The Wonder Years

"Jambo, Ororo!" Rena exclaimed as she ran to embrace her cousin.(Jambo, hujambo- Hello)

"Hello, Rena," Ororo replied, smiling hugely as she clung to her cousin and once best friend. "How have you been?"

"Very well, and you…look at you," Rena held out Ororo's arms and glanced at her, causing Ororo to blush a bit and hang her head. "Even more beautiful than before you left us."

"I was thinking the same of you," Ororo said with a smile that ended with a gasp, as she now stared with wide eyes at Rena's swollen belly. "Rena?" She said reaching out and placing her hand against the mound, invoking a giggle from Rena, which caused her belly to bounce up and down.

"Yes, five months along now," Rena said with pride answering the question she knew was on Ororo's mind. "Tumbo and my first child."

"Tumbo?" Ororo repeated frowning at the familiar name she couldn't quite place.

"Yes my husband, I cannot believe you do not remember Tumbo, you had the biggest crush on him before you left for America," Rena stated with a nervous giggle, hoping that Ororo wouldn't be mad at her for marrying Tumbo.

"Oh," Ororo said still in shock over the fact that her sixteen-year-old cousin was married with a child on the way. "Congratulation on both your marriage and impending birth."

"Thank you," Rena said as she really looked Ororo over. "And what about you anyone special?" At the question, a huge smile crossed Ororo's face, as thoughts of Logan flooded her mind. "Ahhh, so you do have someone. Come you must tell me all about him as we get you settled in," Rena said as she hooked arms with Ororo and they walked to the hut Ororo was to share with her Aunt.

"Step back through please," The customs officer ordered and Logan did as he was told.

BEEP!

"Damn thing must be broken I've patted him down three times already he's clean, but the detector keeps going off," The customs officer told his supervisor.

"Well, let him go and get maintenance down here to fix it," The supervisor said.

"You're free to go, young man," With that Logan headed off to board the plane, not really looking forward to the long flight, but happy to be on it.

"So what was it like, the 'first time'?" Rena asked as she and Ororo lay across her makeshift bed, where they had been for several hours just talking.

"Messy," Ororo answered with a sour look on her face. "And very painful, at first but after I adjust to Logan's size, it," She paused looking up as if in search of the words. "Rena it was like nothing I have ever felt in my life, it was amazing and incredible and I never wanted it to end. Logan made it special he was so loving and tender he made it about me, my needs before his own. I do not ever recall feeling so loved."

"That sounds so romantic," Rena sighed.

"Well you know, I mean you are with child."

"True but that does not mean it was romantic or pleasant. Tumbo is like most of the men here, thinking that a woman is only here to cater to their needs, even sexually it is all about them," Ororo's heart went out to her cousin and she silently thanked the Goddess for getting her out of the situation, for if she had stayed in the tribe as she had wanted to at first, she would no doubt be married to Tumbo herself. She shuddered at the thought. "You must be tired from your long flight," Rena stated as she moved to get up, Ororo instantly moved to help her up. "I shall let you rest and see you in the morning, ok?" Ororo simply nodded her head.

"Usiku mwema, Rena," Ororo said embracing her cousin once more.(Usiku mwema- Goodnight)

"Good night Ororo," Rena replied before breaking the hug and leaving.

"You'll walk?" The young African man repeated not sure he had heard the American boy right.

"That's what I said," He huffed as he grabbed his duffle bag from the jeep, and slung it over his shoulder.

"It's a twenty-mile hike, through the desert, and it is nearly nightfall."

"Yeah, and I bet that usually scares all the other Americans you scam out of a hundred and fifty bucks, well I ain't the one bub. I'll walk, twenty miles ain't nothing."

'But there are scary, dangerous animal that come out at night."

"Yeah, but there are scarier things out."

"Oh like what?"

"Like me," *SNIKT!* The man stumbled backward, staring wide-eyed at the three metal claws. He hurriedly got back into his jeep, no longer caring to convince the boy to take his offer of a ride. Logan watched as the man sped off, silently cursing himself that he hadn't tried to talk the man's price down, twenty miles was a long walk, and he was dying to get to Ororo.

"Ororo!" She stared at him perplexed his voice had changed, turned feminine. The face of the man she loved and had just been making love to also changed, turning into her Aunt Kimyra's. Ororo jumped upright in her bed, waking from her dream.

"I'm up!"

"Good chile, now get dressed. We have a visitor coming, a couple of the tribesmen saw him while they were out hunting. They say he's a white man. You speak and understand English better than the rest of us, so you come to speak with him. Hurry chile," Ororo stood from her bed and began to dress, wondering who this white man could be and what he wanted. When she finally made her way outside a crowd had formed near the village's edge, she moved through them, holding her hand up to her brow to shield her eyes from the sun. They all wait anxiously for several minutes as the figure got closer and closer. Ororo took a few steps outward, squinting her eyes, trying to see better.

"It can not be," She mumbled to herself as she watched the figure which she could now tell was in fact a man. A smile spread across her lips as her heart began to pound in her chest. Suddenly and to the surprise of the tribe, Ororo took off at full speed, racing towards the approaching man, who in turn was sprinting toward her. Logan dropped his bag just as Ororo leaped into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist, and devouring his lips with hers. They stood there for what seemed like hours, just tasting each other, hungrily, moaning into the other's mouth, as the baffled tribes people stared at them.

"I think she knows him," Rena said to Kimyra, never taking her eyes from the kissing couple.

"This must be her Logan," Kimyra said with a smile. "And he came halfway around the world for her. I like him already," She added as her smile broadened.

"Mmmmhhmm…you…came…" Ororo spoke breathlessly around their kisses.

"What…uummm…you…thought...mmm...I wouldn't?" Logan replied and then pulled from the kiss for air as he still held her and rested his forehead on hers, staring deeply into her eyes.

"I prayed that you would find me and come," She said as tears wet her eyes.

"It wasn't too hard, Chuck sent me."

"The Professor," Ororo leaned back a bit, surprised at this. "You do know he was the one who sent me away in the first place…"

"Yeah, and we had words, and he realized that he can't keep us apart."

"Oh Goddess, you did not kill him did you?" She asked with scared eyes and Logan couldn't help but laugh.

"No, but the thought did cross my mind," He said as he set her down on her feet and took a step back to look at her. "Damn, it's only been nearly two days and I feel like I haven't seen you in years. I've missed ya darlin," He said as he moved back to her, running his hand across her cheek and recapturing her lips in a soft kiss.

"I have missed you more," She stated as she raked her nails across his chest, up his neck, and to the back of his neck, and then yanked him forcefully back to her mouth, in a bruising kiss.

"Whoa baby," Logan said pulling back to meet her protesting eyes and pouting mouth. "I personally don't mind an audience, but ya sure ya want ta put on a show fer tha folks?" He said nodding over her shoulder, and she turned and instantly began to blush.

"Come, there are some people I want you to meet," She said as she firmly gripped his hand, as if afraid he'd run away from her if she didn't hold him close. Logan picked up his bag and they walked closer to the village.

Ororo moved them past a few tribesmen, and directly to her Aunt Kimyra and cousin Rena. "Logan this is my family, my cousin Rena and Aunt Kimyra," Logan nodded his greeting and before he could open his mouth to speak, Kimyra had trapped him in a fierce bear hug.

"Karibu, Logan! Karibu!" Kimyra greeted him with a hearty laugh. (Karibu- welcome)

"Asante," Logan said smiling warmly at the woman, who now stared at him in disbelief as did Ororo and the nearby tribe's people. "Nasikia Kiu Sana." (Asante- Thank you), (Nasikia Kiu sana- I am very thirsty)

"Come chile, I'll fix you a strong drink and something to eat too," Kimyra said as she turned and pushed through the crowd, moving towards her hut.

"I like yer Aunt, darlin," Logan said to Ororo who was still staring at him in wonderment.

"I did not know you could speak Swahili Logan,"

"Neither did I, til I started speaking it," He said with a smirk and a wink and they followed Kimyra, being stopped ever so often by different people greeting Logan.

"You walked from the station, why that's twenty miles," Tumba stated as he, Logan, Ororo, and several other people sat around the fire, as the rest danced about celebrating their new 'family' member's arrival.

"Yeah well the driver was trying to scam me, wanted me ta pay hundred and fifty bucks ta drive me here, I'd have rather walked than pay that and so I did. Sides I kind of scared him off."

"Oh, how?" Rena asked dying to know. Logan looked at her and the others warily and Ororo gently squeezed his arms and leaned into him.

"It is ok Logan I have told them about you I hope you do not mind, they understand about our 'unique' powers. In fact, several here are mutants as well," Logan simply nodded before popping out his claws. *SNIKT!*

"Wow," Rena gasped. "Ororo did describe them, but I never imagined…do they hurt…when they come out."

"Every time," Logan said sadly as he stared at the blades as if looking at them for the first time. "But I've gotten used ta it I suppose."

"How did you get them, Ororo said the metal wasn't part of your mutant abilities, so how did you get them?" Tumba asked curiously.

"I honestly don't know. There is a section in my life that I don't remember, which is why I ended up at the school, Chuck…The Professor there has been helping me ta try and figure out my past."

"Oh, it must be terrible, not knowing," Kimyra stated. "And has this Professor been able to help you?"

"Not really, I remember bits and pieces, but nothing I want ta remember."

"Oh, why not?" Ororo asked as she gently stroked his hand, where his claws had disappeared.

"It's all memories of being experimented on, I can feel some of the things that were done ta me, and it won't pretty."

"I am so sorry Logan," Ororo said as she lifted his hand and placed a gentle kiss across his knuckles. He watched her intensely, letting his eyes linger on her mouth as she pulled away. Ororo knew the look well and blushed, looking downward coyly. After a few moments, everyone about the fire struck up their own conversations, telling old folk stories, and Logan leaned into Ororo moving his mouth to her ears.

"I want you," He whispered to her and she smiled, shifting in her seat a bit, instantly growing wet.

"Come Logan," Ororo spoke loudly as she stood. "I shall show you to the river nearby so you can clean yourself before bed, there is even a beautiful waterfall and the water is quite warm even at night," Logan stood at her invitation, grasping her hand. "I shall be late Aunt Kimyra, I want to show Logan around a bit, at all the best view at night."

"Right chile, you two go have fun," Kimyra said throwing them a knowing smile.

"You have to be careful walking here at night, especially if you are not familiar with the jungles," Ororo said as she and Logan walked hand in hand through the small bush of a jungle, making their way to the waterfall, which they could hear falling close in the distance. "There are many poisonous creatures lurking about."

"Don't worry Ro, I'll protect you," Logan said causing her to smile at him.

"I am not worried about my safety, I grew up here. I could find my way around this place with my eyes closed," She said as they cleared some trees and found themselves on the banks of the waterfall. Logan gasped at the sight of it it was breathtaking. Even Ororo found herself staring in awe, having forgotten just how majestic and wondrous it was. The moon shining down and reflecting against the water's surface illuminated the area. "Goddess, I had forgotten just how beautiful it is. Is it not the most beautiful thing you have ever seen Logan?" she asked never taking her eyes from the water.

"No, you are," Logan stated and Ororo focused her attention on him, blushing. "But this is nice too," He added with a smirk, which quickly faded as he pulled Ororo to him. "You are without a doubt the most beautiful creation that God or the Goddess has ever thought up," Logan said as he hugged her to him, resting his forehead against hers. He leaned in slowly as Ororo held her breath in anticipation, and then sighed when Logan finally covered her mouth with his. Logan entangled his fingers in Ororo's soft hair, pulling her closer as she gripped at his forearms. He trailed a kiss from her lips to her neck, down to her shoulder where he pulled down the strap of her blouse, and then moved his mouth to her exposed breast, sucking on one and then the other. Ororo hissed out her pleasure as she fisted his hair in her hands, holding him to her. She threw her head back and arched into him, moaning out. Then as if remembering something, she stopped him.

"No Logan," She smiled despite herself at the child-like look of disappointment that played across Logan's face. "Not here, someone could come by, there," She pointed up to the waterfall. "There's a small cave behind it, Rena, Tumbo and I use to play in it when were younger," She said and Logan quirked up his brow.

"You and Tumbo?"

"And Rena," She said knowing what he was implying. She lead the way and they climb the somewhat steep rocks alongside the waterfall, but they safely made it to the cave, and once inside they began to ravage each other with their hands and mouths, quickly stripping each other of their clothes. Logan laid Ororo down on the make-shift bedding, which was their pile of clothes, he lay atop her in between her open and welcoming thighs. He paused and looked down at her.

"I gotta tell ya darlin the first time is gonna be over real quick, I want ya so bad I'm in pain, but give me a second, and then I'll be good as new and I'll spend tha rest of the night pleasing ya."

"You have always made it about pleasing me Logan," Ororo spoke as she shifted them turning so she was on top. Logan laid back watching her curiously. "Let me please you now," She said as she slowly slid down his body. Logan swiftly grabbed her arm stopping her.

"Ya don't gotta do that darlin," He said sincerely, though inside he was dying to feel her mouth on him.

"I know but I want to," She said her blue eyes sparkling in the dimly light cave. Logan then released her and settled back, but when he felt her hot wet mouth on the head of his cock, he nearly bolted upright and his claws shot out, causing Ororo to stop and look at him in worry.

"Sorry," He said retracting the blades. "Got a bit excited there," He commented and Ororo giggled, loving that she had invoked that reaction in him. She then moved her mouth back to his cock, not really knowing what she was doing, but figuring it was right by the way Logan was gyrating his hips and growling. She couldn't take all of him into her mouth so she focused on suckling and licking his head as she wrapped her hand firmly around the base and slowly jacked him off.

Logan found it a task to keep from thrusting and pushing his cock all the way into Ororo's mouth. He clenched his jaws and fisted his hands as a low growl rumbled in his chest. When he looked down at her head, which bobbed up and down around him, he nearly lost it.

"Ro," He croaked out. "Ya gotta stop now darlin," He spoke just she ignored him knowing he was close. "If ya don't stop I'm gonna…" At his words, Ororo's grip on his cock tightened and her hand moved faster. "Arrrggghhhh!" Logan let out a roar, and his hands instinctively gripped her head, holding her mouth to him as he spilled his thick cum into her mouth, which she drank greedily. Drained, Logan's body went limp he had never felt anything like that before not even with Jean, who often gave him blowjobs. They were good, but this had been different more intense and erotic. Ororo sat up watching him closely, awaiting his reaction to her performance, and when he didn't speak her insecurity flooded her.

"Did…did I do it wrong. Was I bad?" She asked timidly, and Logan's head instantly shot up to look at her. He moved with such speed that she hadn't even seen his movements, and it wasn't until she was pinned to the ground with him hovering about her did she realize that he had grabbed her.

"No, you were unbelievable, incredible, perfect," He said still a bit breathless and Ororo smiled up at him, and then gasped as she felt his thickness at her opening, the head slowly pushing in and out. "So perfect," He continued as he pushed into her further, and she arched up, her mouth falling open as she stared deeply into his eyes, which bore into hers. "So beautiful," He added, pulling out and then going back in deeper, and she groaned. "A Goddess," His thrusts came faster, harder, and deeper as Ororo's moans and groans matched it. "My Goddess," Her breaths came in pants as she closed her eyes, bit at her lip, and thrashed her head from side to side, signaling to Logan that she was very close, just need a little push. "Mine," He said with a grunt as another climax neared while Ororo's suddenly overtook her.

"Uhhhhahhhh, GODDESS!" She screamed bucking up and down beneath Logan, who pushed on for his release.

"Mine, mine, mine," He continued to chant in rhythm with his deep thrusts. Ororo who was coming down from her high simply clung to him, kissing the side of his face, which was buried against her neck. "Mine."

"Yes, Logan, yours, forever," Ororo said not knowing the emotions her words would invoke in Logan, who lifted his head and roared like a wild animal, frightening her a bit, and then he buried his face back to her neck and bit her, but more gently than the first time.

"So this is it, your heaven," Logan said taking a deep breath, taking in the beautiful view of the village with its surrounding jungle. "Where tha Goddess arose," He spoke as he turned to her smirking, knowing she hated being called that 'G' word.

"No, I came here when I was 12, I grew up in the city of Cairo." She said looking past Logan out into the distance as a veil of anguish washed over her face, something Logan took notice of.

"Ya got family in Cario huh, well we should visit them before we head back home in a couple of weeks," Logan commented.

"The only family I have is here and at the school," She said waving her hand about her. I was orphaned when I was five, remember, when my parents died, and I became a street urchin," Logan vaguely recalled her telling him that but not going into details.

"Ya mean you were on yer own from five til twelve?" He asked and she simply nodded her head never looking directly at him. He felt a near-overwhelming need to hold her, comfort her and he pulled her into his embrace. "I'm sorry baby, wish I could have been here to protect ya, how did ya ever survive fer so long."

"I picked pockets," She mumbled into his shoulder. "I'm not proud of it but it is what we had to do, and sometimes we may need to do what we detest in order to live," She stated and Logan nodded in agreement.

"So were ya any good?" He asked jokingly hoping to lighten the mood.

"Good enough," She answered as she stepped back and twirled his watch around her finger. He looked from her hand to his wrist and then smiled at her, impressed that she had actually done it without his senses kicking in.

"Not bad," He said simply as he smirked at her, invoking giggles. "So what else don't I know about cha?" He asked as they headed back towards the village.

"I am not telling, you shall just have to stick around and find out."

"I can do that," Logan agreed as he reached out and grasped her hand as they continued to walk.

"I am glad," Ororo smiled and then instantly frowned causing a worried look to wash over Logan's face.

"What?" He question as Ororo quickly clamped her hand to her mouth and pulled away from him, rushing to nearby bushes, where she bent over and vomited. Logan stood back a ways watching her, not knowing what to do, after the retching seemed to stop he moved closer. "Are ya ok darlin?"

"Yes," She answered with her back to him, as she remained crouched near the bushes, making sure her spell was over. "I think I ate too many Samosas," She said as she finally stood, wiping at her mouth before turning to face Logan again. She forced a smile so he wouldn't worry and then they continued their trek home.

"Are you sure?"

"No, that is why I am asking you."

"Well, there is the vomiting, which I did a lot. And you say you have been feeling fatigued lately," The other girl nodded to this. "Well, how is your period?"

"Nonexistent," She commented as she flopped down on the bed next to her cousin.

"Well, that could be from stress or ... a problem, given everything else," Rena stated. "Ororo sweet cousin, I think that you may be pregnant," Ororo groaned to this as she suddenly laid back on the bed.

"No, do not say that, there could be other reasons."

"Others reasons your period has not come, and you are vomiting and fatigued? Yeah, I thought so too, and look at me now," Ororo looked over at her cousin who sat perched at the foot of the bed, rubbing her swollen belly, and again let a deep groan escape her lips. "So are you going to tell Logan?"

"Tell me what?" A gruff voice spoke from the doorway of the hut Ororo was sharing with her Aunt. Logan had taken up with one of the elder men of the village. Both girls leaped to their feet and stared at him wide-eyed.

"Uh…I should go, Tumbo will want his dinner when he gets back from the hunt," Rena spoke as she hurried past Logan, leaving Ororo to look after her with pleading eyes. Once they were alone, with Logan still in the doorway, Ororo fidgeted a bit not knowing what to say or where to start.

"So what did ya wanna tell me darlin?" He questioned again.

"I think that honesty is important for a relationship," Ororo said causing Logan to frown at her in confusion.

"Yeah, I think it is too."

"So I shall be honest," She said sighing heavily and then going silent again, trying to form the words, and wondering if she should wait until she knew for sure before telling him anything. "I am late," she finally blurted out.

"Fer what?" Logan asked still completely lost.

"My period," She said as she now stared directly at him.

"Shit," He mumbled a curse. "Are ya sure?"

"That my period is late, yes. That I am pregnant, no I am not sure, and it is not like we can go to the corner store and pick up a test, you know how far the nearest town is."

"So, I'll go if ya want, if ya need…I mean ta be sure."

"No, you cannot the town may be far away, but trust me the gossip flows on the wind, and if you go into town to get a pregnancy test trust that the news will get back here before you do. I do not wish to shame my Aunt, and me being pregnant and unwed will surely do it, it is considered a disgrace among my people, Logan," Ororo said her eyes watering with impending tears. Logan swiftly moved to where she stood and pulled her into his embrace.

"Don't worry, Ro, I'm right here with you, always, and we will figure it out. I promise," Logan reassured her though he was at a loss on what to do.

"What?" Ororo exclaimed as she and Logan sat in the hut with her aunt, where they had gathered for dinner.

"It's tradition to ask you since you are Ororo's only blood relative here," Logan spoke to Kimyra, ignoring Ororo's outburst and fear-stricken eyes. Kimyra gave a hardy laugh and slapped Logan's back.

"Yes, yes…Logan, and you are serious about this, you want to take my Ororo as your wife?" She asked and Logan looked from her to Ororo whose eyes looked like they were going to pop out of her head, he then looked back to Kimyra.

"Yes ma'am, more than anything."

"Wait a mi…" Ororo spoke out and her Aunt shushed her.

"Hush child, go fetch us some fresh drinking water from the well, while Logan and I discuss how he shall pay the bridewealth," Ororo felt panic, wanting to stay and be a part of the discussion but knowing that it was not her place, that traditionally she had no say in the matter, really and so she stood and left the hut. Upon her return from the well Ororo walked onto a scene of celebration as the villagers had gathered around the nightly lit bonfire, singing and dancing loudly, her eyes then fell on Logan who was surrounded by the men of the village, shaking his hand and giving him words of wisdom about, what Ororo could only assume was their impending nuptials. "Ororo!" Her aunt exclaimed. "Come chile, join the celebration…you are to be married in a couple of days, Rena and I have already started the preparations, and all the women of the village shall do their part, it shall be glorious. Why we have not had such a happy, joyous occasion since Rena and Tumbo's marriage."

"Wait," Ororo spoke and she moved to where her aunt and cousin stood. "How did Logan afford the bridewealth?" Ororo had been counting on that being the undoing of the shotgun wedding, being that the dowry usually consisted of cows and goats.

"That groom of yours is something else, once I told him what it would take, he went throughout the village buying up every pig, cow, goat, and even a couple of camels, let me tell you, chile, he really wants to marry you, he went far beyond what I had requested," She said chuckling.

"Hey darlin," Logan said as he came up behind Ororo, who turned and gave him a deathly glare. "So I guess you've heard the good news.

"Yes and it may double, Rafiki has inquired if you would like his daughter as well," Kimyra said and both Ororo and Logan looked at her dumbstruck. "She is 15 and a virgin, and Rafiki is only asking for a quarter of what I wanted."

"Uh…you can tell him no thank you, I only want one wife, Ororo," Logan stated and Ororo found herself smiling a bit, despite the situation.

"Oh Logan, I forget sometimes that you are American and do not clearly understand the ways of our people, it is quite customary for a husband to take several wives, in fact, Rena shall have a co-wife soon," Ororo looked to her cousin at this news and could see the sadness it caused her, and as much as she loved this place, her home, it was times like this that she was grateful she didn't have to live there. "I shall tell him, but I think he and his daughter shall be disappointed, she has had her eyes on you since you first arrived," Kimyra spoke as she nodded her head, and all their eyes followed where she nodded to where an older man stood beside a teenaged girl, who both watched them intensely and threw a smile when they saw Kimyra, Ororo, Logan, and Rena all staring at them. "I better go break the news, come Rena let us leave the bride and broom alone for a moment, for after this night they shall not see each other again until the ceremony," Kimyra said and she and Rena moved towards the man and daughter.

"So," Logan spoke as he smiled at Ororo.

"So, what the hell do you think you are doing Logan?"

"What's tha matter Ro?" Logan asked following her, as she stalked towards the waterfalls, which they had spent many nights christening as 'their' waterfalls. Logan cautiously looked up to the night skies as he heard the rumbling of thunder.

"Were you not paying attention? You just brought me as your bride," She hissed as she continued stalking towards the falls.

"Naw, I asked ta marry ya outta respect, yer aunt was tha one telling me I had ta get all that shit ta have ya," Logan said himself, now angry that she would accuse him of a thing.

"Well, you should learn people's customs before you go asking to marry someone," She said now stopped and staring at him with her arms crossed against her chest.

"Yeah, well some people, shouldn't be ass-backward, and join the rest of the sane world and not go around sellin their daughters ta tha highest bidder," Logan spoke now in a near growl, and Ororo simply remained silent, she couldn't disagree with what he had said.

"It is still wrong," She finally spoke and Logan couldn't help but to smile at the pout on her mouth.

"What is?"

"This," She spoke agitated as she flung her arms in the air like a mad woman. "This marriage."

"Why?"

"Because you are only doing it because…" She said lowering her voice a bit as she spoke that last part of her sentence. "You think I am pregnant with your child."

"Naw I aint, I'm marrying ya because I love ya, and why tha hell ya say it like that…'cause you think I'm pregnant wit 'your' child'." Ororo's frown ceased a bit as she giggled at the expression on Logan's face and his jealous question. "Don't laugh it better be mine or yer gonna be missin a villager."

"'It', if there is an 'it', and Goddess I pray 'it' is not, is definitely yours Logan. And do not stand there lying about not marrying me due to my seeming condition."

"Yeah alright, it had some bearing but very little. Look Ro I've already made a commitment ta ya," He spoke as he reached out and traced his fingers over her neck, which still held his bite mark. "This wedding, it's just ta let everyone else know how much we love each other and that, that will never change no matter how they try they will never tear us apart."

"Logan that was beautiful, I did not know you were a poet," Ororo said smiling as she softened a bit and took a step towards him.

"Only fer you," He commented not moving, though dying too, he wanted her to give in and come to him, he figured it was just a part of his animalistic nature. And soon she was standing right in front of him, their bodies touching, but neither reached out the grab hold of the other. "I love ya, ya know that right?" He said softly as he stared at her, and she only nodded her head as she stared at his chest not wanting to meet his eyes, wanting to remain somewhat mad at him, and knowing if she looked at him she would melt. "So, Ororo Munroe," He hooked his finger under her chin and raised her face to his. "Will you marry me?"

"I think we are done here," Tumbo announced as he stood bad to assess the work.

"What tha fuck is this?"

"It tis called a dashiki, and it is normal wedding dressings, Logan," Tumbo stated with a chuckle as he helped Logan get ready for his wedding.

"Dress being tha operative word, I aint wearin it, where's my jeans, I think I got a white dress shirt in my bag…"

"Logan it would be very disrespectful to the elders if you did not have a traditional ceremony, we here take our ceremonies very seriously, you saw that we celebrated for two whole days to prepare and shall for two more days after the ceremony, it is custom."

"Man, you guys are killin me wit yer fuckin customs," Logan said in a growl as he lifted his arm and shook the large cuff of the 'dashiki' top.

"That may be but Ororo is worth it and you are lucky to have her become your wife," Tumbo said sincerely. Logan turned to him with an arched brow.

"Ya two had something goin before she left here didn't ya?" Logan questioned and Tumbo lowered his head a bit and sighed heavily.

"I loved Ororo from the moment I laid eyes on her and yes we were an item before she left and many had assumed, myself included that we would be right here where you are today, but it was not meant to be. I am now married to Rena and soon to take another wife and you are about to marry Ororo."

"But yer still in love with her."

"Yes, as I will always be, but she is yours."

"Yeah, she is, and don't ever ferget it. I like ya Tumbo but that don't mean I won't hurt ya if ya ever try ta rekindle things wit Ro," Tumbo laughed outright as he slapped Logan's back.

"You have met Ororo, right? You should know her better my friend. As well, you have a lot to learn about my people, we do not take things such as marriages likely."

"Yeah which is why yer about ta have another wife, what's wrong wit Rena she seems like a nice enough girl," Logan spoke as he tugged at the neckline of his top.

"Logan I understand that many in your culture do not condone polygamy, but it is…"

"Tha way of yer people, yeah, yeah…me I'm a one-woman type of guy, sides I suspect I'll have my hands full wit Ro."

"That you shall, my friend that you shall," Tumbo agreed again laughing hard.

"Stop fidgeting, Ororo," Rena said as she smacked Ororo's backside.

"Sorry, but I have to go to the bathroom," Ororo whined.

"Now, after I have dressed you, you cannot hold it?"

"If I could I would not be bouncing around like this," Ororo said jumping in place.

"Fine, raise your arms then," Rena said and Ororo complied lifting her arms and Rena pulled the garment over her head. "Hurry," She said to Ororo's retreating back as she rushed from the hut and down to the path leading to the toilets. After a few moments, Ororo returned. "What, why are you smiling like that, you did not go see Logan, cause you know it is forbidden before the ceremony."

"No I did not go see Logan but I have to, I have to talk with him right now," Ororo said smiling at her cousin.

"What, no you cannot."

"Rena it came," Ororo said as she moved to her cousin, embracing the confused girl tightly in her arms.

"What came?"

"My period."

"Oh…Ohhhhh, so now…"

"Now we do not have to get married."

"Why not?"

"Did you not just hear me," She whispered from her place outside the small window of the hut, as she nervously looked about her hoping no one spotted her.

"Yeah I heard ya, yer not pregnant and I'll admit I'm relieved but that don't mean we shouldn't get married."

"What, you mean you still want to get married?" Ororo stared at him wide-eyed.

"Yeah, don't you?" He looked at her now with pleading eyes and for the first time, Ororo actually saw a bit of fear in them.

"Oh, Logan,"

"Well, here we are." She said with a heavy sigh.

"Yeah," He added as they both stood looking up at the long winding driveway.

"So, this where you two are going, or what?" The cab driver asked in a huff as he turned around to glare at the couple.

"Yeah," Logan replied in a near growl and the cabbie turned back around in a haste and steered the cab up the driveway.

"So, what do we tell everyone, you know there will be a hundred questions about our time in Africa," Ororo asked as she laid her head against Logan's shoulder.

"We ain't gotta tell them nothing, unless ya want ta."

"What would I say?" She asked.

"That we had a great time and didn't really want ta come back, and that we got hitched," Logan said as he looked at her awaiting her reaction.

"We don't have to tell them 'that'."

"Which 'that'?"

"That part about getting married, there is really no point, and is none of their business. That was for us remember?"

"Well, I think tha name change will pique someone's interest," Logan said as he exited the parked cab and moved to the back to get out their luggage, as Ororo did the same.

"Well…there is no name change."

"What don't tell me yer gonna be tha independent type that don't take her husband's name?" Logan said with a chuckle.

"No that is not what I mean,"

"Well, what do ya mean?" Logan asked stopping his action to look at her, knowing she was keeping something from him. She didn't answer but tried busying herself with her luggage. "Ro?" He continued and she looked up at him nervously, just as the front door opened and Jubilee and Gambit came out.

"Roro!" Jubilee exclaimed as she rushed to her friend, pulling her into a tight embrace. Ororo focused her attention on her friend, happy for the interruption, but she could still feel Logan's eyes burning into her.

"Logan, mon ami," Gambit said as he lightly slapped his best friend on the back. "How was de trip, you bring Gambit a present, no?"

"Save it Gumbo," Logan mumbled as he pushed past his friend and moved to Ororo, grasping her arms and turning her to face him. "Ro, what did ya mean?"

"Logan, I don't think now is the time…"

"Well, I think it is, for the past couple of days since we've been preparing ta come home, ya've been actin funny. What's goin on Ro, I'm yer husband and I have a right ta know."

"Husband," Jubilee and Gambit repeated in unison as they stared at their friends.

"Logan," Ororo hissed now mad that he had blurted it out so.

"What, are ya ashamed of it…now?"

"No, just did not see the point in announcing it…"

"Why tha hell not, we are married darlin…"

"No, we are not!" Ororo yelled into his face, which fell at her words.

"Logan I said I was sorry I did not tell you I just…" She sat silently leaning against the wall outside his bedroom door, where she had sat for nearly an hour, with him growling, cursing, and throwing things about on the other side of the closed door. The door suddenly flung open, startling her and she abruptly jumped to her feet as Logan now glared at her.

"Just what?" He hissed the brims of his eyes red, and for a moment Ororo wonder if he had been crying, but then quickly dismissed it as rage, as she watched his shoulder heave up and down in a rapid manner as if he were panting at her.

"I just did not know how to tell you. After the ceremony was done you seemed so happy, and I did not know how to tell you," She spoke softly, lowering her eyes from his gaze as she wrung her hands together. "I honestly did not think you would take it all so seriously."

"I LOVED ya, and I thought we were takin vows that meant ferever fer us," He roared causing a couple of students to come out of their doors and watch them, which irritated Logan even more. "What tha fuck are ya lookin at?" He asked the curious eye who quickly turned back into their rooms, closing the doors behind them.

"You loved me?" Ororo repeated in a low voice and had it been anyone else they might not have heard her. "We're now speaking in the past tense when referring to us Logan?" She asked now looking directly at him as tears filled her eyes. He let out a groan of frustration and angrily raked his fingers through his hair, angry at the situation what he deemed as her betrayal, and at making her cry. "Now you do not want me?"

"I want ya, thought I made that clear during our 'wedding', fuck was any of it real?"

"Yes, it was all real Logan, all of it…but it's only legally binding in Kenya," At this news Logan lifted his head and laughed outright, throwing his head back and letting out a mad-sounding hackle.

"Well," He finally spoke, calming himself but remaining smiling at her, which caused her to smile a bit in return, hoping they were on the verge of making up. "I'm thinking the idea of moving to Kenya is out, huh?" He chuckled and his words caused Ororo to giggle at him.

"Yes, it is home but I do not think I could live without air conditioning and indoor plumbing anymore," She said jokingly.

"But you can live without me?" Logan said and she shot her eyes up to his face, which was now stone cold and blank of any remnants of emotions.

"No, and I do not want to try. I love you, Logan," She moved to him reaching up and cupping his face in her hands and placing a soft kiss on his lips. "I love you…love you so much…" She spoke between kisses. He grabbed her wrists as her hands continued to pull at him, they remained connected by their foreheads.

"Ya made me so happy Ro, ya gave me something I never really had, a family, my family. Then ya yanked back. Made it seem like some kind of joke."

"No," She now cried as she again tried to move in to kiss him only to have him hold her more firmly away.

"Ya lied, ya purposely lied ta me and about something you knew meant something ta me, if ya had told me I'd still have wanted ta do it, even if it won't 'real', but ya made me think it was real. For tha first time, I thought I had something real, that I had memories of some happiness, of love, of someone I love. I know to you it seems not that important, but if ya knew what I've lived what I've gone through," He released her with a small shove and she stumbled back a bit. "I can't deal with this Ro, feelin betrayed like this."

"Goddess Logan I withheld something from you and I was wrong, but I would have told you I just needed the right time."

"That would have been before the ceremony, that was tha right time Ro."

"So what are you saying? What do you want to do?" She asked and a fear gripped her heart as she looked into his eyes, which already spoke the answers to her.

'There's a few more weeks til school starts up again, I'm gonna head North, home ta Canada."

"You are leaving?" She spoke out as her posture straightened and she lifted her head a bit, taking what Logan called her Goddess stance, a role she played up when she wanted to guard herself from hurt, or in this case, not show how much she was hurting.

"I think it would be best, need ta clear my head, think…"

"Fine," she spoke out cutting off his words. "Well, have a safe trip," She said before turning and walking off, forcing herself to walk and not run as her soul wanted her to, forcing back the cries that clawed at her throat for release. It wasn't until she rounded the corner did she begin to run and run as fast as she could to the far window of the second floor, sending a gush of wind before her to slam them open and hard against the outside shutters. Her slim frame easily fit through the opening and up into the sky, and at a speed that left a roaring sound afterward, causing many of the residents inside and out, to lift their eyes to the sky.

"Ok Jubes you're in charge of costumes, I'm sure most will buy their own, but I want those who aren't able, to have costumes available still, and since you're head of the drama dept."

"I'm all over it," Jubliee said from her spot at the table, where she and the rest of the party committee sat.

"Good, Rogue you and Kitty are in charge of décor, and how is that coming along?

"Perfectly, I'm so happy we pick Renaissance as the setting for this welcome back Masquerade ball," Kitty said giddily.

"Yeah, ah gotta admit at first ah thought it would be lame, but now ah'm kind of getting into it," Rogue admitted with a wide smile.

"Good, I'm glad we're all having fun and it's all coming together so smoothly, well ladies I think that's all the business we have this week, unless there's anything else you all want to discuss?" The other girls at the table simply shook their heads. "Ok, then this meeting is adjourned," Ororo said with a smile which the others returned as they stood and left the table all except Jubliee who remained at her best friend's side.

"I can't believe we are about to start our final year of high school," Jubilee stated.

"I know, we're seniors the top dogs," Ororo giggled at the thought and how in the past few months she had gone from the mouse nerd to the versatile leader and already the head of almost every School committee.

"Yes the new school year brings us closer to adulthood and independence, and…" Jubilee paused as she eyed Ororo, about to speak on a subject she knew her friend didn't care to discuss, ever. "And I guess Logan will be back any day now," At these words, Ororo's face crumbled a little as she looked down at the papers she gathered up into a pile.

"I suppose, but I would not know since he has not written nor called, so I personally do not know if he's dead or alive…"

"Oh he's alive," Jubille spoke out as she looked over Ororo's shoulders.

"I am sure he is, I was just saying…"

"And he's here and he's brought a friend," At this Ororo's head shot up to her friend and then to where her friend now stared with her mouth agape, and there stood the boy who had haunted Ororo's dreams for weeks now. Ororo's heart leaped in her throat with happiness at the sight of him, but that hastily faded as she took note of the girl who stood beside Logan, clinging to his arm. Then she was sure she heard her heart shatter into a zillion pieces as she watched the girl lean up and kiss Logan upon his lips, which he parted as he kissed her back.

Ororo sat staring unable to tear her eyes away, barely able to breathe. Jubilee's voice didn't even register any longer, not even when Logan pulled back from his new friend and locked eyes with her did she turn away, she just stared back at him without any emotion playing on her face. For the first time since she had known him he had been the first to back down, quickly looking down as he headed inside the mansion with all eyes on him, eyes which instantly moved to Ororo, who only watched quietly as Logan and company entered the mansion.

"Ok, who the hell is she?" Jubilee questioned out loud but to deaf ears as Ororo sat transfixed her eyes still staring at the entrance Logan had disappeared in.

"Her name is Emma Frost…"Jubilee started as soon as she took the seat next to Ororo at the picnic table, out in the gardens, which was Ororo's favorite place on the entire estate.

"I do not care," Ororo replied softly as she read over her re-vamped plans for the ball.

"And she's from a rich family," Rogue continued as she sat between Jubilee and Kitty, who were all now a constant fixture around Ororo, ever since her showdown with Jean. "Which means she's probably uppity."

"And still I do not care," Ororo replied again, never lifting her eyes from her work, not even when Jubilee nudged her to alert her of Logan's approaching form.

"Hey Ro," He deep voice spoke out and penetrated her soul but still she wouldn't allow herself to look up, would not allow him to see what was in her eyes, so she continued looking over her paperwork not even acknowledging his presence. After a moment of what felt like eternal silence, Jubilee broke the tension.

"Welcome home Logan," She said with a bright smile but he didn't take his eyes off Ororo, who continued to ignore him.

"Yeah, and who's yer girlfriend?" Rogue brazenly asked getting a shove and glare from Kitty and Jubilee. "What, like ya'll weren't dyin ta ask?" Ororo swallowed back the lump in her throat trying to will down her tears but it was of no use as a single drop hit the paper she stared aimlessly at, smudging the ink there. Logan's fists and jaws clenched at the sight of her tears, hating himself for causing them, wanting to explain things and make it right, but knowing that nothing would ever be so between them again, no matter how much he wished it would be.

"Ro can we talk for a bit?" Logan asked and saw her shoulders slump a bit, a sign that she was listening. "Darlin…" At that word, her head shot up and her now icy glare locked onto him and the rumbles of thunder clapped overhead.

"Ok, just a suggestion Logan, but um…I don't think you should call her that," Jubilee said as her eyes moved from her best friend to the sky, wondering if they would all be fried.

"Ro, can we go somewhere more pri-"

"Logan!" A voice called out and all eyes, except Logan's and Ororo's, which remained fixed on each other, turned to the voice and the girl it belonged to. "There you are, I've been looking all over for you," She said as she moved up to him, lacing her arm with his. "Well hello all," She greeted with a bright smile. "I'm Emma."

"Hello," The three girls at the table mumbled in unison through fake smiles.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything, but baby's hungry and I don't know my way around yet and need my Logan to show me to the kitchen," She said with a bright smile and this time all eyes except Logan's, which now looked to the ground, gazed at the girl dumbstruck.

"Baby?" Jubilee repeated, not clear if it's a name the girl used to refer to herself or someone else."

"Yes," The girl beamed with pride as she placed her free hand over her small belly. "He or she has definitely got her father's appetite, I'm sure I shall be enormous before it's all said and done," There was a moment of silence as three of the girls at the table stared up at the girl before them all in shock, then the skies opened up and a hard rain shower suddenly fell on them, causing all save two to shout out and hurriedly duck and run for shelter. Only two remained as the rain pelted them, one sitting as if in a daze and the other watching in concern. Ororo slowly stood, her hair and clothes now clinging to her as she began to gather her papers and then she moved from the table. Logan didn't move after her. He only stared at her longingly, wanting to reach out to her and comfort her, knowing she was in pain but also knowing she'd probably strike him dead if he approached her. He stared at her back as she walked away from him and further into the garden maze, not caring to take shelter in the storm of her creation.

"Have ya found her yet?" Logan asked the same question he had asked for nearly six hours.

"Yes," The Professor replied with a slight frown. "Scott is bringing her in now, and straight to the med lab."

"Med lab, is she hurt?" Logan asked as fear tugged at him.

"I think you know the answer to that already Logan, though physically I do not know until Scott brings her in, but she is not conscious so I have instructed him to bring her directly to the med lab through the tunnels as so not to alarm the other students," Without further words Logan took off as fast as he could to the underground Med lab. With a heavy sigh, the Professor followed.

Logan arrived at the Lab just as Scott was placing a very wet and frail-looking Ororo upon one of the beds, as the resident doctor, Erik Lehnsherr took her vitals.

"Is she alright?" Logan asked not waiting for a reply as he moved to her, brushing her wet tresses from her face and grasping her hand in his. "She's so cold and why does she look so…" He couldn't find the words to describe the ashen color Ororo's skin now took.

"She seems to be suffering from hypothermia which is strange since her mutation should have prevented it, please Logan I need room to work," Dr. 'Magnus', as the students called him, gently moved Logan away from the bedside. "She will be ok as soon as we get her warmed up and some fluids into her," Magnus said as he went about putting in an IV.

"I'm sorry Ro, I'm so sorry," Logan said a loud not caring of the audience.

"Logan no one blames you man, I found her pinned under a heavy branch the weight of all the rain must have caused it to break and she probably didn't see it coming down til it was too late, but you heard the doc, she's gonna be ok," Scott tried to console.

"Why do ya think it was raining in the first place, she caused it, I hurt her and she made it storm out, FUCK! I shouldn't have come back," Logan said as he glared down at his fisted hands.

"Then why did you?" The Professor's voice cut in. "You must have known this would hurt her, you bringing not only a new girlfriend but one you've impregnated back here, throwing it in her face," He spat out as he angrily glared at the boy before him. Never one to show such emotions, his words stung Logan and shocked everyone in the room.

"I fucked up, I'll admit that but this is home, tha only one I've got, and ever recall havin, but if ya want me ta leave…"

"No," The Professor said with a sigh as he tried to reign in his anger. "You are correct Logan this is and always will be your home and you are always welcome here. I apologize for my outburst, but of all the people in this world, she," His eyes fell on Ororo's body which had regained its coloring. "Is the last person who should ever be harmed, not after the life she has lived, she deserves happiness most of all, and though it went against my very nature, I believed you would give it to her, but I know now I was wrong. My first instinct was correct you do not deserve her, are not worthy enough, and I give you fair warning now Logan, leave her be, let her go, and do nothing more to upset her or you will have to deal with me," That said The Professor turned and left the room in a dead silence.

"Hey sleepy head," A voice called out to her though she was still embraced by darkness. Slowly she opened her eye, squinting a bit as she did, after a few blinks her eyes focused and the face of Jubilee came into view.

"Jubes?" She croaked out and Jubilee quickly reached out and poured a glass of water for her friend.

"Don't try to talk, just relax a moment and try to drink this," She held the glass to Ororo's dry lips which split a bit as she parted them to drink. She gulped happily as the cool liquid poured down her throat, quenching what felt like an everlasting thirst. Once she was done she lay back against the pillows closing her eyes for another moment to collect her thoughts. "So how are you feeling?"

"Stupid," She replied never opening her eyes. "I created a storm that nearly killed me," She stated and the small giggles from Jubilee caused her to open her eyes and smile at her friend.

"Yeah gotta say, oh weather Goddess, that was kind of lame," Jubilee commented through her giggles, which Ororo now matched with her own. "You had us all so scared," Jubilee said now in a serious tone. "Don't you ever, EVER do that again."

"I second that," A voice spoke from the doorway and when she saw who it belonged to, Ororo's smile quickly faded and her eyes instantly averted to the floor. "I think we should talk dar…Ro," He said correcting himself before he could upset her again. "Jubilee can you give us a moment?" Jubilee looked to her friend for the okay but didn't get a response before she was nearly yanked up off the ground and pushed out the door, which closed and locked behind her.

"Ever the brute," Ororo said as she now lay back against the pillows with her head turned, and eyes staring out the window.

"Yeah one of the things ya love about me," He said jokingly, hoping to lighten the mood a bit.

"Yes, one of the things I 'used' to love about you," She said calmly still looking out the window, not seeing Logan's face and shoulders fall a bit at her words.

"Do you love her?" Ororo spoke out softly with her eyes now closed as if preparing for a soul-shattering confession from Logan.

"No," He answered plainly and quickly and she looked at him, directly in his eyes as hers filled with fresh tears.

"Then why?" She asked with now pleading eyes and when he didn't reply she continued. "Do you know what it was like for me seeing her, seeing you and her, and then...she's pregnant with your child?"

"Yeah," He answered honestly finally getting enough nerve to look her in the eyes. "I fucked up Ro, bad but we..."

"But 'we' what?" She asked with an insane-looking grin on her face as she sat up more against her pillow. "What, Oh Goddess, Logan you are not suggesting that I forgive you, say it's ok, that I love you and we can get past all this, help you raise your little son or daughter?" And when he didn't deny her words her head fell back and a hysterical laugh flowed out. "You are mad you do realize. We can never get past this, never mind that you couldn't even be away from me what was it a week before you're fucking someone else? But you didn't even respect me enough to protect yourself, and possibly me from whatever diseases she may have had. I mean honestly if she had not gotten pregnant, thus 'trapping' you, would you ever have told me about her," He stood silent, again looking down at the floor. "Right, at the end of the day Logan you are no different than most boys, and you're such a fucking coward," She spat at him knowing it would rile him and he instantly shot angry eyes up at her.

"Ya got nerve throwin rocks, considering yer living in a glass house darlin. Ya forgot why I left in the first place?"

"OH I see a betrayal for a betrayal, so we're all even now is that it? Right, so this is all my fault. I betrayed you by lying about our marriage so you just had to go fuck the first girl you meet?" Ororo ranted with fire in her eyes, feeling strong enough to yell out what haunted her soul, even though she could see it was pissing Logan off she didn't care.

"Who said she was the first?" Logan growled out and Ororo's face fell and the expression it held was that of someone who had the air knocked from their body. And before she could control it her body began to shake violently with her wails, which were reflected outside as the skies darkened and the wind began to howl at a deafening pitch. Dr. Magnus who had unlocked the door and Jubilee rushed into the room, just as the windows shatter, shooting glass within the room, causing everyone to hit the floor. Dr. Magnus crawled to a nearby table and then to where Ororo sat crying and purposely propelling objects at Logan. Once he reached her, Dr. Magnus quickly injected her with something that took effect fast as the winds and her cries calmed til all ceased and she lay in the bed unconscious. Once everything seemed safe Jubilee stood, as did Logan as he pulled a jagged piece of glass from his waist, letting it shatter on the floor. He was so engulfed in Ororo, worried that he had upset her so much and again, that he hadn't realized until he felt himself being lifted and thrown across the room, that Jubilee was looking at him in a rage, electrical current crackling through her hands.

"GET OUT!" Jubilee roared as she stepped to where he sat slumped in the corner. "And stay the hell away from her!" She continued as Logan stood and snarled at her, popping his blades. *SNIKT* "Oh right, yer a freaking walking electrical conductor, dumbass, so bring it. Right now I'd gladly fry your ass, extra crispy style."

"Logan," Dr. Magnus spoke softly. "I think it would be best, for it is clear your presence only upsets Ororo, please leave," Knowing that the Doctor was correct that he had upset her, he paused in his thoughts to look about the room, which could now be deemed a disaster area, before he ducked his head a bit and walked out.

"I can't believe the Professor is allowing West Side to come to our party," Rogue commented as she, Kitty, Jubilee, and Ororo, who had been out of the med lab for a week and doing better, sat in the cafeteria eating and discussing the ball they were to attend later.

"Why not there are some cute boys in that school," Jubilee stated to which all the others nodded their heads and giggled.

"Yeah and the hottest and most bad is Creed, and you all can recall how well it went the last time he came to our party. He and Logan went at it and for a second I thought someone was gonna seriously get hurt."

"Someone did," Ororo said with a grin as she rubbed her head for show.

"Exactly my point, no good will come of them, 'him' in particular coming to our ball, unless if only to piss Logan off and start a fight," Rogue said before popping a french fry into her mouth, as Ororo arched a brow at her comment.

"Whoa!" Jubilee gasped as she looked at her friend whom she had been waiting to get dressed for the ball. "I thought you were going as royalty," Jubilee said unable to take her eyes off of her friend.

"I was but then realized every other girl would probably..." Then she looked to Jubilee sitting on her bed dressed in armor. "Well, every normal girl would be dressed as some form of royalty, which is why I chose this," Ororo said as she shook her hips, causing the ornamented belt there to jingle and chime to her rhythmic moves.

"A belly dancer?"

"Yes but really a Lady in a harem, you know it's still practiced in some parts of the world," Ororo said with a slight frown of disgust.

"And you chose to celebrate that fact?"

"No, I just wanted to look…"

"Hot and have all the boys drooling over you, very well done Ro," Jubilee said giving her the thumbs up.

"No I was going to say I wanted to look different…and also hot so all the boys can drool over me," Ororo confessed as they both fell into a fit of giggles as they headed out.

"Wait," Jubilee stopped them at the door to Ororo's bedroom. "This is a masquerade ball, where's your mask?" She questioned causing Ororo to smile at her as she lifted the silk garment dangling from the side of her head and brought it across and latched it to the opposite side. "Wow now you look mysterious and hot, but I'm thinking all the curly white hair is a dead giveaway," She giggled more as they left out.

Upon entering the ballroom, Ororo's costume got just the reaction Jubilee said it would for all eyes were on her because she truly did look breathtaking in the jewel-encrusted bra and silk skirt that hung low about her waist, attached to a belt that matched her top. It was her bare midriff with a single jewel glued in her belly button that got the most gawks, as swarms of boys moved to her asking for a dance, which she graciously promised to each of them, after she had had a drink first, to which they all raced off to fetch for her, pushing, shoving, and cursing along the way.

"Boy are you gonna be bloated up on punch tonight," Jubilee said and they both began laughing, which quickly turned to a gasp as Logan made his way to where they stood. Jubilee balled her fist, which crackled with energy.

"No Jubilee, please do not make a scene," Ororo looked to her friend with pleading eyes, and with a sigh Jubilee juiced down and folded her arms across her chest.

"Hey Ro," Logan spoke out as he now stood before her.

"Hello, Logan," She said never looking directly at him.

"How ya feelin?"

"Better no thanks to you," Jubilee hissed out and Logan shot her a deadly glare, which she threw right back at him.

"Jubilee," Ororo cut in. "Will you please give us a moment?"

"Hell no," She said defiantly. "Last time I did that, WWIII happened."

"Please Jubilee," Ororo coaxed. "Get us some drinks for I fear they will be all night," She said nodding to the boys at the refreshment table fussing and fighting over who would get her a drink.

"Fine but the first sound of the wind, a clap of thunder, a flash of lightning, and I'm gonna deep fry his ass," Jubilee said staring directly at Logan as she did. At that moment a slow song began playing in the background and couples took to the floor.

"By all means," Ororo replied with a smile to her friend's concern. After Jubilee had walked off Ororo took a deep breath before she turned to face Logan. The two stood in silence for a moment letting the song fill their ears.

How can I just let you walk away
just let you leave without a trace
When I stand here taking every breath with you, ooh
You're the only one who really knew me at all.

"You look incredible," Logan finally spoke.

"Thank you, as do you, a Wolf now that's somehow fitting," She said as she reached up and touched the wolf mask that covered the upper part of Logan's face. When he slowly leaned his face against her hand, breathing in her scent, she quickly yanked it back and took a step back from him.

How can you just walk away from me?
When all I can do is watch you leave
Cos we've shared the laughter and the pain
and even shared the tears
You're the only one who really knew me at all.

"I'm sorry," Logan spoke out as he in turn took a step towards her. "I'm sorry for everything Ro and I wish ta God I could change it all."

"But you cannot," She said with her head bowed.

"No, I can't, and I know there's no use in saying I hope we can at least be friends 'cause I know we'll never be that."

So take a look at me now
Oh there's just an empty space
And there's nothing left here to remind me
Just the memory of your face
Ooh take a look at me now
Well there's just an empty space
And you coming back to me is against all odds
And that's what I've got to face.

"No," She agreed shaking her head a bit. "It would be too hard…this," She looked up at him now with tears in her eyes. "Being this close to you but not having you, it's almost unbearable, and it hurts so much sometimes that I cannot breathe," She choked out in a near whisper, but then swallowed back her tears, determined not to let him see her cry, not again.

"I'm sorry…"

I wish I could just make you turn around
Turn around and see me cry
There's so much I need to say to you,
So many reasons why
You're the only one who really knew me at all.

"Yes, Logan so you've said but hearing that, knowing that doesn't make it any easier for me," She took a heavy sigh and let her eyes rest just beyond Logan's shoulder to the girl dressed as little red riding hood, who was watching them intensely. "I think Emma wants you."

"But I don't want her Ro, I want you always did, always will," He spoke with pleading eyes.

So take a look at me now.
Well there's just an empty space
And there's nothing left here to remind me
Just the memory of your face
Now take a look at me now
Cos there's just an empty space.

"No, I meant…" She simply pointed and Logan turned to where Emma stood fidgeting and trying to look as though she wasn't at all interested in their conversation. "You should go to her, you being here probably upsets her, and that cannot be good for the baby," Logan's eyes took on a softened apologetic gaze as he now look at the girl he had left standing in a corner, a girl carrying his child. "That's where you belong now, so go," With slumped shoulders Logan moved back to his 'date' never looking back to see the pain etched on Ororo's face.

But to wait for you
is all I can do and that's what I've got to face
Take a good look at me now
Cos I'll still be standing here
And you coming back to me is against all odds
It's the chance I've gotta take

"Are you ok?" Jubilee asked as she returned to her friend's side, and Ororo could only shake her head no in reply. "I'm so sorry sweetie, it's gonna be ok I mean at this point how could it possibly get worse?"

"Well lookie here," A snarly voice spoke from behind them and both girls turned to look up into the face of Victor Creed. "My very own genie, if I rub ya right, can I get three wishes?"

"Oh, yer gonna be wishing for a pain reliever if you don't get the hell away from us," Jubilee threatened, stepping in between Ororo and Victor.

"Jubilee," Ororo spoke out touching her friend's shoulder. "I'm sure Victor was only asking me for a dance, right Victor?"

"Yeah sure," Victor said smirking at Logan who had already stepped up to stand just behind Ororo and Jubilee. "What do ya say runt, ya don't mind if I dance with yer girl do ya?" Victor asked as his smirk widened at the glare of Logan's gray eyes.

"I am not his girlfriend, and you should be asking me and not him that question," Ororo stated plainly, as she folded her arms across her chest. Creed arched a brow at her, liking the spunkiness she was showing and the obvious blow she had given to Logan. He did a low bow to her, which Ororo couldn't help but giggle at, despite the situation and who was around.

"My lady," Victor spoke head still bowed and hand outstretched. "Would you please do me the great honor of allowing me this dance?"

"But of course, kind sir," Ororo replied as she curtsied and took his hand and allowed him to lead her to the dance floor, but not before he threw the widest grin Logan's way, who in turn growled as his claws inadvertently popped out.

"What the fuck is she doin?" Logan questioned aloud to no one in particular, forgetting Jubilee still stood beside him.

"Moving on to someone else, gee Logan thought you'd know that move better than anyone," Jubilee said. "But I know it's gotta sting a bit that she's moving on with your biggest enemy," She added as she turned and walked off, leaving him to glare out onto the floor where Creed and Ororo made a show of twirling and dipping as they both laughed and chit chatted.

"Logan?" Emma called to him but he didn't take his eyes off the girl on the floor, who on occasion would throw him a glance. "Would you like to dance?" Emma asked hoping to divert his attention.

"Sorry darlin, I don't dance."

"Fine, well I think I'm gonna turn in then, this party is a bore," She said flipping her long blonde tresses over her shoulder as she remained standing behind him.

"Yeah, ya do that then," He replied not speaking what she had hoped to hear.

"You're not going to come with me?" She asked dumbstruck. "I thought we could…" He then turned to her looking down at her with hard eyes.

"I told ya already, 'that' aint happenin. I fucked up once and now I'm payin fer it, but it won't ever, ever happen again, so let it rest. I don't want ya, didn't 'really' want ya then, you were just something ta do, like I was ta you. So, let's not play like we got feelins fer one another, we just got a kid, and that's all we'll ever have," With that said Logan brushed past the slightly embarrassed girl and stalked from the room and out onto the patio, into the warm night.

Ororo had been laughing so hard that she had not seen the show between Logan and Emma, though Creed had. He twirled her and then did a swift dip, leaning down and speaking to her.

"Ya can cut the act now babygirl, yer audience has left," He then lifted her and pulled her up and against him as they began to dance again. Ororo looked at him with questioning eyes. "Oh don't act like this ain't all for Logan's benefit, I'm not a fool."

"If you think my dancing with you has anything whatsoever to do with Logan, then I will have to disagree, you are a fool," She said curtly as she turned her head a bit.

"So ya really ain't doin this to goat Logan?"

"Not in the least," Ororo defended.

"But ya ain't put off by the fact that it is driving him nuts, you dancin wit me?"

"Not in the least," She said again this time letting a huge smile spread across her lips. "That's just an added bonus."

"Babygirl, I knew there was a reason I liked ya so much."

"Uhm..yeah because I was Logan's girlfriend thus a means to get under his skin," She answered.

"Ok, so there's a couple of reasons I like ya," He responded throwing her a wink to which she giggled, and they waltzed about the room.

"You know Victor I would have never guessed you'd be such a good dancer," Ororo confessed as they moved in step with the music.

"I'm jus full of surprises, well ta those willing ta take the time to really get to know me that is."

"I will admit you now have me intrigued."

"Good," He said twirling her from his body and then pulling her back, invoking carefree giggles from Ororo who happily went as he lead. "So how bout you and me take in a movie Saturday?"

"I…I do not think that would be good…"

"Why ya afraid of how Logan will react?"

"No," Ororo answered frowning a bit at the implication.

"Then yer afraid of me? It's fine I'm used to that reaction, when ya look like I do ya come to expect that from people," At his words, Ororo felt ashamed and couldn't really see a reason not to accompany him to the movies.

"No, Victor it's not about you, not at all. I mean when you are not being, crude, rude, perverted, and a downright bully and bastard, you are actually fun to be around," She said.

"Tell no one," He said with a stern look but then quickly smirked and threw her a wink, to which she smiled.

"Your secret is safe, the thing is I just don't think I'm ready to date."

"Whoa, date I didn't use the 'D' word, I mean that word implies going out more than once, like regularly, which ain't what I'm askin here. I'm just askin for a one-time deal. Just ta ya know go out, get ta know each other better. Ya never know you might find I'm even more repelling than you thought."

"Oh, heaven forbid." She said with a laugh.

"Or ya may see that I ain't as bad as ya thought after all, that I got layers, something more beneath this big strong, too damn handsome, exterior I have," Again she laughed as she nodded her head.

"Very well, Saturday at 8:30 and please do not be late or you will find yourself going alone."

"Wait…a date, with Victor?" Jubilee asked for the umpteenth time as she sat beside Ororo in the cafeteria.

"Yes, why do you keep asking me that?"

"Cause I don't believe it."

"Well, it's true mon ami," Gambit said patting Logan on the back as he delivered the news.

"What are you crazy?" Jubilee asked still not fully getting what her friend was telling her.

"Is she fuckin crazy?" Logan asked, looking to Gambit as if actually expecting him to answer.

"No," Ororo answered bunching her brow at her friend.

"You know better dan Gambit, no?" Gambit replied with a shrug.

"What about Logan?" Jubilee asked and instantly regretted it when she felt a sharp chilly breeze wash over her, even though it was about 100 degrees out.

"What about me?" Logan spoke in a deep angered growl as he now watched Ororo in her seat across the room from where he and Gambit stood.

"He's got Emma to worry about," Ororo said plainly, tilting her head up a bit, putting on a brave front even though the thought of Logan with Emma, made her want to scream.

Aint you got Emma now?" Gambit asked, knowing full well it was a sore subject with Logan. He himself had mentioned to Logan the fact that he seemed to ignore Emma and even avoid her most of the time.

"Not by choice," Logan said in a mumble as he continued watching Ororo.

"Logan made his bed as they say, and now he must lie in it."

"True, but I gotta say it speaks volumes on the kind of guy he is. And I'll admit I was wrong about him, he's honorable not many guys his age would live up to that kind of responsibility. He's a dog, true enough but not a heartless bastard," Jubilee said as Ororo's face fell. "Well I guess from your side of it, he's both…"

"No, you are right," Ororo spoke out lifting her head and now letting her eyes drift to the side of the room where she knew Logan sat, and her eyes immediately locked with his. She froze and simply stared, she knew he never got embarrassed so he would not feel an overpowering need to look away and so he didn't, but after a few seconds, she had to and again dropped her head and looked down at her plate. "He is very honorable, but it seems, not the guy for me."

"And you think Victor is?!" Jubilee asked getting back on track to their earlier conversation, and Ororo smiled and rolled her eyes at her friend as they now stood to put up their tray and head outside for the rest of their lunch break.

"No Jubilee, it's just a movie, I am not thinking Victor Creed will be 'the guy' for me either," Ororo giggled looking at her friend, who was also giggling, both unaware of who they were now walking by.

"That's good ta know," Logan's voice stilled them both and swiped the giggles from them, and they looked at him and Gambit, who leaned against the nearby wall smirking and then throwing a wink at Jubilee.

"Oh and why is that?" Jubilee asked as Ororo stood and stared at Logan, who stared back.

"Can we talk?" Logan asked, completely and purposely ignoring Jubilee.

"Nope," Jubilee answered as she grasped Ororo's arm and began pulling her reluctantly away. Gambit instantly blocked the way, and gently grasped Jubilee's arm, while snaking his other arm about her waist, to move her away from Ororo.

"You know Cherie, Gambit think you may need a man of your own, so you don't have to focus on Stormy so much, and Gambit knows just de guy," Jubilee frowned at him, but allowed herself to be distracted away. Ororo and Logan were left to talk, though neither did at first, and Ororo now avoided eye contact, opting to look down at her feet.

"I've missed you," She said softly still looking down as her eyes began to water. "Don't know why I'm telling you that but I wanted you to know it. I have missed you terribly, achingly," At this she looked up at him and swallowed back her tears, putting on a brave front. "And I love you, so much I…" She paused trying to calm herself, feeling the urge to cry shadowing her. "In a perfect world, the world I dream about, you and I are still together and we're happy and nothing and no one can touch us, and for a while, every night, I live in that world, but it's not reality. In reality, we are not together and we are not happy, and that's what we have to deal with, what I have to deal with."

"And in reality, you want to be with Creed?" Logan asked calmly, though the anger blazing in his eyes betrayed his cool demeanor.

"It's not about want, Logan. I cannot have what I want," She said and Logan's head fell and he seemingly avoided her eyes for the first time. "This is about moving on, meeting new people."

"But Creed? Darlin, ya don't know him…"

"No, I don't which is why I agreed to go out with him, so I can get to know him. I have discovered through you that one cannot judge a person on perception or on the words of others, if I felt that way I would have never been with you."

"But Creed, what tha hell could you possibly see in him or want to get ta know about him."

"I don't know I guess I have a thing for crude, rude, rebel boys," She replied with a smile and in jest, but from the sour look on Logan's face she figured joking wasn't something she should do with him.

"So this ain't about payback, you goin out with my enemy?"

"For what, you being with Emma? I had not planned on sleeping with Victor to get over you Logan, I'm not a slut. Nor could I just forget someone I love so easily," Ororo spat out and tried to stalk away before her anger made her strike him, but his hand shot out and grasped her pulling her back to him, and into a strong embrace that caught the instant attention of most around them, including Emma.

"I'm sorry Ro, I'm sorry," He whispers into her hair. She hesitated a millisecond before she wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, and closed her eyes to the sensation of touching him and just being there with him. "I'm sorry about everything, so sorry baby."

"Logan?" A harsh voice broke the moment and Ororo tried to pull away but was held firmly in place by Logan.

"Not now Em," He replied as he cast a hard glare at the blonde now standing before them, with her hands on her hip.

"Yes now, right now," She said as she stomped her foot, and this time Logan released Ororo who turned to see Emma shooting daggers at her.

"Fine talk," Logan said as he folded his arms across his chest.

"In private."

"Look anything ya gotta say ya can say here or not at all."

"Ok then, do you know how it looks you here with her, like this?" Emma asked flinging her arms a bit.

"Normal, the only thing odd is you being here," Logan said in a cold manner and Ororo found herself getting upset at him again.

"Logan," Ororo spoke. "Emma is right," She then turned to Emma. "I apologize Emma, I know that Logan is with you and I know how that must have looked, I hope it did not upset you, and I can assure you it will not happen again."

"Like hell," Logan cut in. "First of all, I ain't wit her, I just knocked her up. It happened and I'm dealing with it, but that don't mean we're tagether or ever will be. I love ya Ro ya know it, Emma knows it too, and as fer me never touching ya again…"

"Aww...oooohhhh," Emma suddenly cried out as she clutched her slightly swollen belly and crumbled to the floor, causing Logan to quickly grab her, catching her before she fell as Ororo and nearly everyone near them gathered around.

She stood just outside, watching through the windows of the doors, her heart held a dull ache and nausea filled the pit of her stomach, at the scene before her. As she watched she came to a realization that she had truly lost Logan, he would never again be 'hers' at least not completely. That thought pained her but instead of running off and hiding away as she wanted to do, she instead sighed and made a personal decision to move on with her life and forget about Logan.

"Can we go now Ro, you have a date to get ready for remember?" Jubilee called out to her from her spot, lying across two of the chairs in the waiting area of the med lab, looking completely bored. At that moment Dr. Magnus walked out of the med lab.

"How are Emma, Dr. Magnus…and the baby?" Ororo asked with true concern, as much as she disliked the fact that Emma had a part of Logan that she knew she probably never would, she still felt for her and didn't wish her or their baby ill will.

"Both are fine as far as I can tell Ororo, I am off now to run some tests, until I get those results I won't know for sure what caused Emma such pains, physically all looks well."

"I can save you the time and effort Doc, Emma's problem is simple, I know all the symptoms well," Jubilee said from her spot and both Ororo and the Doctor looked at her curiously, both wanted to hear her diagnosis. "It's called faking it," Jubilee said as she now stood and moved beside Ororo and looked in at Emma with Logan by her side. "Emma knew that was the only way to get Logan's attention from you Ro, and looks like it worked."

"I do not know Emma that well but I highly doubt she would lie about such a thing," Ororo said frowning a bit at her friend.

"I have to agree with Ororo, Jubilee, but as I said I won't know anything for sure until I run some tests, so if you ladies will excuse me," Dr. Magnus then moved off to his office placing Emma's chart on his desk, and then he headed to the testing lab with her blood work.

"Whatever, but I'm telling you that girl is playing all of you, especially him," Jubilee said as she and Ororo both stood watching the couple in the med lab, Emma lying in one of the beds with Logan at her side holding her hand, concern etched all over his face.

"Let's go you have to help me get ready for my date with Victor remember," Ororo said as she tugged her friend from the doors toward the elevators.

"Yeah and remind me again why you're going out with Victor."

"First you tell me why you brought him as a date to our ball?"

"Cause I'm a naughty girl with a thing for bad boys, which is so not you Ro."

"Maybe not the naughty part, but I definitely have a thing for bad boys," Ororo said with a slightly sad sigh as she and Jubilee entered the elevator and started up to the main floor.

"Yeah but compared to Victor, Logan's itty-bitty bad."

"Excuse me, I think Logan could hold his own with Victor," Ororo said still having a need to defend Logan despite their current situation.

"Yeah Logan could kick his ass no doubt, but that's not what I mean. Logan is honorable and honest, I wouldn't say the same for Victor."

"And why not, do you know him well enough to comment on him at all?"

"No, but the boy has got a reputation and it ain't of the good…"

"Yes rumors spread about by people who probably don't know him either, well I will not be closed-minded. I shall give him the benefit of the doubt. I will decide for myself what kind of person Victor Creed is," Ororo spoke as the elevator doors opened.

"Your time to waste sister, dang it I've lost my earring," Jubilee stated as she pulled on her bare earlobe with one hand, while she slipped her earring into her pocket with the other hand. "Must have dropped it in the lab, I'm gonna go see if I can find it."

"Would you like me to come to help you?" Ororo asked as she moved to re-enter the elevator with Jubilee.

"No, you go ahead and get started, I'll be right back up before you know it to do your hair," Jubilee said as she pushed the button.

"Ok," Ororo said with a smile before turning and heading to her room.

She couldn't believe her eyes though she had suspected she had no idea how right her suspicions had been. A devilish smile crept upon her face as she closed the file and placed it back as she found it, before making her way out of the room. "Gotcha," She exclaimed as she practically skipped off.

"How bout this?" Ororo asked as she modeled her outfit and twirled in front of Jubilee who sat on the bed lost in her own thoughts. "Jubilee?"

"Hmm?"

"What is the matter my friend, you have been in another world since you sat down."

"Oh sorry Ro just trying to get my head around some things."

"Like what?" Ororo asked as she now sat on her bed in front of Jubilee.

"It's about Logan and Emma…" Ororo groaned at the mention of the two names and she flopped back upon the bed and threw her arm across her face.

"Goddess, I do not think I can stomach any more talk of them."

"Well just hear me out, it's important and I think you should know and definitely Logan should if I'm right," This got Ororo's interest and she sat back up.

"What is it Jubilee?"

"Refresh my memory, Ro, exactly how long was Logan gone?" Ororo bunched her brow at her friend but answered the question.

"Seven weeks, two days, 6 hours," She said swallowing back impending tears. "…and fifty-two seconds," Jubilee couldn't help but smile despite the seriousness of the situation.

"Yeah, that was what I thought too, well not so detailed but about the same thing. Ok, now what if I told you that Miss Emma is ten weeks pregnant?"

"WHAT!"

"Are you sure, I mean really, really sure?" Ororo asked again as she paused in her pacing long enough to stare sternly at her friend who sat on the bed watching Ororo in annoyance.

"Yes for the one hundredth and 'last' time, I'm sure I read it all in Dr. Magnus' files. There's no way Logan's the father of Emma's kid, the bitch lied."

"But why I cannot understand it, why would you tell a person they are the father when they aren't?"

"Cause she probably knew Logan would take responsibility for it and he has, and she's a 'Biotch'," Jubilee stated. "So what are we gonna do about it?"

"What do you mean?" Ororo asked staring at her friend curiously.

"I mean Logan, we have to tell him and I think we should do it right now."

"But what if he doesn't believe us?"

"He can read it all for himself."

"I do not know Jubes, given Emma's current condition we may upset her and cause her more stress."

"Ro, snap out of it girl there's nothing wrong with Emma except a case of the green-eyed monster. She knows that Logan loves you and that the only reason he gives her the time of day is because she's having his kid, which we now know aint the case at all. She's been playing us all, especially Logan. Don't get me wrong he ain't my most favorite person in the world right now, but he has a right to know about this, and if you're too chicken to tell him I will."

"Of course you are right, he does deserve to know the truth, but I just don't know how he will take it coming from me. I think it would look vindictive and spiteful if I did it," Jubilee hopped from the bed at these words, grasped Ororo's hand, and led her from the room.

"Then I'll do it," Jubilee said as she pulled a hesitant Ororo behind her.

"We're not disturbing them see," Jubilee said as she moved into the room where Emma lay with Logan at her side, as she tugged Ororo in after her.

"Hey, what are you two doing here?" Logan asked as he instantly dropped Emma's hand and stood upon seeing Ororo enter the room.

"Oh, we came to share some good news, well good for you Logan not so good for Emma," Jubilee said with a broad smile, which made Ororo think she was enjoying this a bit too much.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Logan asked as Jubilee pulled out the file she took from Dr. Magnus' desk. Emma's face noticeably paled over as she stared motionless at the papers.

"I'm talking about…AHHHHHGGGRRR!" Jubilee screamed and clutched her head as she crumbled to the floor, sending the papers she had been holding flying about the room. Ororo rushed to her friend.

"Jubilee, what is it?" Ororo held her friend in her arms as she watched her thrash about wildly and cry out in pain.

"She's in my head, GOD!" At Her words, both Ororo and Logan turned their attention to where Emma lay. Ororo's eyes whitened as she quickly stood and moved to Emma only to have Logan grab her arm.

"Ro ya can't, the baby," Logan said in a pleading voice.

"Then, make her stop, she's killing Jubes," Ororo commanded as her fist illuminated with an electrical current.

"You wouldn't dare," Emma, said in a winded voice it was obvious that using her powers was putting a strain on her and draining her.

"You think you know me well enough to test that?" Ororo said as she sent a shock to Logan throwing him back a bit and freeing her to move on Emma. "You either stop this or so help me I will make you stop."

"Ro No!" Logan called out to her and he tried to stand only to have Ororo hold him down with a sudden gust of wind. Emma who was now sweating profusely and panting as if out of breath, closed her eyes releasing Jubilee from her torture, and Ororo powered down and moved to Jubilee's side, as she still lay on the floor a bit stunned. Dr. Magnus who had been coming back with the results of Emma's blood test rushed into the room, having heard the commotion.

"What is going on in here?" He asked as he looked to Ororo who held Jubilee, helping her stand, and then to Logan who was at Emma's side once again stroking her hair.

"Doc, I think something's wrong with her, she's out of it. She was using her powers and I think it hurt her and the baby," Logan spoke with grave concern and worried eyes, as Dr. Magnus moved to him and Emma to look her over. Logan stepped back and threw an angry glare at Ororo and Jubilee.

"Yes she's exhausted and dehydrated, I'll have to start another IV to get her more fluids and I want you all out, " He said as he turned to the teens. "All of you, now!" He spoke sternly and Logan, Ororo, and Jubilee slowly exited out into the waiting area.

"What the fuck is wrong with you, you knew she was already in a crisis and you pull this shit?" Logan growled and directed it at Ororo, but Jubilee quickly came to her defense.

"Look knucklehead this was all my idea, Ro didn't think it was a good idea and now I think she may have been right. Silly me I just thought you were the type of guy who didn't like being played a fool," Jubilee said as she stood in between Logan and Ororo.

"What are you talking about?" Logan asked as he folded his arms across his chest.

"Emma's ten weeks preggers Logan, think about that a moment. Come on you weren't that bad in math class," Logan bunched his brow at her words as he looked from Jubilee to Ororo as if seeking confirmation and Ororo simply dropped her head, avoiding his eyes. "There's no way in hell that kid she's carrying is yours," Logan turned his now hardened eyes back to Jubilee and it made her take a step back, he then clinched his jaws and fists and then turned and moved back into the room with Emma and Dr. Magnus. Jubilee and Ororo both moved to peer through the window, though they couldn't hear what was being said, Logan's coldness and Emma's crying said it all, Logan then stalked from the room back out to where they stood and then past them.

"Logan I am so sorry," Ororo called after him and he snapped his head towards her and the look on his face caused her to silently gasp.

"Like hell ya are, ain't this what ya wanted? Aint it why ya came bouncing down here ta gloat in my face, guess we're even now huh?"

"What? Logan, no I…" Ororo went about pleading her case as she moved towards him, but he cut her off and stopped her with the raise of his hand.

"Don't, don't try ta deny this all gave ya a bit of satisfaction Ro, 'cause I know it did. One thing I thing this has taught me though is that we really don't belong tagether, it's a sign from God. I don't deserve any happiness; not you and not that baby. So, I give up," Logan choked on these last words and swallowed the lump forming in his throat before he turned and walked off. Ororo stared after him as her own tears fell as she began to realize what that baby meant to Logan. She could see now that he thought he had lost her forever and focused all of himself on this baby he thought to be his, something he felt no one could take from him, except that's exactly what she had done, right or wrong it was something she wasn't sure he'd forgive her for.

"Why don't you cancel?"

"No, I shall not punish Victor and especially not over this," Ororo said putting on a brave face as she stared at herself in the mirror while putting on her makeup.

"But don't you want to spend this time trying to work things out with Logan?" Jubilee asked as she leaned against the doorframe of the bathroom, watching Ororo ready herself for her date with Victor Creed.

"No I think Logan made it quite clear where he stands on the subject of 'us', and I shall not press the issue and give him his space."

"He's just in shock right now it'll pass," Jubilee tried to reassure her friend.

"Maybe or maybe he is right, that these are all signs that we should not be together, never should have to start with. We are too different. I mean he was with Jean for a long time and I am nothing like her. This has all been too painful," Ororo said allowing her face to distort in anguish.

"But you've been happy too. The happiest I've ever seen you and I know Logan caused that. You know he's not someone I'd have picked for you and that I had my reservations, a whole lot of them, but I believe he loves you and I know you love him. Don't give up on that Ro."

"I am not the one giving up this time Jubes, and I tire of waiting for Logan so maybe I should truly try to move on."

"With Victor Creed, you call that moving on? I swear sometimes I think he and Logan are related cause they act so much alike. Are you sure you're not just transferring or substituting?" Ororo threw Jubilee a displeased look for her words.

"I am not doing any such thing, nor would I. I don't even know Victor thus the reason for this date in the hopes to get to know him better. Besides I don't think he and Logan are so much alike for if they were I don't think I could go out with Victor. I am not denying what I feel for Logan, I love him. Goddess help me, I love him, so much that sometimes I feel like it's choking me ... like I would literally die without him. That is not a healthy thing to feel I do not think love should be like that. And this pain," Ororo looked desperately at her friend as she rubbed her hand across her chest. "It's almost unbearable Jubilee and it's quite physical as well as mental and emotional. I do not wish to feel this every time Logan and I fall out, and our record shows that we will. And in the end, the hurt has overshadowed all the happiness," Jubilee ended the discussion as she stared at her best friend, seeing the hurt on her face and knowing that what she was saying was how she truly felt. Jubilee decided to respect Ororo's feelings and not push the subject any further. She moved into the room behind Ororo placing her hands on her shoulders and once again turning her to face herself in the mirror. Jubilee peered over Ororo's shoulder and pushed her hands into Ororo's hair.

"So what do you think, up or down?" Jubilee asked as she lifted a handful of Ororo's tresses and then let it all fall to cascade about her shoulders.

"Well it's only a movie, so I think down," Ororo answered smiling at her friend's reflection.

He hadn't even let his knuckles hit the door before it was yanked open. "What the fuck do ya want Creed?" Logan's gruff voice roared as a snide smile crept across Creed's face.

"Where's your manners runt, ain't you gonna invite me in?"

"We take out tha trash here bub, not invite it in."

"But I'm a guest," Creed said with mock hurt having seen that the one who had invited him was coming down the stairs.

"After the shit, you pulled last time you were here, there's no way I'm letting ya back in," Logan said as he took a step closer and got right up in Creed's face. Creed putting on a show for Ororo, who stood at the base of the stairs watching them, raised his hand, and took a step back. "If you want in Creed yer gonna have ta come through me, and I hope ya try, please I'm itchin ta rip inta, someone."

"Yes, and I think that someone is me," Ororo spoke out and both boys turned to face her. "Victor is my guest Logan, so please allow him in," Logan sneered at her and then at Creed.

"Aint gonna happen," Logan said still hoping Creed would try him. Ororo simply sighed and walked over to the doorway.

"Very well, let us just go, Victor," Ororo said as she grasped her coat from the rack and moved to leave out.

"Sure thing, we can go for a stroll before the movie," Creed said smiling warmly at Ororo and watching Logan's reaction out of the corner of his eye. "You sure do look pretty," He threw in and inwardly laughed when he heard Logan's growl.

"Thank you, and yes a stroll would be lovely, perhaps through the park?"

"Sure," He replied throwing her a wink as he extended his arm, which Ororo linked with her own. Logan glared after them as they walked out to Creed's cherry red 1965 Mustang-based Shelby GT-350 Cobra, which put a smile on Ororo's face since she was a fan of the model.

"This is beautiful," Ororo commented tracing her fingers over the side as Creed opened the door for her.

"Yes she is, but she has some fierce competition tonight," He said with a smile, which Ororo matched. Creed closed the passenger side door and made his way around to the driver's side, opening it. He threw Logan a broad smile. "You have a good night runt and don't wait up," He then hopped in, started the car, and sped off.