside.  He climbs up a ladder to one part and then up a drain pipe and pulls himself up on the last gable’s edge.  He saw her staring up at the stars, pen and paper in hand.  Rogue heard his efforts to get up here but made none of her own to help him or acknowledge him.  He came and sat beside her.

“Make it hard for a body to find you.”

“That’s the idea”

Her paper was blank, “What are planning on writing?”

Rogue thought maybe Logan could help her.  He knew her better then anyone else.

“An assignment from Storm.  It’s due tomorrow.  We all have to go around before dinner and say what we are most thankful for and what our powers can do to help others.  It’s the second part I’m having problems with.”“Everyone’s doing this?”

“Yep, even the professors.”

“No one told me.  I’d look pretty stupid come tomorrow and I had nothing, but then again I guess that’s why leader boy didn’t tell me about it.”

Rogue laughed a bit, “I wouldn’t of thought so.”

She smiled and gazed into the stars.

“So what are you answers?”

“Well I’m thankful for a new family and friends that don’t judge me and a place where for the first time I can call home.  Plus, I’m thankful for the one person who’s been the closest anyone’s got to me in a long time, a man who isn’t afraid to touch me kept his
promise.”

She didn’t look right at him but at the stars.  She was slightly embarrassed for saying that but it was the truth and she needed to say it.

Logan grew a bit flushed.  He knew this kid, girl, woman, whatever, had a crush on him, remembered by what Jean had told him.  He didn’t know how he was connected to this girl.  It was more then friendship but what he couldn’t explain.  He felt very deep emotions for her, like no one he’s known before.  Was that love? He didn’t know.

To break the silence Rogue stepped in, “What are you thankful for?”

“That I finally was able to let my past stay the past, bury it and get on with the life I have now making new memories, better ones.”

“What good things can I do with my mutations.  I have two.  Aaron can fly, help others with tall obstacles, get that book off the top shelf without a stool, change light bulbs in the basement levels without a ladder… but what does Rogue offer anyone?”

“I think your gift is a mix.  You may drain life and power away but in return, your able to understand that person better, share their experiences, know what their going through.  You can analyze things from many points of view and offer multiple ideas on things.  With some, you make a connection, I know from experience.  You’re still in my head as much as I am in yours.  It’s nearly, if not totally, impossible to break.”“I guess your right.  Though the cost of understanding is a high price.  How about you?”

“In your case it’s special.  I can save your life whenever you need it, always.  For the team, I can kick the living hell out of anybody.”  His claws came out.  “And I’m a walking can opener.”

He wanted to laugh at his own joke but didn’t.  Marie didn’t laugh either.  She knew the pain of the metal inside of him, she beard it as well, those deep scars. “I feel them too.”

She touches her knuckles and then removes her gloves. She reaches out to touch the blades very carefully.  He knows they’re sharp so he hold very still, letting her touch him with her bare hands.  It’s the only part of him she can touch without her gloves.  He wants to give her that.  He can’t feel her fingers at all but only the vibrations made as they trace the metal. She can feel though and that’s what was important to him.“They make you strong and works together with your mutation.  They will always be there to help another
soul in need.”

Rogue put her glove back on and he retracted the claws back within his body.  They were cold from the air but it warmed his hands knowing that she touched them.  It seemed to ease the pain.

“I made the decision to day.”

“So soon, usually time to think with you is a few weeks or months.”

“Well, it felt like the right thing to do.”

“Are you staying or running?”  She looked deep into his eyes for the answer.

“I think you know the answer.” He looks at his dog tags around her neck, “Good night.”

He walks up and heads down, leaving Rogue to her thoughts and the night.  She did know his answer, he was here to stay, to keep his promise.  She held tightly to the dog tags and smiles.  Everything was going to be all right.  The X-men were a full team once
again.