Present

"Return immediately Roy! I wouldn't have you playing treasure hunter in the memorial garden." Ororo Munroe called out to the boy.

Several heartbeats later, a young boy around the edge of nine came running back to her with a small metallic object clutched within his palm. "Oh no." Ororo groaned inwardly, sometimes he was more trouble then he was worth. If not for her years of control and patients, she knew she would have had it with the kid.

"Here, look what I found." Roy said as he held up the chain for her inspection, beaming proudly as if he'd accomplished some great feat. "Roy Munroe. I specifically told you not to touch anyth..." Ororo's voice trailed off as she caught sight of the inscriptions on the two tags that were hanging by the chain, "Wolverine".

"Where did you get this?" Ororo demanded of her young charge. Disciplining him would have to come later she thought this was more important than anything that had happened in a long time.

"Well." Roy began as he eyed the darkening skies warily. "There was this lady walking towards that tiny waterfall and I . I.. You know how I know the scent of people who are close to me like you, Lisa and Dad, I mean she.. She smelled so familiar, like family, and then, I didn't think and called out to her." Roy said as he took a breath and continued. "It was really weird, she reacted as if I was some ghost, and took a step back and ran. "I think she must have dropped these in the pond." He pointed to the tags which were now in her possession. "Oh, and she had these really long gloves on, and these long streak of white hair like I do." Roy said as he put his hand through his white streak of hair to emphasise his point.

"I never thought I'd see these again." Storm thought to her self. "She recalled, the last time she'd seen Rogue. Well, it wasn't technically the last time but for all purposes, it served as the last significant one.

---

11 years ago

"Cyclops, we're approaching the lab. What's your position?" Storm spoke into her comm link.

"I'm right behind you, we'll regroup at the main door." There was a moment of silence before he said "Any word from Wolverine?"

"No, I lost contact with him sometime ago." Jean shook her head as she added her voice to the link. "We'll know how he's doing in a few moments."

A few moments later, a howl ripped through the complex. "What was that?" Jean asked as she made their way towards the blast doors of the antechamber on separate sides of the complex.

"Trouble most likely, Wolverine is not given to howling in any normal circumstance. Something must be very wrong." 'if anything happened and, no . I have to go in,' Storm broke her train of thought mid sentence preferring not to contemplate the possibility, not when she was that close. "Cyclops, Jean, I'm going in. Join me when you can." With that, she cut her link despite the protest that she knew was already on its way. She knew she ought to really wait for the others, if something was wrong, there were little that she would have been able to do. More importantly, she could get them into deeper trouble. 'Damn' she thought, 'How did I let him get this close to me? And why did love have to be so . irrational??" She thought to herself as she pushed the door opened.

What she saw would stay with her forever. Logan had someone that looked like Rogue pinned on the ground. No, it was Rogue, the white streak was unmistakable. There she was, it couldn't be true but it was. They had all thought her dead for the past 5 years, but never found her body, not till now. Logan's right fist was against Rogue's throat, the two outer blades tantalisingly close to the skin on her neck, the middle claw poised just between the skin of his knuckles poised to strike out. The mask that marked Rogue as the Ghost Leader gently grating against the floor and coming to a stop, it was the only sound to come from the room.

Logan must have realised someone else was in the room, because he turned his head towards the back of the room where Storm had come in. 'I'm sorry Logan' Rogue mouthed to him and closed her eyes. Finding the strength she needed, she caught Wolverine off guard and sent him flying into Storm. Rogue wasted no time in scrambling for her mask and fleeing through the collapsed wall to the outside. She was nearly away when Logan's voice stopped her in her tracks and made her turn towards him. He began sprinting towards her .

100 meters...

'I can't stay.'

80 meters.

'It wouldn't be fair to him, not while I'm like this'

60 meters.

Rogue dipped her head slowly and raised it again.

40 meters.

Instinctively her fingers went to her lips but ever so slowly. For Wolverine every second seemed like an eternity. He was desperate, knowing that if he missed her it might be the last time he'd see her.

20 meters.

She paused and moved her hand outwards towards wolverine in a farewell gesture as her tears reflected off the light of the compound. Bending ever so slightly she lifted of the ground while continuing to stare at the spot she had vacated and that which wolverine now owned. Marie stared until she could see them no more, before turning north and away.

Back on the ground, Logan stared towards the havens and wondered at what might have been. "Logan." Ororo's voice called out to him gently, waiting.

After a while he answered her in a slightly pained voice unwilling to face her. "Just . just leave me alone 'Ro." As much as he wanted her company, the shock of seeing Marie again was just too much, especially when he'd thought her gone for good.

Storm nodded and said, "If you need me, you know where to find me."

As she turned to leave Ororo spotted Scott and Jean running up towards them, "What the hack happened? I thought Wolverine had things under control, don't tell me he lost Ghost Leader?"

"Let him be Scott, I'll explain." Ororo said, as she motioned the other two inside.

Several months later

"What is it 'Ro?" Logan asked as he sensed Ororo approaching him from behind.

"You've got a 'special' delivery today, tell me Logan, what exactly have you been doing behind my back?" Storm teased him as she handed his package to him.

"Nothing yet darl, but we can change that if you wish." 'Two can play that game,' he thought. "So, what exactly is it that's got you so." Logan stopped as he turned around to look at Storm and then to the package she was holding.

"Here."

"Huh?! . Are you sure you've got the right person 'Ro?" Logan said.

"Unless there is another person named Logan, with no last name living in this place." Ororo answered.

"What the heck am I supposed to do with these flowers?" Logan asked clearly annoyed at what he received. "These had better not be some childish prank." As he drew them towards him for a closer inspection, a pair of metallic tags fell from the bouquet of flowers.

Reaching slowly towards them, he spied the inscription on the two tags. "Wolverine" It looked suspiciously similar to his. 'Adamentium' He thought as he picked them off the floor. 'Definitely mine.' Logan thought, 'Marie."

'Yes, this smells like something she would use.' Logan thought as he tried to trace the scent from the note.

"Bristling wood, Avalon grove.@@@ Marie"

Five words, but enough to tell him who and more importantly where. He looked towards Ororo and slid the tag and note towards her without taking his eyes off her. His face grim and in pain.

"Get rid of them..."

Ororo Munroe looked at the note and tags, old memories and painful ones for Logan at that. She would have dearly loved to comply with his wishes but there were somethings that just needed to be resolved. Ororo had many of those in her past that she never got the chance to see through to the end and she wasn't about to let Logan throw something away that he might regret later.

"Logan, you need to know. One way or the other." She finally said as calmly and composed as she was able to. She reached out to take Logan's hand to stop him from leaving.

"No . that's over now. Somethings are best left alone." He replied but made no attempt to redraw his hand.

"All of us here have things in our past that we rather not delve into again. . Especially the two of us, but there are somethings that we regret more than most. This is one of them . if I were you, I would want to know." Ororo said as she felt herself straighten and then relax slightly.

"Four years ago when I first returned, we both knew I came back for Marie, but I was too late. You were the one to tell me Marie was lost to us and that her body was never found after that incident in which she save your lives from Cerberus. Jean wanted to spare my feeling on how it happened but you knew I would accept nothing less than the truth. It was also you 'Ro, that accompanied me to search for her when I didn't believe the lot of you that she couldn't be found. I'm tired of chasing false hopes, especially when there are more important things here." He said while staring into her white eyes, never letting his gaze drop through out his reply.

The gentle smile that she gave him was tinged with sadness. "Logan, no matter how we try to fool ourselves we both know deep down your heart belongs to another. Go find her, if you truly believe that she's not the one for you, I'll still be here."

Seconds passed.

" Now is not the time for you sense of honour to get in the way of your heart." Storm got up from her seat with the grace that few could muster and walked over to him. She brushed the back of her hand against his check before saying what came out almost like a whisper. "Go." Managing that, she walked out of the hall . her foot steps echoing in Logan's ears for an eternity.

---

Present day

"Mother, did you know that lady?" Roy asked.

"Yes, she was a friend . we shared a lot in common with each other." Ororo said to the young boy. She had to be careful not to say more to him than he needed to hear, at least not for a while. Moreover, not when she still had a promise to keep. However Ororo knew that like his farther he a persistence that sometimes bothered on annoyance and would not be satisfied with that answer. Therefore, she began her tale.

"Around eleven years ago." Storm began.

---

Approximately ten years ago. Bristling Wood, Avalon Grove

"Marie." A gruff voice came from the edge of the clearing.

Rogue straightened her back as she heard that voice. She had dared not to hoped that he would come, but come he did. The wolves that she had called her only true friends for the past four years began to growl. Marie put her hand on the lead wolf and spoke to it softly. Slowly the calmed down.

'Funny' Logan thought, 'that's exactly the way I would have called them off.' Then he remembered what Jean told him all those years ago. 'Perhaps they should be familiar after all.'

"I didn't think you would show up after what I put you through." Rogue said. Five years away and from what he'd seen most of them spent here, away from any human contact had aged her. Yet she still looked extremely attractive to him. The innocence that he had known when he first met her was gone, replaced by regret.

"Neither did I" Logan replied and they stood staring at each other for several seconds,

Finally Marie crossed the gap separating them and hugged him. "I've missed you." She said as she buried her head against his neck. Logan could feel the gentle breaths against his neck as he wrapped his hands to cradle her. It sent shivers down his spine, as he remembered why this journey was worth it. They would stand there for a while, just taking the time to remember and feel each others presence in case the moment should never come again.

"So do I, we have much to talk about, but that can wait." Logan said.

Several months later

"Marie, are you sure of this?" Logan asked.

"Yes, they are you team mates ya know and a long while back they were mine too. I owe them too much to sit this one out." Rogue said. "Besides, I've got a surprise for you when we get back. At the very least it will keep your mind occupied for a while." And she winked at him.

"Right!" Logan said, expecting something like that. There was too much good in her for her to sit idly when she had the power to do something. 'Perhaps eventually he might be able to convince her to go back to Chuck's for help, or for friendship at least.' Logan thought. Living out here on your own could eat away at you, and didn't he know that -after too many years in similar situations himself.

"Here, you forgot your lucky charms," Logan said as he tossed his tags to her.

When she caught them, she mouthed him a thank you. Words unable to express what those tags meant to herl and how she'd missed them when she sent them back to him. Taking a few moments to compose herself she the got ready to take Logan and herself to the X-men.

"So Logan, how do you think Ol' one eye will react to our presence?" Rogue said she headed off towards the trouble spot.

All he could do was laugh, and it would be the last one for a while as the battle fever began to take him. Logan felt alive and for the first time in a while he felt ready, ready for the hunt.

Surface deck of the Vigilance Cruiser - dry dock

"Jean?" Rogue called out to her former friend and ally as she set both Wolverine and herself down on the deck

"What are you two doing here? We thought you wanted no part of this." Jean said, she was surprised to see Rogue here. Wolverine she half expected . his bond that he shared with the x-men did not let him leave easily even if he wanted too. However considering he'd been spending his time away from them, she wasn't too sure.

"Just passing through, thought you could use a hand Jeannie." Wolverine gave her a lopsided grin. Just point me in the right direction, I want a rematch with that bastard." He said as he unshed his claws.

"Here." Jean handed them a bag of explosives components. "Rig up decks seven through nine with these things. You'll get your chance with Shadow later."

"Welcome back . Oh and one more thing, you do remember how to rig explosives don't you?" Jean asked Rogue with a half smile. Not waiting for an answer, Jean headed off to tend to the next section.

Ten minutes later a blast rocked the vessel.

Deck 9 of the Vigilance Cruiser - dry dock

Slowly Logan regained conscious, something wasn't right. The scent of burning circuitry and smoke weighted heavily in the air. 'The charges' they must have started to go off. Must get away.' Logan thought as he tried to get up but found himself trapped under several tonnes of debris. He tried to recall what happened . Rogue was half way down the passage from him while he was working on his charges. Something went wrong as he remembered feeling the blast of explosion before he saw it coming. He saw the superstructure of the ship beginning to collapse in on him, Rogue saw what was happening but she was in no position to help him.

'Dammit why couldn't something go right for a change." He thought disgustedly as he tried again unsuccessfully to push off the enormous weight that was on top of him.

'Logan?"

"Answer me dammit!! I didn't build all that courage to get you just to loose you again." Rogue called out through the smoke and haze.

Logan tried to call out to her but all he could manage was a couple of haggard coughs, but it was enough. Her gaze finally found him. 'Maybe. Maybe I could get him out of there but I'd never get it off in time.' She thought.

As she reached him, she cradled his head in her arms and stroked his hair. "Don't you dare die on me." She said but the look they gave each other knew there would be little chance for any more of those late night sessions where they could sit up in her cabin and reflect on those missing years. Nor would they hear the laughter and joy from the other any time soon in the future.

"I have to try." Rogue thought, the strength she had absorbed would be able to help but .

"Marie . there's nothing you can do. We both know it. This piece of junk on top of me is what keeping me alive for a while longer, my healing powers aren't fast enough to compensate for the loss of blood if you lift it. Go, leave now while you still can. Return to Xavier, they can still help you if you let them."

Silence.

"I just might be able to survive if you leave me here." Logan said softly, knowing what he said was a lie and he doubted that Marie would have bought it. "I just wanted to say . " Hell, he knew he would have trouble saying exactly what he was going to say but he had to try. "I."

"Shh.. I know. Save your breath. I love you too." Rogue said as she put a kiss to his forehead. "You know, you're a lousy liar . you'll just have to do better next time."

Rogue was about to say more when Jean's voice came over the comm link. "Rogue? Are you and Wolverine clear of the area. We'll need to blow the charges now. Any longer and the city will be in danger."

"Go" Logan said to her, trying without success to push her away.

Marie looked down to Wolverine and she flashed one of those smiled that she'd first given him so long ago and shook her head. "Jean, we're clear and on route to point Charlie. Blow it." With that, Rogue silenced her comm link permanently. Slowly she bent down and kissed him full on the lips while covering his body with hers.

"I love you." Logan's thoughts flow though her as their link began to open.

Several hundred miles away in the heart of Avalon grove a pack of wolves would howl through the night and mourn the passing of two of their pack..

A couple of days later, the x-men would find Rogue barely alive but Logan's body was not to be found.

---

Present day

"That's the end?" Roy asked his mother.

"Yes child, that is all." Ororo looked at her charge.

"But you never told me what happened to that man with metal claws . Did he die?" The young boy asked, disappointed that not everything was resolved in the way he desired.

"No one know what happened to him, even now it is still a mystery. Now."

Ororo was about to continue when Roy called out excitedly. "Lisa's coming, I can smell her . and dad too." He looked around intensely before saying, there . there they are. Can I go? Can I?"

Ororo nodded her head, "Roy." She paused. "If you wish to survive pass childhood you will do well not let me catch you touching anything here again, whether or not they may have been dropped. Are we clear on that."

Thought Roy knew that his mother would not carry out her threat, there were times when it payed to obey the weather goddess. So he nodded his head and said yes before leaving.

Ororo stared at the boy until he was out of sight before returning her glance to the tags and chain, her smile bittersweet. 'So we finally meet again after all these years . It seems that I'll have a longer wait for both your owners to turn up.'

Ororo finally got up from her bench and headed towards the small alcove, the breeze caressing her skin like a long lost lover every step of the way. When she finally stopped in front of a polished marble stone plague, she felt her hand drawn instinctively towards the stone to touch it, to remember.

"Where ever you are, it is time you returned. Here, I believe Rogue meant for you to have these." She said, laying the tags against the base of the plague before continuing. "Roy's doing just fine . but he needs to know Logan and soon. They both need you. " Leaving the tags she turned away from the plague, letting her fingers drift across the surface one last time. As she left Ororo mouthed to herself, "So do I."

The tags would continue to stay in the alcove and wait, and there they would stand vigil, for the paths of two lost souls to cross once more. When those souls do cross, its vigil would end and the lives of it's owners would begin a new chapter in this world. However of its owners, only the future of it's original owner is certain. Destiny would decide the fate of who the other would be.